The Long Journey - My European Championships

So we have a lot to catch up on.

Sorry it has been such a long time, but with the season in full swing, with races most weekends, I haven’t had a chance to breathe.

Nonetheless I’m here now. I hope you didn’t miss me too much.

EUROPEAN TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS

Right. Let’s just dive straight in.

Ok, so somethings don’t go to plan. Spending all winter and the build up to the season going through the same motions; trying to keep everything as stable, predictable and consistent as possible. Sometimes, something just has to give.

After a long week at the Island Games in Jersey it was time to fly back to Newcastle, a quick turn around and straight back out again within 48 hours. This time, a direct flight to the beautiful country of Switzerland. Geneva to be exact.

I hadn’t been to Switzerland for a while and was really looking forward to visiting a place I hadn’t been since I was a youngster. A country close to my family.

Sharing a Hotel with the World Triathlon Champion

My preparation wasn’t the best. With Geneva experiencing a heat wave and the hotel lacking in air conditioning it made for an uncomfortable first night’s sleep (it didn’t get much easier throughout the week either). After sorting my bike, and finding my bearings, it was time to explore. A quick recce of the bike and run course it was all a little less daunting.

Three days in the heat passed, and then potentially the most fundamental reason I didn’t perform as well as I’d hoped… I had to fly back to Newcastle for Graduation. Something I’d definitely do again if I had too. I couldn’t let my parents down (not that I would have). It was a chance to escape the heat but was also two very cramped flights. Geneva > Heathrow, Heathrow > Newcastle. Graduate the next day and then repeat the process; in reverse.

That’s an awful lot of sitting down, cramped and unable to move my legs more than six inches to the man reclining in the chair in front.

Having arrived back in Geneva, it was the day before the race. A chance to sort any last minute issues before having to drop my bike in transition on the eve of the race. A quick ride out, and it was time to rack. With that out of the way, the next aim was to relax as much as possible. Never easy. A nice evening with friends and family helped; food on board; time for my head to hit the pillow.

Race Day

Fuelled up on the usual; porridge, Beet-IT and TrueStart Coffee it was time to race!

The swim! This was never going to be my strong point. There were vicious rumours flying around that the swim was closer to 2km. This is something I have a big gripe about. If it’s true and it was over distance, which a lot of times suggest, then why are we expected to pay such large entry fees? Never mind, that is irrelevant. No triathlon course is ever the right distance. It’s the same for everyone and all those clichés.

My swim was poor, I found it hard work in the lake and felt as though I was swimming against a constant downstream. One saving grace, I was swimming in my Zone3 Vanquish wetsuit. After a slow swim, I managed to transition on to my bike without any hitches and in reasonable time to. The downside was, I was playing catch-up. This wasn’t something too unfamiliar but the difference in my slower swim compared to my competitors meant that the gap was a lot bigger than normal. This gap wasn’t visible, I found it tough on the bike course to settle in but got to work trying to close down as much time as possible.

I settled in and picked off a few competitors. Towards the end of the bike leg, fatigue started to creep in slightly. I think this was due to me incorrectly feeling the need to work hard early on the bike; highlighting the importance of finding a rhythm to work too.

Onto the run and I felt ok, nothing unusual, just a little leg heavy. Understandably so after racing 40km on the bike previously. I eased in and again tried to find a pace to work to. I ran well and finished strong. In hindsight I probably didn’t get into my highest gear, but on the day I gave everything I had.

Finished. 21^st at the European Championships (20-24).

I’ll take that, not my best result but considering what I went through the previous 48 hours I was happy. On reflection, I didn’t have my greatest race. I’ll be the first to admit it. Nevertheless, I had a great time and loved the experience.

As ever, a massive thank you for your continued help and support. It really does help and it is all appreciated. Any feedback you might have would be fantastic, please do get in touch. Anything I can change or do, anything you’d like to see, just let me know.

NEXT: British Triathlon Championships - Liverpool

Cheers,

Sam

To keep up to date, follow me here:

Twitter - @samnbrand

Instagram - samuelnealbrand

YouTube - sambrandtri  

Jersey 2015 - Island Games

So right now you’re probably thinking something along the lines of “Another blog. So soon”.

