As I said in my last blog, I took the decision to not race the nationals in Strathclyde, but hoped to be back for Blenheim and Windsor at the beginning of June. However, injuries generally don’t get better as quickly as you’d like, and there aren’t any short cuts to proper rehabilitation. After seeing the physio a couple of times we realised that both Blenheim and Windsor were not on the cards and the London Triathlon on August 8^th would be my next main aim.

There had been concerns that I’d torn a muscle in my shoulder but thankfully this isn’t the case, as it reacted well to acupuncture. Without getting all scientific, I’d basically been using my left shoulder more than I should have been when swimming. As my lower left sided lats are quite weak, I had been compensating by using my upper shoulder more, causing tightness and severe discomfort. It’s now a case of slowly building up my lats and training them to work when I’m swimming, and letting my shoulder muscles relax, which is not easy!

Things have been pretty slow going, but there is definite progress, so things are moving in the right direction. There’s never a good time to get an injury, but right at the start of the season is probably the worst time possible! Still, at least my season isn’t over and there are more race days to look forward to in 2010! And once all the correct muscles are firing, I’ll be back faster and stronger than ever which is always good!

Sometimes what initially seems like a couple of steps backwards can actually turn out to be a big step forward given time. Hindsight truly is a beautiful thing, when you can look back and see what patience and time can bring.

Hope you are all enjoying the warmth and have a great summer whatever your plans.

Hocks.

I haven’t really been swimming much for the last 3-4 weeks due to a shoulder injury, so I wasn’t expecting great things in the swim. I came out about 20secs down on what I would normally hope to swim, but after a quick 1^st transition I was off to make the time back on the bike.

I somehow managed to avoid the showers that were forecast, but the wind had picked up considerably during the morning. However I felt good on the bike and set about picking people off that had started the swim before me. All the Somerset Tri members either marshal before their race, or they race early and marshal afterwards. I therefore knew some of the marshals out on the course, who were shouting encouragement/abuse, as well as making sure everyone was going the right way, which always helps! Having raced this course a fair few times, I knew all the twists and turns, and was preparing myself for the run before I knew it.

After a fairly slick 2^nd transition I was onto the run in my new Newton running shoes! Newton are sponsoring Tri UK this year, so the Tri UK team get to reap the benefits of wearing these awesome shoes. The run is a 2-lap course, with a big hill about halfway round each lap. At the end of the 1^st lap I was greeted by my Dad shouting out my time, and my Mum and Charlotte shouting in unison ‘Go Dan’!! I was running at my limit, but struggled to get into any real sort of rhythm. I knew once I crossed the finish line though I’d given all I had, so would be happy whatever the outcome.

Before the race I had set myself a couple of targets I wanted to achieve. The first one was to definitely finish in the top 5, but ideally the top 3. And an easier target to aim at (as you can never tell how other people are going to race, especially when it’s a wave start, as you’re not racing head to head), was to finish in under 1.04hrs. I achieved both targets which was pleasing, finishing 3^rd in 1.03.20.

A successful day out, with it being my parents’ first race outing this year and Charlotte’s first real triathlon experience! I’ll get her doing one at some point…maybe!!

A couple of days later I was back seeing the physio about my shoulder. We decided then that I won’t be racing this weekend at the National Champs in Strathclyde. I need a couple of weeks of rehab to slowly build the shoulder back up to strength, so the sensible decision had to be made. I definitely hope and expect to be racing Blenheim on June 6^th though.

Well the sun is shining again here in Leeds, so it’s time to get outside!!

Enjoy the weather, and all the best to everyone racing this weekend.

It’s all good.

Hocks.

So, after a couple of weeks of beautiful sunshine while there were no planes in the sky due to the ash cloud, the weather decided to get a lot colder and wetter again just in time for my first race of the season! I should’ve known better really, bank holiday weekends are usually cold and damp. But I needed an early season run out, so the Tadcaster triathlon seemed perfect. A 500m swim, followed by a really short bike of just 14k and a 7k run.

I started in the last wave at 11.30am. I found myself in a lane next to fellow Leeds masters swimmer Stuart Hoyle, and after starting 5-seconds in front of him, we were soon swimming side by side. With 75m to go I put in a cheeky kick, and gained half a body length. But knowing that Stuart can leave me for dead in the pool in training, I was expecting him to come back, which he certainly did, putting in a burst of his own in the last 25m and leading me out of the swim by a body length. Stuart’s a pure swimmer though, who enjoys a bit of biking but hates running!! I passed him on the way to transition, after a brief exchange of friendly banter!

