Bonjour...!!! (No I am not French...I am always stumped when it comes to introductions on here.)
2019 is going to be a busiest year of racing so far. Over this year I have only had one race to focus on and that was Ironman Hamburg. So only one real chance to test myself this year, which is kind of boring. But has it pros and cons. Only one day of the year to just lay it all down on the course, maximum training input, maximum financial and emotional investment. However if that one day goes wrong, its a long old wait until you get to redeem any set backs you encounter on that one single day. For example, the swim at IM Hamburg was cancelled. I trained the hardest in the water I ever have for a race, and was looking at a pretty good time for race day. BUT IT WAS CANCELLED. Bye, bye opportunity to see the fruits of my labour. Guttered...so I am pretty salty about that (if you pardon the pun).
That aside a few other things went wrong making the day HIGHLY educational, which I am grateful for God for.
So with that in mind, reasoning behind all the events I have picked, are with the intention of ironing out (ha...ha...) all the issues and weaknesses I encountered in my performance at Hamburg. So, here I give you the 2019 race calendar:
January - New Year's Day Marathon
I do this every year. I Run a marathon at home on new years day. Just for fun. I find it a good way to test myself to see where my running is at at the start of the year also. I don't take it super seriously, I just plan a route at home and set off with a trail pack with water and nibbles. But here it is on the schedule nonetheless.
March - Cambridge Half Marathon
I have been meaning to do this event for quite some time. Its close to home and a fairly popular event so it will be a good opportunity to deal with the race day jitters whilst putting pressure on myself to perform under physical duress.
April - London Marathon
This is probably my "A" race of 2019, meaning it of the highest priority. Although I am running other marathons in 2019 ideally I would like my fastest time to be at the London Marathon because its one of the most iconic marathons in the world, coming second to the Boston Marathon. The idea of the signing up to marathons this year is to get my marathon up to scratch so I have a good place to come from when it comes to thinking about throwing a 3.8 km swim and a 180 km bike ride before one. I have been trying to secure a place in the London marathon for over three years now, but I now finally have secured a place. This race among a couple of others fall on a Sunday, so it will be important to be a good witness more than ever at these events. Thankfully all will be over in time so I can get to church for an evening service once they are concluded.
July - Castle Series 3.8 km Open Water Swim
This for me is a big deal, because the swim at Hamburg was cancelled. I will God willing be signing up to another open water swim (a 5k) as well but the entries have not yet opened. Here I hope for a strong performance to go all out to smash my best 3.8 km iron distance swim. I've made good times in the pool at this distance, but even in a 100 yard outdoor pool its not the same as being in the mosh pit in open water with hundreds of other athletes around you flailing their limbs around.
September - Richmond Marathon
Rounding of the year with the third and final marathon of the year. Last chance of the year to make straight any remaining issues in fuelling, pacing or hydration strategies etc ready to apply them in my next Ironman the following year. After that its a pretty chill off season, then back at it all over again.
So there you have it, the 2019 race calendar. I will probably continue to ramble on here about how training is going and any cheeky tips to I have to share. Peace.