Well, it’s been busy. So busy. Hectic to say the least. I’ve barely had time to think. Now I’ve got the time, I’d love to update you. This one is a little different. So please sit back, relax and most importantly; enjoy.

Back in January I was lucky enough to be selected to represent the Isle of Man at the Island Games. Fast forward to the end of June and the experience was just about to begin. I was so excited to represent my home. What a feeling. I had no idea what to expect. What it’d be like. I knew I was excited. Soon enough it was time to fly to Jersey and let the whole adventure begin.

The whole week was out of this world. What an experience with some great people. There is far too much to talk about and explain in words. It wouldn't do the experience justice. That’s where this entry is a bit different. I have made this short video to take you all on the adventure too.

Enjoy.

(Click on video below to play)

As ever, a massive thank you for your continued help and support. It really does help and it is all appreciated. Any feedback you might have would be fantastic, please do get in touch. Anything I can change or do, anything you’d like to see, just let me know.

NEXT: European Triathlon Championships - Geneva

Cheers,

Sam

To keep up to date, follow me here:

Twitter - @samnbrand

Instagram - samuelnealbrand

YouTube - sambrandtri  

Run up to the Biggies!

Hectic. The races are coming thick and fast now and finding time to write about them all is getting harder.

So I shall do my best.

Flash back a few months to May. BUCS sprint triathlon done and dusted. Exams done and dusted. University finished.

My next race, a European and World Championship qualifier at Nottingham Triathlon. I love this race.  A true sprint course. Fast, furious, and pan flat.

Nottingham Triathlon

The Calm Before the Storm

I had been ticking over with exams and coursework and hoping the training I had put in was going to stand me in good stead. As always I travelled down the night before, registered and checked out the course. A familiar place. The wind was up. Something to watch out for in the morning.

Race day. A ridiculously early race start; as most races are. First wave off.  Having racked and prepped transition it was time to suit up to race. I wasn’t sure how I would go but felt in decent spirits. It was early season. So there wasn’t really any form to talk about it was just head down and go. 

Race Day - Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham

The swim, as usual was mediocre, maybe slightly quicker than normal. In and out of transition; straight onto my bike; time to find a rhythm. I felt good. I knew I had some chasing to do, and quickly set about it. It was a sprint, so no holding back. I slowly moved through the field but as ever at Nottingham you get the groups of riders drafting each other. Yeah the ones who adamantly deny it; sitting wheel to wheel; making excuses; you know the ones, but hey that’s another story.

Toward the end of the good bike leg, I was still feeling good. I approached T2 (Second Transition – Bike to Run) to see some familiar faces leaving. I knew I was where I wanted to be. I racked up, got my racers on and set about chasing. I settled into an early rhythm but knew that the first 1km or so was the hardest part of the run. Technical. Up and down; twisting and turning over gravel paths. Coming down onto lakeside I was running with another similarly paced runner. This was good news. Working together, albeit not intentionally, we moved through the field.

Toward the turn point, exactly half way, it was apparent the wind would be directly in my face on the way back. The pace definitely increased on the way back. I knew there was another technical of road section approaching with approximately 1km to go. I knew if I could slowly increase from there I would be in with a shot of a good overall placing. The last 1km was the hardest. Headwind, straight line kind of running. Unrelenting. Potentially soul destroying. 

Last 1km- Pain Town

I tried to find that little extra and approaching the finish funnel I could see that I was hitting sub 59 minutes.  Something I hadn’t done before. Over a minute quicker than the previous year. I was ecstatic.

All done. I had finished top 10 for the first time at this race and a podium in my age group (3^rd in 20-24). I was over the moon. Automatic qualification for 2014 World Championships in Chicago and 2015 European Championships in Lisbon. Sorted.

A great result, but with important races approaching, there was no time to relax. The next weekend it was a local race. Time to train through. With only four weeks until the Island Games in Jersey, tapering for the Northumberland Triathlon wasn’t feasible. Another training race. A chance to cover the distance and go through the motions. I was tired.

