Well, lets start by saying 2018 was a bloody MASSIVE year! Lets get straight into some race stats (my numbers), before diving into the training that goes into it preparing for the races the important numbers are 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 5, 8, 31, 22, 62!
- 1 x 21.1km half marathon run (at the Gold Coast)!
- 1 x Aquathlon (Kawana)
- 2 x Duathlons (Springfield & Luke Harrop Tri which was converted)
- 2 x Half ironman distance races (Cairns 70.3 & South Africa 70.3 World Champs)
- 2 x Full distance ironman races (Port Macquarrie & Western Australia, Busselton)
- 2 x Long course distance races 2km, 80km, 20km or thereabouts (Hervey Bay & HOTW at Goondiwindi)
- 3 x Long sprint distance races 0.9km, 26km, 6km (all at Raby Bay)
- 3 x Sprint distance races 0.75km, 20km, 5km (Caloundra, Moreton Bay & Bribie Island)
- 5 x Standard (olympic) distance races 1.5km, 40km, 10km (Robina twice, Kingscliff, Mooloolaba & Noosa)
- 8 hours, 02 minutes & 38 seconds swimming in races
- 31 hours, 22 minutes & 26 seconds cycling in races
- 22 hours, 52 minutes & 02 seconds running in races
- TOTALING 62 Hours, 58 minutes & 48 seconds on course racing!
So there is summary of the crazy racing numbers that has been 2018! Was it all perfect? Hell no, but I can tell you it continues to ignite a fire inside me like nothing else, that drives me to want to be better, better at everything I do!
So lets delve into the training that goes into racing that much….. Here’s how Strava saw it:
There is no argument that in 2018 my training volume was down, totaling 423 hours, well below my goal of 10 hours per week (520 hours). So I averaged 8.1 hours per week! What has amazed me about this process of review and reflection, is I am still achieving improvement across all distance triathlons from sprint right up to Ironman! I start most years with some goal training distances in mind that should equate to my goal of 10 hours per week. Below is my goals as found in Garmin Connect and you will see 2018 I didn’t achieve any of my distance goals.
How did I still achieve 7 PB results throughout 2018, with a reduced training volume? Well, all my training was consistent, targeted and very specific. I hit targets and specific goals in every training block I did! I removed a lot of junk kilometers and stripped my training back to minimum. This allowed my to focus on coaching and hopefully be a little more present for my family!
I take great delight in coaching athletes and using my own experiences to help guide them to be the best they can be! This year I have consulted with a nutritionist/dietitian, physio, podiatrist, professional triathletes, physiologist, lots of other coaches and club managers. I am striving to improve my knowledge and how I interact and engage my athletes to help them improve! Building relationships is my big learning, I cant help someone that isn’t willing to communicate with me on a level where we both are learning!
As an athlete my 2018 highlights are simple enough:
- Qualifying for my first World Championship event!
- Racing the 70.3 World Championships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa!
- Achieving a podium finish in the Tri QLD Nissan State Series 40/44.
- Being apart of the Starfish Tri Athletic success!
As a club Starfish Tri Athletic continued on from our strong performance in session 16/17 and finished season 17/18 well, taking out the Triathlon Queensland Nissan State Series trophies for the following:
- Aggregrate Club Championships
- Small Club (under 50 members) club champions
- Junior Coach of the year – Ben Luscombe
- Plus a few other individual age group podiums, shout out to Riley Wingad & Matthew Lovell
Our squad is growing and the atmosphere is super friendly, rewarding and a real pleasure to be a part of! If you are looking for an environment that can draw the best out of yourself and improve your life, come on down and join us, we offer program from absolute beginner novices through the 7 time Ironman (finisher) programs and absolutely everything in between! It’s the perfect place and group to find your ‘TRISTYLE’.
Parkrun has been and will always remain apart of my journey. In 2019 I complete 23 runs and volunteered times. It is such an amazing environment, where everyone can come along and get active without any judgement. At Capalaba we have runners from 18 minutes right out to 1 hour for the 5km and the cheering and celebrations for personal best results are the same no matter where you finish! If you’ve never done a parkrun its the perfect place to start running, as Nike would say, ‘Just Do It’!
So what does 2019 hold for me? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure? I have big goals and dreams and my focus is slowly moving away from my own athletic performances to that of my athletes and even my business. But that is a topic for another blog! Racing will be directed by the goals we set for the club and our athletes. Cairns Ironman & 70.3 are a big focus for Starfish Tri Athletic as a club with hopefully 5 first timers stepping up to a longer distance than they have ever raced before.
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!TriathleteTed on Strava
Till next time build consistency, keep smiling and live to Tri!
SO, YOU WANT TO BE AN IRONMAN? 