Romance is still alive

Joe & I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary recently with a romantic bike ride. Around Lake Leman. 180km. We started in Thonon and had coffee stops at Yvoire in France & Nyon in Switzerland. Lunch in Vevey and a much needed snack just before Evian for the final kms back to Thonon. It certainly was quality time together and a great achievement for us both!!

 

April Fools

It's hard to believe it's April already. The winter season has flown by. I have throughly enjoyed having such a wide range of activities to keep me occupied. Skiing has been great and randonee has been excellent for both the fitness and the off piste skills! The sun has started to shine and so I have ventured out on the Giant Propel a few times already. The first time since we have been in Morzine that we have been out on the road in March. We are now busy getting organised for the onslaught of summer. Bring on the triathlons and road cycling!!!

I heard about a new event that will start on our door step this September - The Evergreen Endurance 228. It's a 4km swim in Lac Montriond, 181km cycle to Chamonix via 5 cols and a 43km trail run. I had been tempted to race another Ironman and after hearing of this event I am excited to be able to be part of the inaugural race. My aim is purely to finish. It will possibly be the hardest Iron distance event in the world, but it will also be one of the most spectacular. I am looking forward to preparing myself for the challenge - no joke!!

A Winter Wonderland

We moved to Morzine for the summers because needless to say triathlon and cycling is what it's all about, but oh boy do I love the winter too! There hasn't been a heap of snow this winter yet but it's not stopping me from getting out and about for lots of cross training adventures. My choice of activities include:

• skiing
• randonee skiing
• snow shoeing
• yoga
• pilates 
• turbo trainer
• gym 
• swimming 
• running 

That's nine different physical activities listed there that I can choose from on a daily basis. Choosing different activities is an excellent way to stay inspired over the winter and prevents the body from becoming overtrained in triathlon. Yep, I love this kind of down time!

The highs and the lows

Triathlon is a challenging sport. Combining swimming, cycling, running plus transitions is one of the reasons I love it so much. Then throw in other factors such as nutrition, strength & conditioning, mental toughness and there's a lot to keep track of. I think this is one of the reasons it is so satisfying to make it to the finish line. Every competitor in every event has been on a journey to get to the start line and to cross the finish line. I've been in 2 triathlons this summer and my journey has been different to that of the many triathlons I have been in before. It's the fist time I haven't been part of my swim squad, the first time I haven't had a training program to follow. I've been training with our guests at tri4thealps, sometimes sneaking in a quick session on my own here and there too. The races have both been fun. The sprint individual time trial at Machilly and then the Olympic distance race at Passy. They were both hard but I enjoyed the challenge. Unfortunately there won't be any more tris for me this summer. I fell on some stairs the other day and have sprained my ankle. I'm doing everything I can for a speedy recovery but racing again will have to wait to next summer now. That's the highs and the lows of sport.

 

Above: Post Race interview at Passy then coaching from the blocks with my foot in a brace!

Professional Development

At Tri4theAlps this week it has been our DSquad Training Week. Not only have our guests had a fantastic opportunity to watch, listen and learn from some of the best triathletes in the world but I have as well. The DSquad boasts Olympic Silver Medalist Lisa Norden, Commonwealth Gold Medalist Jodie Stimpson and World Triathlon Series Grand Final Silver Medalist Aileen Reid as well as a bunch of other top and upcoming athletes coached by one of the best coaches in the world, Darren Smith. This week we have watched them go about their business, in a serious and professional manner but with an obvious enjoyment and enthusiasm for the sport.  We have experienced first hand swimming sessions with Aileen and Julia, bike sessions with Jess, run sessions with Cam, Lindsey and Melinda, gym with Rick and lunch, coffee and chats with Jodie & Aileen. The athletes have willingly told us what they do and why they do it, and it has been interesting and insightful. There is certainly an emphasis on quality over quantity and mastering good technique and form.  With a few sessions left to complete, most of us a feeling a bit fatigued but looking forward to learning just a little bit more before this wonderful opportunity comes to a close.

Swimming with Aileen & Julia

Run with Cam

Lunch with Jodie and Aileen (at Dotty's!)

Run with Lindsey & Mel

Bike with Jess

Helping others

My role as a triathlon coach is all about helping others. It is very rewarding when I see others inspired to improve and achieve. Sport does not always have to be about winning, it can be just as, sometimes more, satisfying to know you are out there doing your best.
A recent week at Tri4theAlps with some guests that are relatively new to the sport proved just this. It was a pretty awful week of weather but they were so keen to get out there and willing to learn that it really didn't matter. It was great to see them all improve over the week, in fitness, strength, endurance, skills and ultimately their confidence. I am really looking forward to following their progress and it gives me a buzz to know that I helped contribute to their future endeavours.
I've also been helping some locals. Keeping track of them over a month or so now and watching the progress has been incredible. I am excited to be able to continue to work with them over time and hope I can continue to help them grow not only in their sport but in life as well.
Keep up the great work team!!!!

Triathlon du Lac Machilly

Our summer season is well underway and so I thought it was about time to do a triathlon. It has been over 3 years since my last triathlon. I entered the Machilly Tri with the sole aim of participating for fun! I really enjoyed it and am inspired to put on the race suit again soon. The event was organised by one of the local triathlon clubs and they did a sensational job. The course was easy to follow and safe. The concept of the race was an individual time trial, with participants starting in 15 second intervals. My only hiccup prior to the race start was not having a number belt when it was announced to be a non wetsuit swim. Never fear - Joe ripped off the elastic band of his undies and there you have it a 'bonds' number belt. Disaster diverted I was on the start line. The swim felt good, I was pleased with the straight line I took from can to can and my pacing was suitable to how much swimming I have been doing (only a little bit), I had a sooth transition and was pleased to be feeling good when I jumped on the bike. The bike course seemed quite fast, no major climbs but some nice gradual ups and downs. I had the GIANT PROPEL ADVANCED SL flying around the course, overtaking many in front of me and only being overtaken by one guy. Onto the run I was a little concerned I'd spent too much on the bike but I pushed hard and found a rhythm. The whole course was stunningly scenic and I really enjoyed being out there and pushing the limits. Upon crossing the finish line I was informed that I was the fastest female so far so I was lead over to the 'throne' where I had to ring a cow bell and then sit to wait to see if any females would beat my time. It turns out they didn't and I was the fastest finisher for the day.