I have only been running 4 times since 7 weeks without running while I let my stress fracture heal. I’ve been riding for 3 weeks now, and am getting comfortable, and am so motivated to improve my bike leg in Hawaii that even on clear sunny days I am riding sessions on the windtrainer.

I am swimming better than ever, thanks to my foot injury, I have spent more time in the water and it’s paying off. My only concern is that I may have added a little weight to my top half. I am hoping as I start to run, I will find my perfect balance of weight in another 13 weeks time.

My motto for the next 13 weeks is this – I will win, if I make no mistakes until then.

I will be stronger in the swim/bike this year, and in training, I’ll just do what I did for my run last year and it should be ok on race day. My race plan will also be a little different. The nightmare that is the main pack, with people pulling in illegally, me getting a 4 minute penalty for taking too long to pass when it’s not physically possible to avoid, the uneven pace of pack riding, the stress of watching 20 different wheels to maintain the draft legal distance…nope, no way do I want to be in that again.

Macca tried it when he first went to Hawaii, to ride off the front and hit the run near the lead, and he failed every time until he unlocked the secret (as he says) about how to race kona (staying in the pack until Hawi). I’m not saying I’m going to ride off the front and get a lead before T2, but I am saying I want to stay off the front, ahead of the main pack, for the first 70km. After that, we are heading uphill to Hawi, the pace settles, then it picks up on the way home. I’m much more comfortable riding on my own, my own pace, my own place.

It’s just under 6 weeks until my next race – Philippines Ironman 70.3 – where I am defending champion. I’m really looking forward to this race, and so is Jaimie. As I write this she is out on her first long ride since Port Macquarie 70.3, which was her first half. It’s going to be a dream to travel and race in the Philippines with her. Am very excited about this trip, and this race. It’s one of the best.

Cheers

PJ

As much as I want to lay in bed and do nothing, I know that if I don’t accomplish something today, I will be more tired tomorrow for the depression of getting nothing done today. On my list of things to do is blog.

Another thing causing my tiredness is the antibiotics I had a triple dose of into my colon last Wednesday (under anesthetic), then to my bowel on Thursday, and continued with 10 days orally which I am in halfway through now. All this is to try and rid myself of a nasty parasite called Blastocystis Hominus.

If all goes well, in a few weeks I’ll have more energy than I have had in years, so a couple of weeks with missed sessions will be worth it later. I hope.

It has been a busy start to the year for me, leaving my Team and the Teams sponsors of last year, I had no individual sponsors for 2011. Thankfully a few great companies have belief I can win Hawaii very soon, as do I, and we will announce our partnerships very shortly.

After getting married to my beautiful bride, Jaimielle, at the end of December, and a honeymoon through to early January in Byron Bay area, I am in week 8 of my training from scratch, and feeling happy with where I got to before last weeks interruption.

My running has come along nicely, as I follow a slow build up with short efforts etc. to peak in another 14 weeks against Chris McCormack at Challenge Cairns. I was running the best I have ever run in Hawaii last year, and was in unchartered territory when I ran 2:41:05, but now I have gained the confidence in my running technique and am pushing it further this year. All my goal training splits have come down, forcing technique to improve further still, and feeling like an artist as I push the boundaries of my efficiency in my mind as I run fighting fatigue and leaving all others behind on the sidewalk (as they jog pushing prams).

I’ve been busy doing some home renovations since we bought a unit in October last year. I have said I’m not going to swim train until I have done everything that I want to get finished. Hopefully that is at least a week before my first race, in Huskisson in 2.5 weeks. Aus Long Course Champs 2011. I had this title in 2009, and badly want it for 2011. I will play a tactical race, and hope my run will be the best on the day.

Well I’m going to have a little nap now. It’s been a busy morning of emails and eating.

Take care of yourselves.

PJ

p.s. if you missed the videos I posted, search my username, petejjacobs on youtube. And if you want to improve your run, go to www.born2run.com.au amd sign up for a session with me and John.

