Got the bug!!

Well having succeeded on my first triathlon I have now decided I enjoyed it so much I have signed up for not just one more event, but two!!
The Beverley Triathlon is on 23rd August and since it is in my husband's home town it gives us chance to see his family and make sure I get some support.
The Eyemouth triathlon is on 20th September and is the last of the Border series. I have been warned that the cycle is a hard hill but think it could be good for the experience.
We have recently come back from holiday in Mallorca, and for the first time ever I swam in the sea, out of my depth, and felt really confident about it. That felt great and it is all thanks to Andrea who has been giving me great tips on technique and really building my confidence.
I must also congratulate Andrea who has just completed a cross channel swim in 11hrs 35mins, a fantastic achievement and I am really impressed at her dedication to the training and in completing the crossing.

Goal reached

I did it!! It's official - I am now a triathlete!!! I had a truly fantastic experience and really enjoyed myself and am so proud of what I have done.

Sunday morning started very early - so early in fact that Jerry had to take a picture to prove what time we left the house. He doesn't see this time on a Sunday usually unless there is a Grand Prix on.

Having got to Stirling I registered, and got my number painted on my arm and leg (it's still there despite a bath and two showers), set up my transition area, checked it, looked at everyone else's, moved everything, moved it all back again, checked it and so on for the next half hour. Then we had the pre-race briefing where they tell you all the important stuff, but I was so nervous I promptly forgot most of it.

The elite athletes went off first in the pool and I went along to see how it was done. Then all too soon it was my heat. I was last to go in my lane. There were five swimmers per lane with colour coded hats. Each colour set off at 5sec intervals. As I was planning on doing breaststroke for the whole thing I was fully expecting to be last out of the pool. I was amazed when I realised that not only was I holding my own, I was actually faster than some of the crawl swimmers. In fact, I passed two swimmers in my lane and was out of the pool in less than the 18mins I had planned for. It was a great feeling to know I was not the slowest. I quickly ran around to transition, got myself kitted up and ran out for the cycle.

The cycle was slightly surreal as I only saw three other cyclists on most of the route. One of them passed me and I passed two others, then overtook the first guy on the hill into the finish - which felt great, and he was impressed too. All that training up the West Lothian hills on my mountain bike paid off!

The transition from the bike to the run was much quicker, rack the bike, take off the helmet, grab the water and a gel and go - except my legs weren't too keen on the idea. I just focused on moving forward and ignored my pace, swallowing the gel and getting some water into my system, which really helped, as did all the shouts of support from the crew who came to cheer me on - Thanks a lot Kirsty, Andy and Finlay. What didn't help was the short, very steep hill after the first 300m, that was really tough, but I knew it would get easier and by the time I came back down I was really stretching out my legs, but that was only halfway as I had it all to do again on the second lap. All the way up the hill for the second time I was determined not to walk and kept saying to myself '£1300, £1300' just to keep going. The second loop was much easier after the hill and the final run in was great with everyone shouting me home.

The most amazing moment was realising that not only had I beaten my planned time of 1hr 50, or my admitted stretch goal of 1Hr 45, but even my private stretch goal of 1hr 40, I had a time of 1hr 37mins 24secs!!

I had a truly amazing experience and am already thinking about doing it all again. The other hard part to do now is to get the money in, but I am sure that will happen. I am so grateful to everyone who has sponsored me. The money will make so much difference to those in Africa who it will go to. Supporting the training of a prosthetist to learn how to make and fit prosthetics is such a constructive move, and will not only benefit the individuals but will also help all those around them as they are able to fulfil their potential.

Three days to go
Time is running out fast - I can't believe it is only three days to go now. All the hard training has happened and I am now tapering. Did a relaxing swim Monday, a slow 5 mile run on Tuesday and a slow 8 mile cycle tonight. It feels weird not to be training hard, and I can't believe how much spare time I have this week. I think I am just about ready. I have about £1300 pledged in sponsorship and with tax back that makes a great contribution. Loads of thanks to all those who have supported me financially and I know the cash will be the right incentive to make it up those hills on the run.

