Tuesday, 13 November 2007

Florida Kees


Sorry about the pun but I couldn't resist it. For those of you suffering Ironman withdrawal symptoms here is something to brighten up those dark winter days.
These are our two intrepid heroes after the world championships in Clearwater. Kees came in with a time of 4hrs 46 and Fiona 5hrs 36.
Well done to both!

Tuesday, 30 October 2007

Video link of the Monaco Ironman 70.3

I don't think the official DVD is out yet but here is a free video to whet your appetite.

http://www.xtriathlon.com/videos/23-Ironman_70.3_Monaco_2007.html

Tuesday, 2 October 2007

Short tri more support

Me and my boys ( yes it is a boy!)
Hands up or I'll shoot

Before I finally pull the plug on the blog here are some pictures of my triumphant short triathlon. Do you recognise the shirts from Monaco!





Tuesday, 4 September 2007

Upload those pictures


I'm sure you all have pictures ( not as good as this one) why not share them with us?

Post event lessons



Every event teaches us something. My first lesson was ' empty your powerBar bidons before packing your bike'.

The picture doesn't do justice to the sticky mess!

And so to the results!

In case you haven't seen the results here is a quick run down. Fantastically well done everyone. I think we can all be rightfully poud of our own performances and those of the the team as a whole.


Andre
FRA
M45
46
00:37:22
00:04:44
03:26:58
00:03:49
02:50:02
06:54:22

Andrea
ITA
M30
27
00:31:23
00:03:25
02:58:22
00:03:03
01:44:08
05:13:53

Fiona
GBR
F35
3
00:43:22
00:04:58
03:48:36
00:04:03
01:51:20
06:23:18

Kees
NED
M40
61
00:34:46
00:04:41
03:30:32
00:03:38
01:53:45
05:59:03

Pablo
ESP
M30
44
00:40:15
00:04:13
03:15:52
00:03:26
01:36:11
05:32:18

Marna
RSA
F30

00:42:20
08:12:25



00:00:00

Uwe
GER
M45
18
00:43:30
00:03:40
03:10:08
00:03:37
01:40:30
05:34:08

Chris
GBR
M40
83
00:39:55
00:07:31
03:27:19
00:06:10
02:12:02
06:19:16

Lindsay
GBR
M40
115
00:43:02
00:05:07
04:07:11
00:04:53
02:14:50
07:05:03

Matthias
GER
M45
47
00:47:10
00:06:40
04:05:31
00:05:28
02:03:03
06:55:44

And so to the results

Wednesday, 29 August 2007

Don't get a bee in your bonnett

I knew these cycling helmets were a bad idea and on Sunday I found out why. Half way through a fantastic early Saturday morning ride ( chilly but sunny) I heard a strange buzzing noise. It got louder and louder so I had to stop. It was then I realised I had a bee stuck inside my helmet!
I took the helmet off and the bee flew off into the mist unharmed.

I think he was trying to smuggle himself to Monaco!

Tuesday, 28 August 2007

Water water everywhere

Finally got out for an open water swim on Sunday in the car at 5.15am to be at the lake for 6.00am as I was expecting a queue. I was the only person there! So what is worse a totally deserted lake or a mass start?

We will will find out on Sunday.

Thursday, 23 August 2007

Narcissism rules OK!

After so many weeks writing about the team my company intranet decided it was time to write about me!






Chris Bennett: 'call me Ironman'
If you see a cyclist speeding past you on the way to work, a runner sprinting up the mad mile to Banstead or a a wet-suited figure in the Guildford Lido on Tuesday night it is probably Optician’s editor Chris Bennett.For the last eight months Chris has been training to take part in the Monaco Ironman 70.3 triathlon and this has meant up to 17 hours of training a week to be ready for the event.On 2 September Chris will swim 2km in the sea, cycle 90km through the French mountains and then run a half marathon. But this is no fun run and cut-off times mean anyone not completing the course fast enough will be removed from the race.Some might ask what possessed Chris to agree to partake in such a punishing event. Surprisingly, he maintains it's all a matter of professionalism. "Last year optical companies Oakley and Transitions decided they would put together a team of opticians to take part in the event and as Optician is the leading journal in the sector they invited us to cover it," he explains. "The coverage impressed the organisers so much they invited me to become their media partner and cover all the athletes’ progress. After a short time they asked me if I would like to take part in the event and it seemed like a good way of getting into the story."When the coaches explained to Chris that Ironman was a life-changing experience, he didn’t quite understand what they meant. "To be able to compete properly you have to change your diet, your sleeping habits and your lifestyle," says Chris. "Exercise becomes an everyday part of your life and the once-impossible becomes your normality."As a father of three, Chris says time is the tightest commodity. "Trying to fit in all the training takes thought and planning. I have three kids, all with friends and clubs to be taxied to, there are things to do around the house, holidays, plus all of my work commitments to juggle," he says. To illustrate this, he describes an average training week.