With an ever-increasing awareness among runners and triathletes regarding the importance of developing a more efficient running technique, Born 2 Run has been launched as a project between professional triathlete Pete Jacobs and long-time runner, triathlete and Northside Runners Crows Nest store owner John Marsh.

“With a focus on technique and a fascination for the evolution of the human body in motion, the overriding principle behind Born 2 Run is “running as our bodies were designed to.”

Pete Jacobs has focused on technique in his own training to much success – known as a “low volume” athlete, he is currently reaching new heights in the sport of triathlon, recently posting the third fastest run split (marathon) in the history of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championships, of 2:41:06 off the back of a 3.8km swim and 180km cycle leg.

For more information on Born 2 Run and to see how you too can work towards a better running technique, faster times and fewer injuries with the next available technique session, check out their new website www.born2run.com.au or get in touch via email at: info@born2run.com.au. Also follow Born 2 Run on twitter via @born2runau for the latest news and updates.

These running technique specialists will also be holding an introductory night on December 9th with the following details:

Born 2 Run Introductory Session:

Thursday Dec 9th, 5:30-7:00pm

Northside Runners Crows Nest – Shop 1A, 6-8 Clarke St, Crows Nest

A chance to meet the Born 2 Run team face to face at Northside Runners in Crows Nest. Find out what we are about, our backgrounds and what we do!

We will also cover the following:

- Detailed real-time run form analysis of professional triathlete Pete Jacobs

- Bring your shoes for a chance to get free on-the-spot form analysis

For more information, contact us at info@born2run.com.au – see you there!

What if I will never be as good as Chris McCormack? I am so happy that he got up and won, and showed us how good he is, beyond any doubt, an absolute legend in one of the most competitive races ever. But he rode so strong and ran bloody fast too. Will I ever be able to ride that well? I don’t think so. But I will try. I have many years left to try. I did think Chris was getting older, and maybe a bit slower, but I also told people and maybe even told Chris, that if he is there out of the swim the race is his to control and win. Which is why I love that he smashed younger guys. I have always said he knows what he needs to do to get ready, more than anyone else I know. He doesn’t ever seem under pressure to fit in his training. That I love.

What if I am only ever in  Craig Alexanders’ category? The “best” runner,but maybe not as strong as other champions on the bike. What? Of course if I could EVER be as good as Craig it would be a dream come true. But maybe I could become a dual world champ if, now that I have found it, I can keep my run for every race and bring it out on call. That would be awesome. Maybe I’ll try and do that for the next 12months and see what happens. I really have improved my run, and I really want to keep it that way. I want to stay a runner, and be able to run like a runner, forever.

I feel like I have got a promotion at work (not that I know what that feels like), but suddenly I see my potential, and my ability is being appreciated (by myself), and if I work hard, focus on the big picture, there is no reason why this next 12months won’t be at another level compared to where I used to compete, and how I prepared and executed my potential. I guess now that I have seen my potential in the run in Hawaii, even though I thought I had the ability to run that well, it isn’t until now that I have seen it actually been achieved that I truly believe I can physically do it.

Now that I have touched the edge of the Hawaii marathon record, as happened with “the 4 minute mile”, I know it is achievable and I can attack it. But I don’t just mean that race, I mean every other race I have in my future. At least I hope this is how I can carry on.

At Challenge Roth this year, Chrissie Wellington looked like a runner. She was skinny, ripped, and just by looking at her you could tell the dedication she had to getting herself in the best possible shape she could. And this motivated me. It was definitely a light bulb moment where I went from wanting to be a better runner, to coming home, and thinking about what I needed to do to get there. The result was adding 30-40km per week of recovery running (as well as the longest consistent uninterrupted training period ever with a better weekly routine), and I got there flying. And ran 2:41:05. It was sad to hear Chrissie was too sick to compete on race day, but I know she took a slight interest in knowing she helped me achieve what I did, even without actually doing anything other than being herself.

