From Fat Slob To Fit Triathlete

"Success Is Not Measured By What I Weigh Or Measure But By How Many Wine Bottloes Are In The Recycling oxin And How Many Take Away Boxes Are In The Bin"

                                              ~ Lynne Evans March 2008

I know it’s time to blog again when I get bombarded with texts and calls asking how the training’s going.

A very eventful couple of weeks.

I was told off by email by Iain from the gym for doing The Atkins. He warned me about urine infections, reduced immunity protein overload and basically asked the question was it better to complete the triathlon fat or be too ill to even start it? No contest really. Never one to do things by halves after 4 days of no carbs I consumed 6 slices of white bread and a tin of baked beans the following day and felt absolutely dreadful. I had the worst migraine I have ever had ever (I’ve been pretty migraine free since discovering my “trigger” was garlic!) I had an awful pain in the bottom of my back, right side, I believe this is where my kidney is and I literally had to sleep it off.

My sister in law, unbeknown to me had also started no carb. After 2 days she nearly had to go to A&E. Her heart was racing and she wasn’t sure if she was having palpitations.

I lost 6lb in 3 days and it has stayed off despite having every take-away imaginable and vast quantities of wine.

I am training really hard 6 mornings a week plus my swimming lesson. My swimming has improved dramatically and I can actually do one very correct, very powerful breaststroke stroke. I’ve had to promise Dave my instructor that I will not practice it without his supervision. Bad habits and what not!

Yesterday I was roped into marshalling a 5mile race out of Mold Sports Centre.

I was totally amazed. There was a field of 230 of all ages. I would like to say of all abilities but as the last runner finished what I would call a very challenging course (up the hill to Nercwys) in 50 minutes they were all good.  Despite everyone being incredibly friendly and encouraging I felt very intimidated. 

For the first time I asked myself “what the hell have I taken on here?”

I’m not concerned about making a complete prat of myself. I do that most of the time anyway.  I can’t really verbalise my concerns.

At the end of the race I had a little chat with Gill the Wrecsam Tri Treasurer who basically said to me “what it’s all about is enjoying yourself.” I am. I’m loving the training but am I ready for a race? Will I ever be ready for a race?  If I hadn’t got the race to aim for would I give up?

When I got home I opened a really encouraging email from Sue who is an Ironman. What she said was basically that everyone has to start from zero and the training will pay off.

I haven’t been to the gym because I’ve been on the roads. Because I’m a whimp and listened to all the storm warnings forecast for this morning I decided I would go to the gym this morning mainly to give myself a fitness test.  Previously I’d run at 7.8 I upped it to 8 and had no difficulty. I felt Icould have continued forever. I am by no means a treadmill fan but this morning I really felt that I’d beaten it and the satisfaction was enormous.

I am on an emotional rollercoaster I just hope I’m on an up on 27 April.

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