Spot of luxury triathlon on Samui?

It’s interesting to see just how much the sport of triathlon is taking off and one sure-fire sign of that is the increasing number of offerings that are directed at triathletes. And why not? It’s a great market.

While the portrayal of all triathletes being mega-rich CEOs who can hardly walk through their double garage without falling over an entire fleet of barely-used bikes isn’t true, it probably is fair to say that 90% of triathletes are financially stable and, just as importantly, willing to invest time and money into what is, after all, more of a lifestyle than just a sport.

The latest example comes in the form of a temptingly extravagant offer from the brand new AKARYN Samui resort, which has just opened its doors to the general public. Rather than launching with a traditional Full Moon Party or romantic couples’ offer, the resort’s first offer is the not too snappily titled ‘Intuitive Luxury for Athletes Package’ which is aimed squarely at triathletes heading over to Thailand for the Samui Triathlon on 22 April. The hotel’s sister resort, akyra Chura Samui is also running a tri package.

So, what can you expect from these? Basically, everything from carb-loading athlete-specific dinners in the run-up to the event and an early, energy-heavy breakfast, to complimentary massages, free transfers and bike transfers to the nearby start line and transition areas and some post-race pampering.

Bit posh is that...

"My husband Stephane is an ironman and triathlete, so I understand how much preparation goes into these races and what a test of mind, body and spirit they are,” explains MD Anchalika Kijkanakorn (being a high-powered hotel MD, you’d kind of expect her to step up to the world of triathlon now, wouldn’t you?).

"We understand what athletes need and we will do everything we can to help them have the perfect race and set a personal best, no matter what their level.”

Sounds luxurious and fun and, even if the likes of Faris Al Sultan, Caroline Steffen, Cam Brown, Dirk Bockel, Belinda Granger and Kate Bevilaqua (who are all on the pro list for the 4k/123k/30k race) drop you as soon as the gun goes, at least you’ll have arrived at the start line feeling more relaxed than anyone else there. And that means you’ll be good to go when it comes to the after-party – one of the best parts of racing in Thailand!

But, let’s be honest, this package isn’t aimed at triathletes at all. In reality, it should be called the ‘Luxury Triathletes’ Spouses Package’. A race is far easier to sell to the other half when it comes with a high-end beach holiday attached!

THIS is a link to the hotel.

Prices for the full luxury long-weekend package start at $170 per room.

Abu Dhabi International Triathlon – a spectator’s review

At almost 6am, I found myself tucking into a second cup of coffee, and then a third – or maybe it was a fourth – Danish pastry from the breakfast buffet at the Rotana Khalidiyah Palace, the official race hotel. I didn’t have to carefully monitor what I was putting into my belly; there were no nerves and there was little rush. For the first time, I was at a major race and wasn’t taking part. Neither was Leanda Cave, I guessed, as she tucked into more fruit and yoghurt at a time when other pros would be getting into their wetsuits! Turns out Leanda had pulled out the day before due to illness. Shame for the race, but nice to know it happens to the pros too.

Breakfast finished, I met up with my friend Chloe and a couple of her friends who I’d agreed to give a lift the couple of kilometres up the road to the transition and start area. I dropped them off, found a convenient parking space and then dived into the electric atmosphere. The race start had been delayed by 30 minutes already, which meant a bit of hanging around for some, but it was great to see all the guys from the team getting amped up and ready for the race. Knowing that I was way too ill to race meant I was actually able to enjoy the whole thing without frustration or envy.

I spent a little while walking down the fence closest to the pro bike racking, checking out some awesome bike porn as well as seeing how pro triathletes like Faris, Lieto, Llanos, Fettell, Bockel, Henning, Swallow, Rollison, Steffen, The Joycinator etc all prepped for their race. It was interesting how some continually checked their bikes, saddle, nutrition, hydration etc, while others laid back on their bags and closed their eyes. Just like at the Age Grouper level, everyone has their own approach.

With three distances and many waves of starters, T2A team members went their separate ways as they indulged in their own personal preparation routines but Ben and I headed down to the swim to watch as the pros set off. As the klaxon sounded, it was a perfect morning with pancake flat water and little breeze. It was amazing just how easily even the lead swimmers looked to be stroking, even though I knew full well that I’d have needed a clean bill of health, a good pair of feet to stick to and no bike or run to follow just to stay with that main pack.

