I’m about to have a crack at Challenge Weymouth. It will be my last main race of the year. It will also be the first long distance race in which i will be racing as a Pro! I don't view myself as a Pro (yet!), more of an elite amateur. I’ve chosen to step over the line as Challenge Weymouth has prize money which pays to 10th and you are only eligible to collect a pay check if you are registered as a Pro! So I'm registered and rocking up with the sole goal of making the top 10.
Despite this being my first Pro long distance race I haven't felt that motivated or excited for the race. I think i have underestimated how a multiple Ironman year would effect me (god knows how Harry Wiltshire has done like 8/9 Ironman’s in his Kona quest. Nutter!).
At the outlaw i was fired up and ready. Here Pre Weymouth I feel like i should be more excited, but I'm not. How has an Ironman become ‘just another race’? I know once I'm in the race and the suffering begins i’ll be fine. Just got to get in that water and hear the bang.
I had the plan to try and race myself into shape for this race, lining up a couple of half’s and the National Relays for a bit of speed. The first half didn't go quite to plan (expensive swim with a DNF), due to a rather chopper-ish mistake on my behalf, which i won't go into details about as it’s too embarrassing and will shame my family name. The National Relays were great. I felt fast and we won the mixed comp on the Saturday. The Vitruvian was also a success coming 2nd overall.
I feel I'm running well. I did a local 5k race last week and ran a 15:49 (Strava has it as 15:38, and Strava is aways right!). This is not a mile away from my PB (15:35) and I've done very little speed work. I’m a little worried that I've dropped the ball a bit with my biking, I will be banking on the deep fitness built up pre outlaw still being with me. Swimming is as good as it’s been this year.
Race Goals. 10th Overall and to run a sub 3hr marathon (before Goss does!). I’m also looking forward to locking horns with the guys from Outlaw (Craig Twigg, Phil Mosely and Karl Alexander)
All in all I’m ready to get it done and finish the year. I’m looking forward to starting the process of putting myself together for bigger and better things next year.
See you on the other side.
Tom
Despite this being my first Pro long distance race I haven't felt that motivated or excited for the race. I think i have underestimated how a multiple Ironman year would effect me (god knows how Harry Wiltshire has done like 8/9 Ironman’s in his Kona quest. Nutter!).
At the outlaw i was fired up and ready. Here Pre Weymouth I feel like i should be more excited, but I'm not. How has an Ironman become ‘just another race’? I know once I'm in the race and the suffering begins i’ll be fine. Just got to get in that water and hear the bang.
I had the plan to try and race myself into shape for this race, lining up a couple of half’s and the National Relays for a bit of speed. The first half didn't go quite to plan (expensive swim with a DNF), due to a rather chopper-ish mistake on my behalf, which i won't go into details about as it’s too embarrassing and will shame my family name. The National Relays were great. I felt fast and we won the mixed comp on the Saturday. The Vitruvian was also a success coming 2nd overall.
I feel I'm running well. I did a local 5k race last week and ran a 15:49 (Strava has it as 15:38, and Strava is aways right!). This is not a mile away from my PB (15:35) and I've done very little speed work. I’m a little worried that I've dropped the ball a bit with my biking, I will be banking on the deep fitness built up pre outlaw still being with me. Swimming is as good as it’s been this year.
Race Goals. 10th Overall and to run a sub 3hr marathon (before Goss does!). I’m also looking forward to locking horns with the guys from Outlaw (Craig Twigg, Phil Mosely and Karl Alexander)
All in all I’m ready to get it done and finish the year. I’m looking forward to starting the process of putting myself together for bigger and better things next year.
See you on the other side.
Tom