I have been training really hard since I got back from St Anthony’s, not only concentrating on one discipline, but all three really. Triathlon is such a hard sport. You just can’t let one of them go, otherwise you will not get a look in, as the world class series races are jam-packed with the best in the world. Who would want it any other way?

I have been training a lot at Loughborough with Michelle and Stuart. It’s a lot easier to train up here, well when I say easier I mean you can get out on the bike, run on softer surfaces and swim in a 50m swimming pool (now and again) but it defiantly is a lot harder physically when you’re training with these guys.

I have had loads of “balls in the wheelie bin” sessions recently and it’s all about putting the pennies in the bank and getting ready for the major race season which is knocking on the door and getting me very excited. I do love training but this is what I train for, putting myself on the start line and giving it all until I cross that finishing line. Exciting times ahead!

I cannot believe the wacky weather we have had over the last week but I have bloody loved it and I bet all you athletes out there have loved it too. It’s so much nicer and easier to get out and train in nice hot weather. I did my long run on Sunday in shorts and vest and caught the sun. Love it!

My next race coming up is the Blenheim Triathlon, obviously last year this was a great race for me, not only because I won, but it was my first proper race under Team Dillon. It was the start of my new journey in triathlon.

I am feeling really good in training and am excited to give it all on the 6th! Wish me luck, hope to see you there!

I will let you know how I get on.

Related categories: 2012, Athletics, Jodie Stimpson, Olympics

It’s been a while since I have written a blog – sorry about that. I will fill you in on what’s been going on.

After I got back from St Anthonys I got ill ☹ which for all you athletes out there you know how frustrating that is. When you can’t train, it’s such a pain in the arse – but it didn’t last too long. Thankfully I was back into training within a week.

I have been living up at Michelle and Stuart’s house this week doing some real hard core balls in the wheelie bin sessions. I love holding onto Stuart and Michelle’s wheels on the bike sessions and then trying to stop Stuart from getting too far in front of me on the run. This week Mick McWilliams, an Irish Elite Triathlete, joined us so it was great to have someone else pushing me on the bike. He is a ex-Olympic swimmer so it is also great company in the pool. I know Stuart loved having someone to push him in the hard swim sets.

I finished off my hard training week doing by doing a bike race at Hillingdon. It was a 50km bike race. Michelle has been pushing the pace as usual on the bike and I knew she was getting stronger and stronger. When she was going through and off with Stuart – I was holding on for dear life!!! Of course I love it and I know I have got the best job in the world and I am so lucky to be able to do it.

So the bike race . . .

Lucky me had Dad and Carrie come down with me today and when I got there It wasn’t long before I saw Michelle and Sarah Murphy. It had been a while since I had seen Sarah and it was great to see her. She is a true legend and I have got to mention her bag!

You can tell she has been going to triathlon event for a while with Michelle. Stuart asked for a Tool -out one popped from her band. Michelle asked for safety pins – out popped some from her bag. A TRUE LEGEND!!

So myself and Michelle warmed up on the turbos and then got on with the 50k race. It was about a mile loop which meant there were about 31 laps.

Off we went – the pace was up and down and was very interesting to say the least. It defintely tested my bike handling skills. I was using this as a good burn up so I tried going off the front a few times and was having fun but also trying to stay out of trouble.

There were a few crashing during the race and the race had to get put on hold and started again. As we were getting to the end of the race with 8 laps to go the pace moved up. To be honest I wish it had happened earlier. With 2 laps to go Stuart told me to just have a go and hopefully Michelle wouldn’t be too far away from me. As I went Michelle was blocked in, I had a bash and got caught coming in with 1 lap to go. It ended with near enough 30 odd women having a bash for the sprint – I was staying well out of that!!

So I had fun at my first crit race today.

Related categories: 2012, Athletics, Jodie Stimpson, Olympics

Firstly I have got to say a massive “thank you” – to all the guys at St Anthonys Triathlon, for putting on a great event at the weekend.