The girls headed off just a few minutes later. Ben and I chatted about the Aussie guy who was doing the MC-ing down on the beach (turns out he did the same job as well as the pre and post race parties at Ben’s Ironman Busselton and my Ironman Wales – cushiest job ever?) and then the guys came through for a run down the beach after the first lap of the swim. Aussie super swimmer Clayton Fettell was crushing it, with a big main pack containing all the main contenders (except Lieto who was quite a bit back, suffering, it appeared, from not having a wetsuit). Then the women came through and it was a similar story, Jodie Swallow caining it and a big pack following.

After watching the guys come out of the water, I wished a few of the T2A guys well as they prepped for their race and I headed around the other side of the transition zone to watch the girls come out of T1. This involved a long run with the bike out of the transition zone and along a  carpeted area, a u-turn after which they were free to mount, and then another tight u-turn and pass over a timing mat before heading out along the Corniche for the first section of the bike leg. 

Easy to say in retrospect but, coming out of the second u-turn, all of the girls stood up on to the pedals to generate some power to get up to speed and I noticed just how strong Nikki Butterfield – distinctive dressed all in red with a red aero helmet and on a bright Red Specialized Shiv – looked. Although a little back on the main pack, her background as a pro cyclist could make her a force to contend with on the 200km bike, I thought. Little did I know...

Unfortunately, after joining forces with Sarah, Ed’s girlfriend, to cheer a load of friends and team mates out of the swim, I soon had to head back to the hotel as my smorgasbord or infections and viruses had me needing a lie down.

After a small nap, I started checking for updates on Twitter and it seemed we had a belter on our hands in both male and female races. So, my friend Rach (who was visiting from the UK but, being a normal person and not a tri geek, didn’t get up at the crack of dawn to watch the race start) and I headed down to the transition and finish area where the atmosphere was fantastic.

I saw several friends and team mates finish or come out after collecting their bikes, and all had tales to tell about great performances or, in Swiss Marc’s case, a fantastic performance after coming off his bike just a few kilometres into the ride after someone threw a water bottle into his path! Getting up to do another 90kms or so after that shows some determination.

We saw the male pros hit the 10k turnaround point in the run, with Faris’ loping stride looking sure to carry him to victory although you could see that Rasmus was running light and fast. The girls came in and Nikki Butterfield flew in and back out of T2 looking great, with Angela Naeth closest behind.

Watching on the big screen, we then saw Rasmus close on and Faris and overtake him with just a few kilometres to go – that was the 1, 2 with Eneko Llanos (surely one of the most underrated and nicest pros out there) securing third place. We then went over again to watch the girls turn around at the halfway stage of the run. Surprisingly, to me at least not knowing much about her, Nikky looked fantastic with an easy, fast stride. Angela Naeth and Caroline Steffen looked great too but weren’t closing. Mel Rollison, who I’d been looking forward to watching run, was moving fast but was clearly suffering – as a 70.3er, the 200km ride was a giant undertaking for her and, it turned out, a bit of an injury had prevented her from running much in training. Just as surprising as Nikky Butterfield running so well was seeing just how fantastically Rachael Joyce ran – she was moving visibly faster than anyone out there.

It finished that way and I think I paid particular attention to (and enjoyed) the women’s race as the field was arguably more stacked and, without any Chrissie there, this year’s IM World Champs in Kona could be an absolute humdinger. Any one of those girls could take it on the day, although there’s clearly a lot of racing to be done between now and then.

So, how was my watching experience? Actually, extremely enjoyable. It was far less frustrating than I expected, but really motivated me to get back out there. It also helped me to realign and reset some of my goals: the smaller races, I realised, no longer mattered. I'm far enough into my 'triathlon career' now to not sweat every smaller race - there'll be plenty more to come. Instead, the focus is clearly on two or three bigger races throughout the year and, if that means skipping smaller races to remain fit, healthy and rested, then so be it.

Although it was fun, motivating and inspiring, next time I'm at a big race, I hope to be racing.

Have you read my latest blag post?

It’s a maxim as well worn as the caffeine-stained mugs, heavily scrawled-upon diary pages, and scratched mouse pads that adorn the offices of newspapers and magazines around the world: journalists, they say, live a rich man’s life on a poor man’s wage.

