Tri an Mhi - Snámh Oighear Fuar

Without a doubt the hardest Swim to Bike transition I will ever experience.  Lough Lene was cold.  Very cold.  Too cold for me.  I certainly had mild hypothermia when the temperature drop hit me as I stood in transition unable to make decisions or move my limbs properly.  With the help of a marshall I  managed to get my jacket on.  The T.I marshall had a long look at me, watching he said to me "if you cannot clip your own helmet you cannot continue". Shit.  I eventually managed it.  I struggled on to my bike unable to lift my head for about 20k.  For the first time ever I thought I will have to drop out of this one, the reason was simple my health.  So I was faced with a hard question do I spin around and go back for a space blanket or do I raise my core temp myself?  Keep going.  Never seen Heart Rate as low in any bike race.  Two and a half hours in I began to feel right.  Then I got going.  Good finish to the bike and a good run.

The blue legs in the picture tell their own story, and that was the 2nd lap of the bike.  Mark Dempsey's tale "An old man told me years ago "APRIL AND MAY STAY FAR FROM THE SEA JUN AND JULY SWIM TILL YOU DIE" is right.  But unfortunatley I was in an open water fresh lake in the middle of Meath.
                        
Swim 00:45.16 / Holiday 1   00:03:42 / Bike 03:09:36 / T2 00:00:55
Run / 01:38:16 / Total 5:37:46

Limerck Half

Weather was pretty good.  I love when the met office get it wrong.  Its a fine line pacing.  I learnt today even 5 secs a mile too fast and you will slow in the last mile.  Lactic acid has am amazing ability to creep up on you.

Anyway another good day on the pods and I think I was under 1:28:30. 

Funny things PB's, I thought I could have gone faster but I have never had a measured 1/2 marathon time as fast.

Big training week this week for me anyway.  2 x 5 Hour Bricks and a Half ironman on Saturday to keep me on my toes.

Ironman certainly doesn't let you lie....

Joey Hannon - A Windy Day Literally

Swim 00:30:31 T1 00:01:01 Cycle 01:08:04 T2 00:00:58 Run Lap 1 00:22:13 Lap 2 00:22:59 Total 02:25:47


PB in a pool swim for me. Progress. In my two weak individual disciplines I am
setting PB's this season in solo events. Best 1500 swim, best 10Km best 10 mile
soon to be best half marathon but it does not seem to be tying itself together this year.
A golfer changing swing is the way I am looking at it. I will make sure it is the Faldo way, don't want to do a Padraig Harrington.


Life is full of lessons, thankfully I am a quick learner. Oh except for the swim ;-0

North Tipp Wobble

Fair Play Nenagh Tri Club.  Great, Well Organised Race.

New Season means New Kit.  Words of advice don't change every piece of Kit you own in the Week before your new race.  Having said that potential is a serious thing and the new set up will be searingly fast once I practice, and re - learn the skills required to get my feet into my bike shoes, cycle in straight line, & put my tight running shoes on.  So with that on a sunny April morning I am off for a cycle....along a white line somewhere....

Mallow & Monkies

St Patricks weekend you would expect there to be more weight in people's step.  Not the case.  Recessions are good for one thing, getting people out and doing some excersize.  Great turn out for a 10 miler in Mallow Co Cork about 1100.

Finally the sub 70 monkey is off my back.  Time to move forward.

1:06:36 MANUEL, Philip LIMERICK TRIATHLON CLUB M MS 00:06:40

Long & Short of It - VO2

64.2 MG (ml O2 / Kg / min) Now I have the numbers. The zones and major motivation.

Philip,

Your lung Capacity was great and your Anaerobic Threshold was even better. I know you said it surprised you alot but we now know you have the potential to go faster without hurting your body so do so. It will take a good bit of work but you defo have the potential to do Long distances at a great speed. You would want to be careful to stay in your zones because you will be hit hard very quickly if you were to stay above 174 for any length of time, don't be afraid to go over it for a short period of time as we seen your body recovers well so do push a little but because you have such a high threshold you don't necessarily have to do this too often.

Time to work hard and smart.

Thanks to Sean for testing the club members.   

http://www.myhealthmatters.ie/ 

Very worthwhile. 