Monday: visiting clients during the day. Evening: Lower body and abdominal workout at home.
Tuesday: cycle 12 miles to work and 12 miles back home. Evening: 2.5km swim in Guildford Lido.
Wednesday: cycle to work and run home. Evening: yoga and stretching.
Thursday: 3.6km wetsuit swim in Guildford Lido with training drills in the evening.
Friday: run into work and cycle home. Evening: flexibility training.
Saturday: bike 32km then straight into a 5km run – repeat three times consecutively.
Sunday: one-hour recovery run.
And this is for just half the full Ironman distance - the 70.3 is the distance of the race in miles.Despite the gruelling training schedule, Chris insists the Ironman philosophy improves your whole life. "Ironman is as much about the mental as the physical," he says. "You have to plan your life, family and work to live in harmony. This makes you take a more measured approach to everything."As well as the commercial benefits for Optician, the project has helped the magazine engage its community of readers and develop web 2.0 streams. "Optician invited readers to become part of the Ironman team through the magazine and lots of readers expressed interest. The eventual team member's progress has been followed in the mag and she has become a minor celebrity within optics."At the heart of the coverage is Chris’s team blog, which has been phenomenally successful and, he says, could easily work across markets as a blueprint for other sponsored, third-party blogs for similar events.In fact he believes triathlons could be an ideal event for other RBI magazines to explore as commercial sponsored events. "You would be amazed by the type of people taking part in Ironman events - they are successful business people not sports jocks," he says. "The Monaco 70.3 is sponsored by an investment bank and the participants are intelligent, successful people who use their training to maintain their physical and mental edge. It also has the attraction of including loads of gadgets and travelling to exotic locations. The ethos is all about excellence and achievement in an atmosphere of exclusivity."For Chris, the personal rewards far outweigh the commercial possibilities. "When I first agreed to do the Ironman my concerns were whether I could finish, now I am beginning to think about how good a time I can get. The changes I feel physically and mentally are staggering and I feel empowered by the whole process. My body has changed shape and I have endurance to do things I would never have considered before."But, of course, not everybody shares his enthusiasm. "My partner thinks I’m having a mid-life crisis and have become obsessed with exercise. She nearly fell off her chair when I said no to a beer last week," he says. "All I Know is I feel great, if a little smug, when I hear the ‘young free and singles’ moaning in the lift about how tired they are - it makes me laugh."

Wednesday, 22 August 2007

WHAT A JOURNEY …….OAKLEY TRANSITIONS AND LYCRA




Conquering some fears:

Swimming in open water wearing a wetsuit in the freezing cold, or in the choppy sea and dirty lakes.
Learning to spot so that it’s possible to go in the correct direct whilst literally tasting both the salt water of the sea and the muddy water whist swimming in the UK lakes!

So many lessons for cycling:

From: what to wear (shorts too padded, not padded enough), Nutrition before, during and after training, what to drink (can be as simple as 100%pure apple juice with water and a pinch of salt).
To: how to assemble, set up and maintain bikes (and break them………managed to snap a rear derailleur) but also hours and hours of sitting on a bicycle up crazy hills with gradients of up to 25% and down steep hills judging when to break.




The running I thought would be ok but trying to run after cycling for 3-4 hours is like having legs that feel as though they belong to someone else, and that they are also in control of these legs.

The UK weather always presents a challenge for the intense training: -frost, rain and also the blazing heat of Monaco, not forgetting the high winds of Futurventura. These are all factors that have to be overcome to dig up that motivation. Oakley Transitions Half Jackets satisfies nearly all of such weather conditions. The rain it seems is still difficult one.




Already I have reached limits of training that I didn’t know I was capable of and I cannot believe. I also feel as though I have someone else’s body (and I think my Husband thinks that too) with muscles that I never knew I had but also sooo many clothes that don’t fit!

