PureSport Olympic Distance Triathlon

WOW, WOW, WOW. What a day yesterday was. Every second of yesterday could not have gotten better even if I wanted it to. From the moment I opened my eyes to the very last millisecond before closing them again some 15hrs later I was on a total high. Who knew that doing an Olympic Distance Triathlon was going to be so much fun. I surely didn't. I expected to be in a world of pain, but this couldn't have been further from the truth.

I decided when I woke up yesterday morning that there was no point totally freaking out, I was going to do it anyway. The more I totally freaked out the more energy I was expending - what a waste. So I allowed a manageable level of nervousness and the rest just had to be put to good use - like alot of talking. I'm very good at that.

I had all my gear ready the night before and triple checked everything 3 times over - didn't want to have a repeat event of what happened at the TriShave Women's Triathlon. Breakfast was 3 pieces of toast with butter and honey, glass of Tropical Juice, a black coffee and 2 glasses of water - PLUS all my vitamins. As I made my way out the door I knew when I came back home I would be a very proud person indeed.

Driving in I kept saying to myself - you can do this. You have tackled everything you set your mind to do and today is nothing different. Just try to stay focused on your own pace, don't get caught up with how fast everyone else is, enjoy every experience and the rest will come naturally. So with that said that is what I did.

I got there super early which is nothing new for me. Got my usual spot - 3rd row down and closest to run exit. Don't know why I like that spot - just do. Maybe cause it's easy to spot as I come in from the swim all deficient in O2 and all. It wasn't long before everyone started showing up and the usual chit chat began. PTC club members are really the friendliest bunch of people. I am always getting "Hello's, how ya goin' Barb" - makes me really happy and confident in my choice of Tri Club. I was even offered a rear race wheel if I wanted it by Lance. Where else do you get that sort of support.

Before too long Stephen and the 2 boys turned up as did my best friend Susan. Elissa was competing in her first Sprint Distance and Mel's daughter Sianna was trying her hand at her first Junior event. I was completely surrounded by family and friends.

I decided it was time to get my wetsuit on - wise choice beginning this skilful art about 20mins before the race. Normally at home I'm all relaxed and can get it on before you blink and eye, but yesterday proved difficult. My feet were wet from the damp grass and my shaky hands from the nerves weren't allowing me to make too much headway. I felt like I needed a tin of Canola Spray to get that sucker on. With the job done it was time to make my way to the water.

Once in I made my way to the back. Probably not the wisest choice as I was soon to find out - but being up the front with those fast boys wasn't too appealing either. Before I knew it we were off. I wasn't quite ready but at the same time gave the frenzy of arms and legs a bit of a wide berth for a few seconds too. I then took off hoping I could tack onto someone's feet but all I managed to do was swim right into the thick of it and cop a kick to my forehead. Who knew my wetsuit was going to make me feel like a JetCat. In the mishmash of bubbles I sighted a familiar face - Lance - to my right. He and I matched eachother quite well in pacing so I stuck quite close.

By the time the 750m marker and turn around bouy was reached, the field felt like it had dispersed into a manageable size and I felt much more comfortable. That still didn't stop me from tapping the person in front of me or having my feet tapped by whomever was drafting off of me. As the exit drew near it was time to start thinking about what lay ahead. Time to try and remember everything that jodie, Chris and Eliza have taught me. Time to not get all freaked out.

Making my way to T1, getting the wetsuit off was much easier than getting it on - it just slipped right off thank goodness. I had visions of me rolling around on the floor like a beached whale. As I stepped into my bike shoes, I downed 2 gels and put my helmet on and I was off. From this point on it was all about trying to maintain good form and cadence and not get all caught up with the fact that before too long I was going to start being passed by everyone. Today was about setting race pace and sticking to the plan.

I was having an absolute ball on the bike. My speedometer wasn't working so I was trying to gauge my speed by feel and by the faster girls who were in front. I didn't realise until later that I was averaging about 31.5kms/hr for the 40km. And sure I got passed more times than I would care to count but the fact was that I felt really good - my legs were tired but not spent. I wasn't struggling to breathe and I felt like I could keep going at this pace. I really loved and thrived on all the positive cheers thrown my way - all I could hear was my name as I passed on my bike. There was an ocean of smiles out on the sidelines and it felt as though they were all for me.

Coming back into T2 I must confess to feeling anxious. I don't know what it is about the run but it just gets my head into a not so positive place. I think maybe because I want to be so much better at it and for it to not hurt as much - when in actual fact - everyone I speak to say's that there will always be a certain level of pain to contend with. But everyone else seems to make it look effortless. So the best thing I can do when it hurts - is SMILE.

Smiling helps me overcome discomfort, fear and negative thoughts. I am also smiling because just about everyone who was there was cheering me on - I felt like an Olympian. What's not to smile about there. I love the camaraderie out on the run. We were high 5'ing eachother and telling eachother how good we were going. I am always astounded at the mental strength and fortitude of our triathletes. Even when they are in a world of pain, they still manage to keep moving. You guys are all inspirational to me.

