Martin Cain - Triathlon

[admin]

Keep up to date with CNP involved athlete Martin Cain

[admin]

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[johnoliver]

Hi Martin
I've just posted up a message for Diane Lee and I thought I would ask you the same.
How did you get into the sport, and what are your aspirations for the future?

My mate at work, does Mini Triathalons and he says these are hard enough, what kind of training do you do, and do you also have a full time job aswell as competing in Triathalon?

Cheers

[martin cain]

Hi John,

sorry for the delay with a reply, i got into tri's about 7 years ago after giving up rugby i had maintained a decent level of fitness and didn't wan to let it go. Tony Moloney got me into them, witha very poor swim in the first few years i didn't do as well as hoped even though witha strong bike i always managed to pull it round.
I am a fire fighter so get quite a lot of free time due to working shifts but i also have a wife and 2 kids who take up a lot of my time as they are as active as i am.
At the moment on a good week i will be training about 20 hours a week including my comuting to work on a bad week it can be under 10 hours.
Your mate shouldn't under estimate the fitness needed to complete the sprint tri's even though they are short you work just as hard maintaining a higher speed as opposed to a long distance where you have to pace your self.

Good luck with your future training and events, any other questions or comments just drop me a line.

Martin Cain

[martin cain]

Hi,
Just hit December and my run training is hard going, trying to maintain 60 mile weeks but with time constraints it's very hard. In the new year i will be averaging 80 miles per week hopefully, slowly building up to the last couple weeks of training where i will try for 100 mile weeks:117: just before i stop to start loading up for the big event.
My bike is being neglected at the minute but my fitness is still where i want it.
Swimming is still on course doing a minimum of 3 pool sessions a week.

Martin

[barabbas]

what training do you do other than swimming/cycling/running?

how long do you train for each big event, or do you keep your level pretty similar throughout the year?

[johnoliver]

Hi John,

sorry for the delay with a reply, i got into tri's about 7 years ago after giving up rugby i had maintained a decent level of fitness and didn't wan to let it go. Tony Moloney got me into them, witha very poor swim in the first few years i didn't do as well as hoped even though witha strong bike i always managed to pull it round.
I am a fire fighter so get quite a lot of free time due to working shifts but i also have a wife and 2 kids who take up a lot of my time as they are as active as i am.
At the moment on a good week i will be training about 20 hours a week including my comuting to work on a bad week it can be under 10 hours.
Your mate shouldn't under estimate the fitness needed to complete the sprint tri's even though they are short you work just as hard maintaining a higher speed as opposed to a long distance where you have to pace your self.

Good luck with your future training and events, any other questions or comments just drop me a line.

Martin Cain

Thanks for the reply Martin, good luck in your future competitions, and fully respect you mate for doing all that training and having such a physical job aswell :yesnod:

[martin cain]

Hello,

With all the training involved with tri's and maintaining a family life and work it is difficult to fit any more training in. I tend to mix it up a bit by swimming with different people and swimming at different intesities. My biking can be quite varied as i train a lot but also race in time trials and road races i am also looking at competing in cyclo cross races and eventualy getting onto the trrack. With my running i try to run to work twice a week which gives me 32 miles and then include some long distance off road runs. I have also started some track work which is helping with my speed. I find that by varying what i do between the three disciplines keeps it interesting and i don't get stuck in a rut doing one type of training.
I maintain my level of training pretty much through out the year but step it up when i know i have a big event coming up, i am still getting my head around the fact that you have to taper as the event approaches to get the most out of your performance. This has let me down in the past as i have got to race days feeling tired as i have trained too hard in the lead up to an event especially the longer races.
Are you a triathlete or are you looking at getting started?

Martin Cain

[barabbas]

maybe in the future. Ive been cycling for years and am a pretty decent runner but I only started swimming regularly this year - im no fish!!!


The main reason i ask is your physique looks pretty awesome for an endurance athlete - like many triathletes.



Im injured at the moment but....... previously i was swimming first thing everyday, then cycling up to 300miles a week, plenty of running (mainly short stuff but anything up to half marathon) as well as some gym work.

then did tonnes of body weight stuff as well because i was training for the marines - broke a bone so now have to wait for a medical to end before i cant start recruit training :mad2:


My legs are quite big but my upper body is really skinny, esp my arms. So i was wondering what kind of upper body and core stuff you incorporate (if any) and how they fit into your schedule alongside the the 3 disciplines?


thanks

[martin cain]

Hi
I don't do a great deal of upper body training, i do pick it up a little in the winter may be one session a week along with a circuit session aweek. I try to do some core work using a fit ball just cracked standing up on it and doing some exercises whilst stood on it, you can really feel the benefit.

[martin cain]

hi all,

Only 10 weeks to go before the biggest event of my life 151 miles across the sahara desert by foot. I'm up to 80 miles in 4 days so far and its telling getting very tired.:20::nopity: Need to get upto about 100 in 6 days and i will be happy but need to get it in soon as i need to start tapering in about 5-6 weeks. Finally sorted my diet out for the week a big thanks to CNP who have sorted me some MCT oil that will bulk up my porridge for the week.
Still trying to maintain my swim and bike training but difficult to fit it all in and not do too much.