That’s certainly been true for me; it’s a profession that I love – the opportunity for creativity, the amazing interviewees, even the coffee and pizza fuelled thrill of hitting a midnight deadline – but it’s also incredibly hard work. Luckily, once in a while, there are some very special rewards that help to balance the 50 hour weeks and working weekends and holidays.

Over the years, these have probably added up to thousands of pounds’ worth of hotel rooms, meals and press trips. Then there are the freebies that get sent to the office.

Although I’ve done things that I’d never be able to afford in real life, the greatest privilege of my chosen profession has been when I’ve had the opportunity to do things that money can’t buy. Being drivenaround the Ascari racetrack in southern Spain in a Koenigsegg CCX (that’s thecar that The Stig couldn’t control in Top Gear) by Christian von Koenigsegg, for example. Or watching the majority of a Man Utd v Arsenal match sat chatting on the phone to Rod Stewart (knows his football, does Rod).

Recently, the PR team at Abu Dhabi InternationalTriathlon invited me to take part in that event – something I was more than happy and willing to do. There’ll be other members of the media taking part too – most doing the relay or the sprint race, but a couple of brave souls also tackling the ‘short course’ like me. At Abu Dhabi, ‘short’ is a somewhat misleading term: 1500m swim/100km bike/10km run (the long course is double, making the bike section notably longer than an Ironman).

In order to get us all ready for the event, the organisers have given us access to key figures involved and this is where, once again, I find I’m pinching myself. A few weeks ago, just four of us were put through our paces by UK pro triathlete and highly-rated coach Richard Allen. On Tuesday night, another group of us were given access to ex Ironman World Champ and captain of Abu Dhabi Tri Team Faris Al-Sultan, and the Abu Dhabi Tri Team manager (and ex pro triathlete) Dr Werner Leitner.

Of course, most of these sessions were pitched at beginners – and what an amazing opportunity that is, like having Nick Faldo and Sergio Garcia give you your first golf lesson – but I still picked up a few more advanced tips here and there on subjects like nutrition, warming-up, deep stretching and riding into the wind. I’ve been told I have quite a short stride length when I run – when I should really be using my height to my advantage – and Werner kindly showed me a few drills to incorporate into my runs to help improve that stride length and kick.

What I realised most of all, however, is that, while I still tend to think of myself as a relative newbie to triathlon and a bit of a pretender, that doesn’t wash anymore. I’ve been doing this a few years now, albeit maybe only a year with any degree of regularity and seriousness, but I know the vast majority of what there is to know; transitions are no longer mysterious zones of nerves and intimidation for me; I may get nutrition right or wrong on any given day, but I know what I’m aiming for; I hear and use words like ‘brick’, ‘drafting’ and ‘midfoot strike’; I’ve done small early season races in the UK with swims in a pool, and huge international races overseas. I may not be an experienced old-timer, but I’m a triathlete for sure.­ Going back to the parlance of my industry, I’m no longer “just blagging it”. That’s kind of cool.

The flip side of that is that these mini media camps reminded me of the nerves, horror and excitement that this mysterious sport of triathlon once brought. I heard the questions I’d once asked and felt the feelings I’d once felt, as these media newbies started their training or began stepping it up... it’s such a joyful feeling of achievement and one that I plan to never lose.

With that in mind, this weekend I’ll be part of the Nike-sponsored media team that’ll tackle the 72km (as a relay) Wadi Bih run through the mountains and gorges of Musandam. We’re not contenders; in fact, we’ll all just be happy to finish, and we’re going to have a great time doing it. Coz that’s what it’s all about. 

That and blagging free Nike swag, of course (I’m still a journalist, after all)!

One for the newbies...

The magical stat wizard who lives inside my computer (who some folk in the know refer to as Google Analytics) tells me that a surprising number of you – another demonstration, if any were needed, that people would rather look at anything online than do their actual jobs – read this blog. Mr Analytics can also tell me where you are when you read this blog (seriously, 17 of you in Chile!). What Goog-me-old-mucker doesn’t tell me, however, is why.

