Life's little challenges...

Speight's Coast to Coast Race Report: Part 3 - Day 2

2010-02-19T03:07:00.000Z

The weather men got it right. At some point in the night the rain came down and the wind blew a hoolley. I didn't sleep well but that had nothing to do with the weather thanks to really good earplugs, thanks Suzanne!!!

Challenge 5: What to wear when the weather giving you everything it has got...
Everything! Well, maybe not quite, I had a lot of stuff with me! The rain was really pouring down. It was really hard to decide what to wear. We had an hour to hang around out in the open between our support crew leaving and the start of day 2 because we were all due to travel on the same road. Whilst waiting, we needed lots of layers, but once we started peddling, we would over heat. I opted for the my Ocra shorts with my skins over the top and on top I had a poly prop under a cycle jersey with my waterproof jacket over the top. Finally, I have full waterproof top and bottoms on until I had to say goodbye to my crew.

Eating my porridge was tough that morning, then rain kept on filling it up with water!

I had been apprehensive about the ride, it was going to be the longest ride I had ever done. I needn't have worried, it was amazing! By the time I started cycling on day 2, I was shaking like a leaf with the cold. 20 minutes in to the ride and I had to stop to take off my waterproof jacket and hat because I was over heating!

Yes the ride was tough. It involved about 85k of hills and the remaining distance was flat with a very slight down hill. There was one point where it was so steep that most got off and walked. It was pretty windy too, I got blown into the grass verge on 4 occasions, but lucky I didn't fall off and it never involved another rider. I witnessed that though!

The ride across the Canterbury Plains was also tough. I was tired, had too many clothes on and was stuggling with food and water. We had a bike transition to top up on food and water, which I did, but it was hard to eat and drink because the wind was so strong I needed to hold on. On the plains the sun was really hot but I didn't have any sunblock on and had none in transition so I opted to keep my layers on to protect me from burning. It did mean I was over heating. Big time!
But it was also amazingly beautiful. And the down hills were sooooooo much FUN! I clocked up 46.1 mph, my fastest downhill time to date. It was also a draft legal race, no areobars alowed to two day competitors, so it was excellant fun riding in a chain gang. You really noticed the difference when you got dropped!

I arrived at the kayak tranistion in good time. I fact I beat my support crew! After looking around a bit, I got told that many support crews were being held up in traffic.

Challenge 6: What do you do if you beat your crew to transition?
I sat down by my race number, thanks to a seat offered by another competitor's support crew, ate all my food and drink and cooled off in the shade. I was pretty relaxed, there was nothing I could do.

Challenge 7: What do you do when you discover that your support crew have been waiting in the wrong place?
Suck it up.

I don't know what made me look round but when I did I saw Helen and Matt looking up the road for me. They were standing at 400, I was at 500! Neither of us had looked round for the other! This did upset me a wee bit but there was nothing I could do. They had had a tough day too, with lots of changes to the plans.

As I got into my kayak kit, they informed me that it was being cut short by a bit and that I would be getting on my bike again for the final 7k.

Challenge 8: A 20k kayak along an almost flat river, with no idea of distance, with the tide coming in and a head wind.
This was by far the hardest point of the race. So close to the finish, we were meandering thfough Christchurch! and yet so far. Because I was in the old sea kayak rather than a light race boat and with a normal paddle rather than wings it was really tough going. Three times I asked someone on the bank how far we had to go and three times in the space of an hour I got told 10k! A bit later I asked it became 3k left to go. Three time I got told it was about 3k! I got fairly close to a sense of humour failure. I was not happy. Luckily many of the competitors were feeling the same and so we supported each other with banter. The final 3k, the actual final 3k, was really tough. I just put my head down and kept going.

I finally turned the corner and saw the boat shed, yeeee haaaaa!

Helen and Matt pulled me out of the boat, helped me get changed, gave me my bike and sent me on my way. I was really cold but had nothing in transition to put on. Luckily I warmed up as I peddled.

That final 7k was a blur. I was tired and felt like the wind was going to blow me into the sea at any moment but I made it. I handed my bike to an official and started running, down the shoot, on to the beach and across the finishing line.

19:23:46.

I staggered to the sea, touched the waves and smiled. I had done it!

Speight's Coast to Coast race report: Part 2 - Day 1

2010-02-18T06:22:00.000Z

The day started with a 4.45am alarm call.

I got myself sorted, though there wasn't much to do. I decided the previous evening to stay up later that I would like to check all my kit, food and liquid so that I could have a relaxed morning. Meanwhile, Matt made my breakfast and Helen started to breakdown our camp.

Whilst I didn't sleep well, the morning went very smoothly. Simon and I cycled to the the bike transition 4.6k away and my support crew headed to the run transition 50k away to wait for me. From the bike transition, Simon and I walked the final 3k to the beach (stopping several times in the many portaloos for nerves breaks!)

I washed my hands in the sea, making sure I had a true coast to coast experience, and joined the many participants stretching, warming up and watering the flora.

The race started with a 3k sprint to our bikes. I'm really bad at sprint starts, especially first thing in the morning, so I decided to play it safe. This meant that I didn't make the 200 strong pack of cyclists but it did mean that my legs weren't goosed in the first 5 min!

I reached my bike, stripped off my leg warmers, changed my shoes and was off. What a blast! The course undulates steadily upwards for 55k and passes through lush forest, wide river plains and heads towards the mountains. The temperature was perfect, warm with a cool breeze. I polished off a 750ml bottle of electrolyte, a 750ml bottle of water and ate something every 30min.

I came into bike transition feeling good. I quickly changed my top and shoes, had some food then grabbed my rucksac and was off.

After 3k of track we came to the first of many river crossings. It is pretty standard to assist your fellow competitors at crossings and I held the hand of a girl called Marie. I think she helped me more than I helped her! In the end, Marie and I stayed together for the rest of the 'run'. I say run in the loosest sence of the word, more like a walk! I hadn't had much practice running over river beds. I'm usually good at going over on my ankle in terrain like that, so decided to walk as quickly as I could for most of it and running when it was safe. I hadn't had a chance to go over the running route before the race. I'm glad I didn't try, it would have scared me. Walking with Marie was a good partnership, she knew the route and I had the food timing nailed. Every 30 min we ate something, every river crossing we drank something. I also carried 2ltrs of electrolyte for the first and last 5k where you can't drink from the rivers. Generally I was happy my nutrition stratagy re the Cliff Bars but the Cliff Shot blocs were not a good idea, they didn't have enough calaries. After 3 hours I ditched them for my back up food.

The run was tough. It is stoney, rocky and rooty on the way up and muddy and rooty with steep drops on the way down. I was glad to cross the finish line.

I met with Helen and Matt (and the new kayak) and headed for our camp. I was in the process of eating my dinner, having downed my Banana Rego, when officials started giving anouncements of an emergency race briefing that all had to attend at 7pm.

Challenge 4: What happens when the weather turns against you...
The emergency race briefing was to inform us about the sever weather warning that had been issued to our area. We were told that we make sure our tents were well and truely secured because the weather was really going to hit us. But that wasn't the bad news... The bad news was that the Waimak, the river we were due to paddle, was due to quadruple in size over night! The kayak leg as we knew it was cancelled! Instead we were to cycle the 135k (or 145k depending on who you listed too!) back to Christchurch, over the Southern Alps, then a 20k paddle down the Avon. In the pouring rain and galeforce winds!

Day 2 was going to be interesting!

Speight's Coast to Coast race report: Part 1

2010-02-18T05:27:00.000Z

The Speights Coast to Coast happened last weekend and boy was it interesting!

For many, the biggest challenge is just getting to the start line. This was a challenge, on many levels, but it was just one of many that happened over the weekend.

Challenge 1: Getting to the start line...
This was a hugh mental hurdle that did not go away until it was too late. And then re-occurred for day 2! However, I also had the challenge of actually physically getting to the start line. My initial plan (plan A) was to travel with my support crew (Helen and Matt), however, they informed me when I arrived that they could not leave until after work. Fair enough though a little more warning might of helped. I arranged with a fellow competitor and friend from Scotland (Simon) to take me bike and went onto the sportzhub website to se if I could get a lift with someone else (Bryan) (Plan B). This was almost all arranged when I happened to be in a local kayak shop. One of the instructors (Cam) offered to to take me and my bike (Plan C). Bonus, I thought, I wont be separated from my bike. The day before race registration, I called to check what time we were leaving only to find it was too late for my registration! Back to plan B, and a rapid drive across town to deliver my bike to Simon!

I got a lift with Bryan, a fellow competitor. This was a pretty relaxed journey!

Challenge 2: Finding my bike...
I arrived at registration at 2.30, registration was due to open at 3pm, and started to look for Simon and my bike. I registered, no problem, but couldn't find Simon. We had no mobile phone reception so had no way to communicate. I set up my tent, a nice little spot in a clean horse stall, protected from any weather, and started looking for my bike again. At 5.15pm, I headed to my sitting of the pasta party, hoping that I would see him there. I finally met with Simon at 6.15. Bryan gave me and my bike a lift back to my tent so that I could start applying all my stickers.

At 8pm, we had our race briefing. I hitched a ride with another competitor (James) who had space in his car.

Back at my tent for 9pm I finally met up with my support crew. Thank goodness I hadn't travelled with them but...

Challenge 3: Kayaks...
Matt approached me and said "I have been thinking and have decided that you should us the sea kayak." (Instead of the eclipse 5.7, a really nice boat, that was strapped to the roof of the van). I was a little confused but decided to go with the flow. Matt continued... "We had a little accident on the way here, drove over the rachet strap stabilising the front on the kayak, practically snapped the kayak in two!!!" OMG! This was Matt's pride and joy!! This was only going to be the 3rd time the kayak had seen a river! Matt had only paddled it once before!!!! OMG!! Poor Matt. He looked sick and probably felt it too. His kayak was insured, but that was not the point. As far as my race was concerned, I was in luck. Matt would go back home and pick up his old sea kayak whilst I was doing the running leg.

Saturday's kayaking trip

2009-12-01T19:42:00.000Z

Up date your blog more...

2009-12-01T19:38:00.000Z

This is the instruction that my mate gave me on Sunday and I know it is true.

I am on a huge rollacoster ride at the moment.

I go to spin training or kayaking and I'm on top of the world. My race is on. I can do this.

Then a matter of hours later I'm in the depths of dispare and worry. I see 3am, 4am, 5am or all of them. So much is going round my head that it drives me insane. The distractions, in no particular order, go like this..

Can I do this? Will I enjoy it? Will I ruin my 2 month sabbatical by racing? Will I ruin my 2 month sabbatical by not racing?
What am I going to do with my bike whilst I'm travelling? Shall I take my bike or shall I try to get one locally? It is a bit late to hire one now so can I borrow one?
Bike bags
Boilers
Can I rent my spare room out whilst I'm gone to help with my mortgage? Will my flat be ok if I rent my spare room out to a stranger?
What to do with my mortgage? Do I fix in again or do let it switch to the standard variable and hope that the interest rates on the fixed mortgages don't go up too much before I fix in?
Have I done enough kayaking? Enough kayaking in the right kind of boat? Can I lie on my kayak certificate and say that I did the test in a boat similar to my race boat?
I've not run in weeks. Can I get away with some intensive run training over Christmas? Does it matter as long as I'm fit after all it is 20 miles over boldery river beds. I'll probably be safer going at a slower pace and not risking injuring myself. Oh hell, what happens if I get injured?
If I pull out, will I disappoint my friends who have put in so much of their time helping me get to the starting line?
Will I have a support team? Will it all fall into place for the start, or will it not and I loose my £375 entrance fee?

The list goes on and on.

I know how to stop the worrying. It is to be proactive. I keep a notebook and pen by my bed to write down my concerns so I don't then stay awake worrying about forgetting what I was worrying about! I try and cross off something off of my list every day. Keep moving forward every day.

The crazy thing is that I know I can do this. I know I can do anything I set my mind to.

If only I can just shut off these damn worries, get it sorted, get some sleep.

I can do this!

2009-11-14T09:06:00.000Z

I must remember, I can do anything I set my mind to.