[johnoliver]

hi all,

Only 10 weeks to go before the biggest event of my life 151 miles across the sahara desert by foot. I'm up to 80 miles in 4 days so far and its telling getting very tired.:20::nopity: Need to get upto about 100 in 6 days and i will be happy but need to get it in soon as i need to start tapering in about 5-6 weeks. Finally sorted my diet out for the week a big thanks to CNP who have sorted me some MCT oil that will bulk up my porridge for the week.
Still trying to maintain my swim and bike training but difficult to fit it all in and not do too much.

Sounds like a doddle :lol:

I walk 30 mins now and im knackered.

Good luck to you mate, seriously hard core!

[martin cain]

8 weeks to go before big event upto 80 miles a week with biking and swimming to break up the boredom. Well on target and feel good, busy preparing all my kit as well a lot more expensive than i realised. Food for the week is causing me many head aches but slowly narrowing it down to a set menu.
Any one wanting to sponsor me can visit the just giving web site and type my name in.

Many thanks
Martin Cain

[martin cain]

2 weeks to go, as every one else is tucking into their easter eggs i will be starting the 151 mile journey across the sahara. Training has tailed off now as i am tapering ready for the big event. Started to concentrate on shorter distance high intensity training to increase my speed for when i come back and carry on with the tri season. Competed in the north west duathlon championships at the weekend and got a second place to Matt Moorhouse a top national duathlete. (pleased with that one) Hopefully will come back injury free and with a few weeks to catch up will be backto full strength.

[martin cain]

MARTIN CAIN 797
MARATHON DES SABLES 2010

Finally months of planning, training, sponsorship and stressing came together as we made the journey to Gatwick airport leaving the car at a local fire station. We were very generously offered a lift in the appliance which Lois lapped up all the way.
On arrival in Morocco I was pleasantly surprised at the temperature and thought if it stays like this all week it will be ok, you can dream can’t you.
Once in the hotel it was a bit surreal you are expecting to be self sufficient from the start but every thing is layed on for us, so obviously we make the most of the half board.
On the 2nd April Friday we had a 6 hour journey out to the dessert through some very scenic locations and some very worrying baron and mountainous landscapes.
When we eventually got as close to the camp as we could get we were met by half a dozen army personnel transporters, as I was about to climb on I averted the first potential disaster as I remembered that I had left my ground mat and night clothes on the coach. Ran back just in time as the coach was about to leave.

When we got to the camp I found our tent along with our tent mates, I found my spot and got set up. There are eight of us in total me, Lois, Claire, Mark, Steve, Keith, Helen and Matt.
By 7 o’clock it was going dark, at this point we are still being fed by the organisation we ate by head torch it tasted very nice but could easily have been the local dog. By 20.30 the sleeping bag came out I started off fully clothed but within half an hour I had stripped to my under pants by 03.00 I was wishing I had kept my clothes on.

The next morning after a very restless night I finally decided to get up at 05.30 as it was day light, the moment I had been putting off arrived a trip to the toilets. Toilets may be paying it a little too much respect a hole in the ground with a plastic tray over it with foot pads to show where your feet needed to be and a hole with a bit of plastic around it for some privacy ( definitely not for the shy). Having over come that hurdle I then needed a wash used a wet wipe for an all over wash, you definitely need to get it in the right order.
This was the day that I had been dreading as they checked all your kit penalties to be given if you didn’t have all 10 safety pins, I walk in the tent for them to virtually dismiss my back pack check my ECG and wave me on all those months of meticulous preparation for that!

Day 1

Next morning this is it the start another crap nights sleep up at 05.45 and self sufficiency starts here 2 CNP bars and I feel full so save the 3rd for later. The start is at 09.00 I put my back pack on and bum bag and can’t decide if I’ve over done it a little, too late by then so off I went.
Set off at a steady pace to find my feet but felt good, not sure how often to take water so decided on every 15 minutes for carbs and water with salt tablets every hour. I maintained a good pace only slowing to a fast walk for the up hills and ran down the other side, after check point 1 came my first taste of the sand dunes “oh my god” they take all the energy out of your legs within minutes.
Got to C.P. 2 great news 6.8 KM to finish, as I got to the top of the last hill I could see the finish unfortunately when I got back down to ground level it became apparent that the finish was a lot further than I realised.
FIRST DAY 29KM 3H 20MINS.

I went back to the tent to inspect the damage to my feet could feel that I had at least one blister. Good news I am the first back in our tent, bad news I have 7 blisters I pop them and decide to leave them open until the morning when I will tape them up and pray. All the tent mates finish with stories of blisters and other people in dire straights setting off distress flares.

Day 2

Another poor nights sleep, taped my feet up and set off again after 5 minutes my feet felt fine so pick the pace up. I leave C.P.1 to the sound of another competitor being sick remember thinking I hope I avoid all that. The journey to C.P.3 is a long boring one but I know there is a big hill to climb after it, all I can see in the distance is flat dessert with mountains far in the distance my blisters feel like they have joined into one big one. As I approach C.P.3 it becomes clear that the hill is actually the mountains, I start on the ascent which for the first 500 metres is a sand dune then it turns into a rock climb to reach the summit the last section of sand was roped to stop you slipping back down. The view was awesome and once again could see the camp in the distance, the descent was brutal all rock for a 1000 metres my feet and toes were battered by the end. I couldn’t help but worry about my fellow tent mates especially Lois but once again we all made it.
On closer inspection my feet were a mess all my blisters had merged into 2 massive ones on both feet my toes didn’t look too pretty either.