I trained all year at home in Sydney, Australia. No one else does, and likely they don’t because they couldn’t. But I love it. It was cold, wet, dark and miserable for months, seemingly endless as I trained for Roth, Philippines 70.3, and Hawaii. I arrived in Philippines Ironman 70.3 just 3 days before the race, coming from horrible cold weather in Sydney, and I ran away with the win comfortably in  apparently very hot conditions. My ability, I’d always strongly suspected, is that when I’m fit, the hot humid conditions don’t bother me. I arrived in Hawaii just 8 days before the race. I’d had 2 hot days of training in Sydney (hot enough to run with my shirt off, or get a sweat going). I train best at home, where I live with my fiancé Jaimie, where I am happy. I also just like being at home, having my things, living a normal life with loved ones and friends, and having the best routine for me. I enjoy cooking at home, and am a little particular about what I eat.

I am very particular about my run sessions and am happy doing the majority of them on my own. I don’t mind riding on my own, but was lucky I had a couple of good friends who could do a different day on the bike with me most weeks. I swim with at the pool at the same time as Jaim or my mates, but usually in different lanes. I don’t go to squads, I swim hard when I feel good, and easy when I don’t. I have some favourite sessions for when I feel good in the water.

Up to here, the above, I wrote on the plane, un edited ramblings, so don’t take it too seriously. Below is still written very quickly and roughly, but more recently.

The day after I got home from Hawaii I flew up to Cairns for the launch of Challenge Cairns. This is a brand new triathlon from the Challenge family who have been running the triathlon in Roth, the biggest and best European triathlon, the home of world records, and it’s history includes the legends of our sport. Together with USM events who have been organising Australias biggest and best triathlon – Noosa – they are going to put on a show not to be missed. I will elaborate further as to the impact of this event for age groupers (amazing course, atmosphere, and value) and professionals alike (100,000 euro prizemoney). It will be a huge event, and one I will be giving everything to win.

Jaimie and I just moved house. But not far. Just a few km’s, so my rides and runs will only be slightly different. Some will be longer, some shorter. But since Kona, the weeks holiday after the race was great, but busy, and I got sick after the big night out and have been feeling tight in the chest since, up until a day ago, and now I just feel tired from moving, late nights, shopping for furniture, celebrating, and organising wedding things in our spare time. We are both racing up at Noosa in a few days and neither of us feel great, but it will be an awesome time and I look forward to seeing the event for the first time! Come and say hi, I’d be happy to pass on any tips I can.

All the best

Pete

On Sunday I couldn’t ride. I was flat as a pancake. It was sunny and warm outside (for a change), but was blowing a gale and had been all night. I opted for the windtrainer, set up the garage with laptop and movies, and started pedalling. If I hadn’t been locked into the trainer, I would have gone backwards.

I sat there for an hour of the weakest riding ever. And I mean weak – cadence <80, watts <150. I pulled the pin at 1 hour, and went for a very slow 10k jog in the sun. It was the first time in months and months it was warm enough to run without a shirt and feel the warmth of the sun. As tired and slow as I was, it was beautiful and I loved it.

A big feed of rice and beans, followed by 2 hrs solid sleep. I woke feeling unmotivated and thinking I wouldn’t make it to the pool as per my usual Sunday routine, when my mate John texted me asking to swim. I suggested the outdoor pool which is only 2k from home, so I could just swim as little as I wanted and run home. He went for it, and we jogged there, swam 20×100 on 1:30 (coming in on 1:25 –slowish) and jogged home. A very nice relaxing fun afternoon adventure, and on the jog home I felt pretty good.

A big feed at Yok Thai for fathers day with my dad and family, and pretty early to bed. Monday is long run day.

6:30am start with John for hopeful 35k. Felt average for first 15k. The pace was good (4:15) but it felt a lot slower. John was having calf issues, and turned back early leaving me with no one to talk to and no ipod. It was looking like a very long slow boring run.

