So September was about reframing, focusing on what I get to do and appreciating that simple fact ‘I get to do this’! Like my previous couple of months it was a tough month, but using the above reframing I actually banked some solid consistent training and racing. If you follow my blog you would already know i achieved a PB at the Sunny Coast 70.3 and you can read about it by clicking here!
So let’s not waste any more time, grab a coffee and stop for a quick moment to reflect and review my September training activities. This is all about celebrating milestones, being grateful for the time and appreciating the sacrifice. In September I trained on 27 out of 30 days, training for 41.1 hours for the month, which is on track for my desired 10 hours per week. September was dry and warm, almost the perfect month for training.
During September I entered (and attempted to finish) the following Strava challenges:
Running:
- Sept Distance Challenge – complete 70km finishing 84,626 of 151,825 participants
- Sept 10k Race – Complete twice, my best average pace was 4:44min/km, finishing 23,303 of 154,820 participants
- Sept Half Marathon Race – I didn’t complete this month, despite competing in a 70.3 (half was just short).
- Sept Climbing Challenge – 449m/2,500m, finishing 60,056 of 83,287 participants
- Sept The Great 13.1 Challenge – failing only running 12 miles of the required 13.1 (actually 20.9 of 21.1) the 70.3 half marathon was a tick short.
Cycling:
- Sept Climbing Challenge – completing 5,745m/8000m finishing 74,317 of 161,231 participants
- Sept Gran Fondo – 135km was my longest ride finishing 40,560 of 180,073 participants
- Sept Distance Challenge – complete 772km finishing 43,164 of 201,262 participants.
I love that these challenges give me something fun to watch and monitor during the heavy loads of training. During September they provided the perfect motivation to get out there ticking over the k’s and hours trying to maintain some consistency in my training.
The following is a summary of activities for Sept, banking time was the goal:
The following little chart is from my excel spreadsheet I use to track volumes & hours, it helps me stay on track for my annual goals, also providing a good summary of the monthly total:
September was still a struggle, but as with life there is always lows and highlights worth celebrating. September was no different. I got to lead (as a coach) the Starfish Tri Athletic club into the first of the Queensland Triathlon Series race with 22 athletes taking part, it was an honour and a privilege!
During the school holidays I got to assist as a coach and take part in a junior triathlon training camp! The enthusiasm displayed by all the kids involved over the 3 days was truly inspirational. They learnt bike skills, running technique, swimming technique, open water skills, goal setting and had a heap of fun!
As a coach there is no better reward than watching the future of our sport absorbing and attempting everything and anything you can through at them! One of my highlights was watching everyone had a crack on the rollers, for most it was their first experience. With ages ranging from 8 to 17 it was awesome to see them face the fear and have a crack. We cannot thank Zacy from V1 Cyclery (& Intervelo Cycling Team)for coming along and giving of his time to assist. We also had a visit from The Athletes Foot from Capalaba come and talk about our feet and the importance of great shoes, I have already been hit up by my 11-year-old daughter for a pair of racing shoes, because apparently you should train and race in the same pair! The juniors also loved hearing from Jo Miller, Australian up & coming triathlete talk about her journey through the junior ranks and the recent world championships in Rotterdam, she had them all enthralled and inspired by her stories.
So now looking forward, I have an epic race shedule through to Christmas and it’s going to be a blast, so strap yourself in, cause it going to be awesome!
October
- Round 2 Queensland Triathlon Series Robina – Standard distance (1.5, 40, 10)
- Round 1 Bribie Island – Sprint distance (0.75, 20, 5)
November
- The iconic Noosa Triathlon – Standard distance (1.5, 40, 10)
- Round 3 Queensland Triathlon Series Kawana – Aquathon (2.5, 1.0, 2.5)
- Harvey Bay 100 – Long course (2, 80, 18)
December
- Ironman WA, Busselton – Ironman (3.8, 180, 42.2), this will be my 3rd Ironman for 2017!
Then Christmas and a well-earned short break, because 2018 is shaping to be just as much fun or perhaps even more fun!
If you ever have any questions please reach out, I’m only a message away.
If you’re not active at the moment & need some inspiration, follow me on Strava, Instagram and like my facebook page and let’s get back out there swim, bike or running. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss a blog post from me! The biggest regret we can have in life is to not TRI!
Till next time build consistency, keep smiling and live to Tri!
SO, YOU WANT TO BE AN IRONMAN? 