Recently I have been plagued by a bad back and a heavy, chesty cold that have run alongside a busy November the 5th season. All this has meant that my training has really suffered and with that my confidence.

I must jump back on my bike, run in the hills and try not to swim in a river with a positive mind that I can do it!

Commitment

2009-10-22T22:36:00.000+01:00

What does it mean to be committed to something?

Over the last few weeks, I have been told that I am lacking in commitment. I am not totally sure if it is meant to be tongue in cheek or not. It has got me thinking.

I have decided that I am committed to many things but each has its priority compared to the other and that order of priority changes when necessary.

My commitments as I see them, in no order:

Family. What can I say? They mean the world to me. We are too far apart. We are different.
Friends. I believe in the saying that your friends are the family you chose. I don't have many close friends but I wouldn't change those I have for the world.
Fireworks. When I work on a fireworks display I feel like I can be myself, warts and all. I feel valued and part of a team. At times I can be feminine and at other times a work horse but always me. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it is just plain horrible but of course, you also get to blow stuff up!
Venture Scotland. I am very loyal to my work and colleagues at Venture Scotland. I am perhaps their biggest critic but I am also a staunch supporter.
Partner. When in a relationship with someone, I seem to loose a bit of myself. I become overly dependent on them. I try to please them, do what I think is right for them. This isn't always right for me. Other times when I look after me, I feel guilty for having done so. I have yet to find the right balance between time focused on my partner, time focused on us and time focused on me. I live in hope that next time I get it right.
Myself. I am a big critic of myself. I don't accept praise nearly as well as I accept criticism. I remember and dwell on the critics but seem unable to glory in praise. I am always look out for self improvement. None of us are so great that we can not be better.

Over the past seven months I have been much more focused on myself. I am learning to look after number one. Doing the things I want to do. I have not been the best Sister, Daughter or Aunt. I have not been the best friend. This does not sit well on me, I don't enjoy it and I feel guilty about it but it is needed.

As for lacking in commitment? I don't think so. Instead I over commit. Try to please too many people, be in too many places, do too much stuff. Not doing any of it as well as I would like. I always end up upsetting other people, and myself, when the balance goes wrong.

It is time to step back and have a look around. Re-prioritize.

Sunrise

2009-09-24T14:28:00.000+01:00

This morning I woke at 5.45am. After hiding under the pillow for a while trying to go back to sleep I decided that, as I was awake, I should get up and go for my run. This oppossed to getting another hours sleep then rushing around trying to get the right stuff ready, faffing and probably arriving at work late having not run as far as I would have liked!

So I left the house in the dark at about 6.30am. The sky was rapidly beginning to lighten so I didn't need a head torch, but it wont be long. After a couple of miles along the flat I entered Holyrood Park from the Duddingston entrance and took an immediate right. This route, new to me, took me up lots of uneven stairs to the top road round Arthur's Seat. I got 2/3 up the stairs and stopped, rested then finished them off then followed this up with a steep hill to the road.

I stopped again and turned to look at the view. It was stunning. The horizen was bathed in rose coloured light. There was just enough light to see the city stretched out below but the street lights were also still on. It really looked like half day and half night. Very pretty.

I turned once more to face the hill. I ran to the top of the grass section stopping twice to 'look at the view'/get my breath back. THe hoizen was getting more and more beautiful as the depth of pinks, roses and oranges grew. I thought, if I get a wriggle on, I may make it to the top for sunrise. It was going to be tough. It was going to be touch and go.

I dug down and stode on up. Running isn't so possible at the top as ~~you~~ I need to use my hands to scramble up. I stopped to check out the sunrise regularly, hoping to catch the sun break the horizen where ever I got to.

I made it to the top! Three others were buried deep in their winter jackets waiting for the splendor to being. I sat down with my arms wrapped around me to keep warm, and watched.

Sunrise is truely one of the most beautiful times of the day and today was no exception.

The big ball of fire suddenly burst over the horizen. The underside of the clouds were bathed in reds, oranges, yellows and pinks and every shade in between. The sun slowly rose from its night time slumber filling our hearts with joy and awe. Blinding us and burning off any negativity to start the day fresh and new.

I didn't stay to watch the sun duck under its daytime cover of cloud. I was getting chilly. But I was smiling to myself all the way, still bathed in the joy.

What a great start to the day.

Paying for it!

2009-09-16T13:56:00.000+01:00

The problem with having a break from training; and then having a great first day; is the risk that you may push your self harder than you should in your enthusiasm to be back. The consequences are that you hurt the next day.

Yup, that is me today. My quads and calves are really sore.

A risk of getting sore so early in training is that you then take a day or so off to recover!

I didn't do this and I'm very proud of myself.

This morning I went out on my bike with the intention of cycling two 5 mile time trials. I headed out to the start of the course, about 6.5 miles, feeling particularly stiff and wondering if I could just go for a ride instead. I persevered with the first 5 miles though I hurt and didn't feel like I was going very quick. Indeed, I only averaged 17.4 mph. Through out those 5 miles I was wondering if I could cut it short, if I could maybe just cycle back easily or maybe head to the coast instead. After a bit of a spin I gave myself a good talking too and turned around to start the second 5 miles. This was helped by the fact that the course was not flat. It is slightly more uphill on the way out and therefore slightly down hill on the way back. Sure enough, though it still hurt, my average on the return leg was 19.4 mph. I took it real easy cycling home!

I'm dead chuffed that I did the session and didn't bail out. May the good motivation continue as the nights draw in.

No kayaking tonight

2009-09-15T22:04:00.000+01:00

I pitched up at the swimming pool tonight for the regular pool session but unfortunately they only had two boats. I hung about for a bit and then headed home. The pool sessions very much rely on people bringing their boats with them only tonight there were lots of new people and therefore no boats. Never mind, it gave me an evening in to write some thank you emails to the fab people who sponsored me in Antwerp.

Training starts again

2009-09-15T11:04:00.003+01:00

I have found it hard to get back into training. My bodyclock was changed over the summer with log work hours and lots of socialising. I was finding it hard to make that first step out the door for anything other than kayaking or my commute cycle to work. Today I changed that.

Today I headed to Arthurs Seat on leisurely run to work. I took the slightly longer, flatter route that meant I was more warmed up by the time I got to the park. On a commute to work, I usually go down the hill but today I went up. My destination was the top!

I got 2/3 of the way up, the start of the rocks and decided that that was enough for day one so I stopped to take some photo's.

This was the bit I didn't do and some more hills to do another day on my commute to work.

( I live behind this one)

However... after taking my photo's I had got my breath back and loosened my legs off a bit. So I went for the top, half walking, half running, half scrambling (Oops, too many half's!).

This was the view I was rewarded with. What a great first day back!

My summer of bangs is over... phew - part 3

2009-09-10T08:06:00.000+01:00

After 4 weeks that included Antwerp 70.3, 11 hours a day for 3 weeks working on the Edinburgh Military Tattoo AND working at Venture Scotland, 2 weddings, a two day 1^st aid course, a kayak session and a trip to Glentress mountain biking… I took a week off… And worked on the Bank of Scotland (BOS) end of festival firework concert! No rest for the wicked!

The BOS fireworks concert is the biggest fireworks display in Europe. It is choreographed to a live orchestra (Handel), contained 4.5 tonnes of gross fireworks and lasted for 45 minutes. I took 15 of us 7 days to set up, 45 minutes to fire and 4 hours to clean up after. There is also plenty of social life in the pub!

The fireworks cover the whole area that you can see in this photo, including down the ramparts on the right and in the bays that you can just about see on the left.

My role in this display started off rigging some of the 700 candles to 45 of the racks seen here.

The first three days went well. We had good weather and we got a lot of kit out. Unfortunately, it rained so hard on Thursday and Friday that the waterproofing started to fail… big time. I moved into the firework ‘1^st aid’ tent. We had to bring in the kit that was soaking up the water, try to dry it, rebuild it where necessary, re waterproof it and put it back. This was hugely time consuming, not to mention dangerous and stressful.

Our good start to the week rapidly disappeared as we utilized every bit of daylight to do the 1^st aid, wire it all and then test it all.

We got it all done in the end and here are the photo’s!

My summer of bangs is over... phew - part 2

2009-09-09T20:53:00.006+01:00

On the last Friday of the Tattoo I took the day off from my day job (I forgot to mention that I maintained my 9-5 job whilst doing the Tattoo 7-11) to do a pyrotechnic job at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

This was a wee piss take of Britain's Got Talent, called TVs Got Talent, as an opening celebration for the Edinburgh International Television Festival. Thank god it was tongue in cheek, I would have hated for it to be too serious! The winning act was a woman who could sing with her mouth shut!

Me on the right in the foreground, Ant and Dec behind on the stage and the big screen.

Here are some of the effects I used...

Silver jet 1/2 20" (1/2 second burn time and maximum height of 20 feet)

70g Flame pot

My summer of bangs is over... phew - part 1

2009-09-09T19:45:00.009+01:00

As some of you might know, one of the reasons I chose Antwerp 70.3 was its timing. It was early August. The reason it needed to be in late July or early August is because I spend the summer blowing things up!

The Wednesday after my race I started working on the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This is 3.5 weeks of massed pipes and drums, plus other acts, matching up and down the Edinburgh Esplanade in front of an audience of 9000.

(Photo by Susie)

My role is to set up, fire and clean up the punctuation fireworks that run through out the 1.5 hour long show.

The mortars (Photo by Lynn)

A Mine (Photo by Lynn)

Loading the mortars with mines (Photo by Lynn)

Cannon Maroons and Gavin (Lynn)

Shells, Gavin and Stuart (Photo by Lynn)

White Water Racer

2009-08-19T20:51:00.001+01:00

I had my first session in a White Water Racer (kayak) on Saturday.

A White Water Racer, it was ace!

We went to Loch Ore, in Fife. We were hoping for a nice flat loch where the conditions would challenge me too much. Unfortunately it was pretty windy. Oh well, this is Scotland!

I was expecting to spend a lot of time in the water so I donned my wetsuit. Sure enough, I had capsized within a couple of strokes. Not put out, I swam to shore and got back in. I braced myself, looked at the horizon and paddled. To my surprise and the surprise or my mate, I went a good few hundred meters! And the I capsized. Apparently the challenge of a WWR is staying stable when your still. It is not too bad when your paddling. Sure enough, I could paddle ok if I was heading into the wind but if I tried to turn or stop I would go for a swim.

I only stayed out for an hour before I was shattered. It was great to be learning something new and to do well at it on my 1st time. My mate thought I was going to spend most of my time in the water swimming and having an emotional breakdown! But much to his surprise I only capsized 5 times! I think he was looking forward to a little bit of humour at my expense. Don't worry Al, I'm sure there will be plenty of other occasions!

So what next?

2009-08-18T11:24:00.003+01:00

I'm off to New Zealand in January 2010 to compete in the Speight's Coast to Coast race!

This has been on the back burner for a while now but I wanted to focus my energies on Antwerp before I talked about it on my blog.

I have entered the race, I have booked my flights (My bike is coming too for free!) and I have sorted my insurance. All I need to do is find a kayak to race in and plan my itinerary. Oh and learn to white water kayak!

I'm sooooooo excited!

Antwerp race report - Race Day

2009-08-15T10:28:00.023+01:00

I woke up after a bad nights sleep to find a very wet day. The day before it was 29C, race day morning it had dropped to 17C! This didn't actually worry me too much. Having trained in Scotland in all weather conditions meant this was normal for me.

We arrived at the start and I put my bike together and checked the tyres. I had planned to do this the day before but it didn't happen. I wasn't happy that the pump was working properly but I had to make do.

I was nice and early at T1 so had lots of time to set up. The pouring rain made it all the more pleasant for my support team. I wasn't too bothered as I was going to get wet anyway!

Chatting to Mum and Dad before the race, looking and feeling quite relaxed.

I looked silly whilst I was lining up at the start. I like to stop talking to people in the few minutes before the start. I close my eyes, breath deeply and run through the race in my head. I got as far as the end of T1 but I just couldn't picture the bike ride.

Lining up in the water.

And we're off!