Race morning was very different to the one at the World Championship race as we started at 6.55am. The men were off at 6.52am. It was fun waiting for it to get light before we could start – so we could see where we were going!!

The water temp was lovely and warm which made it a non wetsuit swim. The swim was going to be fast one with Laura Bennett and Jodie Swallow on the start line. I was looking forward to this swim to see how I would get on, as I have been pleased with how my swimming has come on over the winter training with Michelle.

So the race started from a short beach run and then was a U shaped 1 lap 1500m swim. Laura and Sarah went off as I thought they would and because of how choppy the swim was, they disappeared in the waves and I didn’t see either of them again. I found myself on my own for half of the swim and then Jodie swallow came up beside me and swam the second half of the swim side by side.

A good T2 and I was out onto the bike. I had a good bike, feeling the strongest I have ever felt on the bike. So chasing Michelle and Stuart’s skinny asses all winter is paying off!!!!

I came in T2 with Jodie and a few others around and about in 9th and went out onto the run.

By the time I had reached Michelle on side of the course I had moved into 8th and could see two other girls up the road. I found myself running through, feeling stonger and stonger as the race went on.

I then saw Laura Bennett who was in 4th and passed her just before the 5k turn around point.

I then had in my head – next one, not knowing who I was chasing but just kept pushing and pushing. Michelle was on the side line shouting push all the way which I did.

I couldn’t catch the first three which were Sarah Haskins, Jill Peterson and Mirinder Carfrae.

I was chuffed with how I raced today and have just got another 5 days of training out here – before I return home to continue my next block of training.

I am really looking forward to seeing my family and friends after the winter training block I’ve missed them loads and can’t wait to catch up.

Related categories: 2012, Athletics, Jodie Stimpson, Olympics

Sorry it’s been a while. . . .

Ok so I will quickly tell you about the race in Sydney. I have got to say it wasn’t exactly the race I was hoping for.

I had a great swim – sticking to Helen’s feet for most of the 1500m. Then had a quick T1 which brought me nicely into the lead bike pack. This is where a big pack all formed together. I just sat in and watched – as the bike pack was yet again too big to work together. This bike course was a bit more tactical as there was a dangerously narrow and twisted area through a transition which we had to cycle through every lap. There were 7 laps to do in total so I made sure I was in the top 5 every time going through this difficult area, to make sure I was safe and had a clear ride.

I then had a quick T2 and got out onto the run. However this is where things didn’t quite go to plan!! I didn’t feel myself at all as soon as I got onto the run and struggled from that moment onwards. I never really got into it at all.

I crossed the line in a disappointing 18th place. I did think though that this just could have been a bad race. But a few days later I flew to Florida and when I arrived in Florida I came down with a virus. I had to have a day off training (which I was not happy about!!!!) but that could have been a reason why I raced so badly in Sydney. Or it just could have been a bad day at the office but hey onwards & upwards to the next one.

I am currently in Florida now training hard and am going to race St Anthonys on Sunday which is a non drafting race. I am really looking forward to racing, it drives me loads when I have a bad race because I feel like I just want to go out and smash the next one!! Even though I am not tapering for this race I still am gong to go out and have fun – and definitely shove them balls in the wheelie bin.

Just to leave you on this note, when I was at the track with Stuart and Michelle on Tuesday I met Marlon Devonish!!! Shell-shocked or what! He had just finished his session and was recovering in some shade. Michelle knows him from the 2004 Olympics – where he got Gold in the relay. So I am now not only training with Michelle and Stuart – which in itself still shell-shocks me… but I have now met an Olympic Gold medalist!

I will let you know how I go in St Anthonys.

Thanks for reading
xxx

Related categories: 2012, Athletics, Jodie Stimpson, Olympics

I am going to do you a 7 day small diary for this blog – just telling you the main events leading up to the first race of the 2010 season. I thought it would be a bit of a change and hopefully good reading for you guys, so thanks for keeping up with me and I hope you enjoy.

