So, with Christmas over and having moved in to the New Year, it's now time to begin selecting my kit for the upcoming season and also trying out a few subtle changes to the bike.
After some initial hiccups in training (colds and DOMS!) things have really started to pick up.
I'm finally getting used to the Z2 runs, but really look forward to my weekly visit to the local running track, for a good hard speed session.
Likewise with the bike, I enjoy the turbo sessions, but also look forward to getting out once a week, for my longer ride.
For the past two seasons, I wore Mavic Helium Tri shoes, but they have proven to be unreliable, in that I sometime suffer from serious pain along the outside of my feet going into the run, which is no good to me.
So, for this season, I have acquired some Specialized Trivent shoes.
I do most of my training miles in S Works road shoes, which I've found to be a very comfortable and a solid platform to ride on, so, when the Christmas sales kicked off, I made the most of it and ordered shoes, including new S Works road shoes, for training miles ;)
Also flirting with a pair of Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL pedals, again, after spending the past 3 - 4 years riding Speedplay Zeroes. Again, nothing finalised there...
The bike will also be fitted with D2Z 40° aero extension poles, and I may play with saddle fore/ aft positioning.
Further to that, I managed to get my hands on a demo pair of Newton Gravity IV's, courtesy of my local tri shop, Tri Harder.
Last year I raced in Zoot Ultra's, but was unimpressed with their built in elastic lacing...
After a few progressive runs in the Newtons, I have decided that they're right for me, so decision made, I'll be racing in them this year.
I think the only other change I'll be making, is with my trisuit.
Not sure whether to keep with ChampSys of next year, or not.
Main reason for change, would be to get a front zip option, as the current suit is rear fastening, and I think that for the long course, a front zip would be much better. With that in mind, I may opt for a HUUB DS suit, whenever they become available!
Finally... Yes, finally, today, I bought a pair of Aftershokz Bluez 2S 'open ear' headphones. Which operate via Bluetooth technology, with my iPhone 5S.
Quite techy, they are designed to transfer sound through the upper jaw, where it is picked up by the Cocchlia.
This (in theory), allows me to listen to music, whilst still being able to hear what is going on around me. Imperative for safety, when cycling/ running. I can also take phone calls on the go, all at the touch of one multi function button!
All very new to me, I'll have to see how they cope with wind noise, etc, out on the road, and also test them for resistance to sweat, etc.
Lastly, I'd like to take another opportunity to thank my new coach, Jason Battle at Performance Coach.Me, for his ongoing support through the transition period of my new coaching strategy.
Everything is settling down now, and there are certainly improvements felt already.
A big thank you also, goes to my local shop Tri Harder, in East Dereham. Ben and James are ever helpful. Their sales and after sales service is certainly the best in the region. I've also benefitted from their introduction of chats and demo days, by pro Ironman Joe Skipper, HUUB and Newton so far.
The Newton Gravity shoes in the above photo, are a demo pair, supplied by them.
Watch this space...
