Tag Archives: sports

Sports

Disappointing result, rekindled spirit

Leave a comment

To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. My triathlon result was not what I had hoped for, even though after two disciplines I was actually more than a minute ahead of last year’s time.

I dropped four places to 78th (out of a field of 110 racers) from 74th (102 participants) last year. My time was 1h21m02sec compared to 1h19m38sec – 84 seconds slower. The heat played a part, but the lack of proper training and lack of form were the real reasons.

Swimming was great with my time eight seconds quicker compared to last year, and the usual stress that has dodged every triathlon I competed in – and it’s more than 20 over the past seven years – was conspicuously absent.

The cycling didn’t feel great, but I still managed to complete the 20km in 1m13sec faster than last year. Counting in the two transitions (both exactly 2m06sec), I was around the 50-minute mark coming into the running.

My muscles reacted as the always do – badly. But it was no different from the past years. I calculated that I could make it as my time of 26 minutes last year was well within reach.

After the first kilometre, I realised that it wasn’t looking good. It took me more than seven minutes to complete. A quick calculation meant that at the same pace, I’d cross the line in well past the 1h19m mark I had set myself.

Try as I might, I was running on empty. I had nothing left in me. With two kilometres left, I was barely 10 minutes away from my self-imposed limit. I ran hard and dropped my time to under six minutes, but it was too little too late.

The last kilometre was my best, but around 400 metres from the end I was at 1h19m40sec. I still ran as hard as I could (and even passed another runner) to cross the line to wild cheering and riotous applause from the thousands who turned out to see me (That didn’t happen, he’s delusional – Ed).

The key take-away from the whole event was that I had fun, I really enjoyed it. And now, I feel incredibly motivated. I might even do the Zug Olympic triathlon with my mate Fergus, who clocked a fantastic time of 1h15m56sec on Saturday.

This time, more than any other time, I’ll get it right (with apologies to the undefeated England 1982 World Cup team).

Sports

No Olympic glory, but 40 minutes more sleep

Leave a comment

Saturday sees me participate in my first – and probably only – triathlon for 2012. It was supposed to be the year I moved up from Sprint triathlon to Olympic, but there’s no way on earth that was going to happen. At least, thanks to a change in scheduling from last year, I get to sleep 40 minutes longer.

My plan was simple – train hard, eat better and get in shape in time for the Zurich Triathlon. I did none and so decided – reluctantly – to be realistic and stick to Sprint for now – I didn’t want to take on the longer distance, do badly and get de-motivated.

The thing is my running is still very weak (average 5:30 per km) and I did very little time in the saddle. On a positive note, my swimming has improved tremendously – especially thanks to my Trigether swim trainer Iris. Only this week, I managed 500 m in 10:45 min, my fastest ever. That on its own, however, is not enough to progress to the next level.

So on Saturday, at 8.40am, I’ll be joining hundreds of others in the Sprint distance – 500 m swimming, 20 km cycling and 5 km running. A year ago, the start was at 8am, so I guess it’s 40 minutes more sleep for me. I almost feel better now.

Last year, I clocked just over 1 hour 21 minutes – anything quicker will be a bonus.

Sports

Ironman, well, sort of…

2 Comments

The long weekend promised a flurry of training in preparation for my next triathlon. But a running foray in Brugg left me reeling. I was dismal, to say the least. The worst came when that 80-ish woman with a Zimmer frame asked me to move aside so she could walk by as I was blocking the way.

So, I was left to nurse my bruised ego and deal with a 7min 30sec per kilometre time over a stretch less than 8km. What on earth happened to me? I couldn’t have gone slower if I tried. So much for my training plans. Sunday also saw me out on my bike, but I should have learnt from my Friday experience and stayed home. I managed an average speed of less than 24km/h. Swimming was left to complete the circle, but I wisely opted out.

But there is some good news. I found out that I do qualify for the title of Ironman after all. I managed (wait for it…) to iron seven (yes, SEVEN) shirts and one pair of trousers in a mere 75 minutes! Impressed, eh? I’m well chuffed about it, really!

I think I might just take up Extreme Ironing instead of triathlon. In the latter, the best I can aspire for is Plasticman.

Sports

Seven seconds

Leave a comment

Some people flog themselves, others walk barefoot for miles in processions, others still get crucified, presumably to win favour from God. I do triathlons. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy triathlons, but jumping into a pool with a water temperature of around 17 degrees Celsius is not fun. It was so cold I nearly stopped breathing.

But my first triathlon, in Thurgau, of 2011 can be considered a success as I managed to finish a staggering seven seconds (well, 6.7 seconds) faster (yes, faster!) than last year – despite the excessive baggage I carried around my waist, the lack of training and motivation at a low ebb.

