27th Oct finally bought some sun cream and made it to a beach....
There certainly weren’t any Monday morning blues for team BenBen! In fact it was a bit of a lie in 6.30am the alarm went off, swim session was not until 8.30am. The later start did mean swimming costume marks were burnt on! Note to self, must apply sun cream before the pool session. The set was a tough one, I was done and there was still the main set to go, excuse the cliché but I dug deep and surprised myself.
That was one of the toughest sets I had ever done and was starving!
Tesco on the way home, more food, then more rest, then another session, PM run. There is a great road just close to us, we have named it runner’s road, as guess what ….. others running! Not only did we have a solid run but Ben noticed a little restaurant that looked perfect for dinner, I was clearly very focused and did not notice it even though I ran past it twice! The restaurant was close to an English school so the owner spoke some broken English and is used to the English not liking food to HOT! Had the perfect strength Thai curry, made to order, we will be going back.
Tues was a brick session bike then run. The bike session took in part of the bike course of our race (LPT Laguna Phuket triathlon) at the end of Nov, it was great to see just how demanding the climbs are / will be, do not be fooled Phuket is not flat! Having gone up and down a few times it was then a fast 2km dash on the track. Tues afternoon we made it to the beach, we headed south to Kata which was very touristy compared to our home. Too hot to sun bath for us so it was a dip in the sea which was like getting in a warm bath. We somehow made it home as there are very few signs in Phuket, our journey home took us up and down more hills, locals were having to push their mopeds up some of the climbs, thank goodness this is not part of the race bike course I kept thinking!!!!
We had our first beach session Wed, swim 1km the length of the beach then a 1km run back to where you started your swim and repeat that 3 times. How did the Baywatch Babes make running along the beach look so easy and cool?!?! I was just trying to make sure I did not step on any crabs which were whizzing around, man they are fast! Coffee and omlette after with the team then RELAX time, another Thai massage. We have a loyalty card, they must consider us locals already, so it would be rude not to go back. The massage was the calm before the storm………Wed pm was a tough run session on the track. Balls out or whatever you want to call it but it was feast of fast 1km sets and sprint sets of 200m. As Jurgen the coach said if you can talk you are not trying hard enough by the end I was breathless bordering on panting!
Thurs was another bike and run session, more hills which are STEAP with a 8km time trial to bring us home. I got paired with Jurgen this time and Ben got a donkey! Bike shoes off and run shoes on a 7.5km loop to complete the session.
29th Oct
IT support was not available to upload the entry from the 27th so I can chuck a few more days on to the entry. It’s Sat morning, I have taken the morning off training, the first since we have been here, Ben is of course out on his bike with the fast boys. I am sipping on a smoothie of veggie juice it’s so green but so me!!
The routine has not changed over the past few days, a siesta (that sounds far more civilized than a nap) is now compulsory and expected by our bodies!!! With eating out being so cheap we are taking full advantage of this. We went back to the local restaurant Ben found when out running, I left the ordering to him and thought we were going to have way too much food but it was eaten! Ben was silent whilst eating, a sign it’s very good!!!
Mixed things up a little on the massage front went for a sports not Thai this time, must try the foot massage!
There are 2 amazing swim coaches here, so it seems silly not to get a 1 on 1 personal coaching session with them and its soooooooooo cheap. Hence I am booked in next week to get my swim mended!!!!
Until the next update take care, with love Team BenBen x
Friday, 28 October 2011
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Quick update of first week.......
Our home!
We have now been in sunny Phuket just under a week, and loving it (just in case that was not clear!) Since the last update we have had our first Thai massage, first of many i hope but we have stil not got the sun cream or been to a beach! Wed morning this week is a sea swim so we will at least get to have a paddle.
We are very much into a routine already....alarm goes off 5.30am, coffee, breakfast, train, eat, sleep, train, etc tri-athletes bed time is about 9-9.30pm rock n roll!!!!
Over the past few days we have done lots of biking and swimming. Saturday i had to hung on to the wheel in front of me for dear life to ensure i was not dropped on the "animal" bike ride. We did the first 40km as a team of 7 speeding along at an average of approx 40kmph. The second 30km my heart rate was allowed to drop by a few beats, i was riding with Thomas another ex German Ironman, the fast boys rode off into the sun!! For the 70k spin we averaged 37kmph, we would be done for speeding at home for that!
