Catriona Morrison

Whilst I was away I was interviewed by Competitor radio – you can now listen online or download at http://www.competitorradio.com/details.php?show=341

Also check out: http://www.tri247.com/article_5626_Catriona+Morrison%3A+UK+Ironman+70.3+video+interview.html?region_id=&category=  for you tube footage of the post UK 70.3 race interview.

 Photo from deraks.com

It’s been a super few weeks over in North America.

After the race in Calgary I stayed in town to visit with lots of friends (socialite Morrison!) and do some training amongst the fun. It was very special to be able to catch up and relax and also to train so close to the beautiful Rocky Mountains – many thanks to Sandra for letting me take over her house, terrorise her cat (TJ) and eat all her food. I even got the use the juicer to make the infamous beetroot juice… piccies of the trip in the gallery.

On Thursday I flew to Newark and hooked up with coach Phil in New Jersey. The plan was then a road trip up to New Hampshire for Timnerman. On Friday morning he took me out bike riding and left me in the middle of nowhere. Stranded I was – no phone, no sense of direction and of course I did not know his address or phone number. After some not do helpful help from a local with a worse sense of direction than me I eventually rode into a police station and gave myself up! They wrote me a list of directions and I made it home 3.5hrs later! Actually by this time Phil and the rescue party had called the police and I was on a wanted list described as a Scottish girl wearing a red top on a pink bike – I think that they sent out the fashion police.

 So, a delayed road trip start and a 9 hr car journey later and I arrive chez Amy and Kevin and Nivek (large slobbering giant of a friendly dog) in Gilford New Hampshire. They have an amazing converted farmstead – just beautiful and have been so open and friendly making my weekend extra enjoyable. Sat was a busy day course reccy, bike in to transition, etc etc. Sunday started ominously when we got stuck in the traffic trying to get to the race start and had to abandon ship in favour of the run to the start option. Luckily this seemed to be the only hitch of the day. I had a better swim and came out not too far down on the Chrissinator and Magali. I was unable to follow thier blazing bike legs but felt at least that I was stronger than in Calgary and kept pushing as hard as I could. On the run I caught Magali on the first lap of two. I felt great and was pleasantly surprised how comfortable I was given the heat and humidity of the day. At the end of the first lap I had reduced the deficit to Chrissie by 2.5mins (from 5mins) and ended up finishing 2mins back with the fastest run split of the day. So pretty satisfied with that.

I have to say that the post race feed tent was like a gourmet resteraunt – wow! And then the dinner in the evening, an experience! My hands still smell fishy from my first encounter with a lobster.

A lazy moring now. Packing and heading back across the water and home tonight. I miss my own bed and my husband but I’ve had an abfab month!

Those of you who know me will be aware of my ability to grow cankles at very short notice. I now have a new toy in the fight against my ankle obesity and of course to aid my performance and recovery: Compression socks and calf guards from www.slstri.co.uk

SLS3® Compression Sport Sox with RC – COMP Technology™ guarantee immediate success for athletes who pursue maximum performance, endurance and recovery. Through its high developed graduated compression, the innovative technology maximizes the blood circulation in the muscles. This will improve your performance in training, competition and recovery.

It was a challenging day out yesterday. But then I always knew that it would be. I decided to race in Calgary as I was at Universtiy in Alberta and I have a lot of friends who live in the area. What better excuse to visit some people, enjoy some time in a beautiful part of the World and do a race? The plan for this weekend was essentially to kick my training back into full speed ahead after tacking some time to recover after Roth. It was always going to be interesting racing 3 weeks after my first ironman distance,  least of all from a recovery perspective but also flying in late and having a race at high(er) altitude (3500ft). It was a tough day. I’m happy that I gritted my teeth and pushed hard the whole way but it was a bit like putting the foot on the accelerator when there was no petrol (or gas!) in the tank. I’m happy with the effort and I have a feeling for how hard I can push following an Ironman distance event, so a good learning experience. Mirinda and Magali had great races- Mirinda dominating from the start and Magali toughing it out on the run to keep me from that second spot on the podium ( race report and photos at: http://triathlon.competitor.com/news/wheat-king-and-queen-o%E2%80%99donnell-carfrae-claim-viterra-703-calgary-crowns/)