I ate my first Powerbar caffeinated gel, and 1km later I entered a nice offroad trail section and the gel kicked in. I was suddenly running 4min/km and form was better, head clearer, muscles stronger, and I was in the zone, but trying to reign myself back a bit at the same time when it dropped below 4min/km – maybe too fast, still over an hour to run. I started to fade a little bit 10k after first gel, so had another, and was back flying. I took a couple of detours on the way home and when I hit 36km I had practically no muscle soreness or fatigue, and was loving it.

Off course throughout the run I was picturing Hawaii, concentrating on form, and thinking of how I can explain this feeling to others. Well I can’t. Not yet. This feeling is something I need to continue building on for another month, and is only real and explainable if I have a good day in Hawaii.

I had a dream last night about Hawaii. I was going well, at least in top five off the bike, when I started to run I was unsure which way to go and was told to wait (a flash back to being sent wrong way into Philippines transition), from there it just got worse as people went past me and then I went the complete wrong way and was way back in 20^th or something when I gave up mentally and suddenly was running in slow motion. I had to grab onto the shirt of a gorilla to drag me along, but only after I promised him I wouldn’t overtake him at the finish. I woke up and it took me a minute to calm myself and realise I hadn’t just had a terrible race at Hawaii. Those race dreams can be a real scare in the moments before complete consciousness is back.

But there is certainly a small lesson of race preparation, and how much mental attitude can affect physical ability. So really, it’s like I was training in my sleep! Wow. If only I could do that all the time.

My point to this blog is the same as the last one – when in doubt, do less.

I didn’t get my long ride on Sunday, but I had one of the best runs I’ve ever had on Monday.

It’s a rest day again today. And if you think I should go and try make up for the long ride I missed, or if you would try to, you are mad.

Cheers

PJ

It was five weeks from Challenge Roth to Ironman 70.3 Philippines. I had about 5 days rest, then started one session per day through 2^nd week. The 3^rd week training was good and consistent (##km), 4^th week built a little more, 5^th week I did nothing.

I have realised, slowly, over the last few years I perform best on a very extreme taper of virtually no running in the week before a race, and very little riding (2-3hrs), and 3-5km of swimming. So after 3 consistent weeks of training I was feeling ready for a rest, and following that I would be feeling ready for a race.

My 4^th week training was my usual routine with 4 added (now to be routine) easy 8 –10km runs, but on Saturday when I usually just do a run session, I went and trained with Chris MacCormack in Cronulla for the day. We headed out for a bike session (50km warm up, 40km TT effort, 10k easy, 30km TT effort), and I was struggling big time to push 300 watts. It felt like threshold training to stay with Chris, and I was glad when the first effort was over. I had a powerbar caffienated gel and was sure it would give me a big boost and I’d be able to at least do the same effort again for 30k. Not to be! I bonked at 16k and could barely pedal. I had a rest, a drink, and only just made it back the 10k without falling off my bike. I was very wobbly. I was right after some food, then we went for 10k jog, then 4k swim, and drove home. It was a busy day. So I didn’t ride as per usual Sunday, and did the run session I missed Saturday, then did my long run Monday. That was the end of my “training” before the race.

Details –

Monday – 28km run. Swam easy 2k (nearly sank, was buggered)

Tuesday. Rest. Pack.

Wednesday. travel to Manila.

Thursday. Swim 2.5k. Run 3k on treadmill easy.

Friday. Ride 1 1/2 hrs. Swim 15mins.

Saturday. Ride 20mins easy.

Sunday. Race.

So as you can see I do VERY little before a major race, and if anyone has been struggling to convert the hours spent in training to a strong race, I suggest you try doing less in the week before your next race. This won’t be best for everyone, but worth a try for some.

It hadn’t been that many weeks of training since Challenge Roth and I hadn’t had a rest week yet, so I didn’t know how far I had progressed, and how I would feel on race day – had I done enough to be competitive? or not?

