Tales from the island life.

Something i have realised over the last couple of months is that the full time athlete life is very lonely, it's demanding and it's tough but it can feel very alone. Now this isn't anything new to me, i'm used to training alone, long rides with just the bike or spending all your day out on two feet. But when you begin to train day in and day out 7 days a week it can start to hurt and draw you into darker places. You don't have a team to train with or to kick the ball around with its just you and the road, the pool or the trails. In this sense it can be very tough, the mind can draw you into places you would rather not be or you can completely loose focus on why you are doing this. Why you are putting yourself through a few hours on the bike alone into that wind.

For me two weeks ago i was getting to a strange place. The loneliness was becoming difficult and the focus was starting to fade. I would shout at the wind on the bike and have some serious words with myself during sessions.

But I have found that focus again, the hunger, the drive i suppose the reason i do this day in and day out and that is to race. To compete and test myself against other athletes all in pursuit of excellence.

The season is only around the corner but for some reason i had never set out my race calendar until now, i knew which races i might fancy but i never fully committed to a season and to races. But now i have, and now i feel a weight off my shoulders almost. A new motivation and drive to train.

My triathlon season will officially begin on April 11th in Mallorca with Triathlon Portcolum a 1km swim, 100km bike and 10km run an event im using as almost a fitness builder pre season but i believe with a shorter swim and long bike i may have a good shot at a result if i can hold my self together for the run. I will then race again in Mallorca with a half iron distance race before coming back to the UK for various races: Scottish Championships, British Championships, Age group World Championship qualifiers and i will have the European championships in July.

This season my focus will be on qualification and the World Champs in America but i am hoping for strong results at UK championship events and i hope to test myself in the half iron man distance to see how i fare with a longer bike and run.

Training is going a lot better, i feel focused,strong and i'm looking forward to testing myself with a couple of duathlons before the season really starts. It's going to be a big year for me, that was always the plan and the reason i came to Mallorca.

The hunger is back and im ready to race.