Building the Foundations

Building the foundations with the odd twist. Its now week four of winters training or `base training` and I am finally getting into some decent shape after my end of season break. The first few weeks are always the toughest- getting back to the early rises, cycling in the wet and running with tired legs.

There has been the odd adventure to keep things fresh and last weekend saw me running/walking up Ben Nevis- I have watched the race up Ben Nevis on television before but it's a hell of a lot harder than it looks. Also my survival pack of a galaxy and a bottle of coke didn't impress the seasoned climbers. That and my descending skills leave a lot to be desired- theres a certain part of your brain that you need to switch of before you hurtle yourself down a mountain.

The next few weeks look more of the same just trying to get myself fit and enjoying the time away from racing. I may head to the Kilmarnock cross country in a few weekends time to test the water.

David McNamee, International Triathlete

A Disastrous End

So there I was 18minutes into my World Championship debut and I had just been disqualified as I entered the first transition zone- I had taken my swim cap of at the turn around point in the swim for it was about to fall of on its own. A rule I had never heard about and a rule that has never been enforced. To say I felt hard done by was an understatement. I went on to finish the race with the little motivation I had left.

Overall my first World Championships were a great experience and it has gave me the confidence I am moving in the right direction and have came a long way in such a short period of time.

Two weeks on and after a final race for my French team I am on my rest week for the year and reflecting on the season. At my best I have shown that I can finish in the top20 at the highest level but more often than I would like my weaknesses have been exploited and I toil home a lot further back than I should be. Overall after doing a few international events I am ranked 69^th in the World. A big jump in the right direction but there is a lot of work to do.