The 10km run didn't feel too bad. I wasn't in any great discomfort and my ITB was behaving itself much to my relief. I just have that usual odd feeling from getting off the bike. To my surprise Jodie said I took off at a really good pace - but to me I always feel like I am dying. And then when I feel good she said my pace was slightly slower. I need to learn how to judge my body alot better. I liked the out and back loop x 4 - gave me something to focus on. The countdown was exciting. The closer I got to that 10km mark the more "on top of the world" I felt. I mean 6mths ago I never dreamed about reaching this point let alone doing it at a time that I only dreamed of.

When I crossed that finish line I felt like I had won - this feeling was overwhelming. I actually felt like crying. For every bit of self doubt I had before the race this not only squashed it - it totally removed it from the equation all together. I am a capable individual.

How cool is that to say out loud.

So here are my times:

Swim 1500m: 23:09

Bike 40km: 1:16:34

Run 10km: 52:57

Total time for 1st Olympic Distance: 2hrs 31mins.

Into the swing

I am totally loving being back into the training. Apart from my family and friends, it is truly the only thing that puts a smile on my face. Even when things hurt as they do quite often, I still manage to find the ability to smile ( a potential side effect from the endorphins).

Yesterday I managed to swim a straight 2km swim at the pools with my wetsuit on. I know I shouldn't do it because the chemicals can wreck the material, however getting out for open water swims is not that easy. I made sure I rinsed it thoroughly post swim. The wetsuit still feels odd. I know this will get better but it is just a really unnatural sensation to not be able to feel the water as such. That loss of sensation makes swimming for me slightly less enjoyable but I do feel a heck of alot faster in the water. I would set off from one end of the pool and before I knew it I was at the other end. I guess I just have to keep practising in it - and practice makes perfect. Thank goodness I am a persistent creature. I finished the 2km in roughly 35mins and that was without the slightest effort - so it was quite an eye opener.

Then this morning unable to head out for my bike ride because Kurtis is sick with the same thing I had I decided to set up the trainer and rock out a 1hr ride at 70.3 pace. 30km, 65mins and 3/4's of "Never been kissed" later, I headed out the door for a 30min run off the bike. Another great run was to be had. When I set out I felt like I was going slow but I figured I was only meant to be taking it easy anyway. It wasn't until I looked at my Garmin what time it was that I saw that I was running a sub 5min/km pace and it didn't even feel like it.

I knew that it wasn't a pace that I could hold forever so I slowed it down a far bit and finished my run of 5.37km in 29mins. The two things that did bother me a bit was my left ITB but physio has that under control and a post run cough. Nothing new - post viral coughs are my thing. Just needed a dose of Ventolin upon arriving home. It has since settled and I feel fine. The ITB was stretched, rolled and iced as well. I'm being a good girl. Seems having that time off really did make me feel all spritely. Thanks everyone for your encouragement on that homefront.

During the last 2 days of activities I have been sporting a necklace. A very beautiful necklace that was given to me by a friend for my birthday. Check it out.

Thanks Tracy. I love it.

I doubt that I will ever take it off. Unless of course I have to change the leather strapping due to wear and tear.

I also had another article get printed in our local paper "The Penrith Press" about the Olympic Distance Triathlon that the club is holding this Sunday. It is our very first Olympic Distance event and everyone is so excited about it - including me. Why? Well I signed up for too. I figure I need to see exactly what it is I am getting myself into come May 1st.

I am slightly scared just between you and I. But this will be a good way to test out nutrition and pacing for Port. So I am looking at it more like a training day versus a race. I will try my hardest not to get too caught up in the pre race jitters and think about it like a Saturday training day. I know everyone doing the race so it will be comforting to have all their smiling faces around me.

PureSport Triathlon - here I come.

REALITY CHECK

Talk about all of a sudden getting very, very nervous and of course EXCITED. I was made aware by a friend Kristy that Race Bib numbers were posted on the Ironman Australia website. So upon checking it all out I found my name and next to it the numbers 7379. Barbie from Tryingatri is competitor number 7379.

How unreal does that sound.

I don't think I have ever been so excited about a bunch of numbers in my life. My Math's teacher would be so happy. This whole journey of getting to this point has been so exciting - hard and at times frustrating but most of all the most exciting thing I have done to date since participating in any kind of sport. And as of tomorrow I have exactly one month till I am wearing that sweet as Bib Number 7379.

7379 will be at the start line on the 1st May, 2011 beaming with happiness, nervousness and exhilaration. But most of all 7379 will be PROUD. Proud of the fact that I got to my goal. Proud that I didn't let my back illness get to me. Proud that I stuck it out even when at times I thought I couldn't get there. Proud of the individual that I am. I will stand at that start line knowing that I have tried my absolute hardest and that at the end of the day I will have conquered my fears and doubts to the best of my ability. For I am competitor 7379.

LETS GET THE PARTY STARTED.

I'm back

I am back to the land of the living or as one of my friends on DM said "Back to the land of sweat". And to tell you the truth I couldn't be happier. I really missed the early mornings waking up knowing I had something planned for the day. I missed the adventures and the forming of new goals and the ever constant accomplishments.

Nothing compares to it.