And finally one fear and probably the most intimidating of all is ‘the triathlon race suit’…….bright blue ‘spandex’ looking babygrow! An old Gentleman was awaiting his eye examination today as the lycra race gear arrived at work, all I can say is …he was smiling!



Monday, 20 August 2007

The final furlong

Sorry for this being such a low key posting but I have been having major computer problems.

We are all on the final leg of our journey now so I hope everyone is ready. Why not share you final thoughts with the rest of the team?

Chris

Tuesday, 14 August 2007

Impressed and jealous


DearPablo and Fiona,



You guys are looking fit! I was feeling pretty good with my own training but how am I going to keep up with you two. I am really impressed you should be proud of your acheivements.



Also Pablo I am really jealous of your scenery and your weather. Autumn has arrived early in England, the wind is blowing and the rain is falling I have been riding with my raincoat on this weekend.


THE HARD AND BEAUTIFUL TRIATHLON






A hard day of race, and a incredible place for training.
Different days with the same addiction for them.
GO TO MONACO!!
Pablo.

Sunday, 12 August 2007

2 ½ weeks to go and I literally cannot afford to loose any more weight!


Marios training program continues to demand, and the demand I make on my OAKLEY TRANSITIONS are second to none, with the 15hrs training last week these were a unbeatable.......the training went something like this……..

1hr 15 minute swim,
3.5 hr cycle,
1hr 40min run
Another 1hr 15min swim

Plus……..

2 BRICK sessions (brick being either a swim followed by a cycle or cycle directly followed by a run )

1hr swim followed by 1hr 40min cycle

And………
25km cycle followed by 30min run (Repeat this 3 times!!)

About 3 or 4 weeks ago my suits for work were hanging off me (my step son Jake used the words of Vicky Pollard ‘it is well shameful, dressed like that’)
So a few weeks ago I went shopping with my Aunt Pat and brought some new suits but can you believe it, even these are becoming too big!

I thought this weeks schedule may be a little easier …………….only 13-14hrs not 15!

(but the crazy thing is i love .......i'm addicted!)

Friday, 27 July 2007

Optician's report from the third training camp

http://www.opticianonline.net/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=2602

Work life balance



People are beginning to talk.

And I think I know why, here is a shot of me at my desk.

This week I decided to go for it and run to and from work. I live about 12 miles ( 19km) from work which makes it the ideal distance for one of Mario's endurance runs. I have cycled in for years but decided to cycle in, leave the bike here and run home, then run into work a couple of days later. Excellent training. The only trouble is my desk has ended up looking like the end of season sale at the sports shop.

Tuesday, 24 July 2007

BORN TO TRI....


The last Saturday I did a Triatlon, 1.8km swim + 60km bike + 12km run. Hard, very very hard, the start was at 16.30h, in Spain a crazy triatlon very famous, but funny, i could smile.... Almost an Ironman...
My experience:
Swim ok, very good, no fast but never stop, I finish not very tired, some annoyed...
Bike, all time quickly, in the beginning I improved a lot, but a lot of hills, and in 30 min i feel that the people go very fast also... I finish strong, but my legs some tired...
RUN: my good!! when I star the run, I look my legs two times, I feel that I have like astronaut´s feet. My legs were very heavys. The firts km were very hard for me. My heart is ok, but my legs can´t go more fast. For me run is the more comfortable, but not the saturday... in a few km my legs were better, but not ok. I did a great effort for finish...
Time: 3:22 h
When I finished I was very satisfied, very tired, I tried to do the last km more quickly for win positions. When I stop I thought, why not play I another sport more easy, like paddle??
And a friend tell me, the problem is that in 1-2 day you forget this and you will be thinking about the next race.... and yes, in only two hours, no days... incredible. Maybe we have Born to Tri... or for suffer... Curious pleasure.
Regards,
Pablo.

Thursday, 19 July 2007

THE ONLY BONUS OF BEING SICK …………….

…..I MANAGED TO LOOSE 2KG! Can this only make the Monaco hills easier???? Back into the full swing of training, i did swim training in Heron lake on Sunday in my Sailfish wetsuit, i think i've managed to conquer the fear of swimming in open water - thanks sooo much to my Husband just swimming next to me gave me huge confidence.......... 1.8km later, i couldn't understand what i was affraid of!? Sooo excited to be back, Fiona.

How about this for a challenge.. The Irongorilla





People say doing an Ironman is mad but how about this?!! 1,000 people running through London all in Gorilla suits.