Mum and Dad looking on, desperately trying to work out which yellow hat was mine. Years of seeing me compete at swim meets was no help in 800m of open water and 100 matching swimmers.

I took every one by surprise by the speed I was out of the water. I was the 13th women and the 1st in my age group!

I have a big grin on my face as I leave T1 but it hides the nerves. I didn't feel as prepared as I could have been. In training I had focused so much on improving my run that I had let my bike slip. I wasn't sure that I could 'race' the distance, though I was fairly sure I would finish. I was also very concerned about eating and drinking enough. Hunger during the run would really make me feel bad and yet I can't run of a full stomach, it is a really fine balance.

The bike ride was a challenge. All was going well until about 1/3 of the way round when I felt my back tyre was sluggish. I stopped to have a look and sure enough, it had lost quite a bit of air. I took the wheel off to try and get a closer look at the tube but I couldn't get the tyre off. In desperation I decided to try to re inflate the tyre. I also thought that maybe I should have practiced with my CO2 gas inflater before the race! Luck was on my side and the tyre inflated. How long it would last I didn't know. An on looker came to help and I tried to say no but he wasn't having any of it. I only had to put my bike back together but when a referee drove past I thought that would be the end of the race.

In trepidation, I got back on my bike. I was so pleased to get to the turn around point but every set of tracks I crossed I flinched. Would my tyre handle it? I made it round lap 2 and was heading back into town, tired, when I made a bad gear change and lost my chain. Wearily, I got off my bike again, sorted myself out and headed off again. I just wanted to get the bike finished. My back was hurting and I was only just holding it together.

I was so pleased to see T2. As I said in the last blog, I wished I had spent more time checking out T2. I was pointed to my rack and the change went well but then I couldn't see the exit. I had to head towards the entrance to ask where the exit was.

Another smile for the cameras. I was so glad to start the run, but I was aware of how far I still had to go. Having the friendly faces of my friend and family really helped. I was smiling for them, I didn't want them to worry. But my smile picked my spirits up too. That first lap was uncomfortable. I ran along the promenade and round to the first aid station where I allowed my self to walk through the station. There were 3 aid stations per lap where I took a wet sponge and some water each time but I only allowed myself the run through that 1st aid station each lap. On my number belt I had four Honey Stinger gels that I would have every 30 min, religiously starting with leaving T2 (I had a fist of malt loaf, 1.5 energy bars and 1500ml of water and energy drink on the bike).

Starting my final lap, still smiling! During the run I kept an eye on the clock on the cathedral that I would pass 4 times. As I passed the clock on my final lap, I realised I had the chance of finish in under 6 hours. I still walked the first aid station but put my head down to maintain my pace. The next aid station I walked to drink some flat Coke, wary that I didn't want to get a stitch at this late stage. I past my friend and family at a different point, still on target. I shouted at them that I was aiming for sub 6hrs. I put my head and upped the pace. Passing through the final aid station I upped the pace again. I turned the corner into the cathedral square and the finishing line and started sprinting. The crowd started cheering and I gave every thing I had.

Finishing was the greatest feeling I have ever had. I had totally blown my expectations out of the water. I had done the training, I had put in the hard work and I had reaped the rewards.

An emotional hug with Mum.

An emotional hug with Dad.

In shock. I kept repeating that I couldn't believe how well I had done. I had my post race plan that I had told my family was just as important as the race plan. They took off my shoes and helped my into my compression tights, helped me on with my down jacket, put a hat on my head and feed me my recovery drink. I looked daft all wrapped up on what had turned into a beautiful afternoon but I didn't care. I know that I would start shaking with cold if I didn't.

We slowly made our way back to T2 to pick up my bike and T1 stuff that had been moved there. The back tyre was totally flat. How lucky had I been!

My amazing support team and me.

Thanks Guy's, I don't think I would have done so well if you hadn't been there. Your cheers and smiles seemed to be everywhere. Thanks to Mum and Dad for driving me there and back and around, for sorting our great accommodation and putting up with my moods. Thanks Suzanne for coming over from Frankfurt and taking such amazing photo's. It has taken me longer than the race to upload them all!

Final results...

108 women took part, I was 70th

I was 13th out of the swim, 1st in my age group

78th on the Bike, 18th in my age group

78th on the Run, 19th in my age group (though this also includes T2)

738th out of 855 completer's, 70th women out of 108, 17th in my age group out of 19.

Final word..

On walking back to T2 after the race I pointed some thing out to Dad.

"Dad" I said, "there is something I haven't said yet"

"What is that?" Asked my Dad

"I've not said I'm never doing it again"

"Yes, I had noticed that"

Watch this space!

Antwerp race report - Day before

2009-08-15T09:34:00.008+01:00

Picking up my registration pack

My goody bag - I was quite impressed!

Checking out the bike and run routes. We later went out in the car and drove what we could. The bike was flat, other than a couple of motorway and railway bridges. Lots of tram and train rails to cross though and the potential to be quite exposed. The run through the town was flat as a pancake but fairly twisty and cobbley.

The swim. I have done most of my open water training in the North Sea so I was hoping that this would be relatively straight forward. The difficult thing would be the amount of us swimming at the same time. The water temperature was 21 C. We therefore had the choice of whether to wear a wetsuit or not. After chatting to other competitors, I choose to keep my wetsuit on.

T2.

I should have asked more questions about this!

I really had to control my excitement today. In the end, I missed the pasta party due to faffing and Antwerp roads. I think it was a good thing. I would have got over excited and worked up. In the end, we went to a quiet little restaurant round the corner from our B & B and had spag bog. This meant I could have a relaxing evening sorting all my stuff out.

I went to bed totally prepared and relaxed.

Official Antwerp times!

2009-08-03T18:09:00.003+01:00

Swim - 29.08

T1 - 4.51

Bike - 3.06.49

T2 - 2.34

Run - 2.07.23

Total - 5.50.46

Brief race report

2009-08-02T18:26:00.003+01:00

Excellent race. Finished in approx 5hrs 53mins.

Thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Swim went really well. Was one of the earliest people from my wave to emerge.

T1 pretty swift although everything wet from the heavy rain at the start. My support team were as wet as I was.

Bike didn't go quite as well with a flat type, lost chain and strong winds.

T2 excellent, nice and quick and efficient. Lots of cheers from the support team.

Run good fun. Lots of support from support team and hundreds of people in the street. 3 laps. Lap1 painful. Lap 2 painful. Lap 3 painful. Sprint to the finish line - great fun. Lots of cheers from the crowd and the finishers enclosure.

Finished in approx 5hrs 53 mins. This exceeds all my hopes, dreams and expectations. Thanks to all that supported me in this endevour.

More detailed report another day when I've had time to absorb.

In 4 days it will be race day!

2009-07-30T21:16:00.002+01:00

The support crew and I have now all arrived in Antwerp! 3 from England and 1 from Frankfurt, Germany.

Off reccy the routes tomorrow then to Ypes and the World War 1 memorials.

5 days to go

2009-07-29T22:05:00.004+01:00

Picked Sarah up from New Street Station, Birmingham, with more luggage for four days than we usually take for a month. Good job it is only a half Ironman - Lord knows what a full Ironman needs. Good job I had a big boot with seats that fold down. Now I know how much we have to take for her, we may find a corner for our own stuff so long as we keep it to one carrier bag.

6 days and its race day!

2009-07-28T20:03:00.002+01:00

Today was the day for packing and last minute shopping.

I laid out all my kit on the living room floor in 5 piles. I had a pile for pre-race, a pile for the swim, a pile for the bike, a pile for the run and a pile for post-race. Each bag is to be packed into it's own bag. It is so hard to know what to take.

I have decided to race in my tri-suit regardless of the weather. It is just so much more comfortable to race in than cycling shorts. That is in my pre-race bag along with a choice of bra's (I just know I will be race day picky!).

My swim bag contains my wetsuit. I have also packed my neoprene hat and three different pairs of goggles; blue, clear and cloudy - You never know what race day weather will be like!

My bike bag has leg and arm warmers, my windproof Gillette and jacket and my waterproof jacket (the forecast is for rain at the moment :-( ). These items can really make a difference to my comfort on the ride. I also have my cycle sunnies (I live in hope of sunshine), my race number belt, cycling shoes and socks, helmet, buff and gloves.

My run bag has my trainers, fresh socks and a change of outfit. I'm not sure how I will feel on race day after the bike ride but I know that I might feel like putting on something less salty. I bet I ignore it and go out on the run in my tri-suit but at least I will have the choice.

Finally my post-race bag has my compression tights, my premaloft jacket, hat and gloves! I always cool down very quickly after a race so I wrap up uber warm until my body temperature re-regulates.

I have packed about five water bottles! I'm sure I wont use them all but once again, at least I have a choice.

Most of my race food has been picked up from a run shop local to Mum and Dad so I'm just bringing a few extra bits and pieces. I'll sort my food out on Friday or Saturday.

All I have left to do is to pack my none race stuff and I'm sorted! Nothing quite like leaving everything to the last minute, when will I ever learn!

7 days to go!

2009-07-27T13:10:00.002+01:00

And I'm really excited!

I'm trying to organise a way for my fabulous support team to keep my blog up to date with my progress during the race. Watch this space!

I'm really pleased with my training, I have done as much as I can considering that I have had an emotional rolla-coaster of a year.

I did a practice of the bike to run about 3-4 weeks ago. We did 57 miles in 3hrs 30min on the bike over a hill course including pee stops, chats and traffic lights! I then took a long transition of 20 min and went out on a 12.5 mile run (2hrs 20 min). Again I went on a hilly course and had to stop for traffic passing several times on a road with no foot path.

I finished feeling great, really positive about the race and my ability to complete it. I am now hoping to finish within 7 hours!

Bring it on!

Edinburgh Marathon Race Report

2009-07-06T21:24:00.000+01:00

Wow, where did the time go? Guess I'm pretty rubbish at this blog milarky! Lots has happened over the last four weeks. I'll start with the Edinburgh Marathon but I'll keep it short and sweet.

It was great day, 24C, really hot... for Edinburgh.

So here are the basics.

Food
I had a honey stinger or SIS energy gel ever 30 min from minus 5 minutes to 3.30. I didn't have one at 4 hours as I was sick of them! But I was also quite sure I had had enough by then to see me to the finish.

5km - 27min (by my watch)
This went well, 8.45 for the first mile then I settled down to a regular 9 min mile.

10km - 54.41 (Official and a PB)
Again I was going well but, in hindsite, maybe a little quick.

10 mile - 1.30 (by my watch and a PB)
It was all about to wobble!

Half - 1.59.37 (official and a PB)
At about 10/11 miles I had a ditsy watch moment that lasted for a least a mile. I looked at my watch and thought that it had taken me 15 minutes to do the last mile. Totally demoralised I slowed down and pottered on. At mile 12.5 ish, I realised that I was looking at the time on my watch, not the stop watch. I was still on schedule for a sub 2hr half! I dug deep and made it by 23 seconds!

My legs were starting to get sore at about 12 miles which wasn't a great sign as I was less than half way through. I knew I had gone too quick for the first half due to the dream of getting PB's. But what would the cost be?

30km - 3.02.05 (Official and PB, well I hadn't run that far before!)
How did that happen? After finishing the half on a PB I totally stopped trying. My goal now was to finish, what ever. I trotted along fairly well until 17.5 miles when I really started to hurt. I set myself some rules. I would walk 1 minute then run for 4 minutes and repeat. It gave me a new lease of life, and I probably went too fast on the run sections. 3 hours for 30k is great!

26.2 miles - 4.34.07 (official and a PB, again it was my first race at that distance)
After 30km my race started to deteriorate. The water station at 18 miles, just before 30km, had ran out of water. I was well hydrated at this point so wasn't too demoralised but on such a hot day it was going to be felt. My walks started to get longer and my runs shorter. I got more water at about 21 miles but I think the damage was done. I walked mile 24-25, determined to finish. At the 25 mile marker I decided that I was going to start 'running' again although to was more of a shuffle by that point! I successfully managed to run all the way to the end, but with none of my customary sprinting.

I am extremely happy with my time and my food/water intake. I will definitely be back to do another one when the time is right!