I missed the headspace I get into when I train. The time to zone out and think of nothing other than the sound of your breath, the sound of your footsteps on the bitumen, some of your favourite tunes, the birds up in the trees, the sound of the wind - WHATEVER. Those moments I am training are mine, I don't have to split myself into a thousand different pieces - it's just me, myself and I. I only have to answer to me and I am free to be me.

So this morning was my return from the land of boogers. I was so happy - I felt like I had won lotto. I knew I missed it all but to finally be able to get back out was like nothing I could put into words. My legs were fidgety and I was dying for 9am to come around so I could set out on my merry way with some friends. This run was more of a test run to see how I felt getting back into it. So there was to be no shinhanigans, no sprints or tempo work, just a nice easy lap around the river. And that is just what I did.

The one thing I did do was SMILE. A big cheesy smile. I swear you could see every tooth in my mouth my grin was that big. Surprised I didn't get any bugs embedded into my teeth. I just enjoyed it that much. My legs felt refreshed apart from my niggly ITB, I had a spring in my step, my lungs and breathing felt great and I was just out there enjoying every moment of it. How could the day get any better.

I'm so glad to be back.

I have an Itch

Yep, and it cannot be scratched until - well till I am better. I want to get back to training now. I'm feeling probably close to 80% better now and the pressure in my head is subsiding hour by hour. So, hopefully by tomorrow I will be able to give Jodie a call saying that I think I'm good to go. Last instruction from her was that after I feel better then I still have a further 2 days of recovery. So things are looking set for Wednesday and that will mean I would have had a week off training. Do you think I'm going to feel it when I get back?

Me thinks I will.

I tried washing my car yesterday with help from my youngest and my Mum whilst Stephen was out mowing and just the few minutes I spent doing that little bit of activity was enough to have me in sweats. The first session back will be interesting.

The antibiotics I am on are working well - although they are upsetting my guts a bit even by having them with food. Beggers can't be choosers. I just want to be 100% better NOW. Can't wait till Wednesday.

Thankyou to each and every single one of you

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."

-- Albert Schweitzer

Yesterday was such a BLAH day. Talk about a flurry of emotions - almost like a Tsunami that engulfed me. I was trying to stay rational but the ever increasing pressure in my head was not assisting in a clear thought process. I know this all sounds highly emotional and believe me looking back I can see how this may have looked. However that being said I think this shows how much I love what I am doing and how heart breaking it would be if I could no longer do it. I've never wanted anything so bad in my life.

I want to thank everyone so much for all of your kind and thoughtful emails and text messages via my blog, FB, DM and personal messages. Having you guys think so fondly of me made me feel better, and I really do mean that. You all helped me keep my thought's in check and made me see that I was still going to get to reach my goal. This was merely a small blip and that in the grand scheme of things it was better it happened now and not 2 days before the 70.3.

So with that being said I made an appointment with the GP and headed there this morning and have come out with a whopping dose of Doxycycline for a very bad sinus infection and the beginnings of a throat infection. No wonder I felt so very bad yesterday and not much better today. I have already taken 2 tablets today, and have been using the old FESS spray to help clean out the old passages - with much added relief.

After speaking to Jodie my coach I am not to return to training till I feel 100% better. Upon feeling better she will revise my training plan to wean me back into it so I don't fall sick again. I'm so lucky to have a great coach - one who really listens to you and has nothing but your best interests at heart.

I am just so lucky all round to have amazing friends and family. Now it's time to rest and recoup and get to feeling like my old self so I can get to this dream of mine and NAIL IT.

It doesn't feel like it.

When I started writing this blog over a year ago, my aim was to one day have something to look back on and feel proud of. I wanted something to show my children that whatever it was you wanted to achieve you could - all you needed was drive and determination. And above all else to enjoy what it was you were doing.

When I started this blog over a year ago I promised myself that I would be brutally honest about how it was I was feeling every step of the way in the hope that by doing so I would be able to work through it and see clearly. That whatever it was that was masking or clouding my thoughts would be blown away like a cloud on a windy day just by be able to air it in writing.

So I write this post more so to help me through whatever it is that I am going through at the moment. To help me realise that this is merely a small blip on the radar - and that there is nothing to fear. That all my training to this very point will help see me through the fact that getting myself off of this couch is the very hardest thing for me to do at this very moment.

Since yesterday lunch I have had such lethargy that it is hard to put into words. I don't know if I feel sick or if I am coming down with an illness or whether my body has just said STOP. My eyes have felt like they have been on fire for over 24hrs yet there is no temp. My body feels like a bag of Jello but yet heavy with every step. I feel so dehydrated yet I am drinking like a fish. And all I want to do is cry - because I feel like I am so close to achieving my dream but scared that I won't get there.

Is it possible for a human body to feel so high and strong one minute and so low and weak the next? Is it possible to feel invincible and ready to tackle anything that stands in your way and then in the blink of an eye feel frail and ready to curl up in a ball. The rational side of my brain says this is nothing and that all you need is rest and to not take it would be frivolous yet the other side of my brain is scared and hoping I haven't gotten to as far as I can go and this is all I have left.

I really hope not, surely I have more. Just at this moment it doesn't feel like it.