Monday, 16 July 2007

The Surrey Slog


I took part in an off-road cross-country half marathon on Sunday called the Surrey slog. This was 13 and a bit miles through the rough hilly terrain of the Surrey Hills. I must have done well because they gave me a medal!

Monday, 9 July 2007

This sporting life


What a weekend for sports fans we have had in England.
There was the Tour de France in London and Kent, The British Grand Prix , Wimbledon finals and loads of cricket.
Of course the big event was a mammoth 4 times bike and run by me in the surrey countryside modelling the new Transitions Cocoon top.I even had my own audience.
I used the same cycle and the same run for each of the circuits. This confused the life out of one family who were cutting a huge hedge. When the guy saw me for a fourth time I thought he was going to fall off his ladder.

How are people finding running off the bike? The first two circuits were OK, third not bad but the fourth ouch!

Share your thoughts.



Wednesday, 4 July 2007

Pablo ( Picasso) ?


I send you the best face of Fiona in Monaco for the blog and the magazine…. That’s Ironman!! Or Ironwoman…. And she non stop…

An exciting swim

I went to the outdoor pool again last night and it was all very exciting. The weather in the UK at the moment is appalling, there have been floods, hail and thunder and lightning. When I arrived , through the floods, for my swim last night the pool couldn't open because there had been lightning in the area.
Apparently swimming pools have to be closed for 30 minutes after lightning has been heard in the area for safety reasons.
In the end we got in the pool and had a swim, after aboit 10 minutes the heavens opened and it started to hail really hard -- a most bizarre experience. It's great fun until you have to get out and change!

Tuesday, 3 July 2007

Ironman France




Here are some more pictures from the big night.



Why not post some of yours?

Monday, 2 July 2007

Something to cheer up Fiona

All praise to Mario

Fiona, If it is any consolation I went out for a couple of runs this weekend and a cycle on Saturday morning. It absolutely pi**ed down with rain. I did a hilly circuit around Leith Hill through the country lanes. there was one lane where the farmer takes the cattle out so I also has a cowshit shower --just to top it all off.

Get well soon.

Friday, 29 June 2007

wot a come down


since the third training camp in monaco i've been struck with sickness, i had to leave work today and can't train for some time! This picture of pablo cheered me up tho.


A very sad & disappointed not so ironlady (Fiona)

Wow my shoulders ache


I decided to go for a swim in the Sailfish wetsuit last night. I took Peter's advice and pull the arms and legs well up to give my shoulders some room.
I did 2.5km in an open water, 50m pool. I couldn't believe how hard it was on my shoulders. I think I may have to go more often.
It is really cold in England at the moment and raining so it was really odd to be swimming around in the pool after the glorious weather in Monaco. Both of the lifeguards were wearing about 3 coats, hats, and had their umbrellas up
I have no excuse for uploading this picture, it just made me smile.

Thursday, 28 June 2007

send me those pictures!


I thought the training was hard in Monaco but since I got back I have written about 5,000 words on the camp, the athletes and the trainers for all the different countries so look out for that coverage!
I thought I would post a picture to capture everyone's excitement of the finish line at the Nice Ironman last wekend. It's either that or the champange! If you have lots of pictures please burn them onto a disc and send them to me. I would be delighted to post them online for all to see.
Good luck with the training.
I'm off for an outdoor swim in the Sailfish wetsuit tonight after my youngest son's district sports day. I think the water may be a little colder than Monaco.


Thursday, 14 June 2007

A quick trip into history

Despite all of my training I have also managed to get in some reading. After enjoying Lance Armstrong's Every second counts I decided to delve into British cycling history by reading a book about Tom Simpson, the legendary British cyclist who died on Mount Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France. What a great tale and a great book.
Needless to say I have renwewed passion for the bike and a great retro Peugeot jersey to go with my leather Brooks saddle.

Monday, 11 June 2007

How many speeds do you have

I am constantly intruiged by my instructions on Sport-Control.

I have three speeds: Slow, not quite so slow and dying.
This week I had this in my prgramme:
Run (80')10 mins warm up - 3200m Zone2, 30 s rest - 1600m Zone3, 30 s rest - 200m Zone4, 60 s rest - 200m Zone2, 30 s rest 200m Zone4, 60 s rest - 200m Zone2, 30 s rest - 400m Zone1 - 10 mins cool down Mini speedwork is introduced. Best done on a treadmill or track.