Edinburgh Marathon Photos

2009-06-02T14:22:00.011+01:00

Here are some photos from the marathon

Start

About 2 miles in.

Some where in Edinburgh.

No idea where I am in this one or the next few.

The finish!

I did run it, honestly, but if you put my start and finish pictures together you would think I was lying!

Edinburgh Marathon

2009-05-31T17:47:00.003+01:00

Just a quick update here, full report later.

I finished it in... 4.33 (Unofficial).

My goals were:

Not to get injured. I don't think I did. It might be a bit early to tell as everything hurts at the mo.
To keep fueled and hydrated. I had a SIS or Honey Stinger gel every 30 minutes, including at the start, for 3.5 hours. (I couldn't stomach one at 4 hours, I had already taken 8 by this point. I figured that would see me through). Hydration was slightly more tricky. I took on water at every station but the water station at 18 miles had run out! Other than the psychological downer, I was fine. I had already taken on enough to see me through.
To get PB's at 5k, 10k, 10 miles, half and full. I got a PB at the 10k (54 minutes, PB by 10 min), PB at 10 miles (1.30, PB by 1 minute), PB at half (1.59, PB by 3-4 min) and of course the PB in the Full (this was my first Marathon!). PB in 5k whilst doing a marathon? Who was I kidding. It would have been daft even to try.

I am really, really happy with my achievements for the day. Thank you Jen for now cooking roast lamb Sunday Dinner!

Edinburgh Marathon

2009-05-30T10:09:00.005+01:00

The Plan

Edinburgh Marathon isn't a top priority race, the Antwerp is. I'm doing the Marathon for the experience. My plans reflect this.

Don't get injured. What ever happens, I can not allow myself to get carried away and then get injured. I am only 8 weeks away from Antwerp!
Keep fueled and hydrated, see weather below.
Get a PB's for 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon. This should be achievable as my training runs have all been quicker than my last races at those distances. A PB for the Marathon is a given, provided I finish, because this is my first one!

The weather

Scotland in widely know for changeable weather, however, we have a high pressure slap bang on top of us that has raised the temperature by a least 5C in the last few days! The forecast is for tomorrow is to be 18C (64F), clear Sky's with a gentle SE breeze. I don't believe I have ever run in temperatures like this before.

As a result, on top of running my first marathon, I have the following challenges:

Don't burn to a crisp. I planning on running in t-shirt rather than a vest. The vest would be cooler but I think I burn my shoulders badly if I don't cover them up.
Keep hydrated. To balance drinking lots but not so much that I need the loo, liquid sloshes around in my tummy and then gives me a stitch.
Balance the electrolytes. I'm not ashamed to say I'm a sweaty Betty. If I don't watch my salt intake, I'm going to cramp up, loose energy and probably get very ill.

If I fail at any of the above I'm going to fail all the points on my plan. Apart from the marathon PB that is, I am definitely going to finish!

The Preparation

I have:

Factor 40 kids, waterproof, one application, sun cream. I also have a little sachet to carry if I think I need it at the last minute.
Honey Stinger 'gels' for energy.
SIS gels (blackcurrant flavoured snot) for electrolyte and energy.
I'm heading out to try and buy some Cliff Shot Blocks (hopefully)

Now all I need to do is find away to carry it all! I have my race belt that has slots for gels and I have run with gels in my shoe laces before but I also want to try to find a small 'pouch' to carry the Cliff Shot Blocks.

And...

I'm feeling pretty relaxed. I'm quite surprised by my lack of nerves. Hopefully it is just a sign that I have done the training and the preparation that I need to see me through.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Long run

2009-05-18T21:29:00.002+01:00

Did the same long run as last time but added a bit more on so it included a hill for 10 hill sprints. It was great weather again, although there was a little drizzle it was warm enough to be quite pleasant.

It was fantastic to be able to run 13 miles after my mammoth Saturday session but it felt great. It hit me at 4pm the when I started to get grump but a yogurt helped!

I also used up a Christmas gift voucher tonight...

A full body massage. Yum

I can do this!

2009-05-17T10:06:00.004+01:00

Saturdays are a mega training day for me. The plan is to do swimming, cycling and running. Really push the body in these last few weeks before I can start to taper (only 11 weeks to race day!)

I have had doubts in my head in my ability to do my Half Ironman in Antwerp on 2nd August. Yesterday, I had a realisation. I can do this!

This is what happened...

I left the house at 7.30 and cycled 6.5 miles to swim training. Swam for an hour, about 2500m. Had some luck warm porridge then jumped on my bike. I haven't been cycling with this group before, but it didn't matter, they weren't cycling in their normal groups either! 40 miles later we arrived back at the swimming pool were I grabbed my swim kit and cycled the 6.5 miles home. When I got home, I stripped off some layers, put on my trainers and went for a run. The legs and body will always feel sluggish off of a long run so I just grinned, with my head held high and put one foot in front of the other. I was going to do 3 miles but after 2 I decided that I could, and should, do more. So I continued on my 5 mile route. At mile 3 I put in ten 10 second 'sprints' followed by 20 seconds of recovery jogging. The sprints got slower and slower and so did the recovery jogs but I kept it up. I then jogged the last mile, down hill, to home.

I did the maths.

I swam over race distance. I cycled 4 miles short of race distance. I ran over a third of race distance but also included 10 sprints.

I started the day at 7.30am and finished at 1.45pm. 6 hours 15 minutes. Including 30min faff before and after swim, including faff of taking my bike up to my flat and slowly changing my footwear.

I can do this race! Yippee!

Long Run

2009-05-11T20:44:00.000+01:00

What a stunning morning for a run. There was hardly a cloud in the sky and just the right temperature to run in a t-shirt but not get too hot. (I did wear gloves though, my hands get soooo cold.

The plan was to run at race pace, put in some hill sprints at 3/4 of the way round and finish off running any way I could. I decided to run to work (drop the work bag), run to Portobello along the promenade, run to Holyrood park, do 10 short hill sprints, then jog back to work.

This worked a treat. When I got to work (3 miles), I had a wee drink. I then ran along the sea front for 5 miles. Stunning, simply stunning. The sea was as flat as a millpond. The sun was shining, there was a gentle breeze to keep me cool and the fresh smell of salt. At mile 8 I popped in to a gym for another quick drink and headed to Holyrood park.

I miss judged the distance a bit and didn't make it to the hill for 1.5 hours in to the run so I did 10 second sprints followed by 10 second easy. I was supposed to hurt. It was supposed to make me feel nauseous. I was supposed to find it hard to finish. The sprints did hurt, I didn't feel too sick and I didn't find it too hard to finish the run to work.

I was totally stoked by the run. 12 miles before work is great. AND in 1hr50min! That is a PB for me and would have ended in a sub 2hr 1/2 marathon if I had don't another mile.

As a result, I think that I need to either run quicker (?) or judge my distances better and get those sprints on a hill. I think I'll try for the later.

I'm loving my running now, even if I couldn't walk properly for the rest of the day!

ET training

2009-05-11T19:08:00.002+01:00

On Saturday I joined Edinburgh Triathletes for a bonza training session.

It all started with a gentle ride to their swimming pool in Dalkeith, 6.5 miles away. It is a gentle ride, just up hill most of the way!

The swim session went well. There were quite a lot of us in the lane so we did lots of 50m sets. It would have been a mess if we did anything different, we would have been annoying the hell out of each other trying to overtake.

After the swim we went straight out on to the bike. My training now involves my cycling as hard as I can and when I think I can't go any faster, to spin really quickly for 30 secs. I did this for 30km and my legs felt like mush from the start. Never fear, the bike was followed by a...

You guessed it, a run. 4 of us donned our trainer and went to a run. For my runs, I am supposed to run at race pace, for that distance, and when I get to 3/4 of the way round, I'm to put in 10 hill sprints. We had no hills where we were so I had to make do with flat sprints, but that didn't really work either. My legs felt like mush.

I was pretty pooped by the time I got back to my bike but I simple changed my shoes and headed home. The journey home is mostly down hill, apart from the hill out of Dalkeith. That nearly finished my legs off! Half way home the heavens opened. I mean properly opened. Oh well, I'm sure it would have done my legs good AND I was going home.

Great day!

Start them young

2009-05-10T20:21:00.001+01:00

I got my Niece a bike helmet for her 1st birthday, got to start her young!

About 16 months old.

Confession

2009-05-10T11:16:00.002+01:00

I have a confession to make.

When I entered Antwerp 70.3, I got told that I could withdraw at anytime until a date in June AND get some money back. It has been in the back of my mind as a get out clause if it all gets too much.

Not now!

My accommodation AND travel across the English Channel has now been booked. I will book my train down south next week when the tickets become available.

I can't and wont back out now!

Bishopbriggs Krystal Klear Sprint Triathlon

2009-05-06T08:33:00.005+01:00

On Sunday 3rd May I entered Bishopbriggs Krystal Klear Sprint Triathlon. I was really looking forward to it. It was my first triathlon since Gullane in July last year and I wanted to test myself out. A sprint triathlon involves 750m Swim, 20k bike and 5k run.

My goal for the day was to get a faster time than my last sprint tri, which was 1.25, race on my new bike for the first time and to check out my fitness after a winter of training.

Swim

The swim takes place in swimming pool, rather than open water, which was great because it felt quite cool outside. When you enter, you say what your swim time will be. I took my time from last year, 12.50, and took 20 seconds off. I have done more swimming this year so I hooped that it would make me quicker. I chatted to a girl, Suzanne, I met in training about her entry time and started to think that I should have put a faster time down. The format of the race means that you swim with 4 or 5 others all who have entered a similar swim time. You start in the pool, with different colour hats on and go at 5 second intervals. I'm glad to say that I was the starter in my lane, when the whistle went I was off. It became clear to me that I had miss-judged my swim time pretty early on as I pulled away from the man behind me. By the end of the swim I had lapped one chap twice, and others at least once, maybe twice too. I was the this out of the pool which felt really good, really strong.

Ok, no records just number, helmet, shoes, unrack bike and go.

Bike

I had my new bike with me today. I haven't been out on it much at all so I was always going to be a bit slower that I could be. The course was pretty slow. It was an out and back thing that you did 4 loops of. What made it slow was the turn by transition, it was more like a chicane with a right, left, 180 turn round a cone, right, left and off again.

(Taken by Alister Russell)

I was a nearly half way through my third lap when I noticed a body being attended too on the verge. It was Suzanne, one of the girls from our team. She was being attended to so I carried on, my plan was to get medical attention to her when I got to the marshal at the far turn around, but when I turned the corner in the road they were already driving towards me. I don't know whether I did a bad thing carrying on, I had only met her the day before. When I got to the turn around by transition, I shouted to her coach and friends that she was down but had medical attention. When I cycled past her she was sat up. I shouted was she ok. She said yes, get a move on.

Again, ok. Rack bike, remove helmet, change shoes and off.

Run

The run went well. I just ran at the pace that felt ok. I have no concept of how fast I was actually going. Nobody past me for quite a while, which was good. I came to a sign that said 2k and I got a bit demoralised, I felt like I had gone further, but I was in my stride so I picked up the pace. 1k later there was a sign saying 1k! I don't know if I missed 2 other count down markers or if these were the only ones but, boy, it helped me. I picked up my pace again, over took some folks and dug in. I started to lose it again towards the end, got re taken by a chap. The supports start to to shout 'dig in, your nearly there' so I dug. I heard a familiar voice from our team, so I sprinted! It felt good.

Final time? 1.22.34

Swim: 12.07, T1: 1.04, Bike: 43.39, T2: 0.53, Run: 24.48

And Suzanne?

31 stitches later!

Killin time

2009-05-04T13:21:00.017+01:00

Last Saturday, 25th April!, a six of us headed to Killin in the Highlands for an awesome weekend of camping, cycling, walking and a top BBQ.

We all headed out of Edinburgh in 3 different cars, at 3 different times but joined up again in Killin for drinks in the bar! We set up our uber tent and let me tell you four pairs of hands do NOT make it easier to put up a tent. We all knew what we were doing each persons way was obviously the best! But we got there in the end in good humour and still friends.

