One more lap.

I am pleased to announce that my cycling is getting better. I can now cycle 25km in one hit, 20km more than my last blog. It was true about the 3 days a week thing, it does work. Obviously not working as fast as I would like it to (impatient me), but I am making progress.

I have invested in a pair of cycling pants, you know the padded bum ones! They feel great on when your cycling, as for walking - well I feel kinda like a 2yr old when they need a nappy change. Its hard to walk and take yourself seriously. When I first put them on and looked in the mirror I was wondering who the "Oompa Loompa" was looking back at me. But, they are not worn for fashion, comfort is the number one goal. And they work to a degree. I still think my nether regions need to toughen up a bit, or I need to stop whinging.

My best friend Susan has recently purchased herself a road bike and is now riding with me. I love the company and it makes the time go by so quickly. She gives me the push that I need to keep going when my legs feel like giving up. Thank God for best friends, that all I can say. I must admit though, she makes it look so much easier. When I watch her she makes it look effortless and my hope is that one day I too will look that way, or atleast learn to stop contorting my face in such a fashion that you can tell from a mile away that I am in pain.

Another lesson I have learnt is to keep your mouth somewhat closed when cycling. I do believe I have now swallowed a 1/4 cup of gnats and numerous flies. Great way to get protein on the run....BLAH. I will stick to protein bars thanks.

So as I ponder my next ride this coming Friday, I shall set myself a goal of going out onto the open road. Not far, just the length of the Regatta Centre and back and then continue with the rest of the ride. I want to try something a bit different and vary the course up a bit. Keep the excitement level up high.

Oh by the way, I am also attending a bike riding skills class tonight for women. I really need to understand my gears better. Will keep you all posted as to how it went.

Does my butt look big in this?

Its a love hate relationship.

Since commencing my training, my love for swimming has returned, and I now strive to swim a little more everytime I get in the pool. As part of having joined the Tri Club I now participate in their swim squad once a week on a thursday night. Week 1 - 4 weeks ago, I completed 2500m and felt so tired on getting out that I don't think I could string two sentences together. My body ached all over from the last cell of keratin in my hair to the ends of my not so delicate toes. Susan and I walked out of the pool wondering what in god's name had we gotten ourselves into. On our way home Susan gave me a call on the mobile just so I could keep her awake for the drive home. I was so proud of what she had accomplished and I am sure she was equally proud of me.

As week 2 drew closer I started to get nervous, simply because I knew what lay ahead and I know me - I am not happy with staying the same. 3500m and 90 minutes later I surfaced from the pool with a grin and the need for some much needed rest and Ibuprofen. I was so proud of myself, I had come so far when at times I thought it would never be possible again. I really missed the squad life even though as a child I immensely detested being told when to wake up, how much I had to swim, what comps to go in...yadda yadda yadda. Now I'm the boss of me and I am definately tougher on me than they ever were. I won't allow myself to give up.

3800m in week 3 and I was feeling great. The variety of the training sessions made it almost feel effortless....NOT, it was still hard but atleast it beats swimming up and down over and over again aimlessly. I think the coach can tell how excited I am about getting better every week as I am constantly asking how much I have done halfway through the session so I can beat my score before time is up. "Are we there yet, are we there yet". I so badly want every week to be an improvement on the last and so far so good.

Last week I felt it. Although I made it to 4km, every lap was so painfully slow and torturous. I had the runs all day and my stomach was cramping what felt like every 5 minutes. I really shouldn't have gone, I should have stayed at home and rested but there goes that stubborness and persistant streak again. I was getting motion sick in the water and I felt quite spewy. If I could get through this lesson without letting things come up, I think I could just about tackle anything the triathlon had to offer. As it was, I survived but when I got home all I could do was have a shower, say goodnight to the children and Stephen and curl up in the foetal position in bed and go to sleep. When I woke up in the morning I felt no side effects of the previous nights efforts. I felt great.

I was trying harder and harder every week and my fast recovery was the proof of my efforts.

Running is like walking, only faster.

Atleast that is what I tried to tell myself when I knew my weightloss and get well journey was on a roll. Trying to run when I was overweight was really painful. So I naturally thought the less I weighed the less stress there would be on my joints. But unfortunately that has not been the case for me. My hips, knees and ankles continue to hurt regardless. I do think that structurally I was not designed to run. I am flat footed, I have knock knees and my back has arthritis, not the best combination for a runner, but nonetheless I shall continue to forge forward to reach my goal. Things in the running department just have to be at a slower pace for me.

After the 5km Fun Run I was in pain for about 4 days. Ibuprofen and Paracetamol were my new best friends. Whilst I was up and walking slowly things were somewhat manageable, but when it came to sitting down or trying to stand up - that was a different story. My muscles would seize up totally and trying to stand on sore joints made me wonder if this was truly worth it. But after four days rest, my brain cells rehydrated themselves and I began to think straight again.

