New Semesters and New Beginnings - The ET Squad

 Hello, 

Welcome back to Triathlot! Semester one sure was a busy one and it has been a long four months since I last set aside time to write. So, what has happened since then? I think it is fair to say there has been some pretty seismic changes in both my training and everyday life. Prior to Christmas, I was lucky enough to spend four months back in Edinburgh completing the first semester of third year, all of which was online just to add to the pressure of my first Honours year. 

In spite of the lockdown restrictions, we managed to have a pretty splendid time making the most of plenty of movie nights, long walks, my small but special 21st birthday celebrations and our annual Thanksgiving flat dinner. We even spent some time at the beach, exploring North Berwick at the beginning of the semester before our deadlines reappeared. Excitingly, aside from uni work and a part-time job, a new opportunity was upon me, to invest in the thing I enjoy the most, well the three things... it's got to be swim, bike and run. 

I better go back to the beginning. Over the summer, I stumbled upon an opportunity that seemed far too good to be true. An advertisement in the 220 Triathlon magazine introduced me to the ET (Edinburgh Triathletes) Squad. They were seeking new triathletes who wished to train in a professional environment with coaching support, alongside likeminded people. Straightaway this prompted a conversation to open up between myself and the coach, Joel Enoch. He enlightened me to how the squad works, highlighting how and why the squad could be exactly what I was looking for. After a 3 week trial at the end of September and a glimpse into this impressive environment, I set aside my nerves taking the leap to join the ET Squad. 

My fellow Strava addicts may have been wondering what my numerous ET Squad posts have been referring to, well this is it! It is safe to say that I was incredibly nervous to begin this new training opportunity, I sought reassurance from Joel who reminded me that it is attitude and commitment that lead to progress. With this in mind, I have been able to get my head down and focus on what I need to do to improve, completing each session to the best of my ability, whilst attempting to diminish the comparisons that I too often draw between myself and others. 

As a squad we train in a small, supportive group, currently on Zoom, for several of the week's sessions, as well as following individual training plans designed to our needs. A typical training week consists of 11 training sessions, made up of swim, bike and run, as well as strength and conditioning sessions. Each session is different and everybody is training to become the best athlete they can be. With a wealth a knowledge around me from far better and more experienced triathletes than myself,  I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity and I eagerly await what the future holds. Already within a couple of months and to the credit of the Squad mainly over Zoom, I have been welcomed and embraced, immediately learning a great deal from those around me. After spending the best part of 14 years (all of which I adored) following the black line along the floor of countless swimming pools, it is refreshing and exhilarating to train in a different way, mainly outdoors... even in Scotland! It's cold, most of the time freezing, but that seems only to add to the fun of the 5am alarms. Most of all it is different, for we must be willing to give up who we are to become who we want to be. Until now I was scared of change but not any more. 

Take a look at what we get up to by following the link: https://youtu.be/zdSTLVw7Hbg 

Of course another exciting update has to be the appearance of Betsy the Boardman! I must thank my Grandad for this perfect 21st birthday present, I am incredibly grateful and can't wait to properly get out on the roads once it is a little less icy! Let's face it I don't need anymore reasons to fall off, I'm capable of that even without ice - once again I blame the cleats. I've loosened the pedals now, so I'm good to go, well, my Dad has loosened them for me, he's my personal bike mechanic. 

New year, new me  goals . When it comes to training what I want to keep at the forefront of my mind is quality over quantity. After achieving my goal of running over 1000 miles in 2020, this year I am keen to develop my running ability in a different way. Rather than focusing on mileage, this year I am going to focus on the quality of my running: my technique, my recovery and with that hopefully my speed. I have learnt that I do not need to run everyday in order to become a better runner, in fact it's the opposite. Instead I shall focus on carrying out each session and each rep to the best of my ability, sticking to my training plan and following the session that is set out. I find it all too easy to just put on my trainers and head out focussing on the miles that I wish to cover. I want to challenge myself to train in a smarter way, to be more efficient in my training, combining interval sessions with longer endurance runs. With the help of the Squad sessions and all of my lovely running buddies around me, I believe this is a realistic goal that I can work on throughout the year. 

During this time of great uncertainty, I am thankful that training remains a constant, albeit on a turbo trainer at home in the gym come garage conversion, but that's good enough for me. It also has its benefits for the girls (my flatmates) who for a few more weeks don't wake up to the sound of the turbo trainer in my bedroom at 6am. Lockdown does have its benefits. 

Poignantly, today I ordered the tri suit that I will race in this upcoming season, representing the ET Squad, a pleasant reminder that the best is yet to come. 

I would like to thank our sponsors Simpson and Maverick, one of the biggest solicitor estate agents in Edinburgh and East Lothian (www.simpsonmarwick.com) for their ongoing support. 

For more information and an insight into the ET Squad, please follow the link: https://www.edinburghtri.org/et-squad/   

Speak soon, 

Lot x