I did know I would feel good on race day, and would be able to push hard enough to make it through the bike with the leaders, and was hoping to be able to stay within reach on the run, and make a good race of it for myself, and spectators, but I didn’t have too many thoughts of running away with the win. After the race Jaimie said to me “I knew you would have a good race. You had been training well, was relaxed before you went, and sounded happy in the Philippines.” It’s no secret I race best when I am happy.

Race day – Wake up, step outside, it’s beautiful and warm, just like every other day. On the start line I looked across at Terenzo who was wearing a long-john aquasphere speedsuit over his race suit for the swim. We had all laughed a few days earlier when this issue was brought up. I didn’t take my speedsuit because I believed they were no longer legal. It turns out that rule starts next week (sept 1^st). I did have an Adidas suit with no rubber on it, but in such warm water I would have been too hot for the slight improvement in slipstream dynamics gained. I figured it wouldn’t matter that much, and would just have to swim a bit harder to try and stay ahead of Terenzo, if i could.

I sprinted from the gun, and was in front of everyone near me, with Terenzo and Leon Griffin leading everyone a few meters to my right. I edged in front and they joined onto my feet. Alaska Milk had put up $300 bonus after 1.3km, when we run between two lakes. I was motivated to get this, and also to get as much lead over whoever I could in the swim. Leon dropped off our feet, and I opened up a gap over Terenzo as we exited the water and changed lakes. I held this small lead till 4km into the bike. We had a good lead and agreed to swap turns every 10mins.

I could tell I was feeling stronger than Terenzo, the pace was faster when I was on the front, and I went there a little more often. Despite this, Leon caught up to us at 35km. Again another time bonus at 45km motivated me to push the pace and lead into it. I got a small gap over Terenzo and Leon and was more confident I had stronger legs than them on the bike today. They caught back up when I eased off for 30seconds when there was confusion as to which side of the road we should be on, and we swapped turns for 20km, until I decided to try and get a lead or at least push them out of their comfort zone a bit and not let them rest for the run. I built a good gap, over 30seconds on Terenzo and a minute on Leon, only to lose that lead when sent the wrong way into transition. I wasted time deciding what to do and gave much of my lead back. I tried to relax and started the run with Terenzo on my shoulder.

In the first km I again sensed I was feeling a little better than Terenzo. I felt like I was out for an easy jog, and just half a step in front of him, so at 3km’s I picked it up a little bit and quickly built a lead of about 15 seconds a km. I got another bonus at 10.5km into the run, and felt so good I just kept running fast and loving it. I finished with a 7minute lead and still felt fresh at the finish line. The heat hadn’t worried me, nor had the fact I’d swum, ridden, and run faster than everyone else.

It’s funny how it takes someone else to ask you the right questions before you fully recognise some important self realisations. That afternoon while I was waiting my turn at the cable wakeboarding lake, a journalist asked what I was thinking as I crossed the line.

I was thinking how good it felt to have swum hard, ridden hard, and run fast and still feel fresh when I crossed the line. I felt so happy I had finally put together the right training plan, taper plan, and executed a solid race in Hawaii like conditions was an enormous confidence boost for my Hawaii race, and also for myself as a triathlete. I was proud to have had the perfect race for my sponsors Team Abu Dhabi, and for my fiancé Jaimie. The main though I had was about the confidence in my preperation and my race plan for Hawaii, and the positive thoughts I will now carry with me for the next 7 weeks to Kona.

Thank you once again to my sponsors –Triathlon Team Abu Dhabi – and all the sponsors of our team – Abu Dhabi, Storck, Suunto, Adidas, Oakley, Aquasphere, Powerbar, Xentis, Shimano, Continental, SRM, and Paul Lange & Co Bike shop.

Challenge Roth was, and is, an amazing race. The event is huge and the organisers have built it up so it is the greatest experience for triathletes and spectators. It was even better this year than last, and the changes and improvements were for both spectator and competitor. This is a race you must come and see for yourself. I’m lost for words.

