Recap

Whoa that has been a weird few weeks... In summary I've raced my first sea triathlon Olympic distance down in Portsmouth which was AWESOME. And I've had a week off of doing nothing really other than preparing for my new job that started this week. 

Portsmouth was hard. The sea swim took more out of me than I anticipated. I finished in 49 minutes which felt like a day. Running up the pebble beach and then along to transition was a fair way too. 

I was looking forward to the bike leg but once clipped in I just felt awful. My stomach was churning, I felt tired and dehydrated. For the first time ever I was looking forward to getting OFF my bike.  I couldn't tell if it was a new tri suit (club one) that was making me so uncomfortable. I just wanted off.

On the run, I tried 3 times to find a toilet which I knew was eating into my time but I just needed to pee! I knew I wouldn't finish if I didn't find a loo and finally after several deviations and a chat to the water marshals I found them. The next 7km went quicker. I found my stride, got passed by an older lady who I then stuck on the heels of. 3km to go and I decided to go past her & just run my socks off. Crossing the line with a 10km PB of 58 minutes I was chuffed. 

It was an Olympic PB so also happy with that. However my plan of doing Cambridge triathlon has been scuppered due to the cancellation as the water is below standard - containing Wiles disease. So now I'm on the hunt for my final Olympic tri and currently looking at Hever Castle. Although it really is pricey! 

National Club Relay Champs - triathlon

God I love this event! 

It was my first experience of triathlon last year after I was roped into a team despite admitting that I couldn't swim last year. But this year, with my few sprints and Olympic distance under my belt I was feeling positive about my performance in the team. This year I felt less like I was letting the team down (although no one ever said that) and more like I was contributing well. 

The 3 Newmarket teams were all picked at random by the guy organising our club entries. All the teams are mixed 2 men 2 female but it varied on what order I. Either female, male, female, male or reverse. I was to be no. 4 in my team. Eek! The pressure of trying to have a good final run was onnnn. 

Some of us camped the night before which was a good laugh, a few beers to help me go to sleep. 

Up at 5.30am and coffee!! The others turned up bright-eyed and bushy tailed & team captains went to sign on. 

Race time!!

Over to the grandstand and we all got ready. This year they have us number tattoos! That was fun - no one knew what to do but we figured it out eventually! 

All no. 1's got their red hats on and went down to the start. No.2's got their white hats on and made their way to holding pen where they were to wait for No.1's to finish the swim. It's absolute carnage trying to find your next swimmer after you come out of the VERY VERY cold regatta lake and face a wall of neoprene clad, swim hat & goggle wearing crazy people all shouting and waving to their team mates! 

As the relays are full of mixed teams of varying ability, it is not uncommon for the field to thin out. I was waiting for our blue hat chap to come out and I think there were only about 15 other swimmers left with me. 

Into the lake! The part I fear most. Oh god it's cold. I breast stoke for a bit to calm my breathing and put my face in. Last year I didn't even out my head under so this time I had to. I made it to the first buoy switching between a few strokes front crawl but mainly breast stroke. Round the bend I got on it. Head down and just breath. Next bend and it's the home straight. I saw another yellow hat breast stroking and I knew I could take her. I picked up my speed and just concentrated. Past her. Then saw a chap to my right. Going about the same speed. I was NOT goin to let him overtake me. What a rush. Last 50m to go and I was kicking like a mad woman. Out, rushed run to our no. 1 to hand over the band! Off he goes!! Ugh time to defrost! 

Back at the grandstand where our teams were congregating we all discussed how bloody cold the lake was. The other lady in my team, our no. 2 was unhappy with the swim. I tried to reassure her it was fine and it's all just a bit of fun (if you can call it that). But genuinely, it's friendly competition between our club as they are all made up of differing abilities. 

What's great is that you get to watch most of your team in their sections, what's not so great is that you get cold between each of your sections. But that's the fun of it. 

