As you will have seen in our last blog post, the last couple of weeks have been extremely busy with new jobs, routines and locations to adjust to.
Now 2 weeks into our new life on the south coast, Warwick has begun to find his feet within the new Triathlon and running clubs. Although he is now more settled, the adaptation to the new training location hasn't been easy; Essex by its nature is flat, seriously flat, unless you repeatedly go up and down the same 2km hill at a interesting but not impossible 9% incline, there really isn't much to train with.
Our new location, however, is a beautiful beast of an entirely different nature, full of technical descents through tight country lanes and climbs that last for miles - the perfect location to improve on those ascent skills. This change hasn't been easy, for running long hills hasn’t always been a strength Warwick could rely on but with new training groups these skills are being slowly drilled in and will soon become second nature.
Wednesday presented us both with a quiet evening and no formal training plans, the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge... or set off an impromptu 8 mile run because we could. The scenery was beautiful and watching the sun setting over the countryside meant that the time flew by and relaxation was found - even if it was in running gear!
For any runner a 20 minute 5km is a nice bench mark, one that Warwick uses as a fitness staple during these final few weeks before the real racing season begins. When a hilly 5km running time trail was offered up last week the opportunity to test the fitness level was much appreciated, with Warwick completing the single lap course in 19 minutes 14 seconds, exactly where he’d like to be at this point in the year.
The final challenge of the week saw us heading back up to Essex for Warwick to participate in the Blackwater Triathlon Club’s first Training Tri of the year; a 400m swim, 12km bike and 5k run. The early start saw heavy mist, and fears that the race may be changed to an aquathlon at the last minute were on the minds of many as they made their way to the venue. Luckily, by the time the race was due to start visibly had improved significantly and it was all systems go. The swim proved that the many hours spent drill training in the pool over winter may just have paid off, with Warwick putting out the fastest swim time of the day at 5 minutes 43 seconds for 400m.
Once the swim was over it was out onto the bike where he managed to complete the 12km course in 21 minutes 56 seconds despite the occasional headwind catching everyone off guard!
Finally the run was upon us, with 5km between Warwick and the finish line. The run was an uneventful affair with the two lap course completed in 18 minutes 28 seconds.
The entire triathlon was over in just over 46 minutes. Warwick finished in second place 1 minute and 15 seconds behind the leader - time which would have been reduced had the twin skin socks not caught him out in transition!
Overall, the race was enjoyable and has highlighted the areas that need to be fine tuned ahead of the big challenges that are lined up for the year.
Once again, we’d like to thank the David Randall Foundation for their support this year and hope that we will make them proud as the season progresses.
As always, thank you for reading.
Keep Tri-ing,
Warwick and Jodie :)
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