Northumberland Triathlon

Another early start. At least there wasn’t much travel to this one; approximately 20 miles north of Newcastle. Another familiar location, which was nice.

A two-lap swim wasn’t my favourite, but it was the same for everyone. With a high wind, the water on the lake became choppy.  I was aiming to try and swim strong. Something I hadn’t been able to do often before.  Unfortunately my swim was again only average. I lost almost three minutes on the fast guys. Onto the bike and time to try and reel in some of these boys. 

I felt ok on the bike, not as strong as the week before, but I put it down to the strong winds and false flats on route. The route completed two laps of an out and back course, meaning you could see others on the course, frequently. Not that it made a difference. It was considerably easier cycling one direction than the other. Wind assisted of course.

After an hour on the bike, I felt I had paced well and hoped I’d managed to hold or gain on the competitors in front. Off the bike, into transition and trainers on. Running out of transition felt slightly sluggish, but it was bound too. Something I had to try and shake off. The final leg, the run, was four laps of  almost 2.7km. A slightly long run. Something I would usually be happy with. 

Game Face

Having no idea who or how many were in front, I decided to run slightly harder in the front half of the run. A decision I hoped I wouldn’t regret. Before the third lap I had moved up into second and was told that I head a healthy lead and first was unattainable. 

Feeling the effects of the weekend before and the hard training week, it was time to consolidate. Which I did. Coming in in second place. Extremely happy. That hurt. A lot.

Even better, I got to share the podium with one of my closest friends, Andy. Shame about another, Mick, who punctured early on on the bike.

Myself and Andy - 2nd and 3rd

All good preparation. A fun day out.

All eyes now fixed on the Island Games at the end of June.

As always a huge thank you for your continued support. It really does help. Feedback would be fantastic, get in touch. Anything I can change or do, anything you’d like to see, just let me know.

NEXT: Island Games Race Review

Cheers,

Sam

To keep up to date, follow me here:

Twitter - @samnbrand

Instagram - samuelnealbrand

YouTube - sambrandtri  

BUCS. Short but Sweet.

So this will be a short one.  I can assure you. Just a short race report. Something that shouldn’t take too much of your time.

Before we start though; I must say a huge thank you for your continued support. Your feedback has been fantastic.

BUCS

Early May; things (temperatures) are heating up. If only in a proverbial sense. Dissertation done; final Coursework deadline’s approaching and the increasing stress of looming final exams. Not to mention the flood gates of races were rapidly approaching.

Training Hard - Weather getting warmer - May 2015

First up BUCS (British University and College Sports) Sprint Triathlon. To say this isn’t a local race is an understatement. A 312 mile trek to the depths of Wiltshire. I sound like I’m complaining but I quite like this race. A good tester and stress reliever before my exams. My previous three BUCS races here had been raced under the greatest weather; it had to change at some point. Torrential rain and lightening storms. Typical.

To use the cliché “it’s the same for everyone” would have been a lie. It seemed to drag on and get worse just as my wave was about to start.

SWIM

Never mind. I had to get wet at some point I suppose. I set myself a fast swim time; something potentially out of my depth (no pun intended). The format meant that there were approximately five people in every lane, each starting 10 seconds after the person in front. After a good start, I settled in quick, judging the speed of the lane and more importantly the man in front. Conserving myself I managed to hold my rhythm and sit on feet. Fantastic. One of; if not my best swim. 750m soon disappeared and the real race began.

BIKE

Out into the storm. With a pause in the rain, it was in and out of transition as quick as possible finding puddles in my shoes and helmet. Everything was sodden. But hey, that’s part of the sport. I started well, and gathered some good momentum early on and managed to get to the front of the wave after only a mile or two. The weather didn’t hold off for too long. About five miles into the ride, the heavens opened. I was smashed with heavy rain and sleet. Super! Trying to focus on the race, I continued to try and find a good rhythm over the fairly familiar course.

Heading back towards transition was tricky. The water had started pooling, making roundabouts, potholes, white lines and the whole road in general a tough place to be. Not to mention the lack of visibility from the sheer battering from the weather. Having negotiated the tight turns it was back in, dismount and bike racked.