After a quick beer in the local hostelry, down by Loch Tay, we hit our sleeping bags in preparation for our next day. The famous five were heading up in to the mountains to bag some Munro's, I was to head out on my bike!

The walkers left and I did the final prep on my bike. My route for the day was to be a 56 mile loop around the mountain chain that the famous five were walking round.

My start of the route was to head from the campsite back to Killin, 3 miles and then up Glen Lochay. Glen Lochay was a great warm up, the road made its way up the Glen, weaving in and out of trees, through the mountains until you ran out of road. That was when my little old road bike turned into an off road bike! The road turned in to a farm track and then with lots of pot holes, nothing my trusty steed could not handle! This is the view back down the valley.

It was a perfect day for a bike ride, blue skies, fluffy clouds and not too much wind. By the time I got to the top of the zig zag track I was down to wearing just a t-shirt. I was loving it all so much that I didn't want to stop to take photos. I was so in the moment, I felt almost like I was meditating. I was at one with my bike and with the mountains.

The ride down the other side, in to Glen Lyon was fantastic. Once the stupid sheep realised that he didn't have to run helter skelter down the road in front of me but could turn right or left at any time on to the grass! I didn't trust the road, which had improved to the point where I could call it a road, not to throw up more pot holes so I kept in good control of my speed. That being said, my forearms were really sore with all the breaking by the time I got to the valley floor.

I popped out from the right, at the far end of the loch. My friends were walking in the hills that you can see in the back ground.

Glen Lyon is about 20 miles long and it is mostly down hill, stunning scenery. I had to stop and put my buff back on and my jacket as there was a chilly head wind but it didn't matter, I was going down hill!

I was naughty, I stopped at the Post Office half way down Glen Lyon for a scone, butter and jam. Yummy. The view was pretty good too. :-)

I was very contented when I set on my way again.

The rest of the ride was really beautiful, but I didn't want to stop to take photo's. It start to get quite hard work and I was beginning to want some company. From the start to the end of Glen Lyon and my turn around point I only saw one other rider. When I turned towards Kenmore, I wasn't on my own any more! The first group I past, going the opposite way, looked like they were on a tour but the next three groups looked like they were part of a club ride. I had been on my own for 3.5 hours by this time and it was a shock and a real nice pick me up to pass 20 riders all in one go. They nearly all said hello or waved or nodded, cyclists can be a friendly bunch.

With my new boost of energy, 20 young me in lycra will do that for you, I pushed on home. I was in with a chance of making it back to the camp within 4 hours, if you discount the scone stop, and that would give me a real boost to my training. So, head down, I peddled hard.

Back at the campsite in 4 hours!

I slept for a bit, I ate, I read my book, I showered, I slept some more, I read some more and still no word from the walkers. 3 hours after my return I headed to our rendezvous point, the pub, and read some more. Finally they pitched up at 6.30 in the evening, 10 hours after they left!

Lots of catching up to do!

2009-05-03T22:21:00.003+01:00

I've done loads recently but here is a brief update, I'll give longer reports tomorrow.

Last Saturday I cycled 56 miles in the beautiful Scottish highlands, I do have photos! 4 hrs + 25 min of scone, butter and jam!
Last Wednesday I did a 10 mile Time Trial (TT) on my own, 35 min.
Today I did a sprint tri, 1.22.41 ish. 3 min quicker than last year, 1 min slower than 2007.

More later!

Tried the track... and loved it!

2009-04-19T09:02:00.005+01:00

Today I went along to a 'Try-the-track' at Meadowbank Velodrome in Edinburgh, the same place that Chris Hoy cut his teeth!

The day started with being fitted with my trusty steed for the afternoon. It was a bit weird as the set up is different to my race bike and my road bike. We headed over to the middle of the velodrome where a set of rollers were set up. I have never used rollers before, the concept is a bit nerving. You basically have 2 rollers that you sit you back wheel on and a roller that you sit your front wheel on. Nothing holds your bike on other than your balance and the speed that you peddle!

The coach, Alister, was great, even though he was making fun at me before we had been introduced! I had the benefit of being first. There was no introduction it to what was about to happen so I had no time to start worrying. He was talking me through how to get on the bike, and the group of watchers, which I succeeded after the second attempt, and started peddling. Alister just kept on talking, distracting me from the fear that was flowing through me. There was people all around me watching and commenting but I was so totally focused on a point in the distance I have no idea what was said. Slowly, and subtly, Alister removed his hands form support and before I knew it I was going solo!

That wasn't it though, I had to stay peddling for a couple of minutes while he talked to the group. The talk turned to Chris Hoy and his position as he cycles his laps of celebration after his famous wins at the Olympics.

And that was my next challenge! I had to bring my finger tips to the top of the handlebars, tilt my hips back and cross my arms, ll whilst cycling solo on the rollers! (I did have people either side of me in case my confidence and bike wobbled, phew.) Next I had to raise my arms to the heavens. What a feeling, a real mixture of fear and success.

Like I said earlier, I think I was really lucky that I was first and didn't have a clue about what I was letting myself in for. The next girl who followed me on to the rollers was so nervous she was shaking like a leaf. I felt for her but I knew she could do it.

We went over to the track next. We were helped on to our bikes and set off on cycling loops of the track. We had to practice speed control. Quite and interesting thing to learn in the absence of brakes! We would do a lap then approach Alister, or a helper, and slow to a track stand and then peddle off of for another lap. All my practice of track stands at traffic lights really paid off.

The next stage in our development of budding track stars of tomorrow was to learn to traverse the track. We would complete laps along the bottom, where it is flat, and on the flats we would veer up the banking, round a person, and back down to the flat before the berm.

There was no putting it off, we had to tackle the fear of the steep berms. After being briefed we were taken to the top of the track, at the start of the straight and pushed! We had to peddle like hell towards the red line, and keep peddling. If we slowed down too much, we would move too close to horizontal, clip the track with our peddle and going sliding down. The result, other than bruising, would be splinters, so many splinters you could not imagine, all the way down the right side of your body. Oooo, not nice. We all made it, well you would have to wouldn't you? With the fear of all those splinters!

We were off. The fear of the steep berms mastered, if not conquered, we cycled lap after lap going high and higher. Time to start racing they said. Eeeek. It is one thing doing laps with no one around you but to race some one? You've got to be kidding?

We divided up in to teams of 3 for team sprints. I have had a head cold for the last few day so I didn't think I could manage 3 laps of sprinting so I went first. The idea is that the first rider gets the speed up and peels off after a lap, the second rider takes over and peels off leaving the third rider to sprint to the finish. Well that was the plan, anyway. I was so focused on powering off, when I peeled away to let the riders through, they weren't there! I had gone too quick! Me? A little solo rider with no experience racing on a bike, with a team of time-trialists behind me? And I dropped them!

After the big boys had done a race (I don't know what it was but it involved 30 laps with sprints every 4 laps or so. Looked exhausting.) a group of 5 of us took part in a mini Keirin. We lined up along the top of the track and waited for a mini motorised bike to come level and we followed it. After staying in line for the first half lap, we joshed for the best position behind the bike, for 5 laps getting steadily quicker, that saved energy but allowed us a good position from which to sprint to the finish. When the bike pulled off for the final sprint I was in equal third place.

The guy who was in first place was a seasoned track rider, the 2nd and 3rd place were newbies like me. In the picture above you can see me in light blue behind the girl in red. As we went round the final berm, I spotted that the racing black line was clear! It was mine! It dipped the bike down to the line, which sped me up and I cruised past the girl in red. I didn't win but I did beat the other newbies! Whoop whoop!

I had a fantastic time, thanks you Alister and everyone else who helped us. I will definitely be back for more, if I can fit it in with my training plan!

Unfortunately, I have to finish this post on a sad note. In March 2008 the Velodrome was earmarked, by the Edinburgh County Council, for demolition.

Boy did the council get a shock when Chris Hoy, and British Cycling, was such a resounding success at the Beijing Olympics. In his speeches to the press, he called for the Velodrome to be saved. It is one of the good things that has come out of the current world financial situation that Council don't have the money to build the houses so the demolition has been postponed. Lets hope that we can save this fantastic facility and breeding ground of new talent!

*Save Meadowbank Velodrome!*

Motivational Moments

2009-04-14T21:35:00.007+01:00

Everybody needs an aid for their motivation every now and then. Mine has come in the form of my new bike.

Yippee!!!!!

My bike was built for me by a lovely couple called Alf and Teresa Webb of The Bike-Inn. It is so pretty and so shiny and I haven't had a chance to go out on it for more than half an hour.

On Good Friday, my Dad and I drove up to Spalding to meet with Alf and Teresa. The order of the day was to test the bike out, tweak the set up and get some basic coaching. After lots of chat, I set off down the country lane on a four mile warm up. During this time, Alf was hanging out of the window of his car shouting out instructions (Teresa drove and Dad observed!). They would watch from behind, pull along side for a bit then drive ahead and look at me coming up the road.

After 4 miles I was asked to sprint for about 1k and rest, sprint and rest, so that Alf could watch me under pressure. I thought the time went quickly but actually we weren't out for long. Alf was happy with what he saw. Apparently I had a good position on the bike, he could see the increase in the power when I did as I was told (dropped my heals a bit) and short of adjusting my cleats on my shoes nothing was needed to be adjusted! Pretty good from one measurement!

When we got back to The Bike-Inn we started packing my bike up for the flight home. It was sad to have had such a short time on it and really hard to resist the temptation to get it out again and go for a ride but I didn't want to disturb the packing. I would have been devastated if it was damaged in transit (It was in an uber padded bike bag.).

The final words from Teresa and Alf was to do lots of Yoga to aid my flexibility and transition from bike to run. So tonight I'm off back to the EYC for some cross-training! Luckily for me, the woman who leads the Yoga session is an excellent cyclist. For the winter, Karen ran a cycling/yoga retreat called The Winter Workshop in Spain!

On Monday, I flew my bike home. It was a scary moment watching it go through security, the fear that it might get lost or damaged in transit. The waiting at the other end was torture, my bike was almost the last item to be put on the carousel! By the time I got home it was to last to re-assemble my bike, I had to wait until the morning!

On Tuesday morning I re-assembled my bike! It looks good to me but then I'm not going to notice any slight mis-alinement's from it's journey. Fingers crossed!

I can't wait to get out on it!!!

Loss of motivation

2009-04-14T21:29:00.002+01:00

The last 2 weeks I have been tapering, recovering and quite a bit of licking my wounds. Heaven and Hell Half Marathon was a good cover up excuse for loss of motivation. My original, personal, purpose for doing Antwerp 70.3 is no longer appropriate and I am now looking for a new one. I don't know what that is yet but...

It is time to get back in to the pool, saddle and running shoes.

Heaven and Hell Half Marathon

2009-04-05T17:13:00.006+01:00

With a name like this you don't expect your usual Half Marathon.

Elevation - Min: 59 ft, Max: 801ft, Assent: 1099ft, Descent: 1083ft

The Heaven and Hell Half Marathon was based at Perth Airport outside a village called Scone (Pronounced Scoon!), about 1 1/2 hours from home, but an 11am start meant I didn't need to leave too early.

I pitched up to the pre race 'talk' to discover a long table down the middle of the room pre loaded with lots of sandwiches. I was going to enjoy the post race scran I thought! During the race brief we were told that this course was one of the hardest 1/2 Marathons in Scotland! Well I know it was hill but I didn't think it was going to be that bad.

Start was a 5 minute walk from the hall which enabled me to do a wee gentle jog to get the legs working. I was able to give my jacket to a marshal to take to the finish 1/2 mile away. Fantastic news as I was on my own. I was having a stretch up when all of a sudden the crowd started moving. That will be the start then! I'm glad I wasn't looking for an accurate time, I would have been annoyed otherwise!

From the start we went along a very gentle incline for 3/4 of a mile which lead into a mile of varying decent. At 1.5 miles, I pulled alongside a chap, called Duncan, and got chatting. We were targeting the same pace so we decided to run together for a bit.