I will try my best

Wednesday, 6 June 2007

Ooooooppppss

Last week I took my bike in for some bigger sprockets on the rear cassette much to the dismay of the guy in the shop. ' But you already have a Compact', he said. 'I know,' I said, ' but my trainers said get a 27 on the back and a compact on the front. He said ' where are you going again?'
When I called into Pearsons Cycles to pick up the bike he had a big smile on his face. ' I got you a 28,' . His brother chipped in saying: ' Now you have got a 34 on the front and a28 on the back. If that's not enough, give up.'
I also had to take my everyday bike in because I am trying out new saddles. I couldn't get the saddle level, I explained, so wanted to try another one. I'm not surprised they said you have got your seat post in back-to-front! DOH - how embarrassing.

Resting is hard work

Despite having to attend the British Contact Lens Association meeting in Manchester last weekend it was a weekend of no training for me.

I read Lance Armstrong's book ' Every second counts' on the way there so I was all fired up when I returned on Monday.When I returned home I saw that Mario had put some stretching and strength session into Sport-Control for me.
Having got into the habit of 4hour Sunday rides I thought this would be easy. No way
Wow, it's hard, I haven't ached so much since Feuteventura!

Thursday, 31 May 2007

Has Mario gone soft?

With my training in full swing I had a mammoth weekend of :


Saturday 240min bike bricked with 30 minute run
Sunday 3kms in the pool
Monday (holiday in the UK) 22km run ( in the rain)

I checked into Sport Control to fill in my details and I had a surprise.

Mario has given me a rest!

How is your training????

I am going to send everyone an email with some questions about their training so look out for the email and fill it in!

Friday, 25 May 2007

That shirt gets wide exposure



The Transitions Tri-top got more exposure this week when I was put on a shortlist of the 'best dressed' in the company. I was caught in the lobby on my way to change into my work clothes. This image has been posted on our intranet site for employees to vote on so about 4,000 magazine and website publishing folk are looking at it now.

I hope I win there's a £50 prize.

(sorry about the Rudy Project glasses)

Thursday, 24 May 2007

Latest on Uwe


hi otits ;-)



thanks for demand

it could be better...recovery is very slow
on sunday I tried the first tour on bike...but, after one hour my knee looked like a water melon..puh
..frustration

so I have to change my goal ( a little ;-))...the challenge is: to train without pain and to stay in
the otit team

best regards

uwe

training impossible...but publicity for Transition and Oakley
the very special transition lenses..not only for outdoor sports :-)

Wednesday, 23 May 2007

Get those wetsuits on guys

I went for a swim at the outdoor pool in Guildford again last last night to try out my wetsuit. Wow what a difference it makes.
If you get the chance it is well worth swimming in your wetsuit to see the difference in buoyancy( good) but also in the restriction of movement( bad).
One of the guys there also said you should change your technique in a wetsuit to reach more. My wetsuit is 10 years old, I don't think I have changed shape that much but the suit may have lost some flexibility. Does anyone know anything about swimming wetsuits?

I must admit I was blown away by the scene. It was a fabulous sunny evening with the sun shining on the water. I've suddenly decided that swimming isn't so bad after all.

Monday, 21 May 2007

Am I hallucinating?

All of this time in the saddle along gets to you.

On Sunday I had another four hour ride starting at 6 0'clock in the morning. The brids were out: pheasants, jays and woodpeckers. The lambs were frollicking in the fields, I saw some deer and what the hell's that? A white rabbit crossing the road!
At least it wasn't six foot tall ( and called Harvey).

What a great ride; 3 hours 55 and 109km including a few hills average heart rate 119.

I have found a magic formula for food.

On the bike:
1ltr of water and 0.5lt of power drink ( High 5)

In pockets:
1 banana
1 peanut butter sandwich
1 handful of raisins


After 0.5hrs -- start drinking water, then continue as you see fit
1hr eat banana
2hrs eat peanut butter sandwich
2.5 -3hrs start on the power drink
3-3.5hr raisins and last of the water

Thursday, 17 May 2007

The latest Optician article

Read Optician's report on the second training camp here:

http://www.opticianonline.net/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=2453

Pablo rides again



Uwa with a big fall on bike, Andrea sick, and the other members are ok??
I hope yes.
Kees, CONGRATULATIONS!! i think you are very good, no injured and go to married in the next days, it´s perfect.
For me, i´m well, some days better, somedays no so much better, no so much time for to make all. Yesterday I saw the accident of Uwa , and i think, i have to have becarefull with the bike, is dangerous..., and today, i can´t believe!!! i have had and accident also!! I don´t see a stone in the road and i went out of the road. NO problem, I´m ok, was a fall in the field, I went away out of the highway, lucky for me, blows for all body, back, head (with helmet ofcourse), arms.., but only I have a litle pain in my neck. The bike is ok, is neccesary adjust, but i think is no a problem. My MP3 is dead..., 1 minute of silence please..., and my Oakley Sunglases (the firts, the best for
me...) are dead also... another minute..