The bike course was technical in places and undulating without any real hills in it. I usually have a shocking bike leg in the first race of the season, but with it being only 14k before I knew it I was back at transition putting on my running shoes. I was off to tackle the half road, half river path route. The river path section was pretty picturesque in places but I was actually quite relieved to see the not so picturesque face of Mark De Ruesne shouting at me 400m from the end! The finish was an even more welcome sight after running past the bearded face of Mikey Walker who was also shouting at me (and taking photos!)! My first triathlon race of 2010 had been completed in 59.04. I was fairly chuffed as wanted to go somewhere around an hour.

Mark and Mikey had travelled up from Leeds to watch which was great. It’s always nice to have some familiar faces shouting at you to go faster, it definitely helps! Cheers boys!

The results came out about 45mins later and I found out I had won by 14 seconds which was a nice surprise! It was definitely time for food though so after the presentations and loading up the car, it was off to a local pub with the boys for a northern pie and chips to celebrate!

So, the first triathlon of 2010 is done and the first blog of 2010 is done! The season is underway with my second race only 4 days away, in Taunton, with the race report to follow shortly after……maybe!!

Enjoy the sun when it finally comes back out.

It’s all good.

Hocks.

‘Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown’.

How awesome is that?!

I hadn’t been able to find a house as easily as I wanted (being 220 miles away makes it a bit difficult), until one basically fell into my lap on a visit up north. If you have faith in God, you tend to find He provides things when you need them, not when you want them!
This happened with me buying a car as well. And is now happening with me trying to find a job! Faith stretching - it’s a good place to be, although it doesn’t seem it at the time!

Anyway, I moved upto Leeds 4 weeks ago, and it’s even better than I expected! I swim with a masters swimming squad, who quite simply destroy me pretty much every session. Biking is unbelievable. The Yorkshire Dales are within a 30min ride, and then it’s just hills, hills and more hills in the middle of the countryside; amazing. I’m still exploring new run routes at the moment, but there seem to be stacks of off road trails.
All in all I’m very happy and in the place I’m meant to be.

However, there are a bunch of great guys/girls still in Bath trying to continue towards their own triathlon ambitions and goals. One of my former housemates and training partners Tom, qualified for the World 70.3 Elite Championships in Florida which took place a couple of days ago. Check out his latest blog here, to find out how things are going in Bath and how his race went. He’s originally a Yorkshire lad, and I think he should become one again soon!

This is usually the worse time of the season for me as the winter seems so long! But Christmas really isn’t too far away, so make the most of the rest of 2009 while it’s still here. It’ll be 2010 before we know it.

I shall be racing for Team Tri UK again next year, but if anyone would like to help support me financially for 2010, please get in touch via my sponsorship page.

Take care,
Hocks

‘Obstacles only appear when you take your eyes off the goal’

‘The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just a little extra’

The season is well underway now, and so far my performances in training haven’t really been converted into decent race results. There have been a number of learning experiences in the last few races, which I intend to learn from quickly, starting at Windsor this weekend! 
After that, i’ve got a break from racing for a couple of weeks, which includes a stag night/weekend. I’m sure Mr Freeborn (the stag) will suffer, hopefully as much as all triathletes do in races, although obviously not in the same way! 
I’m still looking at adding another race to my schedule in July, with the aim of peaking at London at the beginning of August.

There will hopefully be more changes to this site in the next few weeks so keep checking back.
Good luck to everyone racing this weekend, whether it be at Wimbleball (against housemate Doug ‘6-minute champion’  Hall), Bala (taking on the might of housemate Tom ‘Chimpy’ Room), Windsor or anywhere else.

Take care,
Hocks.

‘Vision without action is just a dream.
Action without vision just passes the time
Vision with action can change the world.’

‘A man without courage is like a knife without an edge.’ - Benjamin Franklin

I’ll add some more in the coming weeks.

As for now, i’ve just started a new block of training. The volume has been kept fairly high, but the intensity has increased slightly and become more specific as we work towards the race season.

My next race is a local 10k on March 15th. It’s a hilly course but i’ll be hoping for a p.b.
Anyway, it’s getting late so time for bed!

Take care and remember this life isn’t a dress rehearsal.
Hocks.