Day 3

Just about manage to squeeze feet into trainers got them bandaged but it doesn’t help much.
Most of the terrain is undulating some very long boring flats, I manage to run all the way to C.P.1 and my feet are holding up. With about 2 KM to go before C.P.3 I end up on all fours a guy called Frazer picks me up and runs with me to C.P.3 I take 10 minutes to rest and finish the last 6KM at a very slow pace.
As I am picking my water ration up for the night I nearly collapse, a medical vehicle takes to the docs where my temperature has hit 40.5 degrees they diagnose heat stroke. I get my feet sorted while I am there the look on the doctors face is not encouraging. 3 hours later I return to the tent where everyone had assumed that I have been removed from the race.
This had to be one of the hardest days took many thought of home and all the people that have sponsored me to get me through it.

Day 4

Got up at 05.15 so that I could make a start on taping my feet up before the locals came to take the tent down, it took nearly an hour to get them done and I look like a mummy. Try to eat all my breakfast but not hungry at all, squeeze my shoes on again really glad I went with the advise and got shoes 2 sizes too big. 50 miles to go by 19.00 we have picked up another team member Irish John by C.P.3 we are starving so we have supper an hour later and we get under way again, it’s absolute murder getting going again.

We get to C.P.4 well before the 01.00 dead line at each C.P. we take 10 minutes and then carry on every time it gets harder and harder to get going. We see the laser that is leading us home only to find out it is parked at the last C.P. not the finish so we still have 10 KM to go seems to go on for ever. As the sun rises we are nearly there 23 hours after we started, I retired to catch up on some sleep I wake up at about 13.00.
Feeling miles better I eat, drink and sleep for the remainder of the day really pleased that the whole tent has made it through, feeling confident that I will make it to the end.
I spend some valuable time thinning out my back pack and manage to ditch about 1KG, it feels miles better now.

Day 6

Marathon Day and feeling good feet still hurt but pain killers soon sort that. The terrain is varied today so keeps my mind off the pain, starting to time myself through the check points and second guessing how long each stage will take, pretty much spot on for all of them. When I get to the last C.P. could have kissed the water girl as she said there is only 6.8 KM to go I put the hammer down and finish the marathon stage in 4 hours 37 minutes I am well chuffed with that. Feeling even better knowing that it is just a half marathon tomorrow, back to the tent put my feet up and eat. The rest of the tent drift in over the hours apart from Lois getting worried, she turns in at about 20.00 because she has been ill on the way. The tent all pull together again and help each other out with food and basic needs, there is an over whelming sense of camaraderie.
Remembered promising the doctors I would go back with my feet today to get them looked at, but I have got used to the strapping I have applied so decide to leave it until I finish tomorrow.

Day 7

Half Marathon feeling up for it this morning up early and ready for the off early get myself a good spot at the front of the start line. By now I have managed to strip my back pack to about 2 KG feels good, once again set off at pace the majority of this stage is dunes but I run up and down all of them. Not sure how far up the field I am but confident I’m in the top 50. As I get to the one and only C.P. I get my water card stamped and don’t stop to get my water, the water girl nearly runs after me with it but I wave her away. I leap over the finish line in 1 hour 45 minutes 21st over all, whilst I’m drinking my cup of tea I notice James Cracknell come in. What a good do I’ve just beaten a 2 times gold medallist; I grab him to have a picture to mark the occasion.
The rest of the tent all make it back, we are herded back onto the coach for a 6 hour journey back to civilisation.
I ate like I’ve never eaten before and enjoyed several cold beers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my sponsors for all the help they have given CNP nutrition, Healthy Step and Surosa cycles.
A huge thank you to all that have sponsored me to date the total looks like I will raise about £2500 for the fire fighters charity.
And a huge thank you to every one that has wished me well especially Sue my wife and 2 daughters Georgia and Louise.



Total Time taken 44 hours 4 minutes.
Position 364

On reflection I am confident that my results could have been better and with this in mind I will be making an attempt to return and improve significantly upon my placing. With the insight I have had I know there are many learning opportunities from having already done it, I will be able to take these into an attempt on a top 50 elite placing.

[martin cain]

Chester Deva Triathlon 2010


The 6th June was meant to be a wet one but in Chester it couldn’t have been better racing conditions warm but over cast with this in mind I was confident I could get a PB and get my first sub 2 hour time for an Olympic.
The swim is in the river Dee which was surprisingly warm my wave had about 100 in it so it wasn’t too crowded and I got off to a good start, disaster nearly struck as I got a little claustrophobic about 200 metres in after a severe bollocking I pulled it back round and came out of the water in 4th in 22 minutes.
The run to transition is a steep hill, once there I managed a quick change onto my trusty Surosa bike knowing that this was where I had to put the hammer down. Learning from last year I made sure I kept on top of my nutrition using the new CNP carbohydrate gels which kept me going throughout.
I felt good on the bike leg with plenty of other competitors from the earlier waves to keep chasing down. I was keeping one eye on the clock knowing that I had to go sub one hour to keep my chances of a sub 2 hour total alive, I came in off the bike leg in 58 minutes 38 seconds so I knew I was on for it.
A quick transition saw me straight onto the run in my new Adidas race shoes fitted out with Healthy step insoles that felt comfortable and obviously worked as I put in a fastest run time of 35 minutes 20 seconds averaging under 6 minute miles. As I got half way around the run I saw the 2nd place competitor who looked to be going well this motivated me to push harder which ultimately gave me a winning time of 1 hour 58 minutes 10seconds a whole 2 minutes faster than my previous win here.

