Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Tucson Training Camp 2018

                                                    
                    Tucson, Arizona 2018. Pre Worlds Training Camp.

Time is flying here in Tucson, we are well over halfway into our stay and we only just feel like we have settled into a routine. We are having a ton of fun as well as working hard but smart towards our goals. Dan and I make a very good team!

In regards to training, I had quite a big break after Cairns, my body was very tired and sore after that build up and race. I never thought I would be in the position I am now where I am building up for my 3rd Ironman in 8 months in my first year as a professional long distance triathlete. I feel like I am learning a lot in a very short time in terms of training, racing and recovering over long distances.
The key for this block in Tucson is similar to most of my training in the fact that I do not focus on total volume of training, instead I focus on the quality of sessions and make sure I am fresh enough to perform on the key days.

Dan is enjoying having "races" aka shootout bunch rides a few times a week and sunny days in between for steady kms or recovery rides.

Here is a snapshot of our trip so far:

Week #1:
Settling in. Finding the best riding routes. Adapting to the heat and time zones. Building slowly into training. Exploring the neighbourhood.

Long travel day.                                             Swimming commute.                            Exploring Mt Lemmon

               


Week #2:
We had a small hiccup with Dan being sick for a few days but he bounced back quickly. This week ended with a Saturday "Shootout bunchie" south of Tuscon for Dan and a 6 hour brick session on Sunday for me. 

Long run.                                             Dan at the start of a bunchie.                      New run kit.
                          

Week #3:
We are both pretty well adapted to the heat, however we are not sure if you can truly get used to it, especially in the middle of the day when it is 40 degrees. Key sessions being done for me and bunch rides for Dan. A little sad now that we have realised we are leaving next week. But feeling fitter each week.

Hot days! 40 degrees.                              Treats for working hard.                         Mid ride cold drink.
                


I want to thank these people for making this all possible:

Dan for the knowledge, confidence and support I have now. I owe a lot of my confidence and success to Dan, I believe without him I would have crumbled back into negative training patterns. Now I am enjoying life and training with a lot more balance and perspective.

Mum, Dad and my family for never ending support and belief in me, I would have quit the sport long ago if it was not for them. They love sport and are with me every step of the way. Backing me 150% day in day out. An integral part of my team and just the best family ever!

My body work team. Danelle Snowden and George Duncan from George Duncan Muscle Therapy. Iain Wood Chiropractor from Advanced Health Group. Who are all magicians and keep me healthy!

My new management team Velogicfit who are working behind the scenes to help me on my journey.

https://www.facebook.com/danfurmingerbikefitter/
https://www.velogicfit.com/
http://muscletherapy.co.nz/
https://advancedhealthgroup.co.nz/

Sunday, March 26, 2017

2016/2017 NZ Triathlon season report



Hello. I thought I would write a bit of a recap of my NZ race season this year as it is the first real season of triathlon racing I have done since 2011/2012!

It has taken a long time to build my confidence back up from where I was when I stopped racing back in 2012, in a lot of ways it feels like I have just started triathlon again.
This makes me very proud of what I have achieved this season and appreciate how far I have come after believing I would never return to sport.
I owe a huge thank you to these people for making this adventure possible for me;

Mum and Dad for believing in me, endlessly supporting me and helping me through tough times.
My partner Dan for teaching me so much about training, racing and life in general. Being an amazing support person, co coach and best friend.
Speedo NZ for believing in my potential and providing me with the best swim togs, goggles and swim training equipment on the planet!

My highlight for the season would have to be a tie between winning my first Half Ironman at the Rotorua Half and winning the bronze medal at the NZ Long Distance Triathlon champs at the Port of Tauranga Half a few weeks later.

In Rotorua I had no idea at all how I would go over this distance so I just tried to treat it as a long training day and came away pleasantly surprised when I felt strong all day - happy to have nailed things like pacing and nutrition on my first attempt. 
In Tauranga I now had a good idea of what I was getting into and had a little bit of pressure on myself to improve from my first outing. Again I nailed my pacing and nutrition and left everything I had out on the course!
This type of racing had not even been on my radar until I had a chat with a friend who suggested I would be good at it.  Turns out I am a bit of a diesel engine.

After those two races I would have to say winning the first race of the inaugural National Elite series (which happened to be the famous Tinman triathlon) and finishing 2nd overall in the 3 race series was awesome. 

Having some very solid race times over the Olympic distance non-drafting format was pretty cool too.

So what's next? My plans moving forward keep changing and as of this point right now I can't say what my next race will be. However I intend to keep building fitness and see where it takes me. 


Thank you everyone for your support and kind words in person and online! 

And a special thank you to my support team;
Iain Wood - Chiropractor @Advanced Health Group. Iain has been supporting me in my come back to the sport and is an absolute wizard!
George Duncan and Danelle Snowden @George Duncan Muscle Therapy - they fixed up my legs and have kept me training consistently for years. 
Jennifer Del Bel - teaching me about my body, the importance of core strength for athletes and helping me fix my back issues!

Race results and cool pictures from my adventures below;

2017 March, 1st Auckland Half Ironman Champion - 4:28:06

2017 March, 1st Race #3 Panasonic Peoples Triathlon Olympic Distance race - 2:04:54 


2017 February, 4th Stroke and Stride 1km swim/4km run


2016/17 February, 2nd Overall in the Inaugural National Elite Series


2017 February, 8th Kinloch OTU Oceania Elite Sprint Champs


2017 January, 8th Takapuna Sovereign Tri Series Elite Sprint race


2017 January, 3rd Elite Female, Port of Tauranga Half Ironman, NZ Long Distance National Championships - 4:20:07


2016 December, 1st Rotorua Half Ironman Champion - 4:37:07


2016 November 1st National Elite Series Race #1, Champion @Tinman Triathlon, Mount Maunganui


2016 November 1st Race #1 Panasonic Peoples Triathlon Olympic Distance race - 2:05:18