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This winter I decided to do things a little different in terms of training. Instead of my usual endurance work coupled with racing cyclo cross and MTB, I decided to train consistently and not race at all. The idea was that it would give me the opportunity to train without having to rest/recover pre/post race, hence more hard work and less fun. I have missed racing over the winter but I have wanted to peak for specific events this year rather than trying to get race fit and maintain a plateau over a very long season.

I did race a couple of events but trained right up to the race, raced and then back into training with no recovery. This was just frustrating as it left me in a race situation with empty legs. Where I would normally kick and accelerate there was no punch. It was useful to hold a high tempo for a given race period, however I don’t like being passed by people in training, let alone in a race!

Interval and speed work has woken my legs up and the speed is nearly there again. I have also swum much more regularly with shorter sessions but overall higher milage across the week. This is more down to work and family committments, as swimming always seems to be the session I move around or compromise, perhaps because I don’t really enjoy it that much, unless its outside.

The weather of late has been a challenge too as I am not a person who gets on with exercise indoors. The real bonus for me has been my Cannondale SuperX Cyclocross bike, a bike at home on the road in filthy conditions but also comfortable being thrown about off road.

On the whole a solid off season that I hope bodes well for the races to come. Once again thanks to all my sponsors, friends and especially family for giving me the help, encouragement and hope for what might be. Whatever I achieve, it will be the best I can deliver and not a drop less!

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INOV-8 have agreed to help again for 2012. Check out their road and trail shoes at http://www.inov-8.com I’m particularly excited about the Bare-Xlite 150, should be good for the dry and dusty Xterra runs. Fast out of T2 too!

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British Cross triathlon Championships, 24th September, Hawley Lake, Surrey

The final big race of the season came around far too quickly for my liking, after a season fighting injury and outside influences. The build up had not been great, but there is always a performance to be put in for a big race and sponsors to fly the flag for. The course was less technical than I would have liked and short too. However, I had my new Cannondale Flash 29er which I knew would carry speed well.

The swim was average and uneventful, a reflection of the amount of training I had been able to do due to an injured wrist. The bike leg went Ok and I pushed as hard as I could. The run was an unknown for me as I had hardly run through the summer due to an achilles injury. Surprisingly the run went very well with a time of 26 minutes for the fast off road 10k course.

I finished 5th in Age group, not too bad considering.

Its now time to sort out the injuries and head into a hard winter of training.

2012 is going to be BIG!

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