At 2 miles we started going uphill, sometimes steep, sometimes shallow, always up for three miles before flattening off. Duncan said we should slow down a bit as we crept up to 8.5 minute mile pace but I pointed out that we would need to to keep our average at 10 min miles. Besides, our pace felt comfortable. It seemed wrong to slow down when we were on a very slight decline/flattening. After another brief uphill the course went steeply downhill for a mile. It felt like this was where any pain would be inflicted, but felt later. Only time would tell!

We turned left at the 8 mile point and were faced with a sign saying 'Welcome to Hell' will a stuffed Devil toy on top! There is nothing quite like support to encourage you the hill! It did make me laugh though. The hill was tough but I was still running along side Duncan. We stopped taking at this point, focusing all our energies into the hill. 2.2 miles later we reached the top, Oh happy days! The last mile had been super tough as a strong head wind was whipped up.

The final 3 miles were great because they were down hill but the change of pace gave me a stitch. Concentration on breathing, altering the pace and giving my water bottle to Duncan really helped. The final mile was in to a strong, gusting head wind. It was the final mile though, so you just put your head down and ran. The finish was round a blind corner so I couldn't quite pace the last few hundred metres but I did sprint over the line. Maybe I didn't work hard enough?

I had only intended to run along side Duncan for a bit but it was nice to have company and it certainly was great whilst running through heaven, hell and beyond.

Thanks Duncan.

Oh... the final time? 2hrs 6min. I'm pleased. Really, really pleased.

March

2009-03-30T15:03:00.005+01:00

Here is the grand summary for March!

Swim - 20,700m - 8hrs20
Bike - 346 miles - 25hrs23
Run - 79 miles - 14hrs16
Core, Gym, flexibility & cross training - 11hrs45
Total - 59hrs44!

This is loads compared to the previous months so I have to be careful I don't do too much too soon and get myself injured. I particularly have to look after my left shoulder, a residual injury from my teenage competitive swimming days. I also have to look after my hamstrings and hips, they get very tight, very quickly if I don't stretch out properly (I dislocated left hip from skiing when I was 20 but that is a story for another day!).

So to give you some contrast, here is the summaries for January and February...

February
Swim - 10,650m - 3hrs45
Bike - 131 miles - 9hrs15
Run - 41 miles - 7hrs33
Core, Gym, flexibility & cross training - 28hrs25 (Including 20hrs of skiing and mountain climbing!)
Total - 48hrs58

January
Swim - 8,400m - 3hrs44
Bike - 168 miles - 12hrs50
Run - 50 miles - 9hrs09
Core, Gym, flexibility & cross training - 23hrs20 (Lots of preparatory core work and some skiing!)
Total - 49hrs03

Last week's training and this week

2009-03-30T14:50:00.003+01:00

A good week last week...

Swim - 5,200m - 2hrs
Bike - 68 miles - 4hrs50
Run - 20 miles - 3hrs52
Gym/Core - 2hrs45
Total - 13hrs27

My swimming is stable to quick. I need to speed up my bike ride and improve my endurance. The run is coming along steadily. I really enjoy the morning core work and gym sessions. The core work sets me up nicely for the day. I can feel the improvements in the gym and I can feel the benefits in the other disciplines.

This week may be a little less successful as real life is happening but the plan is...

Swim - 4,500m - 2hrs
Bike - 37 miles - 2hrs45
Run - 24 miles - 4hrs20 ( Including Heaven and Hell Half Marathon!)
Gym/Core - 4hrs25
Total - 13hrs30

Let's see what happens!

Daffy's are great!

2009-03-24T21:56:00.001Z

I have to smile when I see Daffodils. They are such friendly, happy flowers.

Madness? Part 2

2009-03-23T21:20:00.002Z

I made it to Kilmarnock! But the fates were out to stop me at the start.

My luck with punctures made me go the one of the local bike shops on the way to work on Friday to get a new tyre. They checked the tube for me, they fitted it for me and they pumped it up for me.

Saturday morning I got ready to go out went to take my bike outside, dead on 9am as planned and... A flat tyre.

I could have screamed, I could have cried, but I didn't. I calmly checked out the opening time of all the bike shops in Edinburgh for the one that opened the earliest, text SM about the delay and headed to the shop.

I was on the road again by 10am. Not too bad.

The route is fairly hilly in that slow, gradual, draining kind of way. The profile doesn't quite do it justice I feel. Oh, maybe it does on second glance.

The long and the short of it, I made it to Kilmarnock in 6 hours, 5hrs on the bike computer. I wasn't in a hurry, I wasn't looking for a specific time, I just wanted to do the distance. I had a head wind to keep me company, and it did a good job of that, and I had my radio. I was happy.

I got to Kilmarnock in great spirits and demanded food. SM delivered in the form of microwave butter popcorn (a great quick carb and salt fix!), risotto and then whisked me off to the cinema to see Watchmen! (Hummmm. I like the comic book films as a rule but Watchmen might need to be watched again before I decide what I think.). We were in bed by 10pm! Boy, what an exciting gal to have around!

New gym routine!

2009-03-23T10:10:00.000Z

Warm up cycle or run to gym.

Stretches

Cartwheel with 12.5 barbell
10 x pull ups
10 x upward row
10 x push ups
10 x bows
10 x lunges
10 x squat to push up
10 x dead lift

Core
10 x high kicks (with hand under hips)
10 x hip curls (leave legs in high high kick position and lift the hips)
10 x tummy crunch (leave legs/hips in lift position and lift chest up)
60 second plank

Repeat Cartwheel followed by Core another 3 times!

Cool down cycle or run to work.

Curl up and sleep, sorry work. ZZZZZzzzzzzz

Morning routine

2009-03-21T10:00:00.000Z

My mornings are fairly regular, provided I have got over the biggest hurdle of the day... getting out of bed!

This is how it goes...

5.45 Alarm.

Eat a banana and drink 500 ml water.

Stretches
15 x bridge holding each for 5 secs (lay on back with heals up towards bottom, lift hips to form a straight line between knees and shoulders, hold for 5 sec, return to neutral).
15 x supine high kicks on each leg (lay on back and high kick!).
10 x pendulum swings each side (lay on back with hips and knees bent at 90 degrees, swing knees left until shoulder begins to lift and return to neutral).
10 x scorpion on back each side (lay on back in the position of a church cross, swing right foot to left hand keeping left foot straight, return to neutral).
10 scorpion on front each side (lay on front in the position of a church cross, swing right foot to left hand keeping left foot as straight as possible, return to neutral).

Small bowl of porridge if followed be a bike or gym work out.

Work out (swim, bike, run, gym or yoga).

Cycle/run to work.

Large bowl of porridge at my desk; or if it is the second bowl, another small bowl of porridge!

Madness?

2009-03-20T12:35:00.002Z

My plan for Saturday is to ride from Edinburgh, where I live, to Kilmarnock, where SM lives. 66 miles!

Is this madness?

Patience

2009-03-19T12:16:00.000Z

Months of watching and waiting have finally paid off! Is this a lesson for my training?

Long slow run...

2009-03-18T10:51:00.013Z

More like a short, very slow run this morning!

My hamstrings were feeling like guitar strings last night at swimming from my run on Monday and my 22 mile bike ride on Tuesday and my left shoulder was clicking in a nasty way every stroke after riding with a rucksack that was a fraction too heavy. As a result I got out of the pool before the end of the session. I hate doing that, I feel like such a wimp but I figured I was going to do my self some damage if I continued (the final sets were kick and pull).

This morning, my guitar strings were still very tight so I have decided to do two medium runs of 10k rather than one 20k run. And to take my phone ready for photos!

A gorgeous day, I was heading to run round Arthur's Seat, clockwise.

First view of the park. I'm going round the hills on the right (Arthur's Seat) and up to the height of the hill on the left (Salisbury Craig's).

Going down...

Good morning Swans!

Going up...

And up...

Looking down...

One of the best views in Edinburgh, if not Scotland, in some of the best weather you can get!

Cycling

2009-03-17T10:45:00.000Z

Feeling a wee bit tight after my run yesterday, this morning I headed out on my bike on a long commute to work.

The road between Kilmarnock and Glasgow is 'fun' at 7am. Leaving Kilmarnock, it is a steady up hill slog for about 8 miles! I was chuffed with averaging 13 mhp on my computer, but a little concerned I would be late for work. I always under estimate that road.

It is then down hill, weeeeeeeee, all the way in to Glasgow! Shame about the traffic and traffic lights that get in the way!

Running

2009-03-17T08:20:00.000Z

Now this may be a bad thing to do on the night before my long run...

Yesterday I had a fantastic 5 mile run. The first mile or so wasn't much fun, whilst I warmed up but then I really got into the zone. What is even better is that it only took me 43min, that is 3 minutes quicker than my last 5 miler.

Maybe, just maybe, I might one day call myself a runner...

Back on track part 2

2009-03-10T13:39:00.004Z

I had grand plans for my training last week, and I achieved most of it! This is what my week looked like...

I did have a wee 'close encounter' with a van door. Luckily I was going uphill so I wasn't travelling too quickly but I still have a lovely lump on my chin. The bruising makes me look like I haven't washed my face properly!

Chain gang

2009-03-08T16:14:00.003Z

I love riding in a chain gang when it works. There is a poetry about. The rhythm and grace is hypnotic.

I hate the chain gang when it doesn't work.

Yesterday we went out, group of about 10 riders. We settled into a chain gang after about 10miles but boy what a chain. The faster line wasn't a little faster, you had to push hard or even stand up to catch up with the guy in front. I don't mind that occasionally but not for 30 miles!

I nearly got dropped 10 miles from home but some lovely chap held back and helped me re join the group. I was able to repay the favour on the final hill.

44 miles is my longest to date. I better get a whole lot more miles under my tires soon if I'm going to race for 56 AND run afterwards! I was pooped!

Vote for Venture Scotland!

2009-03-04T20:14:00.002Z

http://www.optimistworld.com/Charities.aspx

Click on the link, register, log in, go to the charity tab and vote for Venture Scotland.

If you can vote again something hasn't worked!

Please do this for us at Venture Scotland, we need your help!

Thank you.

Back on track...

2009-03-02T13:08:00.002Z

Here is my training plan and summary for the week:

Monday - Core 10min, Run (2km) 20min, Bike (10k commute) 30min - (Recovery day)

Tuesday - Core 10min, Bike (30miles) 120min, Swim (3km) 60min, Bike (10k commute) 30min, Flexibility 15min

Wednesday - Core 10min, Gym 30min, Run (10k commute) 60min

Thursday - Core 10min, Swim (3km) 60min, Bike (10k commute) 30min, Bike (spin) 25min, Flexibility 15min

Friday - Core 10min, Bike (10k commute) 30min, Gym 30min, Run (5km) 30min

Saturday - Core 10min, Flexibility 15min

Sunday - Core 10min, Flexibility 15min

Swim 2 workouts 6000 m (6561 yards) 2 hours
Bike 5 workouts 86 km (53 miles) 3h55
Run 3 workouts 20 km (12 miles) 2h5

SBR Total 10 workouts -- 8 hours

Other Total 13 workouts -- 3h15

Total 23 workouts -- 11h15

I figure that if I tell the world, I'll be more accountable and not be too 'tired' to get out of bed at 6am!

Lasswade 10

2009-03-01T18:11:00.004Z

My holiday in Glen Coe is over and I'm back with a vengeance with the Lasswade 10. A 10 mile race through the beautiful Lothian country side. Well it was beautiful most of the time. Not the bit past the land fill :-(.

Our route started in Rosewell, just south of Edinburgh. By mile 2 we were near the bottom of Rosslyn Glen, home of Rosslyn Chapel (Yup the one out of the Da Vinci Code). By mile 6 we had finished climbing out of the Glen and it was mostly down hill to the finish.

Here is the elevation plan.

I had a good race, I'm really pleased. My target was to keep an eye on my pace. Back in November I did Buchlyvie Half Marathon and totally bonked towards the end. This time I wanted to finish running.

I set myself the target of 10 min miles. If I had finished in 1:40:00 I would have been happy. The first couple of splits were about 9:20 which I was quite happy with. My third mile was 10 min but that was the steep section out of the Glen. After that I didn't quite record my times other that it was about 9:30. At 6 miles I felt good and managed to pick up the pace. At 8 miles I was on 1:14:00. I had an outside chance of getting in at 1:30! I picked up the pace again. At 9 miles I was on 1:23:00. I was saying to myself 'Dig in, you can do it, it is supposed to hurt now, dig in'.

