I am a triathlete!

 This is not my usual way to start a blog. I'm usually upbeat and pretty positive about everything I'm doing, particularly my food. When I started to write this blog I told myself that I was going to be 100% honest not only with what I write but with myself as this is my outlet to share my thoughts.
 I've ran into a feeling of sadness in the kitchen before. The kitchen holds many dark times for me; long hours, feeling undervalued, no time to socialise with friends. However, none of the above has me down about my job at present. I'm a very creative chef and need an outlet where I can express my years of hard work acquiring the knowledge that makes me good at what I do. I need to be constantly stimulated by positivity because that way I can feed off people's energy.
 Maybe it's the New Year lack of spending which has ceased demand for my Tasting Nights which I thoroughly enjoy but I've seen myself unable to express my talents in food much this year which has left me flipping (albeit very good) burgers. However, I was able to begin creating again at a Tabla (the street food and burger bar restaurant in Arrecife I have been based) last week. Here I worked alongside my boss and friend Zoe for the first time in a shocking 68 days! Our chemistry in the kitchen blossomed again and I got to treat my customers to a 10 course gourmet street food feast. I'll let the pictures (taken by my good friend James Mitchell) tell the story of not only the food but of the awesome atmosphere. I'm looking forward to doing more of these nights and getting my passion for creating my food back. 

 

 However, although food is my main passion I also have committed to triathlon, most notably the feared Ironman Lanzarote, which is a cool 57 days away now (not that I'm counting). This means my training volume is high and I need days off in order to fit in the 5hour+ rides which are essential in Ironman training. My job and understanding bosses have meant I am able to do this so although I am not producing Michelin star food everyday I am paying attention to my increasing passion in triathlon. So whilst I was prepping for my Tabla tasting menu I was also prepping myself for my first triathlon in the same week. This was not just a sprint, this was a half Ironman distance (2km swim, 90km ride, 21km run) so it was time to see if my training had paid off!

 Currently I feel fitter than most but I still didn't know if I could do the discipline that haunts me the most; the swim. A week prior to the race Hollie had me down at the pool pushing me with no let up. She made me swim a minimum of 2k without rest (a big feat for me considering I only learnt to swim a length 8 months previous and could only manage about 400m non stop to this point). If I even looked like I was going to stop she would zoom down her lane and shout "why are you dawdling?".  She said it in such a tone that I didn't want to disappoint her.
 After a few training days like this it all started to click in the pool. The techniques I've been taught by Bella Bayliss began to sink in and the motivational words were bouncing around my head. All of this was backed up by the fear of failure, something that was not an option. It's as much a mental game as a physical one so I pushed on. I don't quit - I might not be the quickest (not yet anyway) but as my dad would say, "Rome wasn't built in a day".
 My face was beaming when a few days before the race I hit the 2km distance in just under 40 minutes. I couldn't wait to show Hollie my watch declaring it was true. I felt as ready as I could have done.
 
 The weekend came around quickly. Even with a busy week of work I managed to sneak a game of golf in with Hollies' dad who came out to support her in the race but also to see just how her hard work and preparation towards Kona is going. I think he was impressed to see just how great she's doing. 

Spot of golf

  The day before the race I went to sign on and pick up my race number; 239, my first ever number. Here we caught up with some of the guys we train with which made it all the more exciting to know the support I would have on the course but it also added to the nerves. After a carb dinner with Hollie and her dad it was off to work which left the prep of all my kit to Hollie who is a expert in this now after the amount of races she's done!

With friends at registration

Tri kit ready

 On race morning I was up at 5.30am full of nerves. Getting the right fuel in me at that time was hard work as my appetite wasn't there and the nerves didn't help. As the sun started to rise I went through all my kit, made sure everything was sorted and then made my way down to check in which was helpfully just opposite my flat. I was greeted by some friendly faces which seemed to take the nerves away just a little. Time seemed to stand still for a moment whilst racking the bike and having a few pre race catch ups with friends. Then quick enough I was putting my wetsuit on and warming up without even thinking about it! I made it look like I'd been doing it for years but really was just copying the others (mainly Hollie) for whom this is second nature. This was then followed by a light walk down to sea to mentally prepare myself for the biggest battle I've ever had. My first triathlon and my first mass open water swim...and fuck the nerves were back.