Our no. 1 had a blinding race! Great swim, great bike and great run! No. 2&3 had areas they weren't happy with but enjoyed it overall! I was happy with the bike leg, putting in a 24.40. Our team was pretty much tied between 091 the third Newmarket team. 090 was long gone! No. 4 of 091 overtook me halfway round the final lap of the bike so I knew it was going to be close with just a few seconds between us. 

The run! I waited with out no.3 and 091's no. 4 in the pen whilst we waited for our no. 2 to finish her run. In she came and off he went! I knew I had about 23-4 min to warm up / get ready! I see him coming round. Whip off my hoody and get ready. Our other team 092's last runner was with me, it was to be a neck and neck between us on the run. Luckily for me, our no. 3 was faster on the run than theirs so it gave me a 2 min head start. Knowing he was chasing me kept me running that bit faster. 

A lady came to over take me but then stuck with me and we helped each other round. The final leg back was brutal wind! Stomping along eating the ground up we stuck in. We got to the big blow up beer and I had a boost. I picked up the pace and I wanted to over take the other elder lady who had taken me half way round. I knew I could do it. Checking behind earlier on I knew 091 won't catch me. I shouted to my running buddy thank you!! And started sprinting! With about 15 meters to go I overtook the woman & crossed the finish line! 

What a great feeling! 

It's so great doing the relays with the club as it's great for team bonding and also to get new members involved in triathlon at an easier pace as you do get a big time gap between each of your disciplines. I loved it last year but this year was awesome knowing I could do the swim & the run better. And last weeks issue with the chap at time trialling seemed to reduce which was good. 

The Newmarket team times: 

090 - 04.07.04 

092 - 04.20.19 

091 - 04.22.29 

Happy 😆 then beer! 

Highs, lows.. finding the middle ground

What a week. After Sunday's triumph I was feeling the greatest natural high I've ever experienced. I was so happy to have done the Ely Monster Olympic. Goal 1 - check.

Taking Monday off (work) we - Kerry and I went for a swim which basically just turned out to be a giggling fit whilst aqua jogging it's the weirdest thing but apparently great for flushing out the legs, bobbing around in the deep end with a float under your arms trying to "jog". We did a few lengths after 30 min of "jogging" and lazed around the rest of the day with coffee, cake and engraving our finisher medals.

Tuesday was a true day off :)

Wednesday I was supposed to get up and swim, but I will still happy with Sunday that I thought well, just relax as it was the TT that night. I have been battling with this cold / chest infection trying to stave it off. Dosing up on Echinacea drops in hot water with lemon, manuka honey and ginger. And also trying this breathe deep Yogi Tea. Tastes NICE!

TT time. I drove to the Red Lodge TT not feeling 100% still. Getting out of the car I wasn't really feeling it. I had forgotten my Garmin (safety vice) and my chest was feeling tight. Paid my money then began to contemplate if I really wanted to do it. The voice in the back of my head was saying, don't bother just watch but my new found competitiveness was saying, well if you want to do well in the Club League you should probably give it a go and at least get a time to get points. I told myself, ok just go round, you don't have any idea on speed or time so just enjoy riding the bike as you've not done much this week. Just turn your legs over.

I did a quick (pointless) warm up and turned up to the start line. The usual countdown began. I was pushed off and I was suddenly partially energized.

It was actually quite lovely not having a speed to look at. Just feeling my legs go round, and trying to breath normally (with lots of grossness coming out my nose)...yum!

I ended up passing two riders mid way round the course, Richard was riding his first ever TT so it was great to see him. This one was my first one last year too. Then the other rider I couldn't name. I think I passed a few more just before the finish line but it's all a bit of a blur.

Cooled down I went over to the time keepers to check my time... 22.57... WHAT. NO WAY. THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE.... THAT'S WRONG. No  they kept telling me it's right, you did a cracking ride. Cue peak of natural high... (oh how it wasn't to last). Going back to the group, I was quietly telling a few people, just trying to contain myself. I should have guessed it wasn't right as there is NO WAY I can beat Mick. NO WAY. The Club Chairman even said to me quietly, I think you broke the course record. Then emailed me later that night saying he couldn't find a faster time. He seemed convinced that the timings were right.