Hopefully this form can be maintained throughout the year culminating in a good result at Bala in September to qualify for a GB age group spot for the European championships next year.

[martin cain]

BALA TRIATHLON 2010

I had done my home work for this one and looked at the start sheet, I had anticipated coming in the top ten. On the morning the nerves were getting the better of me, after several toilet stops I was in the water waiting for the starter’s horn.
The 2000M swim was actually quite warm and I felt good it didn’t take long to get my rhythm going, eventually I found some one of a similar pace and tucked in for the majority of it. I came out of the water 3 minutes quicker than last year in 29 minutes not sure of my position.
As I set out on the bike I guessed that I would be in the top 20 so set about making in roads into the 90KM ride, it starts off quite hilly and then levels off before you eventually turn and head back up the hills that you have just descended. I kept picking people off throughout the bike hoping that I was getting close to the leaders but still unsure.
About a mile before the turn I saw the race leader about 5 minutes ahead expecting to see a few more come through before I hit the turn but they didn’t materialize, I had made it to second place as I saw the rest of the field I was sure it would only be a matter of time before they reeled me back in.
I got back to transition still in second place 9 minutes quicker than last year in 2 hours 10 minutes.
This was where I was sure I would be caught with 2 years ago playing in my mind when I went out too hard and my legs gave up with 2 miles to go and drifting from 2nd place down to about 5th. I knew that I would still have to go hard to stand a chance of keeping them at arms length, once again as I was getting to the turn around and saw the first place whiz past me I kept my pace going making sure that I just sipped my CNP carbohydrate gels to ensure that my legs would last the distance as I got closer to the finish I kept looking over my shoulder anticipating the arrival of the pack, once again though my fears didn’t materialize and I crossed the line with a run split faster than I have run any half marathon on its own let alone as part of a middle distance in 1 hour 15 mins giving me an over all time of 3hours 58 minutes.
My sights are well and truly set on September now for the Bala Standard race where there is a qualifying spot up for grabs for the European championships next year in Spain.

As always I would like to thank all my sponsors who I wouldn’t be able to do this without:

CNP Professional
Surosa Cycles
Healthy Step

[martin cain]

RIPON TRIATHLON 2010

This was my 4th year in a row at Ripon I had previously won it in 2008 with a 3rd place in 2009.
I was determined to get the win this time; training has been going really well and results proving that I may be in with a chance of turning professional next year.
Having started using the CNP energy gels I have noticed a difference in my energy levels especially on the run, as ever my bike splits are coming down with my training involving the Surosa chain gangs has made a real difference to my top end speed and endurance.
With it being a 2pm start I had to adjust my nutrition accordingly, I started with my usual porridge and toast, whilst snacking on CNP flap jack bars through out the morning I then had a Pro Peptide protein shake with a banana whisked in it tastes nice and makes an ideal pre race formula.
The race started in Ripon race Course Lake which doesn’t smell great a good reason to wear a nose clip. It was a hard fought start with the top 20 fighting for position once I got into my rhythm I drafted a slightly faster swimmer and came in on 20 minutes 30 seconds.
This gave me a good start on the bike leg after taking a couple in transition I took another 8 early into the bike leaving me in what I thought was 1st place.
As I hit a long straight I caught sight of 1st place and the lead car so set about pulling him in. Within a mile I had taken him and started stretch my lead to about 3 minutes. Having spent much time working on keeping my aero position and speed work I was pleased with this ride.

Onto the run as ever I was using my race shoes with the Healthy Step insoles which make all the difference in trainers with very little support.
With this being an out and back course I knew I would get an idea of how far behind 2nd place was.
Having started using CNP gels now I have found that they best suit me by taking a little and often rather than taking a full gel in one go.
As I got to the half way point I couldn’t see anyone and then covered about half a mile before I came across 2nd he looked fast but I was fairly sure he wouldn’t catch me but I upped the pace a little to ensure he didn’t.
I came in first place with a 5 minute lead and set a new course record of 2 hours 2 minutes 41 seconds. I was hoping for a sub 2 hour race and was reminded after the event that the bike and run sections are longer than a standard Olympic event so this would have equated to a sub 2 hour race.

[admin]

BOUNDRY BREEZE 2010

As a warm up to Iron Man Bolton I intended to use this as a gauge of my fitness leading up to the big one, I didn’t intend going too hard but as usual I couldn’t contain my eagerness.
The swim came and went in a very comfortable 10 minutes 8th overall, as I hit transition I took a couple whilst they applied there make up.
Out on the bike normal service was resumed and I made up all the places to take the lead within 3 miles I felt good so kept the pace up.
As I got back to T2 I was on my own with a long run in to transition I knew I had a good lead. As I started the run I saw 2nd place just turning the corner to approach the dismount line, this gave me a bit more motivation to push a bit harder.
As the run included a loop you get an opportunity to see the competition I couldn’t tell if he was catching so maintained my pace and held on to win by over 2 minutes at the same time breaking the course record.
Hopefully I can take this form into Bolton next week and pull out an all time best there, fingers crossed.

