Update on 2011 - Part Three

So we’ve covered all the work stuff and it’s time to focus on the personal side of life.

I’m A Triathlete

You probably know that I decided to become a triathlete in 2011. Julie calls it a mid life crisis – on my 50th birthday in March I announced I wanted to do Ironman in 2013. Typically, she decided to join me!

I can honestly say it’s changed my life. I’ve lost quite a bit of weight, but still need to lose more. But I’m so much fitter than I was! My training schedule is pretty punishing, with most weeks consisting of a couple of 8 to 10KM runs, two 2000 meter swim sessions and two 30 to 50KM bike rides. I intersperse those with core work in the gym and quite a lot of walking.

I still don’t look like an athlete, and I’m not that fast at any of the disciplines, but for someone who literally couldn’t run for three minutes this time last year, I’ve come a long way.

One observation I would make about the triathlon community is that there is no snobbery at all. I’ve had the pleasure of training alongside some serious age grouper athletes, and even some professionals over the last year, and none of them are judgmental about the fact that I’m a newbie and they seem happy to share their tips with me.

I’ve been lucky in having a proper professional coach to help me, so many thanks to Simon Ward.

Interestingly, although this whole thing was my idea, I think I may have dragged Julie into something she will excel at. I think I’ll always be the guy who gets a cheer and a clap for finishing, but I think she may turn out to be a pretty handy triathlete – I put it down to training against me all the time!

In 2012 I have several events planned – Enduroman in February, Volcano Triathlon in April and Ocean Lava in September. I’ll also be doing the ocean swim series of races through the summer, and I can’t wait for those to start – with all the training I’ve been doing, I suspect I’m going to surprise a few of the guys in my age group who may have got used to winning all the medals!

Personal Life

A lot of things change when you start training in earnest, not  least of which are your spending habits. Getting going in triathlon is expensive – a decent carbon bike is a couple of grand, and then there’s wetsuits, sports clothing, heart rate monitors, Oakley sunglasses,  energy drinks and gels, and running shoes which wear out pretty quickly when you’re clocking miles! Interestingly though, your spend just seems to switch from other things like entertainment, eating out and booze. My scuba diving has suffered and 2011 is the first year since I started diving where I’ll record less than 100 dives. I feel I’ve replaced quantity there with quality.

We’ve had a great year as volunteers on the island for sports events – we ran live commentary for both the Volcano triathlon and Ironman Lanzarote during the year, and we both competed in and were part of the organisation for Ocean Lava triathlon, which I think was a first.

At home, we’ve continued to restore our old finca, which is very slowly turning into the dream house we envisaged a few years ago, and we had to say good bye to our beloved Old English Sheepdog, Tia, who finally succumbed after a lifetime of good nature and companionship.

In summary our lives are more full on than ever, with our days filled from before dawn until well after dusk. I can’t remember the last time I sat down and watched television, and I’m very happy about that!

2011 was a great year, and a terrific start to the second half of Mike’s Life. I hope you’ll stay with me for it, and I hope your 2012 is as packed full of hard work, fun and friendship as I know mine will be.

Happy new year to you!

Review of 2011 – Part one

Review of 2011 – Part two