During my bootcamp sessions we would always start off with a warm up run and most times we do running inbetween activities. So when I started getting shin pains I thought, "give it a chance, things will come right". So I continued to push myself and I am now on week 3 of NO RUNNING. Please take heed, listen to your body. I didn't and now I feel like I am behind the eight ball. This triathlon is drawing nearer and my running, not great to start off with - is now probably worse than ever. I know my legs need the rest to recover, but running is such a unique discipline I feel like I am going to be a total disgrace on the day if I don't get cracking on the training. "Patience young Jedi".

Panthers Tri Club

I joined the local triathlon club. The gentleman at the bike shop gave me a discount on my bike by joining - I couldn't miss the chance of getting a discount, after all I am a girl. But now that meant I definately had to do a triathlon. There was no backing out even if I wanted to. I hadn't even signed up for one yet, how does one do this and which one would be suitable. Thank goodness I have friends in the know.

I had heard discussions through my bootcamp class friends. There were many small tri's around but the one that caught my attention was the TriShave Women's Triathlon. I liked the fact that is was all women, I wouldn't feel like such a "doofus". I could mingle in the swarm of other women and feel safe and protected. Also, there was a possibility of some of my friends doing this event with me. I was up for the challenge but only if my friend's held my hand.

I jumped on the registration site and filled out the necessary criteria but stalled numerous times upon hitting the send icon. My finger was like it had a mind of it's own and just would not let me press it. I stalled and stalled and stalled until finally I did a Lleyton Hewitt "C'mon". And without another thought it was gone into cyberspace. Off to TriShave World. Instantly, I was excited and scared. I SMS'ed everyone, I thought the more people I tell the more they can rev me up and keep me motivated during the initial phase.

Once I get going I know I have the will and drive to motivate myself. I am also stubborn and hate not succeeding in something once I have set my mind to it. By succeed I don't mean winning, I just like to see things through to the end, regardless of the obstacles set before me. The obstacles make me want it even more.

So now I know how to swim, I have my bike - just need to keep on practising, and I have signed up. What's next? Oh yeah, running!!! All I can say is OUCH!!!

Special thought for the day

I wanted to share this wonderful passage that I just only read from a book of inspirational thoughts that was given to me by a dear friend Tracy during our 2009 Christmas party. The book is called "Keep believing in yourself and your dreams" edited by Patricia Wayant, Blue Mountains Press.

There's no challenge you can't face

Challenges make us stronger.

They push us to try harder.

They allow us to be brave.

They offer us courage.

They engender hope in us.

And sometimes we go farther

than we ever dreamed possible....

just by believing that we can.

"Ashley Rice"

Piecing it together, bit by bit.

Ok, so as you can tell I purchased myself a bike. Am I scared about riding it for the first time since I was like 12? "Damn right I am". Why I here you ask, well the potential for falling off was quite high. Needing the assistance of the rescue and recovery crew to recover me from the wreckage after I had come to a complete stop was even higher still. I hate not being in control and the thought of surrendering my whole being to this metal object with wheels was a touch scary. Don't get me wrong,I absolutely love my bike. It's black and slick looking, and has great racing wheels and I even have a helmut to match. Gotta look good even though you have no clue what your doing, Oh and it has gears - lots of them.

The guy at the bike shop said to me as I was leaving with my beautiful black bike, "increase your ride time slowly and try to ride atleast 3 times a week so your legs adjust". Ok, sounds easy enough. Hold that thought while I compose myself and stop laughing. EASY, not quite.

My first ride was merely a 5km flat surfaced ride for all bar two tiny bridges. Looked easy, I ran this in the fun run. The bike guy said to keep the left gear on 2 and the right gear on a 4 or 5. Which is what I did. I was a bit wobbly almost like watching a newborn giraffe trying to stand. I do think it would have been funny to watch, however I was so tense up there I don't think I really enjoyed that first ride.

Things to take note of for the next ride were:

• Relax hand grip, white knuckle grasp is not favourable for circulation in fingers.
• Relax shoulders and neck, very important for turning and seeing where you are going.
• Legs that are heavy like concrete yet wobble like jelly post cycle are the norm.
• Feeling like you have been on a horse ride for the last week post cycle is also the norm.

How did I used to ride my bike for hours on end as a child? I don't remember things hurting that bad, least of all my bottom. It felt battered and bruised and as a result of the pain it altered the way I walked. I thought I looked like a cowboy post rodeo ride....lol

So with my ego about as bruised as my behind, I made my way home. Two to three times a week, thats what the guy said. Stay focused!!!