Race morning in transition with Hollie

My biggest fear was over

 When the gun went off people ran down to the sea like nutters. I followed with a timid tiptoed jog of anxiety until I hit millpond sea. When I couldn't run anymore I got my head down and eased myself into my swim pace. I was being stalked by the safety kayaks when I neared the end but 55 minutes later I was out knowing that the one thing that I thought would've held me back on my quest of becoming a triathlete was done. I knew I was on my way to my first finishers medal.
 Going into transition I had kind words from everyone I passed. The support was incredible. This made it easier to get on my bike and push...and push I did. Just over 3hours on the bike for a tough Lanzarote style 90k - I was happy with that (even if I didn't catch Hollie).
 However, I may have suffered for my efforts on the bike as I had super tight legs on the run. With finishing being my main goal I settled into a steady pace that didn't hurt and meant I didn't walk. 6min km wasn't my idea at the start but this was all I could manage.

Always smiling

Still smiling :)

 The support throughtout the course was incredible and I loved the atmosphere. I saw friends on the course who were competing and spectating and that was amazing.  I even got to run through the finish with Hollie who was waiting for me having already finished. 6 hours 11 minutes later and I was a triathlete! I proved people wrong and was proud of what I achieved. Thank you for all who believed and supported me throughout. As for learning there was no better race for me than this. The Tri 122 will always be in my heart for that and I'm sure I'll be returning. 

I am a triathlete!

 A few days after my legs have started to ease and I'm ready to train harder and push deeper. I still have the same goal for Ironman this year which is to finish but I know eventually I want to take 30min out of my time half Ironman time. I've got my benchmark and set my next goal. I also know what is needed to do to achieve it. Can't wait to fill you in on the progression...Thank you for reading see you soon x

The best start to 2015 and the best future awaits

 It is surreal looking back on such an eventful first month of 2015. All of it has been so positive for me.

 Being back in the UK for he first part of the year really opened my eyes to the world of food I love so much. The innovation combined with my passion for the kitchen even made me doubt returning to the rock I love so much. I didn’t want to miss anymore of the food fashion. However, without speaking too soon there have been some frank discussions about the future with my loved ones. Even I need to watch this space on that…

 There have also been many first’s during the first part of this year in the UK. At 31 I had never been ice-skating and did so at Hyde Parks’ Winter Wonderland. The highlight for most was watching me fall spectacularly…flat on my arse. It wasn’t the only time I fell over and throughout the hour on the ice I went down about 10 times all in true comedy sketch style. 

Hollie and I during at Winter Wonderland

 

Getting our skate on (managed to stay upright for the photo)

 When in the UK I, as expected, ate at many restaurants, gaining much inspiration for my next tasting menus. I cannot get over just how much food has influenced my life’s journey. After all, I wouldn't be on the beautiful island of Lanzarote if I didn't have my cheffing skill to offer.
 The trip back to the UK was to join my beautiful girlfriend Hollie. I was to meet her family and her close friends, as well as be the guest to her friends wedding in Scotland. The newlyweds both happened to be chefs in London so you can imagine that was a great party!

  The 13 days went by so quickly and it was time to come home! To be honest I was a little hesitant. I was confused about how I could compete with the UK and continue my food journey here. However, very quickly after being back on the island (2 days) Hollie and I looked to move our relationship to the next level of commitment. We decided it was the right time to get a flat together. There are other personal reasons as to why we did this (I was supporting Hollie but it felt like the right time to go). This took me away from the North of the island and Club La Santa and closer to Sands Beach where we made the decision to train. We believed this change in location would see us surrounded by more positive people, which has been completely true. This means we can focus on training for our biggest events to date; Ironman Lanzarote for me (which Hollie will also be doing) and The Ironman World Championship in Kona for Hollie. It was a move that will be massively beneficial to both of us and already I feel happier mentally and stronger physically.
 So I am now in Costa Teguise and have joined the ever growing family of triathletes at Sands Beach all led by the expert coaching of 16 x Ironman and champion Bella Bayliss and her husband and pro Stephen Bayliss. They together through their triathlon team, TriActiv, are growing the next generation of champions. I feel so lucky to have this support helping me to achieve my goal and dream of becoming an Ironman in May.
 