For a lot of you, the reasons are obvious:

• You’re related to me
• You went to school/uni with me and like to read this blog to remind yourself how much better your life has turned out than mine
• You did a search for ‘shaved legs, lycra, rubber and helmet’ and are now very, very disappointed

But a decent proportion of you, it would seem, are either athletes or triathletes, with a fair whack based here in ye olde Middle East too! But where do you lie on the TRiOMETRE? Are you seasoned pros laughing at my pansy-ass hill climbing skills or are you tri virgins (uh oh, going to disappoint a few more searchers with that one!) looking for tips and advice you can use to nail your own first race?

Given that, during my first sprint tri in the UK, my stem came lose leading to my base bar slipping all over the shop and rendering my bike almost unrideable and resulting in me doing the second lap of the bike course simultaneously pedalling, holding an Allen key tight to keep the bars upright, and steering with the stem itself...you’d be forgiven for thinking that I’m hardly a font of all triathlon knowledge.

But, you’d be wrong. Coz I’m a triathlete. So I think I know it all! Easy week you say, coach? Yeah sure! In risk of an overuse injury am I doctor? Increase the mileage! Not in Ironman shape? Pah, sub 10!

Bizarrely though, I know some folk who actually think they know better than me:

This here hirsute young chap is Faris Al-Sultan. He’s the current European Ironman Champ and won the World Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in 2005. Yeah, he’s pretty good. He’s also the captain of Team Abu Dhabi so I caught up with him to have a chat about the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Triathlon which will take place on 3 March. What should newbies or those erring on the inexperienced side do to prepare, I asked Faris?

“Practise a variety of swim drills regularly to highlight weaknesses and have a swim stroke technician analyse your technique. Also it’s important to train in choppy seas to practise drafting behind a partner– all the while getting used to wearing the wetsuit and race goggles needed for the race.”

Got it? Good. I’ve actually ridden in a large group ride with Faris before and in the final sprint, I put my head down, shrunk into a tight wind-defying aero tuck and started powering out the sort of wattage usually only seen from steam locomotives. Faris passed me, sat bolt upright, juggling and whistling the German national anthem. To be fair, he later admitted he was in the top gear of his unicycle. So, he’s not bad on a bike.

“When it comes to cycling, train in groups to work on race techniques such as going round a corner fast and climbing inclines efficiently. Make sure you practise these both seated and out of the saddle.”

Some people, I point out, don’t have the hours and hours that pros have to dedicate to endless biking sessions. This is my best shot at a ‘get a real job, punk!’ type slur, but Faris takes in on his bearded chin and carries on...

“If you only have a short period of time, attempt very hard and fast intervals on a home trainer which is a great way to build power. Remember to have your bike setup analysed to make sure you are maximising comfort and aerodynamics.”

Damn it, he’s good!

So, I move on to the UAE-based adventurer Adrian Hayes, who’ll also be taking part in Abu Dhabi International Triathlon. Adrian is a world record-breaking polar explorer who has summited Mount Everest, walked all the way to both Poles and recently followed in the footsteps of Wilfred Thesiger by crossing the Empty Quarter desert. Yeah well, wotevs, I climbed Kilimanjaro for Gulf4Good, I point out. I know, I was with you, counters Adrian. I’ve done an Ironman, I fight back. I’ve done one faster, he retorts.   

Alright champ, tell the newbies what they want to know:

“Climbing hills is a good speed, strength and technique workout. Even if you are training for long distance, leg speed is very important and will help you run much more efficiently. Also do faster interval workouts in your race day shoes to promote good technique and to ensure you’re comfortable in them.”

It’s last chance saloon for my tri ego. Next up, certified physiotherapist Katherina Ringer, a key adviser for Abu Dhabi International Triathlon. See... physiotherapist...not even a triathlete! I am going to put her in her place, I am going to astound her with my triathlon knowledge, shock and awe, I think, shock and awe...

Me: Hi pretty lady.

KR: Er, hi. I’m the Abu Dhabi Tri Team physiotherapist.

Me: He he he, you’ve got lovely skin.

KR: Right, so, training and body conditioning should be personalised to the athlete’s fitness and experience levels.

Me: Mmmmm.

KR: Consistency over several months is much more important than doing a lot in one week.

Me: (uhoh, she knows what she’s talking about!)