The next 15 hours or so (I'm useless at maths) were incredible. I felt amazing. Then about 11 o'clock at work the next day, after lots of comments on my time, the post went up on facebook. The dreaded post. One of the time-keepers admitted that there had been a muck up on the timings. No. 21 wasn't there so everyone from 22 on-wards should have had a 1 min delay but didn't. So we all needed a 1 min adding on to our times. WHAT!!!! I was crushed. Honestly, I could have cried. I questioned why the other time-keeper who was posting on the facebook thread didn't mention it sooner as he would / should have known about the time change issue. The reply which really upset me Yeah I did - I just wanted to see who thought their shit really don't stink!! SERIOUSLY? Now I don't know if I'm just a bit sensitive, but that seems a tad out of order.

That little episode has enlightened me to the negative realms of friendly club competition. Trying to rise above it, I simply posted that I was still happy with a 7 second PB especially feeling like crap and having done my triathlon at the weekend. The problem now I guess is that when this chap time-keeps again, am I going to fear that he's out to get me. I have to keep reminding myself, I have only owned a bike for a year, and I have only been actively trying to do well in time trials for the past few months. But I am dreaming, I want to race, I want to do well, and I will try my hardest! If I don't try now and take the opportunity, when will I?

So the week has gone from massive high, to even greater high, to crashing lows. But I have learnt from it. Now it's all about going forward, going to this weekend where we have the National Club Relay Champs at Nottingham which was my first ever experience of triathlon last year so I have to get a PB on this one. Downside, said chap is in my team. Then next week is the last Fordham 5 mile TT. I checked out the club records for that one, 12.38. I am not going to do that this year, not on my current bike. But that's next years target.

On a another plus from the TT - Nigel got some awesome photos of me so I'm happy with that :)

My first Olympic Triathlon...

So about November time last year I drunkenly (terrible I know) agreed to enter the Monster Olympic Triathlon over at Ely. 

I had gone and supported several Newmarket Tri club members doing it in 2013 and was captivated by the whole event. It was a beautiful sunny day... 

Anyway. So I signed up. Paid. Sobered up. Panicked! When I say panicked... I mean, the words what the hell have I just done went through my head. Yes I'd had a go at the Club Relays (my first taste of what triathlon is all about) and yes I had a bash at St Neots Sprint Tri. But now I had just entered a 1.5km swim (up river), a 44km bike ride (fenland winds) AND a 12km hilly run. My running was pretty bad, my swimming was pretty non-existent and well I just love to be on my bike. 

Over the past 9-10 months I have been up and down with training. Barely did anything over winter with swim / run. Did my first 10k on NYE and sustained a knee injury as I had very poor preparation (none). I got a few more 10k's under my feet over the months in 2014. The bike was going well anyway and I began to pick up my swim. 

Then it all went a bit wrong. About April time I (the joys of being female) had an abnormal smear come back. (Men you can skip this part). My life felt like it had just fallen apart. So I was booked into hospital to have a biopsy. That came back bad. About 3-4 weeks later I had to go and basically have the pre-cancerous cells burnt off. So that was about 6 weeks of no swimming so far. End of that week or there abouts I bought my new bike (pick me up). Friday took it out for a ride.. Saturday was in waitrose and to put a long story short I was rushed to hospital with haemorrhaging. So basically I wasn't then allowed to swim for another 5 weeks. Joy. Training - out the window. 

Ok I've digressed a little here.. 

Once able to train again I began getting stronger and fitter. Swimming was hard. But perseverance pays off. 

Race day. To be honest. I did feel prepared (as best I could) but I was still nervous. The run up to Sunday I had trapped nerves in my back, tension headaches, I'd handed in my notice at my work as I'd had interviews for other jobs. I was plate spinning and not knowing what or when one was going to drop. 

