Monthly Update - Snakes, Jobs, Chains, a Blackberry, and Congrats.

Hi Guys,

All has been going well. I have picked up a bit of a cold though as the dreaded lurgy seems to be catching up with everyone. Frankie has had it for a little while and now it is moving through the family. Not good as I have a Regional Team Time Trial this weekend but I still should be ok for it and have a good hit out. I can put Frankie in the running pram in a week as she will be six months old - I can't wait but gee the time goes quick.

Other things happening over the past month have included:

- being bitten by a green tree snake on a ride during the pelting rain. It only just latched on for a quick tad mainly scraping my leg and really only some pins & needles, a bad headache, and some weird leg pain for a day. Otherwise ok.

- my mate Dezza (Derek Scott) and his partner Christine (Chrissy) Eldridge having a lovely wedding in Scottish attire in the Rocks in Sydney. So good that unfortunately I misplaced my mobile phone. Also got to catch up with some Sydney mates, James, Mal and Sam - was good to touch base guys.

-No mobile meant joining the Blackberry world. Passed on the Iphone as had heard too many dodgy stories and wanted the ability to send photo's plus check emails etc when travelling or for work. How good are they!;

- I have found a new job working at Macquarie Physiotherapy and Macquarie Exercise Centre. Three days with the private practice setting, two days in the gym rehabilitation area. Thereby giving me variety but work that I can enjoy with great hours so I can still train and mind Frankie. Loving it.

- I snapped my 2 month old duraace bike chain. Thus 10 days off the bike. Ended up having to replace jockey wheels, chain, wiring, and also cracked the front derailleur (but can change this later). Have double taped the handlebars and it is very comfortable now but with a good road feel. I may have to look into getting a new road bike for the races but definitely some race wheels/power for training.

Congrats to Jo-Ann Stevens for making her first Australian team for the sprint triathlon world champs in the Gold Coast this year. Jo-Ann has done the work and now can reap the benefits. Enjoy the moment and the first time you get to wear the green and gold uniform!

Otherwise, training is coming along well. I have now got into a routine with the swimming and running. The biking is freezing already and very dark in the mornings here in Newcastle. Much colder than Sydney. I am going to have to get into the attic and grab my Euro winter gear.

Happy Mothers Day to all the mum's, grandma's, and I hope that you can have a relaxing day on Sunday. Cheers to my mum in Canberra - hope the boys spoil you well and you get breaky in bed.

Cheers,

Bevan.

First A Grade TTT Win in Billy Robson Annual Memorial

Hi Guys,

Last weekend (11/4/09) I participated in the Billy Robson Memorial TTT for Team Newrad Gateshead at Kooragang Island NSW. The race was 3 laps for a total of 25km on a rough and very patchy course in comparison to the normal TT smooth roads.

It was my first hit out with the guys who were very experienced with the TTT and so I was a little nervous on how I would work in with the team. It took a little bit to get things going together but it didn't take long until we were flying along in sync. We ended up with the fastest time in 33mins24 and winning by 1min26secs on another A grade team. This is the fastest time over the course in the trophy's history. As a nice touch, the winning teams of each grade get the four members names and finish time engraved on the Billy Robson Memorial TTT Trophy.

Above is a photo of our team with left to right being: myself, Brett Lambkin, Geoff Troup, and Brett James. We have another TTT in a months time for the District Regional Cup Series so this was perfect training to get some ideas for improvement.

The Newrad Gateshead B Grade team won their grade and came in 3rd overall - a great effort.

Cheers,

Bevan.

March/April Update

Hi Guys,

It has been a month since my last post. In that time a lot of things have happened. I'll try to give you a brief run down.

I had a great break after IM NZ and enjoyed the recovery. I had some calf and hip flexor tightness post IM. I raced some cycle races within a week of the ironman and was feeling ok. I have only done a couple of swims but am now into the groove again with running and biking. I'll start to pick up the swimming in the following weeks.

I have been picked up by a cycling team based here in the Newcastle region. It is called 'Team Newrad Gateshead" with title sponsors of Newcastle Radiology (Brad McDonald) and Gateshead Cycles. A great squad of guys and I hope to help the team pick up some wins/podiums over the coming season. I also want to learn more about the cycle road racing intricacies so that I am better prepared to go for wins and also utilise the hard racing to maintain my cycling strength for my triathlon races. I have already raced for them last weekend helping the team to a 2nd, 3rd, 5th, & 6th position whilst having a few good digs in breakaways. I am really enjoying the fun and challenge of the different type of racing. I'll be racing the Central Division State A Grade Cup for the team which involves a 5 stage race series including time trialing over the winter months. Also included for the team are some stage races, day classics, NSW ITT, team TT, and individual road races for the winter.

I also had confirmation of my selection in the Australian Team for the ITU World Sprint Triathlon Championships in September on the Gold Coast. This will be fun and get the speed back into the body which I hope to capitalise on for my long distance triathlon racing. I will also be heading to Asia on invite to a WTC 70.3 Triathlon and working towards this as a focus to build speed and strength for the mid distances.

Over winter I will be working on technique and old school kilometres for my running and swimming. I will be trying a few new things for running and using this time to build these into strengths again for the coming seasons races. I am also looking at utilising power for training and racing on the bike if I can find some suitable support/sponsorship to aid in purchasing the power meter units. I have been racing on Xentis quad spokes for the past couple of years in my races and may look at moving to a disc so that I can further utilise my biking strength in races.

Work wise, I have been 'Daddy Day Care'. It has been great to spend some time with Frankie in this early period that a lot of dad's miss out on. She changes week to week and sometimes it seems like there are new things she does each day. Being there to witness and be a part of it is fantastic. It looks like I have found a job though working as a physiotherapist for a company that houses both a private practice setting and gym/exercise rehabilitation/weight loss setting. I will post more on this when everything is finalised but I am looking forward to this opportunity and working with some great people.

I hope that everyone has a great Easter break.
Cheers and train safe,
Bevan.