KR: So, make sure you combine three training intensities – long easy workouts, tempo race pace sessions, and high intensity speed technique workouts.

Joking aside, this is all top advice from people who actually know what they’re talking about. Take it on board, apply it in training, and you’ll fly through your first races feeling great and finishing strong. Then, before you know it, you’ll no longer be a newbie, and you’ll get to think you know better than everyone else too!

There's still time to enter ADIT and see how you get on against Faris, Adrian or, well, me: http://www.abudhabitriathlon.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AbuDhabiTri  

                       

Big fat blow-out and a spot of catch up

Another month has passed and another disappointing lack of blogging from a young Mr Warnock. But new year, new leaf. And I feel the creative juices, not to mention motivation, welling up inside me once again. But before I go about entertaining you like a monkey in a waistcoat playing the cymbals, making you laugh more than a fat woman falling of a swing, and educating you more enjoyably than a school with Stephen Fry as the headmaster (how cool would that be?), I figure we’ve some catching up to do, you and me.

Firstly the Creek Striders Half Marathon that I spoke about last time. In short, what an event. The course looped up and around the creekside roads of Dubai, up and over some of Dubai’s iconic bridges, and sections of the course actually went through the souks in Bur Dubai – best road race I’ve ever done (admittedly, that’s not many). It was also a great atmosphere with a huge fry-up breakfast afterwards. In terms of performance, I did 1:33 – a 3 minute PB ona  far harder course than the PB was set on. Given that I’d not done much long running at all, I was pretty happy with that. In February, I’ll be racing the RAK HalfMarathon – the flat and fast race in which I set my previous PB and, as my current programme does feature a weekly long run (26kms), I’m gunning to go sub 1:30 for the first time there.

Xmas and New Year were both perfectly pleasant but, to be honest, having returned to the UK for my nan’s funeral just a week before, I wasn’t feeling too festive. I missed my family a lot and couldn’t stop thinking how tough it must have been for my mum and dad. This translated into a lack of motivation on the training front too – I missed more sessions at the end of December than I think I’ve missed all year, but I wasn’t too fussed. Did manage an Xmas morning sea swim with some of the T2A gang, which was a highlight.

Just after Christmas, my friend Janey (actually an ex but we’ve stayed quite close) came to visit on her way back from Thailand, and we had a really nice time – with a few other friends joining for a couple of days too. I took a few days off work, took all four days off training, ate too much, drank every night and it was lovely. I was sad to see them go as it’d been such a welcome break and diversion, but I dropped them at the airport at 5am on Friday morning and went straight to join in with the Dubai Roadsters 120k-er – and absolutely loved every kilometre of it. The motivation came flooding back – it’s a ride I’ve not done for quite a while and I was amazed at how much easier I found the pace, how I could join in all the sprints, and how easily I could motor up the few little climbs that used to leave me trailing far behind. Progress is the greatest form of motivation, when you can see it that clearly. The highlight of that ride was joining the ‘fast group’ for the last 45kms and averaging in excess of 40kph (assisted by a large peloton and tailwind, but still...) and being led out by former Ironman World Champion Faris Al Sultan who is sponsored by Abu Dhabi and does quite a bit of his winter training here in the UAE. Mercifully, he actually wore full shorts and a long-sleeved bike jersey...

He'd have been cold wearing this...

Since then, I’ve not really looked back. Coach sent me my Jan schedule through and it’s by far the biggest I’ve ever done – way more kms than I was doing in peak Ironman training even (tho more favourable conditions than Dubai in August help with that) and it’s just what I needed. It’s basically a base training month with very little intensity, but I’m loving getting all these kilometres in my legs, especially on the bike which I have a bit of a like-hatehatehate relationship with at times. 

I think the other reason for the motivation racing back faster than a drunk to last orders is that a few big races are now in sight – before, they were very much on the horizon but I’m almost able to start counting the weeks down now. That helps a lot.

Other than all the training, life is generally consisting of a monumental SHITLOAD (sorry ma, but it really is a shitload!) of work as we race to get products out for the end of the financial year. In the office for 56 hours last week; in the pool, on the bike and on the road for another 20...doesn’t leave much time for much else, tho I don’t mind that so much right now.

So, there we go, you’re all up-to-date, au courant, al dia, with what’s going on here. Hasta pronto, amigos.