RUN

The weather was so on and off. It had now changed and producing a glimpse of the sun. Having remained at the front of the wave on the bike, it now became tricky. It was a time trial. The strong athletes and swimmers were yet to race, and I knew I had to lay down as best time I could. This is something I feel I struggled with on this occasion. Not that I knew at the time.

I felt I was running well. The twisty run course didn’t hold many surprises or challenges. A relatively simple out and back. After making the turn point, I knew I needed to press on. Trying as hard as possible, I fought to find a rhythm. Something that I didn’t quite find on this occasion. Finish line in sight and done.

Ready to Go! - BUCS Sprint Triathlon 2015

BUCS Complete

As others posted their times, the race became faster and faster. Some great athletes had posted some incredible results. I finished in 30^th place. I was very happy. My last race, I had improved year on year and this was no different. It was tough, but I enjoyed every single minute; maybe minus the rain.

Thank you all for reading. 

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As always a huge thank you for your continued support. It really does help. Feedback would be fantastic, get in touch. Anything I can change or do, anything you’d like to see, just let me know.

NEXT: Nottingham Triathlon (World and European Championships Qualifier)

Cheers,

Sam

To keep up to date, follow me here:

Twitter - @samnbrand

Instagram - samuelnealbrand

YouTube - sambrandtri 

The Final Countdown

I’m back. Sorry its been a while, but truth be told, between writing a dissertation, training and taking university exams there isn’t much time left. A real uphill battle!

Nevertheless, I can now fill you all in. Whoop. 

Sit back and take a seat!

Durham Cathedral Cross Country Relays

This was my first race since returning to Newcastle after a relaxing Christmas break. It was tough. I found it hard after a lot of travelling back up to the North East as well as the pressures of university exams. Nonetheless I was eager to get my teeth stuck in. 

A short 3000m course, run over two laps. With each team consisting of three members. A long story short, I didn’t have my greatest race. I ran ok but didn’t have the sharpness needed over the shorter distance.

Nevertheless a Top 10 finish. Happy with that!

Northern Cross Country Championships

The Northern Championships always carries a high standard of competition and this year was no different. Due to nationals being at the opposite end of the country, (Parliament Hill, London) I had decided this would be my main race.

Race day was upon us and I didn’t really know how I was feeling. I had raced well at the North Eastern Championships but hadn’t had the best race two weeks before. No matter what, I knew this would be a test. 12km split over 3 x 4000m laps of Pontefract racecourse.

I tried to run in a similar way to the North Eastern Championships. I knew I was in a battle; a harsh one at that. The quick change in conditions, from firm ground to knee-deep mud and sludge was brutal. A true cross country course. Battling the ground whilst it fought back. The end of the lap increased in gradient and quickly felt harder than at first glance. Three times around was going to be tough.

Each lap became tougher and fatigue took hold. I was glad when it was over. I raced well; I was happy. Post-race I felt I had raced better than I expected to. With a higher position than the year before; I couldn’t complain.

North East Royal Signals Road Relay Championships

February was here and yet another relay. It was time to move back on to the road for this one.

Six legs run over two laps of 1.7km. I was up last. We were sitting in second position, with first out of sight and third not too far behind. I knew if I ran well then I could hold off third. Having been ill in the week leading up to the race, orders had been switched and I had hoped I could play my part. 

The first lap settled my nerves. I needed to do the same on the second 1.7km, which I did. It felt good to be able to do a job for the team and maintain the great position the other five had built. Second place. Fantastic. A podium finish.

MARCH ALREADY

North East Harrier League – Wrekenton XC

As I hadn’t run in the Nationals, I decided that I would run the last round of the Harrier League. Albeit only a few hours before the race. But hey ho!

I’d had a tough week with my dissertation deadline looming, which to me seemed like the end of the world plus a tough training block. The race was a chance to get back onto the cross for what would most likely be the last time this season.

As I had never competed in one I was running from the slow pack. For those that don’t know a quick guide:

• Three Packs: Slow, Medium and Fast.
• Move up for the next race if you finish in the top 10% (I think).
• Slow pack starts on gun; Medium pack then starts 2.5 minutes later, then the Fast pack a further 2.5 minutes back.

