Mike Tate TransWales update

I logged on to Cyclist No.1 last night to be met with a new article about the time – or lack of – before the GORE BIKE WEAR™ TransWales 2011 powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport. This was compounded by an email reminding everyone that had entered that there were only 4 weeks before we were due to line up at the start! This got me thinking (long and hard!) about where I was in terms of preparation for the event and what I should be doing over the next four weeks.

I only learnt that I was going to be doing the Trans Wales some two weeks ago after getting the phone call out of the blue from Fi. Admittedly I did enter a competition to win the entry but I have never won anything in my life so Trans Wales was never really on my radar! The biggie for me this year was going to be the inaugural Ironman Wales in Tenby – 3.8km swim, 180km cycling and a full marathon – so my training had been geared to this.

Triathlon is just one of my fitness vices. I suppose I call myself a multisporter and so have always tried to keep a level of fitness that would allow me to compete (loosely) in any foolhardy undertaking that was suggested to me. I’ve raced mountain marathons, 36 hr adventure races, enduros and long distance triathlons, so feel that the last 20 years or so have given me a good endurance base that I can call on when needed.

However, this year I am in a new job as Headteacher of a Federation of Schools, both comprehensive and primary, and have noticed a distinct increase in my working hours each week. I reckon that I average about 60 hours per week, which curtails my training (when you factor in other essentials like family life, two kids and sleeping!) I average about 10 hours training a week, but that includes swimming, running and cycling. But I have worked out that over half of these hours each week are biking so I suppose that’s a good start. And I think I have done at least one ride over 60 miles every three weeks.

This year I have also done quite a few events. I have raced Half Ironman UK, Exposure Lights Big Night Out and the following day's marathon, the Llandovery Sportive as well as an Ironman over 3 days. All of this gives me what I hope is a grounding to do Trans Wales. And anyway, my goal is to experience the riding and the camaraderie of the Trans Wales, not to race and win. But I want to make sure I finish!

So although being daunted by the week and the stats of the Trans Wales, I am not overly worried. I’m going to take my time, enjoy the scenery, chat to as many fellow competitors as I can and generally marvel at the fact of how lucky I am to be able to do events like this. So if you see me around camp, or blowing half way up a hill, come over for a chat and share some of the stories that make these events what they are.

See you there.

Mike

GORE BIKE WEAR™ TransWales 2011 powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport