First ever win

Two weeks ago if you had glanced towards my assembled trophies that I had won, you would have seen a solitary rugby figure when I won Sittingbourne Rugby Club Under 8s player of the year in 1985. Since those halcyon days my little rugby player has been somewhat lonely.



So two weeks ago, much to my relief, I finally got something to ensure my books would stay upright. And it came in a triathlon!!

It was at the team relay at Henley Triathlon where I was joined by speedy friends Alex and Chris.

I was the swimmer of the group w(hich doesn't say much for the other two's swimming capability ). It was a 400m pool swim which I completed in 8 minutes. Not great but it was very crowded in there. A 30 second run and I handed over to Alex for his first competitive bike event. He got round the hilly 25k route in an excellent 48.04, handing over to Chris who stormed the run in 16.47. Finishing time 1hr13min27sec. As winners we all got a trophy each and a very full winners goody bag with lots of swimming accessories and Gatorade goodies.



Well done to Alex and Chris who did the lion's share of the work, and kudos to Chris who cut his hand open leaving transition on a rusty fence and still carried on.

Training has been a bit sporadic but I'm on track with 2 months to go until the Olympic race at Dorney. I've started to include 3 strength training sessions which include a 5k row on the ergo and a session on the suspension trainer. (Thanks to Stuart Amory @inkilterfitness on Twitter for the tip).

Thanks definitely has to also go to Kevin Draper (@kevdraper) who has offered to look at my training programme and has come up with recommendations. So grateful for all your input Kev.

I had a good TT at Maidenhead last week pbing over the 10 mile course in 25.53. Another go tomorrow night so looking forward to improving that.

And final race news was the aquathlon at Liquid Leisure last Saturday. It was a charity race for Mike and Reiko Tree's Tri4Japan (www.tri4japan.com). The race comprised of a 750m swim and a 5k run. I decided to try a new tactic in the swim and start further forward than I usually do with the view to go balls out (nothing to do with the rip in my wetsuit) and see how I go. Well for the first 75 metres all was good then For the first time ever I started hyperventilating. So I slowed down and tagged on to a passing swimmer's feet. Once round the top buoy and I was felling calmer so I pushed on again and exited the water in a seasons best 13.47. After a 40 second transition I headed out on the run feeling good. Three laps of the lake and I finished in 21.20. Overall time 35.54. The run was comfortable so I knew I would have been able to go quicker. Will try harder next time.

I did say that was the last bit of news but I've just got back from a club series 5k run in Maidenhead. It was a momentous occasion as finally I reached my holy grail of a sub 20 minutes 5k. Perfect conditions and fresh feeling legs combined for a 19.50 result. Happy and tired now. Until next time... all the best

"Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it."

T. Alun Armstrong