Limerick Duathlon

Position :(14) Philip Manuel 1:13:55 Male Run (16) 0:17:46 Bike (7) 0:35:15  Run 2 (30) 0:19:34

2 x 4.5 K Run & a 20K Bike.

No sprint finish this time around.

Dungarvan off the Map

Decided better to get out for a 2 Hour Bike and a 1 hour run, rather than drive over to Dungarvan for the 10 miler, I could have cycled over but no point in frying myself now....is there.

2012

Here is to 2012.

Time to train and go back Racing.

Time Flies

Element of Surprise.   Can't believe it is July since I last put up a post.

Couple of races completed since.  Nothing spectacular.   Just tried and trusted events.  Events I need to do more frequently.

Frank Duffy 10 Mile   1:13:12

Dublin Half Marathon 1:38:02

Simple question.  Is there I want to be at this point in time. No.

Will be no personal best for me in October.  And I won't run if that's not the case.

Toes a small part

Small parts of our bodies.  Toes.  Your big one is the daddy of them all.  You rely on it.  Trust me oh how you rely on it.   Sliced the big toe on my right foot open when waterski - ing about 2 weeks back.  Just on the point where you place your toe down when walking and running.  Hence it does not want to heal.  Makes a big difference not having full use.  Anyway lesson learned where boots when ski - ing or tape your toes up.
Couple of races one pre toe & pre training and one post toe.

Hell of The West Relay - 46:03

Irish Runner 5 Mile       - 35:18

Better now so back training. Will be a nice long run in the mist today and the forecast says its sunny.  

Lanzorate

As far as race's I have done go; very few have or will live up to Ironman Lanzorate.  I would go as far to say that it is not actually a race, more a journey into your mind and soul.   It was a truly epic day.  Epic scenary and of course the wind & heat were epic too.

I loved it.  Absolutely loved it.  One of the best days of my life. It seems all the trials in the lead up to this one made it all the more satisfying.  Result was average enough but still decent considering they call it the toughest Ironman on the planet.  And I was happiest with my Bike.

Swim 01:11:27 T1 06:15 Bike 06:37:16 T2 04:43 Run 04:15:56 Total 12:15:36.

Will ponder now what "long" one to do next, there will be another.

For now I will think of the recovering and working towards Dublin marathon in October.

It is amazing to think that the infamous Geb uttered the words below, funny they seem to apply to me also.

I have to change a lot of things before I become a good marathon runner.
Haile Gebrselassie

I haven't done a marathon for a long time. So we'll see. I will need good luck.
Haile Gebrselassie

Quote of the Day

I signed up a few years back to Runners World quote of the day.  It has an uncanny knack of sending truly relevant ones at the right time.  I am just putting the bike box in the car to travel to arguably the world's toughest Ironman in Lanzorate, Canary Islands.  And runners world send me this :


With the proper motivation, that is, a good reason for wanting to do it, your mind can overcome any sort of adversity.

Franz Stampfl, running coach

Magic Johnson

In the words of the great sportsman and icon Earvin Magic Johnson;

""Any guy who can maintain a positive attitude without much playing time certainly earns my respect." 
---Earvin "Magic" Johnson"

Time to earn that respect.

5 Days and counting to IM Lanzorate.  I can't wait.  Bring it.

The trophies mean nothing. The glory will fade. In the end all that is important is your happiness.

Direction of the Wind

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.   The order of life.  1st of all I am an individual. 2nd of all I am a Husband, 3rd of all I am an Employee and then I am an Athlete.

Once you have each of the these area's in good working order your inner Athlete will improve.  I have made a change in area number 3.  The decision has been the correct one.  Purely because the top 2 area's have improved.

On the Athlete front I have unfinished business and actually had forgotten what brought me to endurance sport in the first place; running.  I love it but left it aside while Triathlon took hold. 

I have made no improvement on personal best times in 10K, Half Marathon or the Marathon over the last 18 months.  My mind is thinking this is simply not good enough.  My body is telling me the same thing.

Increasing distance may not be the most efficient way to get  better, a 100 mile week may be no better than a 50 mile week. Quality.  Time to pay attention to training sessions and not just go out for an hour at the same pace.

Season goals have changed.  Races have changed.  I have changed.  The result - I had to adjust my sail. 

