In the absence of 2020 race reports I thought I'd submit this one. Not a real race but I'm a bit bored so thought I'd write it up!
It feels weird to write a race report for a virtual race where you are basically just doing a long solo session.
It also feels strange to have your main training focal point a DIY “race”.
After 18 months of back pain, being told I'd probably be best to give up running and biking, thousands spent on physio/osteopaths/private healthcare/scans and more gizmos than you can shake a stick at, I'm starting to feel like me again. My health issue while still giving me grief is now manageable and with a lot of yoga and stretching I'm able to play again.
So to give me something to train for I entered the Lakesman lockdown virtual event to be completed solo on the date of my supposed comeback race which was cancelled due to Covid.
I took it fairly easy on the bike for the first thirty miles. Riding my TT bike for more than 90mins for the first time since IM Hamburg 2018, I headed past Bungay, down to Woodton, across to Hempnall and down to Halesworth via Harleston. I then pushed a bit all the way back home to Beccles via Bungay.
56miles in 3:01
Obviously not the fastest ride but for once I decided to be sensible, having not run off a long bike for almost two years!
The run was an out and back from Beccles out towards Carlton Colville along mainly back roads. Again I was sensible and took it steady to begin with and picked up the pace for the last few miles.
The negative split run gave me a 1:54 for 13.1miles.
All in all I'm happy with that. 12 months ago I was in constant pain. Now I'm able to train and only feel discomfort after a couple of hours on the bike. Not perfect but manageable.
So what next? I know I said I was retired from ironman but 2021………..
