From Fat Slob To Fit Triathlete

Yet another amazing week in the life of this aspiring triathlete!

I have had some fantastic advice off some fantastic people. When downcast last weekend I was basically told the only person I will be racing against in this triathlon is myself. I can swim, I can ride a bike and I can walk/jog/run so what’s the problem? Next year, or the next event is the time to worry about time.

I have been, let me say encouraged to do more running up hills and it was suggested I run the bike course.  Bearing in mind a couple of weeks ago I had to hop off the bike it seemed a pretty daunting task but hey ho nothing ventured nothing gained and I know the hill back to the leisure centre is pretty steep so I do need to be prepared.

I did it! I made this pact with myself, if I could just get to the Hendy Road turning I could walk. I did it and carried on. If I could just get to the end of the houses, if I could just get to St Mary’s Park… In the end I got to about 25yards from the Upper Bryn Coch turn and started jogging again about 25yards in. I was ecstatic. Now my husband has a Nokia N82 with GPS which acts as an odometer. I thought I’d done about 4k it said 2.2k and 5.2km/p/h speed. I do that walking on the treadmill in the gym!  I was gutted. Needless to say I HAD to do it in the car and it is 2.2 miles so chuffed again!

I love my bike. After not cycling for 30 years and being able to ride again you can imagine what a special relationship we have. The fact that it cost £40 off ebay was a bonus.

As I’ve been getting more into the sport I’ve realised it just isn’t good enough  My husband has this saying which is directed at me quite often. “How can you be so thick with only one head?” I didn’t realise a mountain bike:-

1.      Has thick tyres that slow you down

2.      Has lots of grip on the tyres that slow you down

3.      The suspension is designed for rough terrain and on a road slows you down

Also a bike that’s too small for you wastes a hell of a lot of energy.

I took advice and was told to visit a LBS (local bike shop) as opposed to the likes of Halfords or JJB because they will sell you what you need and not what will make them the most money.  By taking further advice I was pointed in the direction of Graham Weigh in Shotton and the wonderfully knowledgeable and tanned manager Keith. I was also told to expect stick as I was doing a triathlon as opposed to the purist road racing.

I was measured and shown a beautiful road bike. Gorgeous blue in colour. Super skinny tyres. No grips. Dropped handlebars. Seat like a razor blade. I nearly freaked. Yes it was exactly what I’d asked for but I really couldn’t see myself tootling along the river to Chester on a Sunday afternoon on it. We compromised and he showed me a beautiful 21 gear, straight handlebar, hybrid. I was smitten.  I was warned not to make a hasty decision so forced myself to sleep on it.

Saturday I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. A kinseology treatment. I’ve known for ever basically that my diet wasn’t doing me any favours and after my Atkins experiment I was pretty certainI had a wheat allergy. This was confirmed as well as caffeine,  lactose, eggs, milk, but not hard cheese?!

I picked up my bike in the afternoon and just did a little tootle round the Ruthin Road loop. It was fantastic. So much easier. In a way I’m glad I’ve struggled because it makes me so much stronger.

Yesterday was the test. If you don’t push yourself you’ll never improve so I decided to “do” last weeks “challenging” 5 mile Nercwys route. Twice I had to get off and push. I blame not being used to the gears. I did another circuit and twice I had to get off and push. I’m not despondent or disheartened. I’ve identified I have weaknesses with hills and I know I’ve got to get used to the bike. It was raining and windy yesterday. Weather holds no fear for me now.

The next test? Well I guess it’s going to have to be the Chirk course. Bike one day, run another just to check. The kids break up on Thursday and Cait’s really up for coming out with me. Jim was too until we drove the Nercwys route. He’s decided to “pass.”

In the beginning  I wanted to complete a triathlon. I’m already looking at The Deva Diva’s an all female open water event at the end of June, the Llanrwst sprint at the end of August and…. Shock horrors the Flintshire 10k in September. This is all from a woman who couldn’t run the short sides of the football pitch last November.

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• #1 Comment from teresathrs 
  20/03/08 13:25 | Permalink

  OOoooo  I.m very jealous of your new bike.  I need one too.  I have my eye on a Giant SCR....but I need to save up for it.
  
  It sounds like your training is coming along fabulously.  And already you are looking at more events!  Fantastic!  Well done you!
  
  Youre in the home straight now girl.  Go get em!
  
  www.wecanonlytry.blogspot.com