Marcus Aurelius

Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. –Marcus Aurelius


2011 has not been all sunshine and rainbows. A series of "issues" have caused the direction I was travelling to be altered. Everything happens for a reason. I have not raced in ages.


I was really disappointed to have to pull out of the European Duathlon Championships in Limerick last weekend. I may not have been in the best shape for the race after a mixed couple of weeks of illness, temperature and migraine. I still had a tear in my eye walking away from the course on Saturday all the same. Anyone who loves this sport will know how I felt. It was good to help out though and I have to say standing at the finish line I saw a thousand stories. Motivation huh?


And to top it all off yesterday a Hamstring strain comes on to the field of play.


Bit like bonus time. Lots of things making me re-focus. Illness due to less than perfect nutrition & injury due to poor flexibility. Guess what I will be adding to the program and making sure I get it perfected.


Limbo now. Will make my decision on the rest of the season in Lanzorate whilst going around the windy island. What do I want from the sport? What do I want from myself? What changes are neccessary?


I will have 17 hours to think about that and season 2011 in a wetsuit, on a saddle and then on the run in the blazing son.


Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. - Michael Jordan


Damn right Michael, damn right.

On the Road

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.  ~Mary Engelbreit


Someone told me that often life gets in the way of training. I have decided to move the goalposts a little.  A new role, a new outlook.


Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.  ~Pauline R. Kezer

Camp

Flying to Lanzorate tomorrow for a training camp for the week.  Will set me straight.   Feel like I am getting stronger all the time as each weak is passing.  Only time will tell, but feeling good now all the same.

So approx 21 hours training on schedule from 7th -10th March, followed by a more relaxed week, all in the name of going further or faster, actually just to bring a smile.  Club la Santa here we come.  Pic above from Limerick Duathlon, christmas cake still on show.  The cake is soon to be killed off however....

Ironman vs Ultrarunner

Dungarvan10

Was not expecting much.  In truth it has been the worst winter of training I have had in 4 years.  I have had no structure since October and was hit and miss nearly every session.  If there was a session.  Last block I completed was 3 weeks long and finished just before the start of November.  Then it was a day here a day there and then maybe not a day for a week. All winter.

Boru Tri Club established itself in Killaloe.  Local. Easy to get to sessions.  I could no longer make any excuses.  So on Monday I ventured back out into the training world and went for a run.  It was great.  20 turned out for the 1st session.  How cool.  And a sign of far Triathlon has come in Ireland.  A club in little old Killaloe. Did a bit on the turbo Tuesday, some Hill running Wednesday with some real runners  (sweet Jesus), weights and turbo Thursday, swim Friday and Saturday a run where my legs felt like crap and my heart was equally heavy.  I would never even break 80 minutes tomorrow, oh dear.

This morning I plodded around and warmed up for 10 minutes.  Stood in the crowd at the start line.  Just stood pondering.  How was I going to run this one.  Go out easy and see how you feel. So I did.  Checked pace at mile 1, 8 minutes bang on.  Fair enough.  I just let the miles tip by and realised I was increasing by 15 secs per mile up to the 6 mile mark.  I felt good. Odd I was wrecked yesterday after 3 miles at 7:40 and I was winding up to 6:50 today and feeling great.  Held on between 6:50 & 7:15 for the last 4.  Finish 72:30.  How the hell did I do that?  My P.B for 10 miles is 70:10 and I ran 6 days a week for 3 months to get it.

Your body doesn't really forget, once you smile and listen to the 2 key thing's.  Your experience & what your body is telling you.   Pacing is crucial.

Even when out of shape you can do just fine.

Mallow 10

First Race of the season. Cancelled.  Weather conditions deemed to cold and hence unsafe for the participants.  I was jealous however when sitting on the couch this afternoon watching Mo Farah win the World Cross Country Champs in Edinburgh in the snow over what looked like a very exciting course.

Stadiums are for spectators. We runners have nature and that is much better. 
Juha Väätäinen, Finland


Time for a run.

Dare to Be Great

No Dare to be powerful beyond Measure.  No text this time, sometimes it is just better to listen.  Play the audio track by clicking on the link above.

This one is for my wife, my uncle Richard and for the first time in years, most of all me.

Finish Line for 2010

2010. What a year. The Ironman was a fantastic experience.  Thank you to all who offered encouragement, support and sponsorship.  Thank you to Ulster Bank who doubled the money I had raised by donating a generous €5000 to the Mannix Kane Appeal on my behalf.  Total Sponsorship raised in the region of €7500.
Success.

Just by getting off my behind and trying to do something for some-one else I enjoyed a lot of small success's this year, moments in my life I will never forget.  Not only did I go further than I ever have before, I went faster too.  I was given the privilege of racing in the European Championships on my own doorstep, and the World Championships in Budapest.  At the start of 2010 I really did not see any of this.

Is there a lesson in this experience for me, for people?  Motivation is mostly an internal thing, but sometimes external factors come along that will bring you to the next level.  Open our minds to believe you can improve go further.  It's not as hard as we sometimes think.

DCT & End of Season Finale

Post Ironman is not a merry go round.  Racing an Olympic distance races 3 weeks after an Ironman is not wise.  Went to Dublin for the National Champs and pottered around.  Fairly average stuff.  Fairly average sort of day.  But this is not time for sitting on one's laurels.  (Finish time posted to the right for DCT)

Why? To blow out the cob webs.  To feel rotten before the season finale. Time to head to the world championships in Budapest.

I have to read that back to myself.  Should I be going?  Many would say no, but I would say "well why are you not going then?

Take your chances when they come, it may be the only one you get. Best of luck to all the Irish going over to race.  That makes me proud, all the Irish.

Slan Tamall.

Ironman UK 2010

I always seem to be thinking about inspiration.  Its effect on people and how it can make a person accomplish things they never thought possible.  I was inspired.  Mannix Kane.  His battle with cancer brought my mind in a new direction.  Focused me.  4 Years of age.  Fighting away, not knowing any different.  Why do people without any real difficulties or illness have so much self doubt? You can. You just need to believe. But you have to fight, and you have to want to fight.  So why decide not too, or worse decide its too difficult.  You only have 1 life.

At 5:45 on Sunday morning I entered the water in Pennington flash with 1250 other hopefuls.  It was only then the magnitude of the whole thing hit me.  My stomach was in a very bad way, I nearly threw up in the water before the start.  My heart rate was 130 BPM and I was only floating there.  Never in my life have I felt anything like it.  And once I got going I was fine. More than fine.  I knew the moment I came out of the swim within my swim target time, the day was mine.  I had not seen the bike course or the run course, no knowledge, but I had this feeling inside , I just knew no matter what I faced through the day I would get to the finish, and get to it well.

The bike was tough but I enjoyed every minute.  It took longer than expected but I paced it well and felt great on the climbs.  I could go into detail here but to describe the course would take a few pages.  It was a climbers course, hills, headwind, twists and turns, technical downhill sections.  Grind it out. 2183 metres of climbing.  Yes metres not feet.

The marathon course was varied to say the least.  Straight out of T2 you hit a wicked uphill section into a forest on muddy trails, then back down to Bolton city streets for a bit, then back on to a trail, up a mental incline and back towards the finish.  You got turned away from the finish and back along the same course for 3 laps. It was not an easy marathon course and not flat.  But that didn't matter.  My legs felt great.  All run.  This was marathon number 9 for me and was one of the best I have run, close to many of the individual times I have done in the past. I didn't feel bad at any stage during the day.  I set a goal of 12 hours I reached it.  But if I had known the course beforehand there is no way I would have set it at 12, maybe 13.  See what I mean about self doubt !

Anyway I would like to leave you with a poem by Jon Blais, the blazeman, I think this sums it up nicely.

"LIve life more than your neighbours unleash yourself upon the world and go places, 

Go now, giggle, no Laugh; 

Bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are 

understand that this is not a dress-rehearsal; this is it, 

your life, 

face your fears and live your dreams, take it all in, yes every chance you get;

come close

and

by all means whatever you do get it on film" 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vrjp2P0GlE


Total           Swim           T1           Bike           T2          Run
11:55:51 /  01:14:21 /   01:19 /   06:41:34 /   03:49 /   03:51:05

267th out of 1093 finishers.

