The enormity of the task

What a fantastic morning. This has been the best ride since my coldius horriblus and I really emnjoyed getting out there. It was only a 12miler on the fixed to work but I promised myself that I would take things easy and avoid illness.

I came accross this ride around the South Downs yesterday . It has a huge elevation profile, about 9,000ft over ten hills. I thought wow that looks tough them realised an ironman will be this after a 4km swim and before a marathon.

This would make a great milestone so I had better get those miles in.

Small objects of desire

It's official. I have become a glasses geek.

One of the great things about Triathlon is the kit and one of the great things about being the editor of Optician is that you get to try out loads of new frames, lenses, contact lenses, goggles etc.

In the bike shop I can lust over carbon aero bars and Brooks saddles and in eyewear just look at that cut-away and fixing.

One of the biggest elements of triathlon in my opinion is self preservation. Nowhere is that more important than when it comes to your eyes.

Wearing no eyewear means poor vision and no protection.

Ordinary glasses = no wind/physical protection or sun protection.

Contact lenses = ditto + danger of losing one, swimming??

Wraparounds = physical and wind protection but if its tinted what about night time? If its not tinted what about those sunny days?

Wraparounds with Transitions lenses = everything. Okay, it's got a little extra weight and might not go as dark as you needs on a really sunny day but for all round commuting/training a real winner.

Still steams up on a cold morning, but let's face it what doesn't.

Of course there's always Orthokeratology and plano T6, my other favourite combo. I have an Oakley Half Jacket glazed with plano T6 (but one of the lenses keeps falling out) which works a treat and is much lighter. Ahh but it doesn't have that screw.

Back in the saddle

After more weeks being sick than I care to mention I am back in the saddle and raring to go. Started off the training with a gentle couple of hours going up Box Hill with the boys on Sunday.

The Optician Ironman Team jungle drums have started to beat so I am expected oodles of advice to start rolling in.

Optician ironman Team rides again

After much girliness on my part and suffering the indignity of having to go on the waiting list I am in for the UK full Ironman. This means the Optician Ironman Team lives again and I will begin to chart its progress to the big event in August.

At the moment the team is just Fiona Molloy and Chris Bennett but if you are a triathloning optician why not send me an email.

Conquering K2

No not that K2. The K2 sports centre in Crawley.

Here is a new post. Not only does it take James' hairy belly button and bulging shorts off the front page after two months but it also brings news of more triathlons for the team.

To round off the season some of the locally based Optician Ironman team members are going to take part in the Crawley late Summer triathlon on September 21st. We will again be flying the flag for Vision Aid Overseas but more importantly having a nice end to a long summer of competition.

Last year after the Monaco Ironman 70.3 I did this event and really enjoyed it. A novel feeling when it comes to traithlons. If you are in the area why not come along.

James' journey

Well the big day came round all to quickly. Having worked round a dodgy hamstring for the 8 weeks before the race I was glad to be able to just get on with it.

The last minute checks done it was lovely to get in the water, far warmer than the air temperature, enough to give a soft misty look to the lake so much so that the 10 foot by 3 foot yellow buoys were hard to pick out at times! Swim over it was on to the main event the bike !

As has been said many times its hilly, just as well we had all visited the route before. I felt fairly comfortable on the climb away from the lake which was disconcerting and on the first downhill I found out why; it was cold, very cold, I really sympathised with those that chose to wear just a singlet. First lap felt OK , second lap the hills had lost any of their novelty value but I kept a good rhythm. Into transition in about 3hr 10 so happy camper. Not ridiculously tired and ready to run.

Had a brief word with Fiona as she wizzed past me in the transition tent then the run…..

Left transition and the hamstring started twitching and by the first big down hill it was obvious that I would have to stop or completely shred the muscle so for a change I took the sensible option and stopped.

The only positive was being able to support the rest of the team out on the course especially Fiona’s finish! Everyone worked increadibly hard over the whole day Lyndon scuppered by a puncture, Emma thwarted be a very harsh time limit, Fiona, Chris and Andy battling through and Rob with what can only be described and awesome result. Very happy and proud to have been part of the Team!!

Lyndon's log

The swim went about as well as I could have hoped. This first 5 minutes were horrible and seemed to last for what seemed like hours. With hindsight I guess nothing can prepare you for your first open water mass start on that scale. Once I was through the fog and found a bit more personal space I managed to get into a rhythm and with the adrenalin pumping I suddenly found myself at the first turn. I put my head down and finally emerged after about 37 minutes. My old friend adrenalin got me up the hill to T1 where I promptly fell over trying to remove my wetsuit. Out onto the bike course. The first few miles were spent recovering from the swim. I was starting to feel pretty strong when a puncture to my rear tyre ended my race after about 15 miles.

I was very disappointed but learnt a valuable lesson. Looking back I was really pleased with my swim and it has given me confidence for the next event (I have to do another one now!).