I had big goals for 2017, it included full distance tri, half distance tri, PBs in road running but half way through the year all of those are gone. I should be on my way to Germany now for Challenge Roth but I had to take the refund option earlier in the year because of injuries and more importantly wanting to spend time with my family meant it was not a realistic option to aim for it. And aren’t I lucky I didn’t go ahead with it. Every time I think I’m making progress I hit another stumbling block, another hurdle to overcome. Missed races, plans cancelled and searching for what target I can aim for next. I look back at 2016 and everything went to plan (well up to after Dublin Marathon), I reached my goals and my A races couldn’t have went better. I felt I was getting back in shape in June but only for the latest set back of achilles tendon issues. This is not something I have had before so its now all about getting that right. I should really skip one swim, bike or run session and dedicate it to strength and conditioning. Of course that is easier said than done because we all just want to be out doing what we love.
I have decided to cancel any plan to do a half distance this year. That means no trip to Dublin for Ironman 70.3, no trip to Kenmare for the Lost Sheep half distance, but hey on a bright note a lot of money saved 🙂 I will start with some strengthening work now and hope that helps me
2017 has been full of frustration and I’m already thinking about 2018. Right now I’m thinking week by week and only signing up for races that allow to sign up last minute. I need to build back up to where I was in 2016 and put in some good performances that will set me up nicely for an early half ironman in 2018. My races for the rest of the year if I get to the start line are:
July 22nd – Lee Swim 2km
July 30th – Carrick-On-Suir Sprint distance tri
August 12th – Blackwater Sprint distance tri
August 27th – Dublin City Olympic distance tri
September 9th – Dungarvan Olympic distance tri
September 30th – Moby Dick Sprint distance tri
October 15th – Lisbon Half Marathon
I have done all of these before except the Lisbon Marathon. So after the race it will be a good marker to where I am at. It will be interesting to see how many I get to do but my 2 ‘A’ races would be Dublin City Tri and Lisbon Half marathon. I will hopefully sprinkle in a few road races to keep things fresh and maybe, just maybe break a PB in one of those before the end of the year.
So out of the following which would you recommend for an early year half ironman in 2018
Challenge Gran Canaria 70.3
Ironman 70.3 Marbella
Ironman 70.3 Mallorca
Ironman 70.3 Barcelona