Two days ago I did a triathlon – yes a
triathlon! Instead of embarking on the usual health kick on returning from a cake fuelled, over indulgent week in The Lake District I signed up to take part in a triathlon – WHAT?! That was 7 weeks ago. OK, ok its not so bad, I’m a good ish swimmer and cycle to work 10km there and 10km back 3 times a week so I wasn't starting from scratch so to speak. I however couldn’t run to the post box at the end of the road when I started. The run luckily was the last bit and only 2.5km, which my partner told me was easy and after doing some regular runs I felt more confident. What I was most scared of was the race factor, I hadn't heard the words ‘’on your marks - get set – GO!’’ since school sports day.
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| On your marks! |
Why oh why I hear you say. Well, first I needed motivation; without any holidays planned I needed a date in the future that would make me go out and run, swim, cycle regularly to get in shape. Secondly, if I was to have a second child next year it would be great to be as fit as I was the first time round so, fingers crossed, my pregnancy would be as easy. As I swim and cycle regularly I thought a triathlon would be the way to go. To add extra motivation to proceedings I set up a sponsorship page to raise some money for the MS society, which would make sure I didn't chicken out on the day, and after setting a target of £250 I raised £450!!
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| Get set! |
Once signed up I realised there really was a lot more too worry about than just being fit enough. What if I get a flat tyre? How competitive is it – will I get cut up on my bike and elbowed out the way during the run? Will people be pulling at my ankles during the swim? (surely not) Which way do I go? What if I get lost! How do I get changed after the swim? Do I need one of those towels with elastic around the neck that you changed under as a kid on the beach? I’m going to need equipment - a special flexible wetsuit, special googles, maybe a water bottle that clips to my bike. And a race belt – what is a race belt?
On receiving my race pack I realised there was a lot to remember on the day too – wrist tag, timing chip, transition zones, different entries and exits for each section. I have to have my number on my back for the ride and my front for the run – I hoped focusing on remembering everything would distract me from the pain. Stay on the left during the ride – be aware of people over taking on the right – sounds dangerous! Energy gels!? Wouldn't a snickers or some Kendal mint cake do! Do I really need to eat mid race? Wouldn't I get a stitch?
It’s been a steep learning curve and I’ve actually quite enjoyed training for it. Last week in a last minute panic I brought a tri-suit which is like a swimming costume with longer legs like cycle shorts attached. You wear this under your wetsuit and then when you take the wetsuit off you are ready to jump on the bike. The main draw for me was they are designed to be quick drying as I didn't like the idea of riding and then running around in soggy shorts and top (and bra and pants!) but it is quite light weight and a bit like donnings some trainers when in a swimming costume and going for a run in it – a bit naked and indecent! I wasn’t sure I wanted to subject anyone to that vision but once I got there most people were in them so I braved it! Training for the triathlon wasn’t really the weight loss plan I was hoping for as I was eating like a horse to get through it but perhaps now I'm made of solid muscle which weighs more than fat I heard :)
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| Go! |
It was hard graft on the day, I’d done all the separate bits but not together and I had never practised transitioning from one section to the next. It was also 27 degrees plus having had diarrhoea 5 days before made me dehydrate quickly on the day. In the end I did it in 1 hr 2 minutes 39 seconds and came 45th out of the 235 women entered which I was really happy with! I'm really glad I done it and might even sign up again next year! Now I will reward myself with a week of sitting on the sofa eating ice cream.