Sat evening was a swim session, nice easy cool down session after the effort on the bike in the morning we thought, oh how wrong we were........!!! It was a "Zack Attack" swim set (Jurgen Zack is the name of the ex pro). Basically it was a set of sprinting flat out, add to that your legs are tied togeather with rubber for some of the sets (to ensure no one gets the wrong idea the rubber is a bike inner tube around your ankles!!!) Add to that i was the slowest swimmer so i got no rest in between the sets! Jurgen moved Ben to swim next to Freddy a pro to test him, i think Jurgen was testing me, would i cry, get out, throw my toys?! Don't wory none of that happened i instead swallowed lots of pool water whilst gasping for breath!!!
Our friend Gift and her family have still been treating us like royalty, dinner out with the family Fri night at a seafood restaurant then dinner at theirs Sat eve, the perfect way to re-fuel.
Sunday, no rest for the wicked a 120km bike ride at a steadier pace 30kmph! Guess what.....more food then more rest then the rugby.
Ben just reminded me we have done a touristy thing, we went to Ton Sai Waterfall, although if i am really honest we finished the 2km walk and i was still wondering where the waterfall was, it was not Niagra lets just say that!!
We have now been in sunny Phuket just under a week, and loving it (just in case that was not clear!) Since the last update we have had our first Thai massage, first of many i hope but we have stil not got the sun cream or been to a beach! Wed morning this week is a sea swim so we will at least get to have a paddle.
We are very much into a routine already....alarm goes off 5.30am, coffee, breakfast, train, eat, sleep, train, etc tri-athletes bed time is about 9-9.30pm rock n roll!!!!
Over the past few days we have done lots of biking and swimming. Saturday i had to hung on to the wheel in front of me for dear life to ensure i was not dropped on the "animal" bike ride. We did the first 40km as a team of 7 speeding along at an average of approx 40kmph. The second 30km my heart rate was allowed to drop by a few beats, i was riding with Thomas another ex German Ironman, the fast boys rode off into the sun!! For the 70k spin we averaged 37kmph, we would be done for speeding at home for that!
Sat evening was a swim session, nice easy cool down session after the effort on the bike in the morning we thought, oh how wrong we were........!!! It was a "Zack Attack" swim set (Jurgen Zack is the name of the ex pro). Basically it was a set of sprinting flat out, add to that your legs are tied togeather with rubber for some of the sets (to ensure no one gets the wrong idea the rubber is a bike inner tube around your ankles!!!) Add to that i was the slowest swimmer so i got no rest in between the sets! Jurgen moved Ben to swim next to Freddy a pro to test him, i think Jurgen was testing me, would i cry, get out, throw my toys?! Don't wory none of that happened i instead swallowed lots of pool water whilst gasping for breath!!!
Our friend Gift and her family have still been treating us like royalty, dinner out with the family Fri night at a seafood restaurant then dinner at theirs Sat eve, the perfect way to re-fuel.
Sunday, no rest for the wicked a 120km bike ride at a steadier pace 30kmph! Guess what.....more food then more rest then the rugby.
Ben just reminded me we have done a touristy thing, we went to Ton Sai Waterfall, although if i am really honest we finished the 2km walk and i was still wondering where the waterfall was, it was not Niagra lets just say that!!
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
And so it begins.........
After about 19 hours which included a few tears (from Cat not Ben!!!) we touched down in Phuket our new home for the next 6 weeks! We were met at the airport by a friend Gift and her parents, with a car and truck for the bikes! Our pad (kept safe by guards) is big for the 2 of us. Day 1 Gift picked us up and took us for a tour which included lunch with the locals. Out again for dinner with Gift and her parents, we have been sooo looked after and so lucky. Ben and i said we would have to eat what they were having, that is what you are meant to do isn't it!?! Our moving crab was picked, cooked and served. We are also had prawns, fish, more fish and of course some sticky rice, it was delicious and i was very releaved we did not have to eat with chop sticks, i would probably still be there and starving!!!
As you know the main aim of our trip is to train and race with our first race being Phuket Laguna. Phuket was also chosen as we were aware of a tri academy based here. Once again Gift took us to the academy and we signed up, 6 weeks training with Jurgen, the German pro who runs the academy. 7am the next morning we were in the 50m pool with a view to die for.........