It’s funny though. I felt good in the swimming as I conditioned my body to get used to the cold; cycling was also good, but my running was weak. In reality, I was four seconds slower in my swimming, 22 seconds slower in the cycling part, but 33 seconds faster in running. My end time was 1 hour 06 minutes 15 seconds.

The conclusion is that training helps; all I did for the past eight weeks was running, albeit not much of it, with a sprinkling of cycling. Also, my transition times – the period when you change from swimming to cycling and from cycling to running – were dreadful.

One crucial point is that I enjoyed it – I hadn’t enjoyed my last three events and was thinking of quitting the sport. I even started football with this in mind. But now I feel newly invigorated to do well in the Zurich Triathlon coming up in a couple of months. The question is: should I do a half-marathon?

Sports

When plans go astray

Leave a comment

Somewhere, something went wrong. My first triathlon for 2011 is a week away and I’m terribly overweight, verging closely and dangerously on the 90-kilogram mark; I’m terribly unfit; motivation is at an all-time low; and I am still struggling with a litany of injuries. I was suppoeed to be fit, at my ideal weight (77kg) and ready to go, at least that’s what my plans said.

But the Thurgau Triathlon is on the cards and I plan to go for it, at the risk of further injury (and embarrassment). Anyway, it’s a terribly short triathlon – 200 metres swimming followed by a brisk 17 kilometre cycle and a four kilometre run. The problem is that the latter two (of course) are generally uphill (it doesn’t feel as though you ever come back down).

Last year I clocked in at one hour six minutes 21 seconds. As usual, I messed up the swimming part, so if I manage to keep calm at the start, I might manage to beat the 5.22 minutes time. Last year was also my worst cycling time (38.09 minutes) – a staggering three minutes slower than my best time recorded in 2007. And running, the discipline I train most, is always my worst as calf muscles are all jammed up – and we go into a killer hill very soon after the start.

So, my predictions, based on the above, are that I’ll be in the same water as last year, maybe a bit slower. Up to one hour seven minutes is OK – anything less is an achievement. Long term plan is to go under one hour – it won’t happen this year, but it will, eventually.

Uncategorized

April expressions

Leave a comment

It’s been a busy start to April. New job, parents over for a week, leg injury while playing football, playing football nonetheless and training for my first triathlon of the year.

First things first – having my folks over was great, but a week was way too short. It’s always nice to see them, but I was a bit worried about them, especially my dad. They are getting on in years and every time I see them I can tell the difference in health from the last as there is generally a big gap in between. I worry that each time I see them will be the last, so I plan to travel to Malta, hopefully with the kids, to see them before soon.

They don’t write songs about Volvos
So I’ve been with Chevrolet for two weeks and everything has met my high expectations. People are great and friendly, work is exactly what I ever wanted to do and the cars are fantastic.

We are organizing a number of events over the next months which will keep us all very busy. These include car launches and celebrations for the centenary of Chevrolet. I was also reading up on the history behind the man who gave our company its name, Louis Chevrolet – a Swiss émigré. He was a fascinating person and his achievements will be celebrated this year.

Automatic bliss
My boss told me how dangerous it was to drive behind a person driving in an automatic for the first time – people not used to it tend to slam on the brakes thinking it is the clutch, with obvious consequences. Until last week, I had never driven a car with an automatic transmission, and believed people who did were just lazy.

The same evening, I was taking the Chevrolet Epica (soon to be replaced by the Malibu) home. A lovely looking car, I thought as I walked towards it in our garage in Glattbrugg. Then I opened the door – of course it was an automatic.

I semi-freaked out, but then just made sure to keep reminding myself – all the way home – that my left (injured) leg should not be moved. It’s so comfortable and easy, realxing and stress-free, especially in traffic. I am a convert. Unless it’s a Camaro, my next car will be an automatic!

Injury feast
Speaking of injuries, I hurt myself while playing football. Something in the meniscus of my left knee (leg?). Last week, while still injured, I played a game of football with my team, FC Othmarsingen – we lost badly. And today, while out jogging, I felt a sharp pain in my right leg. This coupled with my chronic hamstring injury in the same leg. And the icing on the cake – a stiff neck! Ah, sports is really healthy for you.

Sports

Running out of time

2 Comments

On yer bike: Looking ahead to new challenges

It’s hard to find the right motivation to get into my running or biking gear and heading out for a run. Going for a swim is even harder. I’ve done some sort of physical activity for the past few Sundays, but lately it’s getting harder and harder.

I guess one reason for that is that time is a sparse commodity, plus I can’t say I’m currently in good shape. They (whoever they may be) say that if you really want to do something, you’ll find the time.

So maybe it isn’t time after all, but something more deep-rooted. I’m starting to wonder whether I need a new set of goals. Around six years ago, I set myself two targets – to get a degree and to complete a triathlon. I’ve done one of the first and many of the second. Now what?