Something thing that I have been struggling with for years is fatigue. I have never been able to train anywhere near the volume of my peers for more than a week before I need a few days rest. When I broke my collarbone I took the opportunity to spend some time looking for an answer again (I have seen several doctors and witch doctors and spent thousands of dollars over 10 years to no avail). I went to a new practitioner, and I was told to get a stool test ($450) which would show up all parasites and any other problems. I thought this sounded good, I have never been told to get this before and my gut instinct (bad pun) told me something was not right in my stomach.

The result was that in my stomach I had a large amount of yeast, fungus, parasites, and one particularly nasty parasite called blastocystis hominus, which I could have had for years. So just as my arm healed, I started a low stress diet (no sugar, yeast, wheat, dairy, or lots of other specific things) as well as a course of strong antibiotics.

So just as I started running and feeling good, the antibiotics took my strength away, and I could barely run for a month. My guts also got a lot more sensitive, and it was stressful at times to find food to eat which wouldn’t undo all the other good work I was doing. And there were times when it was too much, and my diet slipped, and once I started training hard for Roth I had no choice but to eat a lot of sugar and processed food on long rides and runs. I needed to get tested again, but delayed because of the effect the antibiotics had had the first time. I still had a gut feeling I hadn’t got rid of the parasites. I was right. I did another test just before Roth, and the numbers for blastocystis were still high. I got more antibiotics and took them to Germany, ready to start them the day after the race.

So despite being in Germany where beer flows like water, tastes even better and is being offered endlessly before, during, and after the race, I didn’t have even a sip. Not even in post race celebrations. With my eyes on the prize of Kona, I have to do everything I can to try and get rid of this parasite and get as healthy as I can.

Apparently there is no easy fix for this parasite. It’s all about hitting it, get it’s numbers down, then hit it again, and again, while avoiding sugar and all the other yummy food.

My jetlag since getting back from Germany has been terrible, worse than ever before. Maybe it’s the antibiotics, maybe it’s the hard race, maybe it’s all of the above, but I have been so tired. I am waking up early, which is great for training, but by 10am I am buggered again. I have had a sleep most afternoons, and yesterday I didn’t sleep during the day, but was asleep by 7:30pm!

It’s hard to come home from being away, only to be constantly tired and stressed around those you love (Jaimie my fiancé).

Philippines 70.3 is my next race on August 22^nd, just over 3 weeks away. I did this race last year and don’t remember it being so soon after Roth. Last year I even fitted in the City to Surf fun run between the races. (I just checked and Roth was a week earlier last year). But I am motivated to be in good shape for this race. My reasons are both to have a good result for my confidence, sponsors and income, and to be strong enough that the recovery is extremely quick and the race doesn’t knock me down for a week after.

My legs always are tight after an Ironman. I always struggle to walk about and get up and down stairs, it always hurts and this race was as bad as any before it. At least this time I have some good reasons why. Firstly, I hadn’t run much in training. Secondly, in the marathon I didn’t eat much salt. Both these things I can improve on.

It’s tough doing an Ironman when you know you haven’t prepared 100%. It’s even tougher to recover. With a 70.3 only 21 days away, and Hawaii only 10 weeks away, there is a slight pressure for me to get back into training after Roth, but as they say ‘no pressure, no diamonds’.

The benefit of not going to Roth “to win” is that I am mentally fresh to focus on the next 10 weeks – I haven’t been in single minded training mode for long – and am ready to lock myself into giving it everything in training and lifestyle 24 hrs a day till Hawaii.

I have had a great first week back training after doing nothing for 5 days after the race. It’s nice to feel some fitness is there already, and I have a clearer plan than ever for my training, both weekly and over 10 weeks.

I am feeling good about Hawaii, and with 9 weeks at home, then 1 week in Hawaii, with only a few days travel for Philippines 70.3, and then maybe one other local race in September, I’ve never had such a clear run into Hawaii, or any race for that matter. I am going to Kona to have the race of my life.

Good luck to all those training for the World Champs.

look after yourselves

pj

I love coming here to this race. The gold class treatment starts with my homestay picking me up from the aiport, and then giving their main bedroom and bathroom to me for my stay. I feel like a king.