Wednesday, 16 May 2007

Swimming in the rain


Despite the change in the weather I took the plunge and went for the outdoor swim.
I was amazed how many people were there. Lots of swimmers were in wetsuits which is great news as I will be able to practise swimming in my wetsuit before the event. The water wasn't too cold but on an open 50m pool with lots of fast swimmers, wind and rain the water was very different to swim in (the above picture isn't mine it off the website).

It also made me realise how much work I have to do as there were some fantasticly fast swimmers there. They must be Ironmen.

Tuesday, 15 May 2007

Has anyone done any open water swimming yet?





As the weather was looking so good I thought it was about time I did some open water swimming. Unfortunately the weather turned all British at the weekend so I decided against that and just did my usual runs, cycle and brick work.


I thought I would try a local 50m outdoor pool this evening just to break myself in gently.


I'll report back.


Is anyone else swimming outside?

Thursday, 10 May 2007

Ouch, that' s got to hurt

For those of you who haven't checked out the Google group emails here's a bit of news from Uwe. This is a big cautionary tale for us all.


He wrote to Roland:
But since last friday it´s impossible for me to do any training.
I had a bad accident with the bike...and now I´ve a big problem with my
knee and my hip
But, I´ll try to give my best and hope to see you
in Nizza !!!
all the best.... and take
care!
mh, "the last minutes on the bike"


I'm sure I speak for everyone when I wish Uwe the speediest of recoveries.

Tuesday, 1 May 2007

Fiona in the spotlight


Fiona was the star of the show at the recent Optician Awards where her challenge to conquer the Ironman Monaco 70.3 was put up in lights.




Transitions invited Fiona and husband Darren along to the Awards and I, as I am in charge of the awards, decided to highlight Fiona's drive for excellence in the event as an example for others.


The Optician Awards is a fantastic black tie dinner, enteratinment and awards evening at which 600 of the great and good from optics gather together.


In the welcome speech I drew the audience's attention to the Oakley Transitions Ironman Team and Fiona's part in it. She also had her picture on the bike blown up and put into the AV show so she was 4mx3m for a short while.


Is this the biggest Oakley Transitions Ironman Team pic ever?


Tuesday, 17 April 2007

Peter's Nutrition Talk

On the recent bike training camp Peter Reid gave a great talk about nutrition. I have written it up as part of my report on the camp but thought I would share these pearls with the world.

Who has been eating chocolate!




The evening session on day two focused on nutrition. This was a popular topic of
conversation among the team.
This was lead by Reid. ‘Nutrition is the one
topic everyone wants to know about,’ he said outlining the different stages to
consider. On race day everyone wants to know what to eat but how to avoid
stomach problems.
‘As a science I consider nutrition to be in the dark ages,
we just don’t understand it and there’s no magic formula. I can have two races
where I eat the same. In one race I will be flying and in the other I will feel
terrible. Everybody is different, it’s a question of trial and error. Before
giving his experience he warned: ‘This isn’t the bible, but it might help. Don’t
experiment on race day, do it during training.’
There are four kinds of food
he said:
Junk, don’t go there
Protein, such as fish, meat, or vegetarian
alternatives.
Carbohydrates like breads, pasta and vegetables
Fats such as
butter, milk and yoghurt
Reid explained the idea of the eight week rule
where, within reason, anything goes until eight weeks before a race.
If you
try and anal about the quality and quantity of the food you eat all year round
you will crack, he predicted.
Reid said the eight week approach was taken by
Lance Armstrong and was the one he chose to follow during his winning stints as
the world triathlon champion. Reid said as the race approach the regime must
become stricter so no additional bodyweight remained by race day.
‘Ironman
athletes are like supremely efficient cars that can go on forever on a litre of
fuel. Sugar is an evil potion. Good on race day to get you to the line but not
good to get you ready.
All of the food going in should be quality. Quality
fats, quality proteins, quality carbs
The issue of vitamin supplements was
another hot topic for Reid. He said while he had tried them he didn’t believe
anyone with a good diet would really benefit . But, ‘If it makes you feel good,’
why not take them.
Huys took a slightly harder line. ‘If you buy vitamins the
only person who wins is the guy who sells you the vitamins.’
Reid took an
equally hard line on ‘lite’ products. ‘The majority of lite products have
sweeteners in them that they feed to pigs to make them eat more,’ he claimed.
The product might not have calories but it messes with your brain, said
Reid.
One of the worst things you can do is have something high in sugar
before a session because your body wants to burn that sugar you will not be able
to have a fat burning session.
Of interest to some was the issue of losing
weight. Reid suggested upping the amount of protein consumed. Protein was a good
regulator of hunger so eat plenty at breakfast and you won’t be so hungry after
your workouts. When shopping look for full fat foods such as yoghurts because
they have more protein. ‘Whey is the best form of protein you can get,’ he
added.