4am Sunday 17th August. Yeh that time made me feel a tad nauseous. 

Rock up in Ely. I had been given so much advice about what I should take round with me. I'd bought a new tri suit the day before (I don't recommend doing this - bad move)! I'd also bought some of those funky stretchy coil laces - I so recommend doing this, but again, not the day before!! 

Once registered I racked my bike on 416. Laying my stuff out on my bright green towel (so I can spot it in a daze). 

Socks rolled so I can try and get them on quickly for the run. Helmet up so I can just stick it on my head and go. Cycling shoes open and ready to slip my feet into. And race belt loaded with gels. My plan was to come out of the swim, race belt on, shoes on, helmet on, bike off and go. 

Walking down to the start (a good 15 min walk in). We watch the elites and 1st wave go in. Then it was the 2nd wave for the middle distance, Kerry was in this one. I wait for her to go in then walk back up the river to my entrance - shorter distance. 

Just before we are about to go in (after the briefing) I hear my dad. He made it! This just made me feel so emotional. He's never come to watch me except once for May bumps in the rowing phase. 

Me and Maxine struggle in to the river, sinking into the mud on the bed. Gross!!!! Freezing cold!! 

We end up separating as I wanted to be at the back. 30seconds. I say to the guys next to me please don't bash me / hit me / drown me!! We joke. But I'm secretly hoping I don't get hit. I got kicked in the face at feltwell and it just sum ruined my swim and that was only half the distance. 

Off we go. Keeping calm I just get into a rhythm. Knowing my dad is walking along the side was so calming. It was cold, by I was pushing on. 

Every now and then I'd breaststroke a bit to catch my breath. I hear my dad shout support. 

My goggle were starting to irritate me. Joys of having dry skin that you moisturise.. I think that was irritating my eyes. I had about 500m to go, turn around the buoy and back downstream to the exit. 

I come out, slightly off balance is an understatement. Slow (trying to be quick) jog to transition barefoot across the concrete.

 Thinking - plan! Hat, shows, gloves, race belt & shoes. GO! 

Off I go, freezing my butt off! Light gearing trying to warm the legs up. Get into my stroke and I'm off... Until it starts pissing it down! Brrrr in only a tri suit, it was bloody windy and bloody cold! Fens are not your friend on a light bike in the rain. I stayed upright but I was struggling. Wearing a new tri suit, well let's just say I think I need a new female specific saddle. Ouch! 

44km down, overtaken lots of people (big grin), back into transition. Socks on. Trainers on. Glasses on - yes I know it was raining but I hate rain in my eyes. Grab my bottle and go. 12km. I've not run that far yet except the Cambridge half marathon.. 1 lap - see dad! 

Pick me up. Then I see Clare on the run and she shouts positives. Pick me up. I'm smiling most of the way round! 

Quite a few of the guys I overtook on the bike then overtook me on the run. I didn't mind. I shared a giggle with a chap having calf issues.. I felt his pain but carried on. 

I spot one of my friends husbands in front of me. I'd past him on the bike and he snuck past me on the run. I keep him in sight. On the 1st lap about half way, I see Maxine (well she passes me) and grabs my hand and drags me (jokingly) along for a minute / 15feet! It was a great spirit raiser and I think the spectators had a giggle! Off she goes and I pick up my speed. 

2nd lap. Still keeping the chap in my sight. Up the hill and just as we enter the market square I take him, just eating up the concrete beneath my feet. I think the caffeine gels just kicked in! I was flying. Bounding along. Past the cathedral. Round the bend. Down the hill. Turn left onto the home straight. I was basically sprinting. I crossed the road to where the finish was last year... What!! Where's the finish I shouted. Round the corner up the hill. Crap! 

Quick check to see where the chap was. Nowhere to be seen. Phew! 

