Mike’s Middle Distance Magic: It’s 2019!

It’s that time of year when we all make them New Year resolutions! Well I’m no exception! I feel I’m really going to improve in 2019 and feel better for it.

Over the last 12 weeks I’ve really seen some big gains while training with Ray. I can run consistently for two hours without stopping, covering mileage that in the past would have wiped me out for days and have me struggling to even climb the stairs the next day, never mind go into another tough session.  

I’m putting out some of my best power numbers on the bike I’ve ever had. I’ve just completed Ray’s “Quad Crusher” routine and produced my best 60 minute power of all time and that was on the turbo in the middle of a workout!

My swimming is progressing nicely, going consistently well and showing steady improvement. This is always going to be the Achilles heel with improvement just because it’s already my best discipline and the fact I can only swim once a week I’m just not going to see the improvements I see in bike and run.

So where do I go from here?

Well I’ve got my first event of 2019 this coming Sunday – a half marathon. My previous best time is 2:04:16 way back in 2012. that’s a 9:29 per mile pace. If I can get near that time I’ll be over the moon. Back in 2012 I wasn’t swimming or biking and hadn’t even done a triathlon before. I was just running. So if I can get close to a PB doing 3 disciplines and with only 12 weeks with Ray and just after an over indulging Christmas, Ray is a miracle worker!

Once this first event is done it is 13 weeks until my triathlon season starts! Seeing what I’ve achieved in the first 12 weeks with Ray, I can’t wait to see what the next 12 weeks will bring and to see how I progress! I have full trust in Ray’s planning and sessions and I want to keep the consistency.  Especially with the long ride as I’ve been missing far too many of them! The nights are starting to get lighter, the weather is improving slightly, tri season around the corner, so let’s get to it!

My final goal is not exactly a training goal, but something I promised Ray I would commit too, and that is this Blog and getting it submitted on time. It really keeps me focussed for the week and keeps me on track in my training. So this Blog will be submitted on time in the New Year.

On that note I hope everybody has a fantastic New Year and achieves their goals, whether they be triathlon or something else. All best and I’ll be back here with hopefully a successful blog of my first event of 2019!  I’m getting quite nervous now!

Thanks for reading, all the best, Mike

– Mike Catton