ETU European Championships 2010

Back to where it all started for me.  Three years ago I did a Try a Try in Athlone on a rusty, heavy steel old racer I bought off Ebay and got fleeced for.  200M Swim / 20K Bike / 5K run in a truly shocking 1:17:58.  It was not realy a bike at all just a load of steel that resembled a bike.  This morning I had the privilege of representing my country in the Age Group European Championships.  In a way I am lost for words.  I cant say I am a winner or in the mix for awards, but I was not just a token competitor either.  Very much middle of the road and that is a great place to be. Its not too serious. Gives me time to really enjoy it.  There is very much room for improvement but I can see how and where the improvement can come from now.  It is very satisfying to to look back and see how far I have travelled, since I first laced up my brand new Asics Kayano's and waddled off for a run, well jog, actually a walk about 4 years ago.

The biggest event of my life is only a few weeks away.  It is a special time for me, but I can't help but feel guilty and actually quite sad.  If it were not for Mannix Kane and the push his situation gave me, I would not be at this stage in 2010.  I would not be considering an Ironman. And at this point I cant imagine life without it.

Kilkee and the sun shines

Hell of the West 2010.  A well organised and brilliant race.  Limerick Triathlon Club surpassed themselves.  Best layout, marshaling and organisation of a race in the country.  Congratulations to C Murphy and the team, the buzz before, during and, well after the race was fantastic.  I left before the party started afterwards so as not to succumb to temptation.

I felt good all day in swim, bike and run.  Seem to have found the threshold I can operate at without blowing up in the run.  A good improvement on last year.  But not in the area's I thought.  Swim was much better, bike a little better but I had a lot more left for the run.  When I crossed the finish line I was surprised,  I wasn't really tired at all.  Breath was back before I left the finish zone with my bottle of water.  Didn't push hard enough or just comfortable in what I am doing.  I think the latter.


Position 79 /Philip Manuel M (30 - 34) Swim 00:28:45 (230) / T1 00:00:48 (41) / Bike 01:15:52 (50) / T2 00:00:38 (20) / 00:45:46 (125) / Total 02:31:47.

For the 1st time in the finish zone this year I had a thought to myself.  I really now believe that I can get Bolton done.  I felt like going around the course again and again........

Tough Times

OK.  It is getting tough for me.  Tired, heavy legs thoughts through my mind. I cant imagine how it is for the little guy.  To wake up every day and have to fight with everything you got.  Got to keep going........

Fastnet

Another weekend another race.  37th Place.  Should have been higher.  Mucked up the bike, on the plus recovered on the tun and had a decent plod home.  Cant help but think there is a lot more in the tank.  How the hell do you access it though........

Swim                   T1   Bike                   T2   Run                    Total      

 0:15:13 (111) 1:43 0:39:26 (34) 1:29 0:20:23 (32) 1:18:14

Tri Athy

Its a good race.  Seemed quieter this year.  Small waves only 80 in each one, I was in the last one.  Saw, well no one in the swim really very peaceful.  Hopped out, took it steady on the bike for first lap and then hammered it for the second.  Caught and passed a lot of people on the final stretch home on the bike. Not as much as Ivan O Gorman though, thunder - legs himself jesus what a difference a year makes. Passed me like I was standing still. My run was average, strange run in Athy pretty bumpy in parts but scenic none the less.

No faster than last year due to different swim route. I think it made all the difference.  More realistic times for an Olympic race.

Happy enough. Swim 30:02 / T1 01:15 / Bike 01:06:12 / T2 01:07 / Run 44:40 / Total 2:23:20.  87th Overall.

I saw Bryan Mc Crystal in the flesh for the first time briefly as he sped past on the bike.  Inspiring stuff.  He has a rocket ship not a bike.  He put in a truly unbelievable 56:17.  A blistering average of 42.64 Kmh or 26.5mph. Think of it this way in 2008 on the same course in better conditions Frazer Cartmell did 55:15, Gavin Noble did 57:46, Rich Stannard 1:01:10.  Bryan himself did 1:01:44.  He is six minutes quicker than 08 when already doing very fast times, holy shit.  The national series may be about to get retained.  Unless Art, D Graham, and others start mixing it with the normals. Fascinating stuff.

De Island....