I then headed to the race organization headquarters and am given my car for the week, an Audi Q5. Challenge has some fantastic sponsors and knows how to look after the athletes. I feel like a President.

Triathlon  Team Abu Dahbi, which includes myself, went to the Adidas headquarter on Firday and we were given some time in the VIP section, where everything is free. I picked out some amazing clothes, and also some very useful stuff too, like socks (performance socks, no less), and then we went to the staff shop, and again were allowed several free items. I can’t believe how cool the Adidas range is! Australia seems to be missing out.  So with arms full of bags full of freebies, we left. I am still in shock. The coolest thing i have ever done as a professional triathlete. I feel like a rockstar.

As the race week passes, as do drug tests, press conference, pasta party, photos and interviews, all the while the smiles and wish of good luck “viel gluck” (pronounced glouk) are endless, but quick. No one wants to take up much of your time, they know you need to rest for the battle.

And as it draws just a day away, I shave down my legs, stomach and chest, and feel like I am applying war paint, and will soon be leading the charge of 2000 others. I feel like a Chief.

I am well rested, I am happy, I am fit and look it too. haha.  Confidence has a big part to play on race day, but I am not confident of winning. I am confident I will have another good race here. A 3^rd, 2^nd, & 2^nd places have been my results here, I don’t know why, but I always race well in Roth. I will be happy with another podium finish. My training since my broken collarbone has not been perfect, or long, and I have not had time to race before this race, so I have no expectations on myself, and will race as though there is nothing to lose since I have not trained to win this race. And that is why I will enjoy tomorrow very much. And why I believe I will go well. How the others will go, and therefore how I will “do” (place), I have no idea. And don’t care. I am carefree. I feel like a Joker.

I have to go check my bike in now.

Wish me viel gluck

Cheers

PJ

I hope it works and is ok. I will do more in the future and make them better next time. This was my first time making something for youtube and first time using my new apple macbook pro imovie  program. So easy and quick, but still, next time will be better. Maybe a future as a movie director….

I swam 19.5km last week. that is the furthest i have swum in a week in a long time, but i will try and beat that this week. I am really feeling good in the water and my collarbone/shoulder feels better than ever.

Enjoy the video

Cheers

Pete

long easy rides, a few run sessions, and more km’s in the pool than ever. It has been great to feel so motivated and inspired to be my best.

Please excuse the typo’s, i have not yet loaded word onto my new Macbook Pro… oh it is soo good. It was a gift from Apple last week. I helped them run their iwalk day – 5k run or 3k walk for any employees who were up for the challenge. It was awesome to see 85% of the office workers come out and have a go. And some of whom did the 5k run, and had never run more than 1km before that day! It was great to see a corporate company doing something so forward thinking and encouraging people have a go at exercise, and challenge themselves at the same time.

training has been ticking along nicely, I’ve even started writing out my training program from now till Hawaii!  this i have never done before and the planning and preparation is something that will show in my results. As it will for anyone..

I’ve been noticing since my break from training, that the break really did help. I can now see that once a year I need to take this sort of a break. This year after Hawaii I will have a week in Hawaii with Jaimie, then when we get back we will be planning our wedding (November 13), then a honeymoon after that. This will be a great break, and I will easily have 6 week after Hawaii when I will do no serious training, and not race again until 2011.

{ 3 hr break while i went for  swim }

wow, I just swam 7km. That is more than my weekly average for last year! Thanks heaps to Cam Good for showing me through the session. Cam is a young triathlete training mostly in Woolongong with Jamie Turners group of young guns who are the next group of Olympians. Cam is an exceptional runner, and very capable of a great result in London if he can get near the top of the Aussie list before then.

Anyway, my rough plan for the season is to get my run and swim up to a top level by Roth, then drop back the swim and run a little bit and put in more hours on the bike before Hawaii.

I’ll update again soon!

cheers

PJ