Sunday 21st March

It’s Sunday the 21st and we are one week out from the race. I have been to watch Michelle in her first bike race today; it was 30 minutes around a closed roads track and then 3 laps of a circuit. It brought back all sorts of memories from when I was younger and I used to race and then go and watch Michelle race in the Elites.

Michelle won’t like me saying this but she was a tad nervous going into this race. If it had been a running race she would of fitted straight back in, but she was going into the unknown yet you wouldn’t have known it! The true racer came out as soon as they said “GO!”

The elite women set off and she was straight into what Stuart called; the text book position. 3rd bike from the front and as one break away went, she let it go and it came back together. At 15 minutes another one went and she was straight on it, so with Michelle and two other women up the road, that is how it stayed until the last lap. It was a sprint to the line out of the top three women, with them all basically crossing the line together! Michelle got a fantastic 3rd, a minute plus from the rest of the field!

It was a fantastic result Min well done!

Erin O’Hara also raced in her first race under Team Dillon today at the 70.3 in Singapore. She got a fantastic 4th – so well done Erin and well done too to Jodie Swallow for her 2nd place, I heard it was tough conditions out there!

Monday 22nd March

6 days out from my race and today I had a run session first thing this morning. The last real hard core “balls in the wheelie bin” run and things went well. Included in this was a max out 1k – I was pretty happy with holding on for Stuart for as long as possible. . . .it’s always good fun.

Got a good email from one of my sponsors – Orca – today saying they were sending out my tri suit, so I am looking forward to having my new race suit.

I’ve got to say that the drama for the day happened whilst I was on the bike! The drivers out in Australia remind me of cycling around Birmingham . . . some of them don’t really care for cyclists on the road and this happened today. As we approached a roundabout the car just couldn’t wait and overtook us – cut us straight up! So thanks for that mate. . . . .

Tuesday 23rd March

With 5 days to go, we started out today on the road – nice and early to stay out of the cars’ way! We had an easy spin where we were joined by a Belgian triathlete that is over here to race at the weekend. We did some pick ups in the swimming pool afterwards and did a PB for 50m which is a good sign for the weekend!!
Getting excited for the race now. . . . .

Wednesday 24th March

We’re now just 4 days off! We started again today with an easy bike and today was just about ticking over really. I met Michelle for lunch which was nice at Mano’s café, they do the best omelettes for breakfast and a great chicken caesar salad which Michelle has now made this into my favourite food

Thursday 23rd March

With just 3 days to go we have travelled down to Mooloolaba – which only took us 2 hours to get here thanks to Michelle & Stuart’s navigation.

When we got down to the race briefing me and Stuart had to have our uniform checks to make sure they were within the ITU rule & regulations. We then went into the briefing with all the other athletes.

All went ok in the race briefing and there were no big surprises, so all pretty much set to race now. Just got to wait until Sunday!!!

After the briefing we went for some dinner and then headed up to the Hyatt Regency where we are staying with Patrick and Dee. It’s 25 minutes away from the race and my jaw dropped as soon as I pulled up . . . . . it’s a bloody mansion here!!! It’s a 3 bedroom palace with every room having a bathroom AND Jacuzzi in the room’ It’s a massive place and I really cannot explain how nice this place is!!!! I am so lucky to be able to stay in a place like this thanks to Patrick & Dee – awesome!!

Friday 24th March

We’re now just 2 days off and today we kept away from Mooloolaba and just stayed up in the Hyatt. We stayed out of the hustle and bustle of the race venue. It’s just all about ticking over now and trying to relax before the race, watching DVD’s and relaxing.

Saturday 25th March

Race day tomorrow and just 1 day to go! Stuart’s race day is today, I am really nervous for him, as I know how hard he has trained. I know he deserves to have a great race. At this minute I am sitting at the hotel and keeping out of the sun. I’m calling Michelle every 20 minutes to see how Stu is getting on.. . . . . Go Stu Go!

Sunday 26th March – RACE DAY!!!!!!!

OK here we go!! It’s race day my. . . 2nd ever World cup and lets rumble!

