IN HIS LATEST in a series of columns, last year’s Triathlon Ireland Super Series winner Aidan Callaghan will talk us through 2016.
The Letterkenny native is broadening his horizons further this year, with the aim being completion of a full ironman. And it’s not too far away!
Allez, allez, allez …
The last time I heard this phrase, was around mile 23 of the Dublin marathon 2015.
I was struggling towards the finish at what can only be described as a shuffle, all of a sudden this mad French dude came up alongside me on a pair of roller blades, with ski poles in each hand roaring in my ear, Allez, allez, allez!!
[adrotate group=”38″]In my condition, barely able to put three strides together without thinking my hamstrings were going to snap, it was the last thing I needed, so in the nicest way possible, I told him to roll on!
Hopefully when I hear that phrase over the course of next weekend I’ll be in better shape.
Thankfully over the past few weeks the consistency of my training has continued and I’m quite happy with the progress. There was a stage there over the Easter week were I thought it was going to come crashing down. During a gym session I felt an awful pop in my shoulder blade and as a result couldn’t turn my head to the side.
After frantic phone calls to massage therapists and osteopaths, I got it seen too and had it under control within a few days, with a little help from my in-house physio [my fiancee]Catherine. Turns out it was more of a muscle spasm than a pull, but it had me pretty worried, especially after my last post was more of less about staying injury free!!
With a week to go to Pay’s Aix 70.3 I feel about as prepared as I can be. Over the past week I’ve been going through some preparation tests and the results seem positive, my swimming and running are in a good place, my biking is getting there, I could probably do with another two weeks, but I don’t have them so no point worrying about it.
I’ve certain targets and goals I want to achieve within the race and if I hit these I should finish well and give myself a good chance. As it’s my first time competing in this type of race and the fellas I’ll be racing are unknown to me, it’s hard to say were I’ll end up. As close to the pro’s as possible would be my ultimate goal!
[adrotate group=”37″]Going into any race, especially the first of the season your mind is always questioning, have you done enough, did you prepare properly, have you a plan B if plan A goes south?
The next few days will be spent looking over the course profile, deciding on the race plan, organising my equipment and off course putting the finishing touches to the training.
In my last post I said I had some exciting news, over the winter months I was on the lookout for a main sponsor, in order to help my development and attend races in Europe and England during the season as well as add certain training tools and equipment to the bike.
So I’m very glad to announce the Jason and Sharon Black of Voodoo Venue have decided to come on board for the season. It means a lot to have a major local business have the confidence and belief to back you in your goals and aspirations for the season. I talked a lot to Jason over the course of the winter and he was 100% in his backing and support.
This support along with the continued support of Wholegreen, LK Bikes, Speer Performance and Pro Bike Fit help with my preparation and development for each of the races and the season in general.
It allows me to apply the best practices and principles to my training and benefits me in all areas, from preparation, performance, diet and recovery.
In addition to these Amanda Witherow has also come on board with sports massage treatments and more recently reflexology, looking after both my feet and my head! Yeah reflexology, don’t knock it till you try it!
Shadow clothing have offered to provide me with snazzy new training and racing kit for the coming season and I also need to mention Paul Sweeney of Sweeney’s Spar and Top filling station in Ballyraine for his support with travelling to and from races this season.
To all these individuals and businesses alike I am grateful and thank each of them massively for their continued support.
Hopefully I can do their support and myself justice come next Sunday.
Aidan Callaghan is the current Triathlon Ireland Super Series champion. He took up triathlon originally in 2010 and in 2013, hired a coach.
Now 32, in 2016 Aidan is targeting the longer 70.3 and Ironman events. He aims to compete in Aix-en-Provence 70.3 in May and from there he will go to race the Ironman distance in Bolton, the city in which he studied. Then, it’s onto the Irish Middle Distance Champs in Kenmare, Co Kerry.
Aidan will write a column here ‘The Iron Road’ on Donegal Sport Hub on his preparations, participation and performance. His website is aidancallaghantriathlon.com and you can follow him on Twitter, @aidan_callaghan
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