Training Starts . . . tomorrow

Almost the end of 2006 - a year in which I entered no (none, not a single one, zero, etc) triathlons. So I am no longer a triathlete
But this year, I did decide to cycle for work. Seeing as I work as a management consultant (dirty word, I know), I tend to travel to my clients’ premises. So my rule is that if they’re within 15 miles of home, I ride the bike.

Initially I used my race bike (very old Raleigh, bought second hand years ago), but for commuting, this really is just too uncomfortable. So when my wife, Cathy, was away for the weekend in April . . .  waddya know! The Bike Fairy came, and left me a nice sensible ‘urban’ bike - a Revolution Courier. It’s basically a mountain bike frame, with slightly narrower wheels, road tyres, and fewer gears. I’ve clocked up around a thousand miles in 8 months (suddenly doesn’t sound like very much - especially compared with El Zappoman’s heroic 5,000), which has kept me reasonably fit - fit enough at least to build on in 2007.

And for 2007, the targets are . . .

• 8th April North Tyneside 10K road race - goes past our front door
• 13th May - Stratford Tri - sprint.
• Late May / Early June - Wallsend 10K - fast course for a PB - target 40 mins - a BIG improvement, as I think I last did around 43 mins on this course . .  .
• July or August - looking for a friendly Olympic Tri . . .
• 8th Aug - Hebburn Tri. - sprint & local & well organised.
• 9th Sept - Warwick Tri sprint AND Wombourne Tri sprint. Two in one day!
• 30th September Great North Run - 1/2 marathon, target a course PB of 1:40 - it’s good to dream.

So there’s no time to lose. Training starts tomorrow, easing my aging body back into running.

And if I stick to it, I’m hoping that the Bike Fairy will visit again at Easter, with a nice new race bike that actually fits me. Wouldn’t that be nice!

Filed under: Cycling, Fitness, Triathlon