[admin]

IRONMAN BOLTON 2010


With race preparations having gone well until the Wednesday when I decided to go for a run and ended up doing more than anticipated I was a little nervous about the big one.
Sunday morning came too quickly at 02.50 started with huge bowl of porridge, set off to the Reebok at 03.15 got there for just before 04.00.
My lift arrived and we made our way to Pennington Flash still nervous about the run as my legs felt heavy.
As I made the final adjustments to my bike putting all my nutrition on it to last me the bike leg, plenty of CNP gels, peanut butter sandwich and CNP flapjack bar along with my Hydrate drinks.
At 06.00 I was in the water with a nervous crowd some of which were checking out the competition asking what time I was expecting to do the swim in I replied as confidently as I could oh about 50 minutes actually expecting about an hour. As we got under way with the typical mass start legs and arms flailing all over the place I soon managed to get clear water and get my rhythm going. I kept picking people off jumping on their feet and moving onto the next set of feet making steady progress but feeling comfortable all the way round. As I completed my second and final lap I was on my own upon exiting the water I checked my garmin that said 52 mins 30 secs I had to do a double take as this is 11 minutes faster than last year could hardly contain my excitement. I dashed through transition buoyed by my swim feeling confident I started the bike which was quite flat for the first 15 miles which was nice. I kept to my nutrition plan by not taking anything on board too early I left it for about 5miles then started to drink and eat a little. I had no idea of my position but I could see there were several pro’s around me I maintained my own pace and kept with them.
As the miles clocked up I was still feeling good racing my own race not trying to keep up with others which worked as I reeled a lot back in that had obviously gone out too hard.
My pace dipped a little towards the end of the bike but I completed 112 miles in 5 hours 25 minutes and as there are a number of climbs on the course I was pleased with this time.
As I rolled into T2 I could tell that my legs were going to suffer on the run but again I was given some motivation as the commentator announced my name and the fact that I was the first age grouper to get back and I was 5th overall.
I had no delusions of grandeur at this point as I knew that there would be a number of elite athletes that would be stronger on the run so I was still hoping for a top 10 place but a little unsure.
With the support of the crowds I kept my momentum going but disaster struck by about 6 miles as my legs cramped I managed to stretch them out but after that there were a number of unexpected pit stops as either my stomach or my head were all over the place. Towards the end I managed to pick up another athlete who took my pace from and finished as he was completing his first lap. Time taken for the run 4 hours dead quite literally, over all time 10 hours 24 minutes.
As I crossed the line I managed a smile it may have been a grimace though even though this is a respectable time I was massively disappointed with it as my training should have given me a 3 hour 10 minute run which would have attained a qualifying spot for Kona.
Once again with this in mind I will be back to race Iron Man but will have a year of long distance rather than trying to race all distances.
With a bit of luck I will be accepted to race at Pro level at Parc Bryn in September and this will be the stepping stone to Pro racing next year.
My contingency plan for next year will be to qualify for the Europeans and the Worlds at Olympic distance. The European qualifier is at Bala in September this year so all efforts are going towards this, once again fingers crossed I am a bit more confident about this as all my top results this year have been at Olympic and middle distance events.
A big thank you to all my sponsors for there help and advice over the year, which has got me to this position and hopefully onto Pro racing next year.

CNP PROFESSIONAL
SUROSA CYCLES
HEALTHY STEP

[admin]

Update from Martin

[martin cain]

Helvellyn and Bala Triathlons
2010


On the 5th September I travelled up to the Lakes to take on the annual challenge at Helvellyn any one that has done this race will know why I love going back every year.
It is a middle distance event but one of the hardest in the country it starts with a mile swim in ullswater but this was a long mile as the quickest time was 21 minutes, from the water there is a few miles before the hills start on the bike I quickly made up all the positions to 1st place with a strong bike putting in the fastest bike split. As I hit the front I was joined by my main rival Julian Hatcher, as I got to the struggle on the way up to Kirkstone Pass I dropped on to the small ring and ground out the climb. The descent got a bit hairy in places as the mountain walls flew past at nearly 50 MPH. We both got into transition within seconds.
The run is straight up Helvellyn and down the other side after successfully negotiating both sides disaster struck as I caught a rock and performed a double flip that most gymnasts would have been proud of, I would have lost points for the landing though. This took me a while to recover from but with about 3 miles to go I plodded on to maintain second place, there were many cries of disgust as I ran through Glenridding with blood pouring from my Knee.

From this I went to Bala standard distance the week after with legs that could have done with another week to recover, as this was a European qualifier for next year I turned up not sure whether my leg would hold out.
My swim went well with a top 10 placing, the bike was a fairly flat out and back course. With my legs not wanting to push on this was hard work especially on a course where there is no respite from the work load, despite this I managed to get into 5th place over all and pulled out a gap from 6th place. I managed the 3rd fastest split on the bike and felt ok starting the run again this was an out and back run, as I got to the turn I knew I was catching the leading pack if it had been a longer run I may have had time to catch them but unfortunately I held on for a 6th place overall with the 3rd fastest run.
This gave me a first in my age group which has qualified me for the European championships next year so job done.