Once you are close to the race there are other issues to
think about. Don’t have a massive meal the night before a race have it two days
before and eat normally the day before the race. Two to three hours before the
race have a shake.
Once out of the swim get on the bike and have a Power Bar.
On the bike have Power Bar drink, water and gels. During the race you don’t have
to do the right thing you just need to get to the finish line.
Use the
proprietary drinks like Power Bar that have sodium and electrolytes in. Use
preparations with Maltodextrin, a complex slow burning carbohydrate. This
releases slowly into the blood so doesn’t create the sugar spike of sugary
drinks. But beware, take water on board too as the stomach can only take so many
sugary drinks.
Half way around the race you get a special needs bag so put
something in it you can look forward to. But make sure it is something that will
taste good during a major workout. Exercise changes your taste buds.
The
final warning from Reid was that a lot of people overeat during the race. ‘There
will be plenty of food at the finish line,’ he added:

After a race
and after a training session have a banana, yoghurt or toast within 30 minutes
to replenish nutrients and energy within and hour and a half have a
meal.
There were many other points of contention such as training on an empty
stomach or a full one, training in the morning or the evening discussed by Reid.
But, he concluded that everyone is different and so much of it is common
sense.
Just strip back your diet to the basics of protein, carbs and fats and
everyone can eat well, loose weight and be healthy, said Reid.

Monday, 16 April 2007

A quiz

Everyone seems to have gone a bit quiet so I thought I would run a little quiz to see how observant the team members and coaches are.

Whose bike is this? ( If it is yours, don't answer)





Hit in the face with a brick

Oh dear..... Did my fist serious brick session and I now realise what fantastic athletes professional traithletes are.

Friday, 13 April 2007

Links to Fiona coverage

The Easter break has slowed down the postings so I thought I would include some coverage of Fiona's marriage and her training progress.

Monday, 2 April 2007

Le Grande depart -- look at the link




Here's just one of the many pictures taken. This time of some of the team setting off for the ' Big One'.

I have tried to recreate our route using a fantastic site called Bikely. Click on to see the route and lots of other info such as the altitude profile.

All safely back home

After a fantastic week in Fuerteventura it is back to work. I thought I would post this picture of Madrid airport. I had a six hour stopover on the way back so this became a familiar sight for me.


The bottle of water is in there because after going through security I bought it only to be told by customs that I couldn't take it on board the flight. Rather than throw it away I insisted on drinking it at the security point. The Spanish guards just drifted away.

Thursday, 22 March 2007

I'm ready

Hi Cristelle,

yes the flight is OK, IB 878 IBERIA arrival time 14:00 in fuerteventura.

Chris my bike is just in a hard box all pieces taken apart,a friend of mine has lend me.

See you in feurteventura
regards

ANDREA

A white wedding?

It's snowing in England again and with just a day to go before Fiona's wedding!

The snow interrupts our training on the bike but the camp in Fuerteventura will be even more special -- sun and warmth.

Dear Fiona,
I am sure I speak for everyone connected with the Oakley Transitions Ironman Team in wishing you the very best for your wedding tomorrow. Hope it goes well.

Chris GBR

Wednesday, 21 March 2007

Living in a box

Have you put your bike in the box yet?

If the answer is "no" then I suggest you do it quick. It is not as easy as you might think.

So far this has been the most painful aspect of my Ironman preparations!

Monday, 19 March 2007

Mario, in answer to your e-mail..........