 Alongside all these big moves, partying, training and holidaying I'm still working hard on growing my own culinary ideas. I am now taking time working in a young and vibrant street food style restaurant/bar in the capital of Lanzarote, Arrecife. This gives me a steady base to play with food and express my creativity. January is a hard time to be excited about but for me I can truly say it's been one of the best months of my life. There are a few people I'd like to thank for that and the others I don't mention well you know how you are. The biggest thank you goes to Hollie for being the best Christmas present ever, for being the best part of the new year and for being you. I also have to say a special thank you to Bella Bayliss for giving me her time (and patience) to turn me into a swimmer – not an easy task given I only started 4 months ago. Thank you girls!
 
 So after taking the time out of the kitchen to write this I can only look back at January and feel buzzing about the future. I no longer doubt that I will become a ironman this year - anything IS possible. The first goal is to enjoy it and the second is to learn just what I am capable of.

Thanks for reading guys and catch up with you all soon! 

A great end and an amazing start to 2015

 So in just a short 7 days since writing my last blog I feel the need to to let you all in on just what's happened since...

Hollie and I chilling

  I have never wished for luck in life; I believe you make your own. However, this being said I do feel very lucky. Not only have I met my beautiful girlfriend Hollie this year, I've had opportunity after opportunity thrown my way. Some may lead to something, some may not, but this isn't why I'm writing this blog now (I'll save that for when I find out which avenue to pursue).

 I experienced another Christmas on the island of Lanzarote surrounded by friends and fellow triathletes where I cooked a full Christmas dinner for 15. Before this however I also had 3 days of preparation for a tasting menu on Christmas Eve. After organising both of these events I was pretty tired and ready for a break and I well deservedly enjoyed some celebratory drinks with the boys on Christmas Day.
 During this period I also had to say goodbye to Hollie who went back to the UK for Christmas with her family so my high also plummeted. I had intended to join her New Years Day, however after a nightmare renewing my passport it would be a miracle if it arrived on time. This would mean I wouldn't see her for nearly 3 weeks!


 BUT...the best Christmas present/miracle happened. Shortly after the festivities of Christmas Hollie let me know that the passport was on it's way to Lanzarote and we had a small chance that I might be able to get back to the UK for the first weeks in the New Year. This made us very positive about the time apart...... But this is Lanzarote after all, things happen slowly out here. People come here not to be in a rush and the islanders here are no different. I just had to wait in hope...
 I couldn't however get side tracked from another big cooking event on New Years Eve. So I put the passport at the back of my mind and tried to focus. This saw me push my ability to the limit and make a team that aren't all trained chefs prep and serve 140 customers with 5 food servings in two and a half hours. I hope you all just gasped then as it was hard work, but also fun. I was on hand to see every plate leave the kitchen with my watchful eye. It's been a long time since I've felt the buzz of service like that; hard, fast with everyone pulling together all knowing that once the service has finished there was a party still going on that a chef could get to! But instead, this chef (me) drove home dead on 12 watching the the celebrations and fireworks light up the sky. The reason why is because the day before a DHL note nicely passed under the door letting me know that I had missed a delivery and was required to pick it up at the office at Arrecife...it amazingly was my passport! I was going to the UK on the morning of the 1st January - what a start to 2015. It's hard to explain the feeling of excitement knowing I was going to get back to the UK after all, after getting so down about not being able to. The 3 days, 36 hours and 140 covers, felt like a molehill in comparison to the mountain I had to climb to get it sorted....So chuffed!


 I am currently sitting on the flight back taking a look round thinking to myself I can't wait for the next 13 days. My first trip back in months and there is SO much planned. Happy 2015 all!