Destination Benidorm...

Current Location: Benidorm...

Temperature: 22-25 Degrees Celsius.

Local Time: ??:??, it could be any time as the people here don’t appear to obey natural sleeping patterns.

Clearly currently staying in the heart of Benidorm for a week of training before heading to what is one of my favourite training locations, Aguilas. Why we have come to stay in the middle of Benidorm is still somewhat of a mystery to me, it’s not exactly an ideal location being a 20min ride to get out of town through busy traffic, but making do and got to take the most from any opportunity to train in warm weather with a solid base of young, strong triathletes. However once out of Benidorm the landscape and ride quality is excellent, somewhat resembles the French Alps in terms of switch back climbs and small old fashioned villages at the top of the climbs.

Really enjoying being away again sharing an apartment with 2 of my good mates, Ritchie and Russell, it’s really good lads banter after training which is a nice come down, to relax and not have anything to do with triathlon, keeps things fresh.

You know what they say, When in Rome...

If Carlsberg did Chefs...

They would look nothing like this, haha!

Roll on Aguilas! Really looking forward to some swim, bike and run reps. Hopefully will be much much quieter and things will run smoother. 

Good Times, Busy Times and Finally Scottish Sunny Times

Currently I feel like somewhat of a Nomad, having been away from home for the majority of the year so far! The Novelty of going away training to another country is starting to lose its lure but I love it, just has this re-energizing effect on me.

My Race plan is starting to fall into place, the race entries have been put forward and there will be a couple of surprises. After what feels like a very short winter, I’m certain that my game has stepped up and will be challenging the best; ultimately I am really looking forward to racing again and put all the winter miles to use!

Whilst only being home for 10 days I have been taking the opportunity to catch up with friends, seek out some well needed massage and a very different type of painful way of getting ready for race season! Although it doesn’t quite compare to a hard track session... I’d take this over that pain any day.

Next on my agenda, after I had just finished spreading my cloths across my room at home in an untidy manor much to my mum’s dismay, I’m really glad that having quite a lot of cloths on my floor doesn’t bother my flat mate!  It’s time to gather them up again, put my bike back in its box and travel to the airport. Just a usual day at the office it feels like now. 

Majorca

Getting on planes seems to be a very regular occurrence these days, getting used to the jet set life.

Right, so, I’ve been in Majorca for a week now. I arrived safely after 2 flights, a bus transfer and a lot of waiting around in airports. I am staying here courtesy of my good friend Graham Leitch, which I am very grateful to be staying with. This is the 1^st time I’ve been to Majorca in quite a few years and had forgotten how beautiful the place is. The roads are brilliant, a huge range of mountainous and flat riding on offer. In Peurto Pollensa the pool is practically deserted which is perfect. The only downside to the place is an extreme lack of off road running, which is causing me considerable discomforts on my hard and even easy runs!

Peurto Pollensa has everything from Codfathers...  

 to a dog fashion shop both of which amused me.

After spending one week here I am still amazed by the sheer number of cyclists out here. One thing that was really getting on my nerves though is other cyclists sitting on my wheel without even a “hola” or a “thanks” just sit there in silence then leave...

The town shuts down on a Sunday so Graham and myself have been taking the opportunity to eat out which never disappoints. A selection of deserts on offer I know which one I chose and was not disappointed.

And of course here’s the obligatory pancake snap from pancake day...

I’m looking forward to the opening of the Rapha shop tomorrow for a free massage which will be well deserved after 2 weeks of not too much volume but a lot of short high intensity work to get ready for what will be my best race season to date!

Home, Sweet Home... and Away... Again!

Okay so, it’s been 3 weeks and a lot has happened but it feels like nothing at all. I’ve come home to Scotland, been to see some of the most impressive track cyclists in the world, almost recovered from 6 weeks intensive training, had blood tests done and started packing for the next trip away to Majorca tomorrow.

The first thing I noticed when in Scotland was the scenery, I missed this. It is so different from Spain however this was abruptly ruined by the realisation of all the pot holes making it a bumpy journey in the car which doesn’t bode well for bike riding.

Two weekends ago I went down to Manchester to watch one of the UCI track cycling world cup series events. It was mighty Impressive, my first time to a velodrome and it didn’t disappoint, the bends really are as steep as they say! And Chris Hoy’s legs really are as big as they say they are.

My coach Blair Cartmell became concerned after 2 weeks and still feeling pretty run down that something might be up. One of the benefits of my Dad being a doctor is that getting blood tests can be done quickly. The results came back okay, just minor signs of overtraining which were starting to improve but lingering in my system.  

 A bit random but was walking into town for coffee and saw this busker on the street and I rarely tip buskers unless they really impress or make me laugh and this one did both!

Only a few hours till I’m away to the Airport again, good times!