Valentia Island, not "de island" in Limerick, eh locals.  The weather showed up and made Valentia a delicious little sprint.  I was pleased with how I went.  I am not training for any speed or short fast distance work but was able to keep up with the real athletes quite well.  Limerick Tri Club had a good representation and some superb results.  I have some very talented peers I have nothing but respect for how easy they make it look.

Swim 13:49 (136) / T1 01:51 / Bike 32:24 (28) / T2 00:34 / Run 1 11:17 / Run 2 09:02 / 20:20 (52) = 1:08:57

34th Overall.

Still on track , still eager and looking forward to whatever is coming next.  Next stop Tri Athy.

Joey - The Aftermath

Pool Triathlons.  Great when your out of the pool and out of the traffic jam.

Fastest ever Olympic Distance for me, and in a pool race.  I am a not the best swimmer and this is magnified by the water-boarding room that is a swimming pool.  Give me a wetsuit and open water anyday.  The thought of sharks and jellyfish somehow makes me move faster!

Anyway......

Swim 00:31:16 / T1 00:01:18 / Bike 01:05:57 / T2 00:01:04 / Run 00:41:53 / Total 02:21:25

I looked stunned in the picture above for some reason, its not pretty, thankfully my result showed more improvement.  Next stop Valentia Island.

Pre Joey

May bank holiday weekend.  It can only mean one thing.  Limerick is the place to be. Joey Hannon, Limerick Marathon and the River fest.  Busy traffic and even busier triathlete's. No taper this time for me training through on the back of 12 hours this week already.  Looking forward to tomorrow first race of the season.

I am packing light, so come on the sunshine.  Now where did I put my bike?

TT Thursdays

Had a quick lash at the TT course out at Sixmilebridge.  Some real cylclists there, me and a few other pretenders.  24:52.  I thought it was pretty slow on a 15K course but there are some nice inclines, and truth be told I ain't preparing for a sprint.  Still was an intersting evening on the bike.  If my eyes were not open they are now.

Connemara

Beautiful day for a run.  nicer day for a walk.  That was how it turned out in Connemara this time around.

A good training session it turned out to be but most certainly not a PB.  Fastest marathon I have done on the Connemara course all the same.

121st Place. Philip Manuel Male Senior 1:45:03 / 3:53:53.

Better to come on the marathon front.  Felt pretty knackered between 19 - 21.  Jesus need to get it together for M K's sake.

LTC Duathlon 3 - Split Times

Decent Bike, Good transitions. Decent Run 1. Poor Run 2. But another PB.

13:43 / 00:25 / 24:15 / 00:25 / 15:12 / 54:00

LTC Duathlon 3

Pimped my ride a bit for today. Zipp 404's added to the Arsenal. Another PB.

Got in in just under 54 mins. Still waiting on the split times. Delighted. Solid improvement

in each of the 3 races and that was the aim. Now to concentrate on the longer stuff. Connemara here I come. 2nd time running this marathon and 3rd time on the course did a half marathon there too a few years back.

It has hills, but I love hills.

LTC Duathlon 2

2nd Duathlon, two weeks after the 1st. Any improvement, well a little.

13:45 / 00:26 / 25:34 / 00:26 / 14:56 / 55:05.

18th Overall. I am certain I can get in to the low 54's all going well in the next race. Fingers crossed.

LTC Duathlon 1

First Race of 2010. Run 3.6K, Cycle 14.3K, Run 3.6K. As fast as you can.

I had a pretty good race and have to say I am pleasantly surprised at how good I felt during the race.

Run 1 00:14:02 (22) / T1 00:32 / Cycle 00:25:46 (25) / T2 00:26 / Run 2 00:15:02 (26) / 00:55:48

The short sprints usually have you in all sorts of pain, thankfully that was not the case today.

It just went as it was supposed too. Finally improvement I can easily see, a new PB on this course for me by about 4 minutes. 21st Place Overall out of 130 odd.

Ironman UK

You always think you won't get an entry. Ironman races sell out in hours across Europe. Guess what. I am in. Ironman UK Bolton on the 1st August 2010. Swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles.

My motivation?  To help raise sponsorship for Mannix Kane.  The bravest little boy on the planet.

If ever in my life I am going to be tested the next 7 months this will be it. On all levels. All of a sudden things have got very serious. No messing anymore.