My unofficial finishing time?

1:31:09

I'm totally stoked. 9 minutes quicker than my plan and an 8min mile sprint to the finish!!!!!!

Wooo hooo, I'm back.

Food glorious food.

2009-02-18T19:38:00.002Z

I'm eating between five and seven meals a day at the moment. It should be seven but I miss some of the snacks when work gets busy! I'm also allowed to be a bit more relaxed at the weekend with 2 'naughty' meals like a take out.

My morning routine depends on exercise plans that morning. If it is a run or swim I have banana and I take oatcakes out with me to get used to eating on the hoof. Nairns do these great ones with fruit and spices in. Yum. If I'm out on my bike I have a banana and a bowl of porridge and take the oatcakes out with me to keep something in my tummy. It doesn't matter whether I need to eat nutritionally, if has been a couple of hours since eating, my stomach starts to complain. ;-)

When I get to work I have a mixing bowl of porridge. My colleagues laughed at me to begin with but they have got used to me now!

My mid-morning snack is something simple like an apple, satsuma or plums.

Lunch is also carb based with pasta, rice or a jacket potato. This is great cause there is a cafe round the corner that does great pasta. It is also fairly easy to bring stuff from home. (Having said that, I can count on one hand the amount of times I have taken my lunch in!)

Afternoon snack is yogurt. I buy the big pots of bio yogurt and keep it in the fridge at work. I eat as much as I feel like!

Dinner is an important meal for reloading the protein for rebuilding the muscles over night and lots of yummy vegetables. I try to have no carbs with this meal so I don't store it as fat over night.

My final snack of the day is a bowl of muesli before bed, but only if I have a run or swim in the morning.

I have absolutely no idea how many calories I'm eating or fat, protein and carbs, but I do know that I am slowly loosing weight and trimming up. What is more I feel great!

Discipline

2009-02-16T10:38:00.003Z

Up until recently, I was really enjoying my new found discipline and routine.

I was getting up at 6am, doing my morning exercises of stretches or yoga then stretches and then heading out for a run, swim or bike ride.

I was eating a banana each morning before heading out, followed by a small vat of porridge when I got to work. Pasta for lunch, yogurt for afternoon snack and vegetables and meat or fish for tea.

I was packing the next days kit before I went to bed for 10pm.

I was working for me. I was feeling great both from the diet, sleep and from the exercise.

I think I'm currently having a wee 'break' from my new routine. Chocolate is back on the menu, carbs are back in the evening meal (although this was needed anyway) and late nights are creeping in.

I think I'll start my routine again when I come back from my holiday at the end of February. I'm in London until tonight then I go on holiday to Glencoe on Friday, not back in to 'normality' until the following Monday so no point resurrecting the routine until then.

Oh well. At least I can try to be good!

Breakfast

2009-02-12T22:58:00.000Z

2/3 of what it should be, I just can't stomach that much porridge yet!

I love winter...

2009-02-10T22:40:00.008Z

For the beauty,

For the wildness

And for the skiing!

Life's little challenges - Puntures

2009-02-10T09:07:00.009Z

I hate them, I hate them, I hate them, I hate them.

I the last 3 weeks I have had approximately 7 issues with tubes, pumps and horrid little bits of glass that you need a microscope to see.

I have walked for litterally hours. I have spent hours changing and re changing and re changing.

This morning I was about to set out for a ride when I descovered I had a flat. I took it out, turned the tyre inside out, held it under the spot light. I pumped up the tube, patched the hole. Pumped it up again, checked for more holes. Put the whole lot back together again and .... A minute in to the ride the bike was feeling sluggish. Went home, checked the tyre pressure - 40 psi, down from 120 litrally minutes before. Now an hour later? Totally flat.

I don't know what to do. I am now scared of going out on my bike incase I get another puncture and I'm in the middle of nowhere.

I want to scream and cry and stamp my feet but I know it wont solve the problem. I just screamed in the shower, it hasn't helped and I'm now concerned the neighbours are going to call the police!

Can anyone help me? Please?

Life's little challenges

2009-01-27T21:11:00.008Z

When I called this blog 'Life's little challenges...' I was trying to be ironic. Another meaning, however, can be the 'little' challenges I will encounter during my day-to-day training.

Today's 'little challenge' occurred whilst I was on my long bike ride. 40 min from my house, just out of the city, I got a puncture. Annoyed, but not worried, I changed my tire. I swear it was only a mile or 2 later when I hit a hit hole. Boy do you feel sick when you feel the immediate deflation of your tire. Again, after a bit of swearing, I changed my tire. This was the first time I had carried to tubes so I was really lucky. Or was I?

For some reason the tube wouldn't inflate. A passing cyclist also tried his pump and it wasn't happening. I don't know what exactly what happened but I must have caught the tube when putting it and created a pinch, or it was a faulty tube or I hadn't found the original cause of the puncture, it didn't matter. It was by now 8am and I was 8 miles from home and I had an hour to get to work. There was only one thing to do. I started to walk.

Sights on route to work included Musselburgh race course; the lighthouse on an island on the forth; the firth of forth (always a sight to be seen), Portobello swimming pool (and the grateful use for their facilities with the tremendous luck that no one nicked my bike while I was there) and the promenade.

I started changing the lyrics to songs. It started with 'Brights Eyes' being changed to 'Bright Side', Monty Pythons 'Always look on the bright side of life' and other songs that I can't remember now. It gets a bit monotonous as I can only ever remember a few lines of songs so they kept on being repeated round and round and round.

After 2 hours of walking I was beginning to get a bit jaded.

I arrived at the office after 2 hours and 45 minutes walking and getting close to a sense of humour failure.

Sod the diet, I headed to the corner shop and downed a snickers duo.

I have decided to call the walk to work a 'training session' specialising in 'mental strength'. I hope I don't have too many of them!

Doing too much?

2009-01-26T20:15:00.001Z

What a week! I think that maybe I was trying to do too much.

Let me know what you think...

So Sunday I cycled to Glentress, near Peebles. Not a great distance, only 22miles, but I had a head wind the entire way. I swear, my top speed was 21mph, the wind was that strong I had to peddle to go down hill! I got overtaken by a small peloton of 3 men. Not wanting to appear weak I joined on the back and boy was that nice to get towed along.

At GT I met up with Stu and drove back to Edinburgh and the Loch Fyne restaurant. Arriving 2hrs late for our meal with friends! No matter, they just ate their pudding and drank their coffees really slowly.

Then I rushed home to pack for my forthcoming trip to London on Monday before heading off to the cinema to see Australia. (I quite liked it).

And that was just day 1! Can you see where this is heading?

Monday saw me head out the house with a bike loaded with 2 panniers and a rucksack. I'm sure I looked a sight going in to the gym with all that lot. An hour in the gym and I was off to work. 1pm and I was off to catch the train.

I do love getting the train to London. It is really easy and relaxing. No hour drive to the airport, no waiting around the terminal and no hour train back into London. All you have to do is pitch up and jump on. 4 1/2 hours later your there, in the center of town. AND the bike is free.

I cycled around the city a bit, checking out where my course was, where my gym was (I had blagged membership to a gym in London for the duration of my stay) and then out to Finchley road in zone 2 to catch the tube to my digs in zone 5. I was too knacked to do my run set so I missed it.

Tuesday involved an hour of travel on the tube and bike to the gym, and quick 45 min session in the gym, 20 min to my course, 8 hours of study then 20 min back to the gym for a bit more training and finally an hour of travelling back to my digs loaded with my study materials.

Wednesday was a repeat of Tuesday only add in a puncture, a trip to the local bike shop and four hours of evening study!

On Thursday I went for an hour and 10 min run round the neighbourhood in the pouring rain then off into the city again. Unfortunately Kings Cross was closed so I got off at Euston to walk and... walked the wrong way! When I noticed I was well p****d off and ended up being very late. Thursday night was fun though. I went out to Redhill to play with my friends son, a 9 month old bubbly baby boy and to play on their Wii. And to see them of course!

Come Friday I was knacked. I had good intentions to go to the gym after more course had finished but really couldn't do it.

I was really relieved to be back on the train on Friday, chilling out and studying in equal mix.

Too much do you think?

Motivational Moments

2009-01-13T21:18:00.004Z

This morning before work I went out on a 27 mile ride east of Edinburgh to Longniddry, over to the coast and back to Edinburgh.

It was stunning.

It was pitch black as left the house and Edinburgh, cold but not freezing. As I left the urban sprawl and the last remnants of the city, dawn started to break over the horizon. I was suddenly aware that I could see the hills. The land was a fraction blacker than the sky. As the miles rolled on, the sky turned through the shades of blue from a dark steal to a deep royal blue. By the time I reached Longniddry and the turning point, I was sorry I wasn't continuing east. I wanted to carry on but I couldn't this week, too soon in the training schedule, only my second full training week.

When I hit the coast, I was glad I continued with the plan. The Forth of Firth was pitch black but the moon was almost full, hanging in a clear dark blue sky. The reflexion of the moon on the water was dazzling. I followed this view as I headed back to Edinburgh, sometimes with Fife as a backdrop and sometimes Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat. Stunning.

By the time I hit the outskirts of the city, rush hour was digging in. The lorries were cautiously passing and the cars were bombing past...

But they couldn't take away the sense of peace and joy of the world.

Week 1 accomplished!

2009-01-11T16:06:00.005Z

I am at the end of what I consider to be my first proper week of training and I am well chuffed. I didn't skip even one session!

It started last Sunday with a 30 mile ride out along the coast. It was lush winter weather and I was of with a friend who usually kicks my ass but I held my own.

Seven core sessions (home), four flexibility sessions (home), four baby bike rides (commutes), three gym sessions, two swim sessions and four runs later saw me to Saturday and a 5K race round Arthur's Seat. I did the race in 27:35. Not as good as I would have hoped, I got a stitch at the top of the hill that stuck with me to the end, but I really enjoyed it.

I also had a target of getting up at 6.30 am every morning, another target achieved! Next week I plan to get up at 6am every weekday morning. I'm glad I'm a morning person!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T20:16:00.004Z

Seeing the New Year on the Meadows in Edinburgh!

I have made one or two New Years resolutions.

To be an optimistic realist. I am often told by my work colleagues and boyfriend that I am pessimistic. I don't believe this totally, I think I am panicky and a realist, but if it will move me forward in my relationships I am willing to give it a shot. So... on the way home from the pub on New Years Eve I realise that I have left the handbag in the pub with my friends. I panic and turn back until it is suggested that I am worrying over nothing and that my friend will pick it up. I should be optimistic! This is a challenge to my resolution at just 1.5 hours in to the New Year. I can't say I was totally optimistic at this point but I continued home. I received a text about 30 min later from my friend saying that she had my bag! I have a feeling this resolution is going to be a challenge to follow but then that would be pessimistic outlook!

To get myself organised for Antwerp. I would like to get my accommodation and travel sorted. Start a list of all that I will need for the event and test it.

Plan lifestyle logistics such as making a list of meals I can eat at what times, a pre-made list of things I need to keep in my fridge, freezer and larder so that I can optimise my shopping time. Lay clothes out in advance so that I can maximise my time in the morning. To keep tidy so that I don't get stressed when I can't find something. We woke up on New Years day with no food in the cupboards and no supermarkets open!

Start getting up early to maximise my training and lifestyle logistics such as shopping and washing clothes. I'm starting on the 5th January, my first day back at work!

So onwards and upwards...

Bring on the New Year, I want to see what you have in store!

Hi Wingman!

2008-12-23T11:38:00.003Z

Last Thursday Missy posted in her blog 'I will be your wingman in 2009!'. Bet Missy didn't think that I, a complete stranger, would take her up on her the offer! I never imagined that she would say yes!!!!!

I have sooooo many questions I don't know where to start!

Something I was dwelling on was 'When do I start the 5am bike rides/swims/runs etc?'. I looked up your early blogs and thought 'Eek!' The answer is now! I think I'm going to have to work my way into it, I can barely do 6am starts at the moment!