Hi everybody,
how are you? Few days and see you in Fuerteventura.
I can't write an e-mail to Mario, all 3 that I've wrote him are come back with an error, and so I hope he read this blog.

FOR MARIO:
Hi Mario,
I'm well and I hope are you too, in answer to your e-mail:
yes I'm looking forward to meet all you in fuerteventura and to made many km in bike in group. I'm following exatly your training plan but I'm not still sure of my maximun heart rate. First week after Monaco I assume my hr max 185 and I have regulated my cardio computer with this value, but the training I think was too hard, for example to run at 85% the pace was 3'50" at km and this is near to my max pace on 10 km,this was suspicion for me and so I've changed in 180 the max hr.Two weeks with this value and now in this week I have tried to see my real max hr and by myself I have cheked.In a run of 1600m 4 time 400 m increase to max.With this metod my max hr is 172.
Is it possible for you?
How do you think?
In Fuerteventura can you check my hr max in the run?
Sorry for your time and see you in Fuerteventura.

Regards
Andrea Strada

All hail the Ironman

Well not just hail, some sleet, snow and sun as well.
What a fantastic morning Sunday was. Sunny and crisp.
Got out of the house nice and early, well it was Mothering Sunday after all, to get the bike ride in before the day got underway.

Got half way up Box Hill and what this? Snow, wind and hail. I know we British have an obession with the weather but what is going on. Is is global warming or El Nino?

Chris Bennett GBR
PS- Sorry for pushing Ceorgia's picture off of the top of the blog!

Saturday, 17 March 2007

I forget, GIORGIA is bigger now


This is the big GIORGIA now...

Bye Bye..........................

Swim problem

Hi everybody,
From yesterday i'm 39° fever, stop training again......but today is just better,and maibe tomorrow i restart.

Dear Kees and Pablo,
these are my two methods to count lengths: if i have to swim for a long distance continuosly (1000 m 1500 m),i count how many times i complete 200 m,it's more easy to hold in mind. Another metod:if you know your average pace on 100m,at the end of session you can control your total split to be sure to have completed the distance, in this case you need a cronograph. I hope is useful for you.

Regards
see you soon in fuerteventura.


ANDREA

Friday, 16 March 2007

Vous avez raison!

I only have ten fingers Vladirmir, can I stop at 10 lengths?


Dear Pablo,


You are absolutely right. I had a session the other day which totalled about 135 lengths. One session of 48 lengths I lost count about ten times. I have been very tough on myelf. If I lose count I have to choose the lower number to restart on.
Chris


Tuesday, 13 March 2007

1.500 m SWIM, 60 LENGHTS OF SWIMMING POOL

How do you swim? I mean.., how do you count the lenghts?
I get lost..., 23, 36, 48, .... 46? , 58? shit, it was taking 48? 58? 44?
I am doing two more or less, or ten more or ten less, probably they were 58 ....? That madness, another day there were 160 lengths.....

See you in Fuerteventura!
Pablo ESP

TEAM PROGRAM IN FUERTEVENTURA

Today i have read the program for fuerteventura..........2 hours of bike, 3hr bike, 4hr bike, 6hr bike, ...................I have to change my saddleback, or carry with me a pillow.
I'm joking, i'm looking forward for this.
Were we will swim? in the sea or in the pool?we must carry the westsuit?
How many degrees there are in the night?
It's possible rain easy?

Thank you

Andrea

Monday, 12 March 2007

Things that make it all worthwhile

Rose at 0630 on Sunday to get in a nice long cycle before the day got underway. What a fabulous morning. The sun was shining, a slight chill in the air but clear and sunny. A local high spot in my area is Box Hill which gives stunning views across the Mole Valley. I must have been one of the first up there. I managed a 50km cycle in a little under two hours and best of all it took in 420m of climb. It all felt really good except for a lung bursting climb at the foot of Box Hill which felt like a 45 degree slope.
I will try and remember to take a camera next time!
The rest of the day was even harder as I have to get my allotment ( vegetable garden ) in order before the Spring arrives for real.

Chris GBR

Wednesday, 7 March 2007

"So how do you get clean Dad?"


"Easy son."





Who are your training buddies









One of the best things about the training camp was being able to train with people on a similar level. At home I normally find myself training with the dog or the kids. This weekend it was Max's Birthday (12) so we all took his new mountain bike for a thrash.




You can't see it from the picture but we were all pretty muddy.