This weekend things step up a gear as it’s the first standard distance duathlon race of the season for me.

I did a sprint duathlon a month ago and I gave my run legs a good test over a half marathon three weeks ago. The body responded really well to both and I’m so happy with the way I’m recovering from these races. Much better discipline towards nutrition, massage and foam rolling is paying massive dividends as I’m not getting injured nor am I needing to take long periods of time to get ready to train hard again.I can’t emphasise enough just how much of a difference this makes to the way I feel about everything and how much belief it instills.

The last 3 week block has involved a few monster sessions and I love the challenge of completing these tough workouts. They are very different to racing as there are no distractions and it is all about how well the session can be executed. Even so, the physical challenge can be just as demanding. Not only that, but the mental benefits that come from training on the edge are always helpful assertions for me on race day. I just love training hard as it gives me a feeling of being so alive and testing myself.

I think I’m ready to step up another distance notch.

This weekend its back to racing and it is the Windsor Duathlon. Windsor is hosting the British Championships and it’s a few years since I’ve competed in the Brits. I’ve never done well in the past, so it will be interesting to see how I get on. I’m really excited to be going back to Windsor to race as its two years since we left the town and moved out of our home of over 20 years. There will no doubt be lots of fond memories swirling around in my head during the build up to the race and hopefully we will have a chance to catch up with lots of friends afterwards. Windsor Great Park is hosting the race and we are really lucky as it has been opened up for racing for the very first time and I know it will be a brilliant venue.

What makes it even more special for me is that these roads and trails of the Great Park used to be my training venue of choice. The short punchy climbs that make up the bike course were where I started to take this sport seriously so hopefully my legs will remember how to smash it up them without going too far into the red until the last lap at least. And the run laps will be equally familiar as I’ve completed hundreds of sessions along these roads and trails. I can’t wait to get back there and compete.

I’ll let you all know how it goes!