Kia Ora everyone,

A word I hear often is the word "crazy" and typically it is after a training session in the wet, freezing or both conditions.

Its easy to wake up look out the window during winter and think to yourself "it's too cold" or "too wet" but, something that we forget is that during winter these sessions are some of the most important since we are typically working on our base and strength for the upcoming season.

Something that I think is key, is to invest in the right gear. Whether it is to keep warm on those frosty mornings or keep dry during those rainy days it is well worth it.

This year I have done exactly this, I have purchased a water proof jacket, booties, gloves and warm gloves, booties, arm warmers, thermal and neck warmer.

​

Until next time, keep warm and dry to continue enjoying your training 😊.

Robo

Kia Ora everyone, I hope all is well and training is coming along.

​I have started another solid block this last few weeks as we start to tap back into my running to make sure as I build up the load I am still putting in quality sessions where I will reap the rewards across all three disciplines keeping within 10-13 hours so I can have a healthy balance.

Two weekends ago I jumped into my first race of the winter season and I surprised myself. Although disappointed about falling off the pace after the first 4 km of the 13.1 km race I was stoked to cross the line with a 4.03 min/km average, this gives me confidence that my base run strength is still hanging in there somewhere (or my will power is strong).

​Although I am off my pace it is a confidence booster to set a benchmark as I have entered four running events over the coming 2.5 months.

I feel one key aspect of training is to make sure you have your season lined up and you talk to your coach about planning your build around this.

Below is my 2016/2017 race calendar that I have booked in for. My key races are Tauranga half ironman and Ironman New Zealand. Let me know if you are going to be at these races so we can catch up pre/post race 😊

2016/2017 Race Calendar

​​​• 14th August 2016 - Trail trilogy round 2 – Waihi to Paeroa
• 27th August 2016 – Mount Manganui half marathon
• 3rd September 2016 – Kinloch half marathon
• 18th September – Trail trilogy round 3 – Paeroa to Thames
• 26th November 2016 – Tinman Tauranga
• 10th December 2016 – Taupo 70.3
• 7th January 2017 – Tauranga Half Ironman
• 4th March 2017 – IMNZL
• Tentative – 7th May 2017 – Port Mac IM
• Tentative – 11th June 2017 – Cairns IM

Until next time, happy training !

Kia ora guys!

So as you would have seen over the last two weeks I have been cycling alot and there is a reason for this.

Like always we have niggles that come and go with high volume of training however, last week for the first time during a speed session I could feel a sharp pain in the back of my calf so right away I stopped.

Now the "fun" of the sport comes which is forced rest however, where we are sometimes fortunate with three disciplines, I can swim and cycle pain free, this is allowing me to now have a rest from running and focus on two disciplines that in the past have been my weakest leg.

The great thing about this is that I can stay active, maintain volume to continue to increase my fitness and strength all while making sure I don't irritate a niggle that could turn into an injury even before I even get to the 2016 start line. Although this won't directly benefit my running, with an increased fitness my running should bounce back pretty quick once everything settles.

Once I get back to Hamilton after two weeks back home I'm looking forward to getting on the elliptical trainer which will keep the pressure off my calf, I will also do some aqua jogging to keep the legs to long along as part of the recovery process.

Knowing this and being 2 months out from the NzL season kick starting allows me to stay positive and continue to enjoy my training and the volume.

Until next time, train hard and look after that body of yours 👊🏽

​Robo