The story so far...

So, next year is going to be a big year for me, but first a little bit on my Ironman history...

I completed my first Ironman in 2005 and achieved a sub-12 hour performance in my debut at Ironman Canada (I was also only 4mins off Kona qualification at roll down) so felt that maybe I had some potential over the Ironman distance and perhaps it was something I could do well in?

 It was some 4 years later that I made my return to Ironman distance, keen to realise my potential, this time with the help and support of a first rate coach (and friend), Jack Maitland. 

My 2009 target was a sub 11.30hr ironman.  Ironman Switzerland was the event!  Sadly, things didn't quite go my way and a mechanical that had me sobbing on the side of the road for 25mins and some gastro issues on the run meant I missed my target by half an hour, finishing in a disappointing 12.01.  I was however confident that the 11.30hr target was very achievable and entered Challenge Barcelona the very next day.

Managing the 10 weeks between the two events was going to be a challenge but through Jack's careful management of my recovery, a further block of training and my taper and some words of support and encouragement from my good friend and talented long distance triathlete, Craig Twigg (himself not a stranger to Ironman disappointment), I arrived in Barcelona in great shape and full of confidence.

Challenge Barcelona 2009 saw me achieve my Ironman PB - 11.29 and left me confident that I was capable of more and so to 2011...

I have entered Challenge Roth and will revisit Challenge Barcelona before I return to Ironman Canada in 2012 with my eye on Kona qualification, I will also have moved up an age group which, while still uber competitive, could prove significant!

So what am I going to do in 2011 to better my 11.29?

Focus on the detail - I will, for the first time, be working with Performance Nutritionist Martin MacDonald.  Martin will be helping me to both ensure that my Ironman training diet is right (through the use of food diaries, dietary analysis and monthly consultations/support) and my race nutritional strategies are optimised.

Quality, quality, quality - I am happy that I've 'done enough' (I never have a problem motivating myself to get the miles in) in perparing for previous Ironman races but have I done enough in terms of specific training at 'race pace'???  Something Jack and I will be focusing on in 2011!

Race more - next year's Ironman preparations include a spring Marathon, a 100mile cycle time trial, 2 weeks big bike miles in Mallorca at Easter, among other things.

With a little help from my friends... I am in the fortunate position to have an Ironman husband, Duncan Shea-Simonds, and some great Ironman friends and training partners, next year I will continue to train with my great friends Rebecca Sore, Julie McFarland, Helen 'H' Oscroft, Martin Burder and Richard Jeggo (all of whom will be joining me in Mallorca).  These guys and girls support and inspire me every day and are always there to encourage me when the chips are down... but most importantly they are the best husband and friends a girl could hope for.  Never under estimate the role that your partner, family and friends play in achieving your Ironman goals!

So I hope to bring you regular updates as to my progress over the coming year.  Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and happy training :-)