I really hope everyone is keeping themselves and their loved ones safe and well at the moment, all aspects of life are tough at the moment including training.
I’ve just got home from a lovely ride in the sunshine with my husband and it struck me just how much things have changed since last week, last month and last year, so I thought I’d just check-in and update you on where things are at for me and the race season at the moment.
It’s been nearly 3-months since the UK went into lockdown and everyone’s normal got turned upside down.
I’ve been really fortunate – no homeschooling to juggle and a secure job, but instead adjusting to working from home, chatting with my friends and family virtually and coming to terms with what a ‘different’ season 2020 is going to be.
Unlike many of my multi-sport peers, I was extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to race a couple of weeks before lockdown came into force, I’m so grateful.
Having had the opportunity to put a hard winter’s training into action, picking up a silver age-group medal and a top 3 finish, made the first few weeks of lockdown and prospect of upcoming race cancellations much easier to digest. Many of my peers haven’t had, and may not get, the chance to stand on the start line this year.
So what’s this meant for my normal?
With the exception of not being able to swim until last week (the open water never felt so good!) and several weeks of not riding outside, I’ve managed to keep up a consistent and healthy block of training, thanks to the efforts of my coaches in keeping an adapted but structured training plan in place for me.
Overnight, goals changed from ‘building up to my first 70.3 race distance’ to ‘keeping my immune system protected’ – and I was completely ok with that (and a little bit relieved) – seeing the incredible efforts of our key workers and hearing the heartache many families have sadly had to face if all I could do was stay at home and stay well it felt like I was doing the right thing.
So both training intensity and duration have been significantly lower over the past few months than what’s typical for me, but I’ve kept moving.
I’ve spent ALOT of time indoor on the turbo, practicing getting comfortable on my time-trial bike and really enjoying riding virtually with my teammates – something I’d not done before now.
Getting to know so many of my team mates that I never really knew before has been a big positive to come out of these past few months.
Triathlon is a big community, a community I’ve certainly relied on to help keep my mind in a good place!
I’ve been making the most of my daily exercise allowance, getting out for a short run several times a week, but instead, running to appreciate the fresh air, the sunshine and the period of freedom to clear my head.
I’ve also DIY’d a home gym in my garage so I can keep up with my strength & conditioning.
With no races on the horizon in the near future I’ve also really been enjoying training with my husband.
We took up daily morning yoga in the first week of lockdown and 11-weeks later we’re still going strong!
What does the 2020 season look like?
The triathlon federations are continuously reviewing and updating their guidance as the global picture changes, and revised dates for elite-level racing later on in the year have recently been announced.
But more age-group races are being cancelled every week.
World Championships were cancelled a couple of days ago, which means no GB Age-group representation again this year for me.
I’m disappointed that I won’t get to make my first appearance at a world championship start-line this year, but hopefully the opportunity will be there next year.
I had my heart set of moving to longer distance this year, so my intention is still to train with that as my goal and I’ll be taking part in the virtual ‘Lakesman in Lockdown’ at the end of the month.
It’s still too early to tell, but there will come a time in the future when we will all race properly again – and that’s going be a really good day! For the time being it’ll be virtual TT’s with my club mates keeping me competitive!
Stay safe everyone 🙂