This is the big one.

Killaloe 5

I am very late in posting this. I didn't have the picture ready. Mike Jones a real endurance athlete is in the process of rowing across the Atlantic ocean. http://www.atlantic5000.com/ He organised a fun run in Killaloe to help with sponsorship etc. A santa run. Hence the suit. Badly hungover and farily shattered I aimed for 35Mins on a lets say undulating course. Great day out and the Irish junior triathlon team who showed up with Mark Dempsey on the day showed us all how its done. I suddenly feel very old........

I was the fastest Santa on the day. So all was not lost. Race report attached.

http://www.atlantic5000.com/index.php/fun-run/

Connemara

So. As it turns out I have no marathon to my name in 2009. No full distance anyway. Without further a-do the name is down for Connemara in April. Looking forward to it.

Training away, low intensity and gearing up for the start of Base 1 in December. Might stick a ten miler in at the end of January. Will sort out the race calender by the end of December. But for now lets think of the 26.2.

Apre Lost Sheep - Into the Autumn

Swine Flu. Could have got it. Didn't. Got a chest infection instead. A tough one. Two weeks of rest and bang, "would you like a chest infection with that sir?"

Dublin is 3 weeks away. We will take it day by day and see how we are. In truth I get some sort of illness a few weeks out of every Dublin Marathon. But this one has been the wirst I can remember.

Anyone with advice I will take it. No training in three weeks. Can it be turned around. Of course it can. Just have to believe.

How Think Ye ??

Well as the story goes

a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave
the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is
gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoice
more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

We hit the mountains and boy was it worth the effort. Stunning cycle. Words cannot describe the views from the Healy and Caha pass yesterday morning in the blistering sunshine. Perfect conditions.

I am pleased. I have to be. I hit my target. Under 5:30.

Swim 37:48 / T1 1:14 / Bike 2:49:43 / T2 1:18 / Run 1:56:20 / Total 5:26:22

And as you can see from the picture. I managed to find that sheep afterall.

DCT 2009

One week to the next. Black and White.

Superb triathlon in Dublin this weekend. Well done Piranha, brilliant organisational skills. excellent race, excellent setting and an excellent result.

Philip Manuel / 00:31:12 /01:12:38 / 00:45:11 / 02:31:38

So thats it. The last race before the big one. Kenmare here I come. Has anybody found that bloody sheep yet?

Did you forget your Goggles?

No swim. What. There is no swim. What do you mean there is no swim this is an ironman dude.....

This sums up the day at Eireman last Sunday.
http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2009/08/24/eireman/

I am happy enough but again the Marshall's need to sort themselves out. The half marathon
world record was apparently smashed. I think not. 73rd overall out of 219, but would have been higher up if everyone was sent the right direction. But that was just the day it was I suppose.

The ironman dot wont be arriving at a race in Ireland anytime soon. Not until Tri Ireland employ someone from Europe or the states to organise a Long Distance Tri properly. We just dont seem to have the expertise.


Philip Manuel / 00:17:56 / 03:04:23 / 00:02:08 / 02:01:19 / 05:25:45

Eireman Successor

It is a week to go. Early to rise next Sunday morning for the First Eireman. I am really looking forward to this one. Even though I crashed my bike last Monday an cut myself up pretty bad, I am feeling good, smiling away to myself at the thought of this one. I wont be crowned Eirman this year, best of luck to the man that is.

" It's what I learn after I knew it all that counts" - P Manuel 15/08/09.

D.N.S - Brian Boru

A missed race. A missed opportunity. But I didnt miss the point this time.

A man of sense is never discouraged by difficulties; he redoubles his industry and his diligence, he perseveres and infallibly prevails at last.

Cill Chiaran, tries to Cill Philip

Its a simple fact,on the day I was well below par. I have thought up every excuse in the book, but they are exactly that.... excuses.

Time to Truck on.

Is feidir liom an Lost Sheep

Swim 00:37:02 / T1 00: 00:53 / Bike 01:18:57 / T2 00:01:06 / Run 00:51:57 / 02:49:53

My First Prize

I cant believe it. I won these. The second bggest overall improvement in the space of a year time for the Hell of the West. Happy days. Thanks to http://www.cyclesuperstore.com/