I have now focused my mind on the 19th September at Parc Bryn Bach which is my first Professional race, it is a sprint distance and comparing my times with other Pro’s I am hoping for a mid table finish out of the 50 hand picked field.
Fingers crossed that I can hold on to the pack in the swim and put in a good bike and sprint like hell for the finish line.

Many thanks to all that have assisted me getting me to this point with kit advice and support.

[martin cain]

During close season it's always hard to keep the motivation so i decided to enter a few well timed events to keep me focused .
I finished off the year as i started it with an ultra distance event, this was a 47 mile run in the Brecon Beacons should have known it was going to be tough but with a 2 lap course you knew what was coming second time around, I was hoping for a sub 7 hour time but my pacing was out, I should have walked up some of the steeper ascents therefore saving myself for the descents and flats. I came in 6th place with a time of 7 hours 30 mins. I was pleased with this as there was a very good field of experienced distance runners and i had concentrated on short events after the Marathon Des Sables.
I have remained injury free (touch wood) and am still convinced this is due to CNP products and a healthy diet (until the christmas period took over, but every one deserves to eat and drink crap at christamas) I have been accepted into the Windsor Olympic triathlon as an elite competitor and am awaiting a response for London and Blenheim Palace.
In preparation for the season i have booked a mixture of Time trials and Fell races to keep me sharp and hopefully i can hit the ground running when my first tri of the season is here.

[barabbas]

when you enter events in the off season (10k, half marathons, cyling events( do you do small tapers and aim for PBs or just use them as a training session?

[martin cain]

I don't bother tapering for any early season races as these are there as training sessions. Even though they are training sessions they are still very high intensity to build on my top end speed. So early doors look at shorter events and build on the distance during the season and training. I only taper for the races that i have targeted for the year to do well in. Hope this helps.
Sorry for the delay.

Martin Cain

[martin cain]

Parbold Duathlon was my 1st multi discipline race for the year and i felt pretty good going into it, had a strong winter training mixed it up a little rather than sticking to the norm. Got a 17 min 40 first 5k run followed by the fastest bike split 46 mins 37 and a second 5k run in 17 mins 15. Pleased with the result as i got one over on my old rival Richard Hunt who has always been my stumbling block over the years. But this is the 2nd time i have beaten him so things are looking up for the rest of the season. 2nd place overall first in the North West.

[martin cain]

Start of the season and after a winter of quality training it all goes wrong as i pull my calf and the physio tells me 6 weeks to recover. Fortunately this only covers some of the early season races, any one tha knows me though will understand that DNF's and DNS's don't compute.
Started the Holme Moss duathlon got a mile down the road and had to pull out. 2 weeks later went to Skipton started the run in first place only for 2nd place to pass me, rather than letting him go i decided to push on and stay with him 100m later i'm walking back to transition mega p****d off:banghead: Decided not to race at Horwich as the very hilly run would have killed my calf.
Physio finally tells me to start upping the running so go to Wilmslow sprint against closest rival for an elite place at Blenheim Palace and got good start in the pool and made up the rest on the bike to take 1st. As i started the run my calf was tight but felt ok a mile in and once again disaster as my calf cramps up like never before end up limping back to transition but still get 7th place overall.
Good news though physio says it's not a pull just a shot across the bow warning me to take it easy.
2 weeks since that and now running back at full tilt 2 weeks to go before Blenheim Palace putting in some fast times in the pool, i just hope i can take them into the race as i am confident i can keep with the best of them on the bike i would just have to hang on for dear life on the run.

Fingers crossed every thing holds out.

[martin cain]

Well the big day has come and gone, this years first elite sprint i was no where near as nervous as last year at parc Bryn but still nervous.
My calf seems to be holding up got some good sprint training sessions in so it was fingers crossed.
The swim which is always going to be my achilles heel went better than expected but still way off the pace came out in 10 mins 43 which when compared to my training times was crap:mad5: but still i wasn't last.
Onto the bike and the hunt was on i was considerably faster than most and made up about 50 places, considering there was less than 100 starters i was pleased with this. Especially given that the front runners were working as an effective pack all the back marker packs were hanging onto 1 or 2 leaders and sitting in, cheating in my eyes. So I completed the bike as an individual time trial, not ideal with a fast 5K run to complete but the bike is my strongest discipline so had to go for it.
The run was ok not as fast as i would hope for but it was longer than the advertised 5K and with 2K to go my calf started to tighten up and with one eye on my next elite race next week at Windsor I held back a bit to ensure I didn't damage it.
Over all i got 26th place in 1hour 5 mins, 5 minutes behind Tim Don, which I was dissapointd with at first but considering the best triathletes in GB raced here making me the 26th fastest in GB I have to be pleased with this.
Going to the pool to push my swim on for next week as there is a cut off for the swim 21 minutes and you're out so no pressure, if i swim at same pace as yesterday then i will swim in 21.30 time to pull my finger out.

