It's December and it's definitely cold...

Another few weeks pass by, where do they go? Of this I am not sure, but I can tell you it has been a disappointing few weeks.

Whilst competing in a 5k race I managed to plant my foot on a rock or stone, landing right on the area that was already inflamed. This forced me to pull out of the race about 1k later and by the end of the day I could barely walk. Yay.

After 2 weeks of icing, massage and ultrasound it was finally starting to feel closer to 'normal', although it still isn't 100%. This is one of the benefits of a multi-discipline sport, all I needed to do was increase the amount of biking, swimming and core work. This was the plan anyway.

Unfortunately I managed to become run down after working some extra days and not allowing myself extra recovery time. This meant I had to spend a week sitting on the couch feeling sorry for myself. Boo.

I should be back training tomorrow, just aerobic stuff for the next week but at least I may be able to regain some sanity. It's one thing not having training to do, but another not being able to train.

On the upside, this has made me aware of my situation regarding the amount of work and training I am doing. I have decided to cut down my work days from 3 to 2 a week to allow the training to be of a maximum benefit. This will make things a little harder financially, but I feel it is something I have to do.

As such, if you think you may have too much money burning a hole in your pocket, feel free to send it on =P

Here's to better times...

And so, autumn rears it's ugly head...

It's official, the so called summer we had has long since disappeared leaving us with the season of diminished daylight and general misery. I find these are hard times, but feel I am not alone.

So, goal setting time it is. Exactly what my mid term goals are I am not sure, but the short term goals involve increasing my aerobic running speed, developing my strength and stroke in the pool and maintaining overall strength on the bike, all whilst trying to stay injury free. Fortunately, a calf and foot niggle are all to speak of in the last 2 months, good time these are.

Currently, I am midway through my initial 10 week cycle and things are going pretty well. I feel stronger across all 3 disciplines and feel healthier too, possibly from the extra 2kg's I am carrying. It's a shame Christmas hasn't already been, otherwise I could put this weight down to over-indulgence. Although, I know all the 'good guys' carry extra weight through winter, i'll just put it down to the 'train heavy, race light' school of thinking.

On a different note, the first of my steps to represent Cyprus internationally has been completed, with the acceptance of my renunciation of British Citizenship. Ironically, you actually have to pay for this so there go the race wheels until next year. Hopefuly the next news I give you on this subject will be when I finally receive my Cypriot Citizenship allowing international racing next year, yay.

Until this time, I shall keep plugging away with the training which will hopefully get me to the level I need to be at for next season. Let's just hope the weather forecast of rain for the next 6 days is wrong, otherwise the wet weather gear may have to make an unwelcomed appearance.

Winter has arrived, kind of...

After two weeks of down time and some decision making with my coach, it has been decided that winter training will restart on the 1st of September. As much as I like down time, it kind of makes you a little stir crazy because you become unaccustomed to having so much free time.

The earlier I can start the base building, the stronger I should be when it comes to reintroducing the intensity work. After all, a house is only as strong as it's foundations.

New Sponsor

I would just like to say a big thanks to Eladon Ltd and their recent agreement to help me out with supplements for the upcoming season.

I have begun using their Elagen Sport supplement containing the plant root extract Eleutherococcus Senticosus, a powerful adaptogen that helps deal with the stresses of training. Read more about it here. They make lots of other supplements too please have a browse through their site.

I will let you know how it is helping me with my training soon as it takes a few weeks before it is loaded to it's optimum level in the body.

It all starts here...

After watching both the woman's and men's Triathlon at the Beijing Olympics, the motivation levels have reached an all time high. Seeing friends I know on TV confirms something I already knew, I want to race at the 2012 Olympics.

Who doesn't want to race at the Olympics?

What makes me think I can make it?

Persistence and determination coupled with self belief. I will make it, there is no other option. As the saying goes, "nothing worth having is ever easy to come by," this will be something I need to remember for the next four years as my long term goal gets ever closer.