I'm now going to read a few more of you blogs to see if they answer my questions, I don't want to wear out your generosity so early in the journey.

Thank you, I feel like I have an invisible friend by my side.

The search for a coach, or coaches, begins.

2008-12-23T10:39:00.002Z

I have a book, Joe Friels training bible. I heard it was great and it certainly does have heeps of infomation about everything triathlon but I feel like I'm missing the personal touch. I'm planning my training as best I can but I am really making it up as I go along. I don't think that I will get the best out of me this way. I don't know anybody, or know them that well, who have done a 70.3 or an Ironman. I've never even been to an ironman event! What am I thinking!!!!!

This is what I feel I need:

Someone to talk to about all thing Ironman
A swim coach to keep me on track and to help me with my training plan
A cycle coach to look at my style and to help me design my training plan
A running coach again to look at my style and to help me design my training plan
Someone to look at my training plan and critic it!
To volunteer at an event to see more of what it is all about
Some money to pay for it all!!!!!

I have my ideas on who to approach, whether they say yes is another thing! Watch this space...

Now that is what I call running!

2008-12-18T22:00:00.000Z

Today I went for my first run since the Buchlyvie Half Marathon six weeks ago. Where did the time go?

I'm pleased to say that it was great! Andy and I went for a jaunt in Holyrood park to do a few hills. I have only just started considering myself a runner so the concept of running every hill in the park was a bit daunting. Andy only does hills! I managed five of them!

Here is my route...

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/gb/edinburgh/768422748293

The first, Salisbury Craigs, and second, Arthur's Seat, were the hardest but then the three remaining hills were tiny in comparison.

The weather was wild and windy, in true Scottish fashion, but at least it stayed dry until the last 100m when the heavens opened. The views from the top were as stunning as ever. The ever changing light of the swatches of rain blowing past. The white tops of the waves on the Forth visible even from this distance... Sigh

I got back to my office, Venture Scotland, hot, sweaty and totally buzzing.

When can I go again?

Oh My God...

2008-12-17T13:54:00.007Z

I've done it...

I have entered Antwerp 70.3, 2nd August 2009

To be continued...

Jeepers Creeps

2008-12-15T21:38:00.000Z

Jeepers Creeps... I'm on a diet for the first time in my life!

After my first fitness assessment, it was decided that I had to lose some fat and some excess pounds. Today I found out how.

The 'diet' (I hate to use the word diet it is more of an eating habbit change) is in two halfs, weekday and weekend.

On a week day I now have to eat porridge with dried fruit for breakfast; fruit for a mid morning snack; lunch is more carbs with veggies; my afternoon snack is a yogurt and dinner is something with protein and veg. If I have a training session in the morning, I can have a bowl of muslie or half a tuna sandwich before bed.

Weekends I am allowed a bit of slack for 2 meals, provided I have had a good week! Friday nights are a night off... ice cream, curry & and maybe a glass of wine. Saturdays I have to be good, but not too good. Sundays I think I will try to have a propper Sunday lunch, providing it is actually at lunch time!

Oh boy, watching what I eat, and over Christmas too!

Week 2

2008-12-09T22:00:00.000Z

Today I started some more in depth core exercises.

3 times a week I now do a cycle set to develop my fast twitch muscles, a pyramid of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 sprints.

This is followed by dead lifts with 20kg for hamstrings; midriff snatches with 10kg for fast twitch muscles and core; squats with 10kg for quads and core; knee lifts from a press up position on a rolling surface; planks and fit ball tummy crunches all for core.

Fitness Assessment Part 1

2008-12-05T20:48:00.003Z

I had a fitness assessment today at Edinburgh University gym!

I enjoyed the experience it was hard but it is going to get harder.

It started with a chat, blood pressure, 124/84, heart rate 76bpm (I had cycled to the fitness assessment!), height check, 5ft5.5", and a weight in, 61 kg. The weighing machine also assessed my body mass which came out at a respectable 25%, fairly low for a woman.

This was followed by a test to assess the lungs. Blowing into a tube, attached to a machine. The measured my lung capacity, not to good, and my lung power, also not to good. I then mentioned that I was asthmatic. I got a bit of a green card.

Next came the grip test. I'm not sure what this tested for, I'll have to get back to you. However, with my right hand/arm I was very strong, one of the strongest women he has seen in a while. My left hand was not so good, 7 points lower.

Press ups came next, oh joy. I was allowed to do girlie press ups on my knees. I've never done this before, I always done 'manly' press ups... badly. Apparently at 20 my core went, soon after I noticed I was using my right arm to do most of the work, protecting my weaker left side. I reached about 35 when I admitted defeat. I was told that this was still a good result.

Upstairs we went to a static bike. This is where my true weakness's started to show. Lee want to prove to me some the areas that I need to develop. On the bike I did a series of spinning followed by a sprint, spin for a minute, sprint for 10 secs, spin 50 sec, sprint 20 sec, spin 30 sec and finally 30 sec easy. I was out of breath after the first 10 secs! Coaching thought the second 2 sprints saw my posture and breathing improve, as well as my fast twitch muscles learning the ropes.

The core was the hardest. I was under the illusion that my core would be OK. I was very wrong. I was shown several exercises that I now have to do every day.

To summaries, I am currently built for endurance, not speed. Lucky considering I'm planning to do an Ironman! However, I don't have the supporting structures of core, lungs and fast twitch muscles to support me once I start getting tired. I am also wonky, many would say that they knew that already. I think this wonk may be due to dislocating my hip when I was twenty and a week left rotator cuff left over from my swimming days.

Although I have received a few home truths, I have been left inspired and motivated. I have a good base to start from and time to work on everything.

Watch this space...

Week 1 of Ironman training!

2008-12-03T22:00:00.005Z

I chuffed with my first week. It is a very easy start with 3 easy weight sessions to build up my capacity to more strength work at a later date, yoga for flexibility and dynoband work for my rotator cuff (a residual injury from my swimming days).

I went on a couple of bike rides, not counting my daily commute, of 10 miles and 27 miles. I did the 10 mile ride on Thursday as an extended commute. It was cold, wet and windy but it was great to be out!

Sunday's ride was a different story. I arose to find a cold, clear, sunny, windless day. Perfect! I wrapped up and headed out towards Longniddry, with a slight diversion for a wrong turn, then back along the coast. I don't think this picture quite does the day justice but I didn't want to stop too often because I too cold. An extra layer will be needed next time!

A great end to my first week!

Lows? The 6am starts are going to take a bit of getting used to.
Highs? I did all that I set out to achieve, I had a great bike ride on Sunday and I was motivated!

I'm going to try not to bore you here with the intricate details of my training plan, but I can't promise! You can see my full training plan on http://www.base2race.com/, if you email me for access.

What is my path to completing an Ironman?

2008-12-01T13:50:00.000Z

An Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. So far I have swam that distance in a pool but not in open water and not for a long time; I have never riden that far and I have never run that far.

Therefore I plan to...
Enter and complete an Ironman 70.3 (Half an Ironman)
Swim in the open water more often and increase my mileage
Run at least one marathon before the Ironman 70.3
Train to run and cycle long distances, reaching full Ironman distance before the Ironman 70.3
Enter distance running and cycling races

May the fun commence!

What next?

2008-11-30T13:47:00.000Z

For a while now I have entertained the thought of doing an Ironman. I am attracted to the challenge of doing an endurance race, being reliant on my physical abilities rather than my knowledge.

I am dyslexic and as an adult I have questioned my memory, knowledge and comprehension. Colleagues, friends, family and experience tell me that I shouldn't worry but I remain sceptical.

My physical abilities, however, has been tried and tested, time and again. I have had injuries and set backs but I have always recovered to take on new and bigger challenges.

So...

Buchlyvie Half Marathon, 16th November 2008

2008-11-29T23:45:00.016Z

The morning of Buchlyvie half marathon was stunning. The weather could not be more perfect. It was a crisp, cool morning with no clouds in the sky and no wind.

I started the race from the back, keen not to fall in to the trap of running too quickly at the start.

I still ran an 8.30 split for the first mile. The second mile was worse at 8 min! I gave myself a talking to, I had to slow down or I wouldn't finish. For the next 6 or so miles I ran 9 minute miles. This was still quick for me but I felt comfortable.

I should have been stronger and slowed myself down to nine and half minute miles because by mile 9 I was hitting the wall. My splits got longer and longer. I probably could have walked quicker than I was running by the end!

I turned the corner on to the homeward straight only to be faced with 2 laps of a muddy playing field!

I started walking. The muddy field was too much for me. I walked round the final corner and started running again, sprinting to the finish line.

2:05.46 by my watch.

Whilst I was disappointed that I had not run under 2 hours, I was philosophical. I had only been training for 11 weeks and that had been mixed. I had enjoyed the experience. It had reaffirmed that I can keep going, even if I'm struggling.

Praying to the recovery god!

Half marathon training

2008-11-29T08:14:00.012Z

Training has been a mixed bag. After I sprained my ankle I didn't run for several weeks, but rode my bike to and from jobs, cranking up quite a few miles.

Training started in ernest in September. I ran a short run on Mondays and Wednesdays with the occasional Tuesday. I then did a long run on a Saturday that built up over the weeks. My mileage varied from 6 miles a week to 21 miles a week.

Although I followed the programme from the Internet, I didn't worry about missing a Tuesday run. I continued to commute to work on my bike so it seemed daft to run if I didn't feel like it. Indeed, my fastest 5K time was after a rest day in which I was supposed to run.

I also had a series of trips away that made training hard. It started with a weekend in Glencoe where I spent 7 hours climbing Bideon Nam Bar on the Saturday. On the Sunday, Kate and I ran along the West Highland Way from Glencoe to Kinlochleven which was spectacular. I had five days in Glen Etive with work. No running could be done as the bothy is surrounded by bog! I came home with the worst cold that I have had for a long while. It eventually lasted about three weeks!

I followed Glen Etive with a trip to Frankfurt for five days to visit a friend. Although I was still recovering from the cold, I managed a 2 hour game of touch rugby that left me stiff for 4 days and a 5K run around the centre of Frankfurt. The run round the city was great!

Finally I went to visit my brother, sister-in-law and niece in High Wycombe for 4 days. This photo is from my 8 mile run along the Thames. A stunning day!

In the ten weeks of training, I certainly learnt that the normal runs in town could be very boring. I contrast, however, I learnt how wonderful running can be to see new and different areas.

Programmes, ankles and races

2008-11-28T17:25:00.007Z

I searched the net for a half marathon training programme and I found one that would have me ready for a half marathon by mid October. I then looked for a race. Jedburgh half would do. Nice and close to home.

So I go south to visit the family, do a couple of short runs, visit the niece, go for a run in the woods and... sprain my ankle. Bugger...

Maybe I wont run Jedburgh half, maybe I'll do Eddie's half in Fort William in early November.

During the second week of working on the Tattoo fireworks I went over on my ankle again. Bugger... bugger...

During the Bank of Scotland fireworks I caught my ankle again! Bugger, bugger ... BUGGER!

Maybe I wont run Eddie's half, maybe I'll do Buchlyvie half, 16th November 2008.

Weakness's and bribery...

2008-11-28T17:13:00.009Z

What is my weakest section of a triathlon?

Running.

I simply don't do it, if it can be helped.

So I set myself a goal... I would enter a half marathon. Easy!

I needed some kind of bribery to help me train... I decided on a new bike. If I followed my running programme, I would buy myself a new bike suitable for racing rather than commuting like my current bike.

Where this current madness started ...

2008-11-27T21:06:00.003Z

In 2007 I competed in 3 Triathlons - North Berwick novice, Stirling sprint and Gullane beach triathlon. In 2008 I competed in the same races in the hope I could do better...

I didn't...

At North Berwick novice triathlon I was ____ slower (2007-____, 2008-51:28); at Stirling sprint triathlon I was 4 minutes slower (2007-1:21:55, 2008-1:25:38); and at Gullane beach triathlon I was 10 minutes slower (2007-3:08:48, 2008-3:18:07).

I felt like I had a choice either I could quit competing in triathlons or I could do something about it.

I don't like quiting ...