Keep your fingers crossed

[martin cain]

Two down hopefully one more to go, Windsor was a stunning setting for my second elite race all be it the rain dampened spirits a little. With a 21 minute cut off for the swim i was even more nervous than usual, after taking a heel in the cheek on the start i found myself towards the back of the pack. I managed to tuck in behind some one and take a tow as i composed myself. The first 2 3rds of the swim is up stream then you turn and sprint for the exit, i felt fairly comfortable but only managed a 22 minute swim fortunately the cut off was not enforced.
As i started the bike i knew this was my time and started picking people off, in the first couple of miles i narrowly missed an accident. Throughout the rest of the bike i caught and left others i managed to pick up a couple of decent bikers that joined me and we worked as a pack. As we caught other packs who saw us as a free meal ticket we put the hammer down and left them when they didn't pull their weight.
As we hit the dead turn we were only 2 minutes down on the lead pack. Off the bike i was 17th, onto the run and the first time since my calf strain that i had run more than 3 miles.
I set off steady to ease it in and started to pick up the pace, but as i hit about 4 miles my calves started to tighten i was passed by 3 on the run as a result. The climb and descent to Windsor castle wasn't doing me any favours, i managed to keep local rival Paul Savage behind me to take 20th place in 2hours 2 minutes. Shock of the day was Tim Don who was only 3 places in front of me, ithink he must also have strugled on the run as his run time was virtually identical to mine.
Off to Cumbria this weekend for a middle distance at Pooley Bridge "A Day in the Lakes" i've got some miles in my legs now so am hoping for a good result after winning this one 2 years ago.
I put my recovery from the calf strain down to CNP's products i maintained a decent level of training thoughout but stopped running and kept up with my normal nutritional programme which paid dividends ultimately, so once again a huge thankyou.

[martin cain]

I returned to the Lakes on the 25th June to race in "A day in the lakes" race, i competed in this 2 years ago and won it in a time of 4 hours and 50 minutes. With this in mind i just wanted to better my time as there was a strong field racing who were going to push me all the way.
The swim was cut short due to the weather in the morning, which was a shame as i felt strong throughout the swim and even with a navigational error i still got out of the water 6th. Onto the bike for 57 miles with a long hard climb up Kirksone pass i took first place within the first mile of the bike. I was determined to get my nutrition right and kept eating and drinking regularily but small amounts. I used the cola and berry gels, Pro hydrate, Pro flap jack and a breakfast bar. All the way round on the bike i felt strong and able to push on. As i came back to transition i had not seen any one even close, i was about to find out the gap i had opened up. I made the one and only mistake in transition and went without socks for the fell run, i'm still cursing that decision now as i am nursing my battered feet.
I ran the first half mile along the road the bike route came back in on and asked how far behind 2nd place was to my amazement he said 7 minutes but they still hadn't come through. With this in mind and knowing that if it was Richard Anderson chasing me he would have a chance of making a gap like that up if i didn't give it my all.
With about a quarter of the run left i started looking over my shoulder expecting him to come into view but my lead was increasing. As i crossed the line i was expecting some one to pip me to the post but it never happened even more surprising was my time of 4 hours 33 minutes, even with a slightly short swim my time was about 15 minutes faster than my previous course record.
I'm hoping that this form can be taken into my last elite event for the year at London, fingers crossed.

[stow]

Hi Martin,
Have you done any of the Spartan races?
Steve

[martin cain]

No what are they? Always up for a new challenge.

[martin cain]

After all the nerves and training finally my 3rd and final elite race of the season is done. i will now get an official national ranking TBC.
On the day it was a warm one and the swim looked long I was off at 10.45 which gave me plenty of time to get even more nervous.
There was a big crowd all waiting to see the elite wave off, i went through my normal warm up and hoped it was enough to get me off to a flying start.
As we were shepherded into the water I was trying to find some one slightly faster than me on the swim to catch a tow around. As the horn sounded I couldn't recognise any one so just picked the nearest pair of feet, it was a good pace and i seemed to be keeping with the main pack about half way round though a gap started to open up and it was a choice of either going it alone and trying to bridge the gap or stay with the feet. I stayed, probably a wise decision as I would have blown up on my own.
With a gap of about 2 minutes 30 behind the main pack I had it all to do on the bike, I picked off quite a few initaially the usual suspects were hanging onto my back wheel until I found anohther willing to work, we dropped the rest and started working to catch the second lead group. The group behind were soon long gone and the next pack were coming back to us, the ride was about 5 mile too short for us to catch them but the 2 of us made up 2 minutes on a pack of about 10. My bike split was as quick as the lead pack who were working as a group of about 15 in 53 minutes for 25 miles.
Onto the run and my legs were tired after the bike but with it being 4 laps i could see where every one else was so this motivated me to keep the pace up and I put in a PB for a 10KM in 33 minutes.
My over all time was a 1 hour 52 minutes again a huge PB and gave me 21st place.
At the begining of the season when I was expecting to finish last in all of the races, if some one had said would you take a top 20 finish i would have snapped their hand off so job done.
I'm going to enjoy the rest of the year with Wensleydale, Helvelyn middle distances and Bala standard distance to go and then start concentrating on next year.
I'm not sure whether to go long or go long and try the super series at the same time TBA.
Also with the Brecon Beacons Ultra in november I will be busy training for long distance.
Thanks again to all at CNP and Surosa who have helped with gear and advice this year especially at the start of the year when i thought my season had finished before it had started with my calf injury.