you do not find that in London and not to rub it in, but, they actively have to cool the pool water to prevent it getting too hot, we are in heaven!! We then did our shopping in Tesco's so there are some similarities to our lives in London! Fed, watered we were back training Coach webeck put us through a run session, job done!! Re-fuelling was ...... hot! Ben is working out just what a wimp i am with the spice! Thurs am we met the boss, jurgen and were out for a bike / run session. The roads are amazing no pot holes, of course a few dogs, tuk tuk's and lots of mopeds. I was out with the boys but did ok, i think! A cheeky few 18% hills were thrown in to test us! On the way home was a time trial Ben of course got paired up with the pro Jurgen and apparantly smashed the record. I got the slow boy but dropped him!! Spinning home was interesting...got wiped out by another cyclist who failed to tell me we were turning right and turned in to me, boom down on the floor. Bit of road rash and swelling but more embarassing was my ripped shorts and a**e hanging out. I am fine just more concerned about the Assos shorts that were out for their virgin ride and the new Felt DA that was immaculate. No time for getting patched up quick change of lycra and we were running. Jurgen had got the idea Ben was quick so instructed him to go with the quick boys for a 7k trot, i was again given the slow boys!! Lost them again and did my own route!!! It was only about 9.30am after the sessions but roasting hot. Breakfast with Jurgen and some other fellow triathletes, great way to finish the session. FYI Jurgen was of course v interested in Ben and his race times, he has already said he can be a 9 hour Iron Man, i think someone is going to be worked hard! No time has been found yet for the beach or a thai massage, must put it on the list!! Oh and sun cream to the list!!!
Until the next time, take care, with Love Team BenBen xxx
As you know the main aim of our trip is to train and race with our first race being Phuket Laguna. Phuket was also chosen as we were aware of a tri academy based here. Once again Gift took us to the academy and we signed up, 6 weeks training with Jurgen, the German pro who runs the academy. 7am the next morning we were in the 50m pool with a view to die for.........
you do not find that in London and not to rub it in, but, they actively have to cool the pool water to prevent it getting too hot, we are in heaven!! We then did our shopping in Tesco's so there are some similarities to our lives in London! Fed, watered we were back training Coach webeck put us through a run session, job done!! Re-fuelling was ...... hot! Ben is working out just what a wimp i am with the spice! Thurs am we met the boss, jurgen and were out for a bike / run session. The roads are amazing no pot holes, of course a few dogs, tuk tuk's and lots of mopeds. I was out with the boys but did ok, i think! A cheeky few 18% hills were thrown in to test us! On the way home was a time trial Ben of course got paired up with the pro Jurgen and apparantly smashed the record. I got the slow boy but dropped him!! Spinning home was interesting...got wiped out by another cyclist who failed to tell me we were turning right and turned in to me, boom down on the floor. Bit of road rash and swelling but more embarassing was my ripped shorts and a**e hanging out. I am fine just more concerned about the Assos shorts that were out for their virgin ride and the new Felt DA that was immaculate. No time for getting patched up quick change of lycra and we were running. Jurgen had got the idea Ben was quick so instructed him to go with the quick boys for a 7k trot, i was again given the slow boys!! Lost them again and did my own route!!! It was only about 9.30am after the sessions but roasting hot. Breakfast with Jurgen and some other fellow triathletes, great way to finish the session. FYI Jurgen was of course v interested in Ben and his race times, he has already said he can be a 9 hour Iron Man, i think someone is going to be worked hard! No time has been found yet for the beach or a thai massage, must put it on the list!! Oh and sun cream to the list!!!
Until the next time, take care, with Love Team BenBen xxx
Monday, 3 October 2011
Counting down the days now until we fly out for the year. Both very excited for the adventure ahead. First stop is Phuket/Thailand for 6 weeks and then onto Aus. All in all it has been labled as a 'Holiday' but not sure if it is a typical one by any means. We are looking forward to training and racing in the southern hemisphere and trying to keep work to a minimum.
Ben has got a list together of the main races we are doing up until June 2012. They all look amazing and the current list ending with Full Iron Distance 'Challenge Cairns'........should be a blast.
27-Nov-11 : Laguna Phuket Triathlon (1.8/55/12)
11-Feb 12: Falls Creek Triathlon, Aus. Championships (Long Course 2/80/20)
19-Feb 12: Jervis Bay Triathlon Festival (Long Course 2/80/20)
25-Mar 12: Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival (Olympic Dst)
13-May 12: Byron Bay Triathlon (Olympic Dst)
05-Jun 12: Challenge Cairns (Full Iron Distance)
Ben has got a list together of the main races we are doing up until June 2012. They all look amazing and the current list ending with Full Iron Distance 'Challenge Cairns'........should be a blast.
27-Nov-11 : Laguna Phuket Triathlon (1.8/55/12)
11-Feb 12: Falls Creek Triathlon, Aus. Championships (Long Course 2/80/20)
19-Feb 12: Jervis Bay Triathlon Festival (Long Course 2/80/20)
25-Mar 12: Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival (Olympic Dst)
13-May 12: Byron Bay Triathlon (Olympic Dst)
05-Jun 12: Challenge Cairns (Full Iron Distance)
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