Some Photos

Just to prove I did it!

Mangawhai Triathlon

Well I've finally done it. As of Sunday 20 February I am officially a triathlete. I competed in the Mangawhai Triathlon, and here is how it unfolded:

The race:


Swim: 500m 10-11ish minutes, tide assisted. I've never done an open water swim before, so this was the most worrying part for me. I struggled to keep in a straight line at times, and getting in and out from the beach (across the current) was tough, but I still made it out of the water in the top 1/3 of the field.

T1: very slow... never done this before, socks and shoes with laces on them are not fast; I lost quite a few places here.

Ride: 17km, 39:18. It seems this is my weakest leg; I'm getting a lot better than I was 6 months ago, but I'm still really, really slow up hills. Unfortunately the first 6-7ks were climbing. I could hold my own and even take some places back on the flat, but definitely lost a lot here.

T2: Fast, I don't yet have cycling shoes, so just rack the bike, lose the helmet and off down the road.

Run: 5km, 26:30. I went a bit harder than I planned on the bike, so the legs were feeling a bit rubbery for the first 1.5-2km. But once I get into my rhythm I was off. Running's definitely my strongest discipline and I was able to make up several places I lost on the bike.

I finished in 1:19:03, 62 out of 98 finishers (38/55 male finishers). I learnt a lot, had a great time and will definitely be back for more.

February, Week 3

This was a cut back week training, with something special, my first triathlon, up at Mangahwai on the weekend. Despite the fact it was a cut back week, I still maintained my recent consistency, fitting in 4 runs (25km, 2:20) 4 Bikes (70km, 2:46) and 4 swims (4.8km, 1:47) (these numbers are including Sundays triathlon) The big positive for this weeks training was doing my first triathlon. Great fun, learnt a lot, and confirmed that I am heading down the right path.

This week, I have a friends wedding on Friday. So I’m not sure how my training is going to go. But the goal, as always is consistency.

February, Week 2

Another good week training, the 3'rd consistent week in a row for me, so quite pleased. I did essentially the same program as last week, 3 runs (32km, 3:13) 3 bikes (99km, 4:05) and 3 swims (3.2km, 1:11). So as far as my goals for the week, I did all my swim/bike/run workouts, but I didn't start strength training again. Which is something that I still need to work at. The big positive for this week was in swimming, I've abandoned the program I was doing and am now just going long, all my swims were continuous this week, 2x1km and 1x1.2km in 1 go. So that side of things is making some rapid progress.

I've scheduled this week as a cut back week, partly due to the triathlon on Sunday, so will be taking things nice and easy. My goals for this week are to do all my Monday - Friday workouts, including one brick, and to enjoy my debut triathlon on the weekend.

February week 1

Great week training. By far my most consistent week this year, 3 runs (32km, 3:15) 3 bikes (99km, 4:06) and 3 swims (3000m, 1:19). On the negative side, I ended the week feeling quite drained and tired, but that's to be expected starting to ramp up the fitness like I am I guess. The other negative side is that I'm struggling to find the energy/time for strength workouts. And judging from how I struggled to get up hills on my long ride strength is something that I need to work on.

So my goals for next week are 1. Complete 3x swim/bike/run workouts and 2. Re-begin strength workouts of some description.

I've also added some new events on my 'to do' list, firstly the Carters Mangawhai Triathlon, a sprint triathlon (500m swim / 17km Ride / 5km Run) which I have entered and will make my triathlon debut at in 2 weeks. And the Avanti 100km Flyer, a 100km bike race from Rotorua to Taupo. I haven't entered it yet, but it sounds like the guys I did the round Taupo with are all keen to go, so looks likely.

Month 1

Well Janurary has come and gone, and with it my first month of training for multisport. On the whole it's gone well, but I still need to be more consistant with my training. I need to be training 6 days a week EVERY week... in Janurary I managed 6 days once (2 x 5 days, 1 x 2). My monthly total distances were:

Swim: 3.4km / Run: 98km / Bike: 198km


Janurary Workouts (In hours)


Also I have recieved my new book, Joel friel's Triathlon Bible, and am using this to develop a better training program than what I am using at the moment. I will post something about that when I have finished... it is an interesting process.

Finally last weeks training, 2 x swims (4x100m, 6x50m), 2 x cycles (1x30km, 1x18km) and 3 x runs (2x8km, 1x10km)

Cut Back Week (aka going sailing)

As far as training for triathalons goes, last week was pretty poor, but I had a great week none the less. As was always planned I spent most of the week up in the Bay of Islands racing. We had 2 fantastic days weather wise, and 1 which got a bit nasty and caused some carnage. Our results weren't that flash, It's actually the first time in 4 years that I haven't come home with a trophy for this regatta. But it was great to get out of Auckland and do some sailing. Much better than working all week!

The big positive for my training, was that I tried a Brick workout for the first time, 18km cycling followed by 8km running. I was able to do it quite nicely, so that is definetly a positive sign. Another positive thing is that it's only the 24th today, and I've already overtaken last months total distances... That has be be good too.

So the goals for this week are 1, do all my workouts amd 2, try to undo some of the easy living I did up in the Bay.