Cross the road, and up through the gardens, sharp left and I'm FINISHED!!! 

I have never felt so alive and such achievement. 

It was so special to have my dad there. Although I could barely talk, my mouth was like I was drunk! He just cuddled me (I was sweaty & gross)! With my medal around my neck I was a finisher! 

I came 2nd in my age category and 10th lady overall. 

Very happy 😃

I owe a massive thanks to everyone in my club. But especially to Clare for run training, Julian & Emma for swim training. And Kerry for incredible support in helping me / getting me out training! Kerry also completed her first middle distance at the same event. 

We are both winners! 

Learning when to say no

This past week has been hell. I've been so frustrated. 

After the positive 100miles (despite suffering from a sore knee from running) my week rapidly went downhill. 

Normally if I suffer from pains I just zone out and try to ignore them, try to push through. I've heard various people lately that I need to look after my body and sort the pains out otherwise they get worse. 

I hadn't don't it. And now I'm paying for it. I've been getting trapped nerves in my back and neck along with a painful knee and thigh. I think I had been putting it down to just not being fit enough to cope with the training I have been doing. But in reality I'm realising that I need to get those sports massages, the ones that you always put off.

I booked an appointment for Monday night. Asking her to look at my leg. She works on my IT band, the thing that holds most of your muscles in your legs together apparently. Mine was originally painful. As she pushed her hand up from the outside of my knee up to my hip... OUCH! She said it can be caused by tight hamstrings (back of thigh) or tight quads (front thigh).. Testing my hamstrings, they were ok. But bloomin eck my quads were... Ouch! 

Big lumps of knots :( 

She then moves on to my calf of my left leg. Equally as painful. This is NOT fun. But I know that it's doing me good. 

She works on my shoulders a bit. They're so tight, especially up by my neck. Probably from the swimming and TT position. But also maybe I lift my shoulders up when I run as I often feel I am struggling for air.. Joys of asthma. 

I go back Thursday to see her again as I'm still all painful. She works on both legs this time and then does some more on my back. 

I try to swim the next morning. I feel awful. I I was weak, my arms weren't working, my neck was stiff and sharp. The nerve was still caught, or something was just bloomin tender. After 25 min I stop, it's not worth it. 

That was the hardest part. Learning when to say no. 

No, stop training. 

Rest. 

Come back stronger.

I came home from work late that afternoon. Doctors. I'd spent the whole day barely being able to move. 

My head was thumping, my neck sharply painful, my mouth feeling funny and my eyes hurting. 

I cried at work. The fear of my first Olympic triathlon, which I've been tirelessly training for, hoping that my emergency hospital visit earlier this year hadn't set me back too much, the dear of ot being a total disaster. 

With a week to go I just began to panic and emotions just took over. I was seeing all my hard work coming to a pathetic end & not being able to do the race. 

Doc says it may be a tension headache. So gives me some strong pain killers to relax my neck and back and relieve my headache. 

I book an appt with the osteopath for the next morning in the hope she will be able to straighten me out bone / spine wise. My hips are wonky and I was standing all in a wonk she said. After several movements I begin to feel less tense. Cracks coming from my back mentally made me feel that pressure was dispersing. 

I have not been one to see a sports therapist in the past, or an osteopath but with the fear of not being able to race next week looming over my head, I want to be in a position where I can at least finish it. In one piece. 

I haven't done any training for about 4 days now, literally nothing. And actually it's been refreshing. I've slept loads. I've eaten well. 

And most importantly, I've learnt when to say no. I'm not going to improve my fitness by training when I'm in pain. I'm not going to be a better swimmer by training with a pain in my neck, runner with pain in my knee.

I'm learning to play the long game. I've got lots of events still this year which I want to complete so missing one day (or four) to allow me to complete my goals for this year is much more important. 

It's been mentally tough as I'm still worried I haven't done enough, but I'm not going to reduce my 10k race time in a week.. I don't want to go into the race tired. 

I'm saying no.