2014 is quite simple. Having achieved 2 lifetime athletic goals in the last 2 years it’s now time to finally go for goal number 3. To recap:
Goal 1 – Sub 10 Ironman – Achieved in 2011 at Challenge Copenhagen with a 9hr21
Goal 2 – Sub 2.45 Marathon – Achieved in 2013 at the Virgin London Marathon with a 2.43
Goal 3 – Qualify and race at the Ironman World Championships in Kona
These goals have proved difficult for me. I’ve been trying to break 2.45 since 2001 when I did my first marathon and in 2003 I started my Ironman journey with IM Lake Placid. I really believe that 2014 is the year. Mainly because it’s taken this long to learn what’s required mentally, physically and in terms of preparation for the event.
The key to racing well at Ironman is a focussed 12 week block of training. In that block there needs to be a couple of Half Ironmans and an Olympic. The latter being for pure speed and the Half Ironmans are to develop speed endurance. The races below have been carefully selected and pretty much mirror the build up I did in 2011 when I had a great season.
Ballbuster Duathlon – 1st March Boxhill(Goal – sub 2.50)
I’ve did this race back in 2003. Result here – http://athlinks.com/result/39818/58157/88699595/28724733
When I did it last time I rode a normal racing bike with no aero bars. I’m also a better runner off the bike now so with 50s off the first run, 3 mins off the bike and 2 mins off the 2nd run….it will be close to sub 2.50 I think. We’ll see.
London Marathon – 13th April (Goal – sub 3 @ Ironman effort 140BPM HR)
I’m doing this race because I’ve got a blue championship start and this may be the only opportunity I get to take my rightful place on the start line next to the elites. I’ll be careful not to ruin May with this effort so an experiment to see how low I can keep my heart rate for a 2.59 something run will be the goal.
Mallorca 70.3 – 10th May (Goal – sub 4.30)
There’s a bunch of people from Black Line London and Team Freespeed doing this. I’m going to put a week of training in before hand, Tanya will join me on the Wednesday and I’ll race for a solid performance and given the tough nature of the course I think a sub 4.30 would be a good achievement.
Windsor Olympic – 15th June (Goal – top 10 overall)
I’ve done this race around 4 times and have always been around the 2.10 mark. In 2006 I placed 9th overall with a long 2.08. I’ll be looking to better this!
Forestman Middle – 22nd June (Goal- top 3 overall)
I’ve heard this race is tough and with it being 1 month out from Ironman UK it’s the final test. Will certainly be interested in the Power data from this one and hopefully the training effect from this race will tee things up nicely for the big race in July. In terms of position it really depends who turns up. I’d certainly hope to get in the top 3 overall but that might be a little ambitious!
Worthing Olympic – 6th July (Goal – 1st turbo & sub 2.09)
It’s the club Olympic distance champs and Thames Turbo is dear to my heart. I also did this race in 2011 and finished 4th overall. I’d really like to beat that time particularly the bike leg.
Ironman UK – 20th July (Goal – Top 6 in age and Qualify for Kona)
The biggie. Goal quite simple. Go top 6 and qualify. I reckon a 9.50 will be needed and I really hope I’m right.
Beyond these races……well let’s see.
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