[martin cain]

242After a storming race at Wensleydale where I won and beat the course record I set my sights on helvelyn and the course record. This was held by Alistair Brownlee in 3 hours 28 mins 20 secs.
pressure was being piled on by rivals who were almost goading me to go for it, never one to let a challenge pass mw by I picked my training up a notch.
Race day came and I felt good, the swim was a good one my first ever sub 20 minute swim for a 1500 metre, and onto the bike I took first place in the first mile and never looked back. I didn't take this for granted though as i knew Julian Hatcher was racing and he beat me by 8 minutes last year and has a fast run. As I got back to transition I worked out that I needed a 1hour 20 min run to get the record which was going to be a tall order. I managed the climb well and kept some in my legs for the descent. As I started the descent I had about 20 minutes to clinch it, not knowing where 2nd place was a nailed the run as if there was some one on my heels. As I crossed the line the first question was what is my time? It came back at 3 hours 27 minutes and 50 seconds I had done it by 30 seconds.
This has to be the best end to a season i've had lets hope I can hold it together for Bala next week then look to next year and go long witht the super series to keep my top end pace up.

Fingers crossed.

[martin cain]

Helvelyn race report in this months edition of 220

[admin]

CNP Athlete Martin Cain

[martin cain]

Brecon Beacons Ultra


After last years attempt at this race I had a goal of getting under 7 hours, last years time was 7 hours 41 minutes. This was obviously a huge ask but one I had set my heart on, the weather was holding out for us and there was a limited field of 150 waiting on a canal bank for the start at 07.30. The field is limited to 150 due to the severity of this course it is 2 loops but they are killers especially when you complete the first with screaming legs knowing you have to complete another one.
The competition was strong with some top national ultra runners in attendance, as the horn sounded the smarter had got to the front and started steadily as the first mile is tight with slim chance of over taking with out falling in the canal.
As you start to climb you can be lulled into a false sense of security as the hills really kick up again the smart take it easy up these as there is another 40 miles to go.
I presume the views are awesome but due to the fog you struggle to see more than 20 metres so navigational skills are a must.
As i hit the top of the first hill there is a marshall taking cover in his tent then the descent a leg burster as you try to stay on your feet and back out of the fog.
With 15 miles down i have the top 3 in my sights and no one in sight behind so i have either gone out too hard and i'm going to pay in another 3 hours or i've got it just right!!
As 23 miles came and my first lap was down i passed the start point and remember thinking hmmmmmm i feel ok. Up to this point my nutrition had consisted of 4 CNP berry gels, a Pro energy bar and a Pro flap jack but had eaten them a bit at a time rather than throwing them down in one go. This enabled me to keep running as i ate and at no point did i feel bloated whilst running the balance was spot on. This was complemented with a Prohydrate drink.
As i continued my feet were beginning to let me know they were there with this i made sure that when ever i came across a hill i power walked, with tiring legs my nutrition was vital and i maintained my plan of little and often. At about 35 miles i had fallen behind the leaders but was still on for a sub 7 hour finish.
I worked out that i could let my pace go out to 9 minute miling if i wanted and would still achieve my goal, i then bollocked myself and picked it up again. As i came to the finish i knew i had it in the bag 6 hours 51 minutes a huge smile:willy_nilly: and a massive egg butty that had been on my mind all the way round the second loop.
I was one of only 5 that managed a sub 7 hour finish, it was also metioned that next year i will have to achieve a 6 hour 1 minute to keep up with this years achievement.
I'd better get my trainers straight back on!!!!!!!!!!
One lesson learnt from this, recovery is vital as i was really ill:001_07: the week after due to trying to train too early after the event.:banghead:

[martin cain]

First tri of the year and all the pre season training seems to be working, having competed in a couple of time trials and my times coming down and plenty of fell racing over the winter it has left me fighting fit.
About 3 weks ago i felt my achiles heel nearly go and has been very tight since, after managing to nurse it for the last few weeks with extra portions of CNP recovery and Pro Peptide, it was feeling strong.
I was first in each discipline at Horwich the closest was the swim with a lead of 8 seconds, onto the bike and i soon left the field in the distance whilst catching many others from the earlier waves. I extended my lead by 7 minutes with a time of 1 hour and 1 minute on the bike the next closest biker came in with a time of 1 hour and 8 minutes. The run saw me extend my lead further with the quickest run time of 35 minutes, this gave me an overall time of 1 hour 45 minutes and first place by 9 minutes.
I hope i can take this form into my first long distance pro race in June, with a strong field including Stephen Bayliss and Fraser Cartmell there will certainly be no run away win like this weekend but i certainly hope to be in the top 5 to gain much needed points to help qualification to Hawaii.
Thanks as usual to all my sponsors CNP for once again helping me stay fit and strong for the season and assisting with a speedy recovery. Surosa for there continued support with all my bike requirements, and new for this year Red Venom for there assistance with compression clothing at great value at a third of the price of the competition.

www.cnpprofessional.co.uk
www.redvenom.co.uk
www.surosa.co.uk

[martin cain]

Photo from Horwich Triathlon!!