Hairy Haggis - successfully completed

As a warm up for the main event next Sunday I took part in the Hairy Haggis relay marathon this weekend. Four of us - see picture - completed the 26.2 miles, I did the first 8.1, then Suzanne did the next 5, Margit the next 8 and Angela brought us home with the final 5 mile stint. We all got round in under 4hrs, but not got the official time yet. It was very, very hot but as I had the first stint it was not too bad for me, but harder for the others. Those who made the entire 26.2 miles all on their own have enormous respect from me.

Now all I have to do is rest up this week, make sure I have all the stuff I need ready for Sunday and try not to panic too much!!

Speed cycling

This blog is a little belated as I have been travelling this week and am just back from Denmark. I borrowed a friends racing bike weekend before last (thanks Jamie) after some persuasion and promptly took 14 mins off my cycle time for 20K. He was right all along, and I have now splashed out on a new-to-me race bike which I'll use for the event. The picture is of me with Jamie's bike, mine is the same in blue.

With ten days to go I am reducing the training, but getting the time to panic about all the things that can go wrong. I'm sure I'll be fine, mild worrying is probably good for me.

The fund raising is going well, heading fast to £1,000 with all the various groups who are helping me out, and the local gym have said I can do some promo there on Monday night. If you are in the Livingston area come and say hello at Bannatynes between 5:30 and 7:30ish.

Running Strong

Well I've had a good couple of weekends recently. Last weekend, 3rd May I did the Edinburgh 10K and my official time was 51:49, faster than last previous times, but the route was different.

On Sunday 10th May I also ran the Glasgow Woman's 10k, in 50:45, which was my best time on this route and 8secs faster than last year. I also managed to come 555th out of over 10,500 runners, so there were 10,000 people that I beat. I have to say that feels pretty good. It was a great event with fantastic support, especially the unofficial water station at the 2km mark - I was really needing that water at that point. I felt really strong all the way through and am pleased with my fitness. In the afternoon Jerry and I cycled to a local pub (he needs an incentive to get exercising). It was the first time he has used that for several months as he has had so many problems with his leg, so it was great to see him using it so well.

I also did a longer, harder cycle tonight, taking the long route to the gym, then swam 30 lengths and cycled back again. I was trying out the trisuit I have borrowed and wore it for cycling and swimming, and I have to say I did get some funny looks in the pool. I was hoping it would be quiet, but not only were there several swimmers, there was an aquarobics class on as well!! Talk about bad timing. I also got a few funny looks as I left the gym dripping wet wearing the same clothes I had in the pool, but it is all in a good cause.

I am now believing that I can actually do the race and finish it. I am now starting to worry about logistics, making sure I can get to where I need to be at the right time with the right stuff. A pal at work has offered to lend me a serious road bike for the event and I'll get to try it out this weekend, to see if it will make a big difference. That should be fun.

I have also been working on the fund raising. The posters are up at work and in the local pub and support has been great. Still not sure if I will reach the full amount, but anything is fantastic and I am starting to think that I will get into 4 figures.

We have a trainee-in-waiting

I have some great news from the 500 miles charity. We have a trainee who is willing to go to Tanzania for training as a prosthetist. His name is Patrick Mwila and currently works in the workshop in Zambia.

It is really great to have a real person to be raising money for rather than just the theory of supporting someone. It has got me even more motivated than I have been.

The other good news is that I have got my posters made and will be really pushing the money raising side of things in the next few weeks. Many of my colleagues have already given me great support both financially and with help on my training which is going really well, despite a slight problem with my knee. I am making sure I don't push it too hard and am icing it regularly. I am getting loads of encouragement from work, several cyclists pals are giving me loads of tips and advice (thanks Phil and Jamie especially), and Andrea keeps going with making sure I will be okay in the swim. I am actually thinking I will finish it and not be last, which in addition to my goal of raising the £6,500 needed for Patrick to get his first year's training guaranteed.