Before I go into what happened on my race day, Stuart had a fantastic race and picked up the Silver medal – which couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person. Well done Stuart!!!!

So my race day. . . I was so relaxed going into this race. I suppose having faith in what you have done and worked hard for makes you a bit more relaxed. Before the race, I think Michelle took all my nerves for me, as she was sooooo nervous – which was great for me as she just took it all away from me. I went down in the morning and had a really good swim warm up. I made sure I had had a little practice at getting out with the waves.

I had a good start, ran into the beach and the plan was to get close to who I think is one of the best swimmers in the ITU. She was exactly that today and she took the lead from the word GO. I was swimming into the first buoy and found myself in a good position about 5th – with Laura [Bennet] leading I knew that the pace would be set around the first buoy and it did. I moved round the buoy but I moved onto Liz’s [Blatchford] feet and I didn’t move from that position until we needed to take a left to head for the shore. This is where Laura and Liz showed their knowledge and experience of the sea, and they caught onto a wave coming in – which I missed!! So coming into the sea I was a bit off the pace.

I had a quick transition and was smoothly out on the bike but with Liz Blatchford and Laura Bennett up the road I had to put the hammer down to catch them! I caught them half way round the first lap of 7 on the bike. Moving onward the pace was quite slow as no one wanted to work – and I wasn’t going to work if no one else was willing to. So everyone really sat in and waited for the run, so I just made sure I drank enough . . . . Michelle shouted at me every time I passed her to make sure I did it!!!!

Then out through transition 2 and I had a smooth T2. I was out on the run in 2nd place – just behind Laura Bennett. Once again I sat in behind as I hadn’t done this course before and had been told how much the hill takes out of you. The first 2 laps of 4 were reasonably easy for me and I felt like I could have pushed on. But as I got to the tip of the 3rd hill, still running in the lead pack along with Liz Blatchford and Debbie Tanner – I hit a brick wall and just had to try and hold on. The heat and the hard course took its toll and I finished 6th. I am stoked with the result in just my 2nd World Cup race.

Everyone was great around the course and the amount of people support I got was amazing – it was an amazing weekend of racing!!

Also a huge thank you to Michelle, who was amazing – looking after me and Stuart at the weekend too.
xx

Related categories: 2012, Athletics, Jodie Stimpson, Olympics

Well, instead of running away from snakes in the lake lands, today I did a 5k running race. I cannot remember ever doing a 5k running race before, so this was a new experience for me.

It started at the Super Centre where I have been training and it was a good start as it was flat – but it certainly wasn’t a flat 5k. The men and the women all started together so on the start line there was myself, Stuart and Bex – along with Emma Moffat and a whole bunch of other runners… also on the bike following the race was Michelle.

I remember the 5k race from when I was out in Oz last year, where I followed the race with Michelle on the bike. Last year we were watching Stuart look like he was just sprinting for the whole 5k. The race started pretty much the same as last year.

So off I went trying to keep Skeletor (a.k.a Stuart) in sight – but this didn’t last very long!! Stuart was off with another runner and I followed just behind him with a few other guys. I went off with the bit between my teeth, as usual, and just ran hard from the gun.

I got to 3k and felt great, then got to around 3½km and Emma appeared on my shoulder. I tucked in behind her as we ran up a grass bank and onto the last 1k mark. However Emma showed her strength and pulled away, I couldn’t respond as she pulled away and onto the running track for the last 300m. I tried my best to pull her back in but couldn’t. I finished up 2nd – 12seconds behind Emma which I am pretty happy with.

Stuart won in a lightning fast time of 15.04 and Bex did an awesome PB in 19.03. Well done to Team Dillon!!!

This is definitely the “5k Bolt” and was such fun to race.

So tonight Dee is cooking up a meal as I am typing this blog and it smells great! So I am going to go and have a good feed.

Just before I leave you… Happy Mothers Day to every mum out there but of course Happy Mothers Day Mum
AND A BIG KISS AND HUG to you mum.
Love you xxx

Related categories: 2012, Athletics, Jodie Stimpson, Olympics