This gave me a chance of performing well but with it being the last round, I suspected that there maybe a few in my position that hadn’t raced in the league this season and would chance their arm at the last one!

12km over three rolling laps, with a tough climb at the beginning of each loop.

This was a chance to blow of the dissertation ‘steam’. Others may say procrastination. What ever it was, it was needed.

Wrekenton Cross Country - End of lap two and enjoying the race!

After a good start, I knew that the forthcoming hill would be the tester. I settled in to see how it would play out. Coming down the other side I was running along in first place. From there I knew that I would be tested, even if it were by my own fatigue from the tough week. I progressed through the lap and saw my lead grow. Thankfully.

For the remainder of the race I knew that I just needed to maintain. I was tired. Luckily I stayed strong and was running well without the need to push too much. Finished. First place! Job done. Procrastination complete. The final countdown begins!

Wrekenton Cross Country - Last Lap

Taking away my 2.5 minute and 5 minute advantage over the Medium and Fast packs, I had the 9^th quickest time. Not bad when I was tired and felt I didn’t race too great.

British Elite Duathlon Championships

An early start. As always. It’s Triathlon, when is it not early?!

Up, car packed and heading south to Corby and Rockingham Motor Speedway. What a venue. It definitely wasn’t the weather we’d had the year previous and after watching the junior races it was apparent; it was getting worse!

With the women up, the format was changed. “Too dangerous” to allow the race to be contested with a bike leg. Queue the change of plan from run bike run to a 10km run (slog) into the wind.

Women done. The men’s turn. With the weather only set to get worse the fate was to be the same. On the start line I realised I had forgotten my timing chip. School-boy error; I know. With all the running about and changing of format I had totally forgotten about it. Second lap, I was fortunately handed it. Race saved.

It was a test to say the least. The rain and the rolling, twisting motor circuit didn’t make for the most thrilling course. Especially when it was a four lap race. Most races are notoriously slightly over or slightly under distance. With the next question in mind: how accurate was the measured distance? It didn’t really matter; it was the same for all.

Race done. Soaking wet. Wind swept and genuinely just ready for bed. I was happy with my time considering the conditions and the last minute change of plan. Time to head back north and finish this dissertation. Tick...Tock...

Racing Aside

Dissertation done. It was absolutely soul destroying, but its over. 

HOME SOIL

Heading for Home

A quick visit home over Easter for my cousin’s wedding, just happened to coincide with the Isle of Man Easter Athletics Festival. An opportunity to race over 10km.

The hard-core athletes would be competing in the 10km road race on the Friday evening; Peel hill race on the Saturday and a 4x5km relay on the Sunday. As the wedding was on the Saturday I could unfortunately not make the hill race and the Sunday; well let’s just say I didn’t have a team.

This was my first run on home soil for an awful long time. With a high class field attracting many athletes from the mainland, it promised to be a good race. Coming off racing the Elite duathlon the week before, I felt a little leg heavy but not too bad considering. The course is tough. To make it even worse, it was horrifically windy! The boats to and from the island had been having trouble and some planes had been cancelled.

I was running in my Gateshead vest. I had put down my home club (Western AC) as well on the start list but had to run in it, as that’s whom they had written down. Maybe I’d have got some more support if I’d had my Western AC kit on but never mind.

Thankfully, there were members of the local triathlon family out and in loud voice giving very welcomed support. Loved it. Thank you.

Another tough run. The wind against me again but there’s something special about racing at home for the first time in years. I really did enjoy the experience.

A top 15 finish with a good time to boot. No complaints. I was very pleased. Time to celebrate Easter and the wedding.

Athletics Weekly - IoM Easter Festival Review

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Thank you all for reading. I hope to update you all on a regular basis now the season is upon us!

As always a huge thank you all, as always, for your continued support. It really does help. Feedback would be fantastic, get in touch. Anything I can change or do, anything you’d like to see, just let me know.

NEXT: BUCS Sprint Triathlon

Cheers,

Sam

To keep up to date, follow me here:

Twitter - @samnbrand

Instagram - samuelnealbrand

YouTube - sambrandtri