The Week That Was

It has been a long week. One that began in South Africa and ended in Spain by way of Dublin, Enniskillen and Limerick.

The week that was :

Saturday/Sunday:

A 5km swim and one last run on my hilly Stellenbosch loop. One last coffee at Basic Cafe and some final words of wisdom from the Genius Ernie Gruhn

“it’s about managing the stimulus”.

Drove to Cape Town. One last Mugg and Bean ‘Serious Cappuccino’. One last chat with Aleksandar the night before Ironman South Africa.  Did an interview with 220 Triathlon Magazine.

Slept at Seat 52B on British Airways (remember I told you). At the same time Conrad is winning Xterra Las Vegas and whilst I stand up and stretch Aleksandar is getting off the bike and starting the marathon in Ironman South Africa.

London Heathrow. Whilst waiting for my connection to Dublin at 8.30am I watched a guy down triple vodka. Moments later a young boy ran out of the toilets shouting after his farther “Dad Dad you forgot to wash your hands”.  Scarlet.

Dublin – hire car, it was red and that annoyed me – drove to Enniskillen via Monaghan for the first time. Arrived home to an empty house. Found a can of rice and burst into the study where my Mum had placed all the mail that had arrived for me since November. Mizuno, Lucozade, Trizone and Specialized presents – the biggest box housed my new SL3.

Threw my whole life into the back of the hire car and sped to Limerick. Whilst driving through Athlone I shook a fist out of the window and randomly shouted “yeeoooooooo”.  Arrived at 10pm to the athlete accommodation – sensed there had been Kenyans there recently.

Monday:

Went to the University of Limerick Sports Arena at 6am. It wasn’t open yet. Swam an easy 2k at 7am.

Went to the top floor of the Arena. Was surrounded by greatness – chuckled at a ‘camp’ poster of Colin Jackson. Spent 2hrs with the Man. Got my SI joint mobilised.

“Structure before function”

Cursed silently on the table not wanting to reveal the pain I was in as his elbow slowly stripped my ITB.

Drove to Tipperary and on to Clonnmel. Passed through Cahir, later pronounced it wrongly.

Got my SL3 built at World Wide Cycles. Sat in Gormans cafe – supposedly Kelly stops there for coffee and pancakes during his rides. Complained about not being able to get my SRM swapped onto the new bike. Was told later

“Kelly and the boys didn’t need an SRM”.

Back to Limerick. Rode 2.5hrs and tinkered with my new set up. My pal rode his Specialized Roubaix alongside me – we decided it might be the better choice on the back roads of Limerick. 

Attempted to make some Ugali – failed.

Tuesday:

Ran along the river bank at 6.30am. Went back for my final appointment at Hartmann International.  Got given a piece of rope that will become my new friend – Usain Bolt, Radcliffe and our Sonia have the same friend. Swam 4k. Left Limerick having learnt a lot, “structure to now function”, motivated but a little tired.

Drove to Dublin. Met new Triathlon Ireland CEO Matt Mc Kerrow at a Dublin Airport Hotel. Had a constructive and frank conversation about the past present and future. It was great to finally meet Matt and hear first hand of all the great steps Triathlon Ireland  are making. Drove to Drumcondra, met my brother and his wife and had dinner at the ‘winding stairs’.

Wednesday:

Ran to Westwood from Croke Park and did some fartlek in the Clontarf. Cursed Ryanair as I tried to meet the baggage weight limits.

Flew from Dublin to Spain. I Always get the feeling lots of guys are heading to Alicante to ‘get up to no good!” – Police sniffer dogs made a sweep of the plane before we took off.

There was an announcement directed towards “Cummo’s Stag Party” to retake their seats during take off, followed by cries of

“Let her loose Ruby, Let her loose, 2 whips and let her loose” (referring to Horse Jockey Ruby Walsh)

whistles and cheers as we sped down the runway.  At one stage there was also a conga in the aisle.

Arrived in Aguilas 9pm.

Thursday:

Swam 5k with an aerobic 3k main set on the 1.20 cycle. Paid 23 euro for a 10 swims. Rode along the coast for 2.5hrs. Ran that night in the fields for 60mins- ended up being a circular route that is now known as “the loop”.

Friday:

Went to Mazzaron where Saturdays race starts. Rode for 90mins. Swam in the sea and then ran an easy 8km that evening. Did some ‘rope’ that evening whilst slowly becoming an expert in British Politics.

Saturday:

Did an easy 30mins jog and went to go swimming but I am told it is fiesta and the pool won’t be opening today. I am also told I am “Delgado”, “Gracias” I replied.

Packed the car and drove to a sprint race. Chased multiple World Champion Ivan Rana and Spanish Olympian Xavier llobet up a mountain and get to wear my Mizuno Musha’s for the first time. Later stood in the spotlight.

 

I am not sure Ryanair will allow me to bring home my trophy. Catch up with my friend, Beijing Olympian and Mr Champion System Espana, Omar Tayara.

Sunday:

A little bit of a sleep in. Coffee. 3hrs 20mins in the Murcia hills. Coffee. 1hr 40 running in the field. Thought about shaving the hair on my head but concluded it may never grow back.

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