It’s Race week again and that means I start my preparations for TriStar Mallorca that is being held on Sunday 15th April. The race distance is 1km swim 100km bike and 10km run. I did this distance in Estonia last year and finished 2nd in a good field. This time Id like to go one better but Im realistic about the quality line up. Im not doing an alex ferguson and deflecting attention because I feel i’ve earned the right to be called a contender. But anything can happen on race day.
I want to do well in this one but still my focus is Lanzarote in May. I have kept the load on and have pushed hard in recent weeks and I feel strong. Since Abu dhabi me and the sheep up the Mast in Omeath have become very friendly. Lots and lots of hill and mountain miles have been put in. Running wise my last two Sundays have finished with 2:45 & 3 hour runs. When you get to that distance injuries occur so I have been working closely with Conor Murray at Physio Ireland and he is keeping a slight hamstring problem at bay. I have started to get more massages too. Mark McElroy from Smart Clinic and Physio Ireland have been taking care of that. Always using my own helvectica health oils of course..;-)
A couple of testers
To get things sharp I raced Midulster Duathlon in Magherafelt on Saturday. I was happy with the outcome, not because I won but with how my body responded. I was happy with my running especially my second run. I think the long sessions have given me added strength.Triangle Tri Club put on a great race and it was first place for Emerald Racing in the mens and women’s with Eimear Mullen taking the victory. Eimear is racing Mallorca on Sunday also, where she won last year. I made a day of it and had a swim session with David Graham of David Graham Fitness in Belfast. We started working together after Abu dhabi. I wont lie and say i’m faster but Im heading in the right direction. Davids credentials speak for themselves, so hopefully we can get my swim moved up a notch or 5!
Monday I did the Mountpleasant 5k. I registered early and went out on the bike for a tempo 1 hour finishing the last 10 minutes at time trial effort. I timed it so to be on the line for the start of the mountie 5k and the pace was seriously quick from the off. Slight downhill and giddy legs left everyone blowing hard for the last 4km. I had a rough time between 3 & 4 km`s. The `Raw` was closing in so i had to dig deep to keep him at bay and not get `Rawed`!! It was great to be back in the clubrooms of Mountpleasant where I spent many Tuesday and Thursday evenings as a child. I finished 4th with the North East Runners claiming the team prize. Well done lads.
Race Tactics for Mallorca
Im just going to put it out there- Im going for it. With 1 km swim it leaves me(hopefully) closer to the main guys. I know what I can do on the bike leg to have a fast run but I plan to push harder on the bike. With 10km run I think its not the end of the world should things go really bad. The run is short enough to `die` and get to the line fairly high up. Its a gamble and a test. But I`ll say this now- when you`re in the thick of it decisions have to be made and things change.
Eve my sister is racing. Eve`s strengths are similar to mine. Only difference is she is a stronger swimmer. Maybe I could use her in the swim leg. A swim domestique!!.. Eve- we need to talk. You were always my favourite sister. I believe Eve can do well, she has nothing to fear and every bit as good as the competition.
Im using the Emerald Racing strategy- Race Hard or Go Home.
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