Arrival - It's here.

This week marked D-day when I got my 20 week programme that starts on Monday.  I left it for a day before I even opened the email from my coach.  I know chicken .....   I'll let you fill in the blanks.  After a day of rehydration the day before with friends, and maybe or may not feeling the after effects of that.  I didn't think my heart could have taken it and my excitement cup wasn't going to overflow.  Because reality might sink in, I've bitten off more than I could chew.

Let's say I wasn't disappointed when, on the following day I opened it.  Buggar.  Yep, looking at the days for the next four weeks, numbers floating off the page talking about interval hills on bikes, running for time.  Uhh, my grandma shuffle is two speeds.  Stop and go :)  As fellow team mates disappear into the distance.  An inner gremlin in me goes what the .... are you doing. 

But then I go to training and realise even the young, very fit team mates are having those same doubts.  Ok, yep there are those that are just going to smash it.  Is it naughty of me to say though, seeing them with "whites of eyes showing"  puts me at ease.  I guess, it is.  Then again it shows we are in the same boat and why it is important to train around positive people to share the doubts but them quickly get them out of your head.  We all have our own reasons for doing this crazy stuff.

So it is back to basics I'm not looking at the week ahead, or the next four weeks.  Next Monday, I'll be looking at day one and go yep.  Ok, I need to do this as best I can.  Well that is the theory anyway.  Let's see how that works out??

Happy Training

Shell xo :)

cool T'shirt from Ironchicks, they have great information too :)

PS:  On and end not though, I have to say the best thing that has happened this week is doing a class on technique for running and feeling great afterwards.  (Never thought I'd say that ha ha never admit to coach either, shhhh.  It  gives her other silly ideas for you).  Biggest plus getting a really, really cool t-shirt from my sister, made my day.  See Photo.  So, Now, I think I'm all set to go, maybe...

Countdown: 5 months (gulp)

It will get better :)

It was pointed out today the milestone of five months until the big 70.3 Cairns Ironman, Ironman race.  Isn't that nooice.  So how is training going?  Hmmm, that would be a good question.  The after effects of Christmas has slowly crept to my girth, fitness level disappeared just like the bubbles of celebration.   So how is training going?  That my friends, in a word, slow. 

BUT you have to hitch that wagon up again and get back on it.  The mojo has slightly returned after festive spirit reigned supreme.  At training tonight, the tears were slightly welling up at the thought of the mammoth task ahead.  Once again Coach M shared the love, as well as teamies, don't focus on the distances, just cross off each day, it will build up. 

Right, so that is what I'm going tell my head.  It's a bit thick so might take a while but will give it a shot.  The tears and headache may also be, because I just figured out, with the reality bat slapping me big time.  I'm going to have no life except for training for the next five months.  Bloomin' good thing I'm surrounded by pretty awesome people doing the same crazy, crazy stuff.  So here goes.... :)

Crazy kids, I train with, that keep me going.  Colour Run 2013 Cairns.  xo :)

Completed thus far.

In 2010, I did my first enticer, 400m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run.  It was on a mountain bike, apparently you ride further with those tyres.  Again nerves got the better of me.  Whether it was swimming in crocs waters who knows but I finished and then the bug died for a bit through back injury and well being a slack arse after the back got better, until last year.  When swimming helped me get my mojo back.   

2013 was a big year.  The team swim legs of Coral Coast Olympic distance, and 70.3 Ironman, another Enticer, and Tri Port Sprint distance all on my own.  (Unfortunately, the swim leg was cancelled in Tri port which was cool the water was a wee bit rough.  But go figure, we will swim with crocs and stingers just not waves; safety first hee hee).

Love these girls; team mates, Sue and Rob xo :)  Coral Coast Olympic tri

Like I said before, I'm not an elite athlete, and it is one of the things I love about tri's.  It doesn't matter what shape or size you are, there are people who support you and encourage you.  Let's face it nobody looks good in an all lycra suit unless you're a stick, or at elite level.  :)  That's not what the sport is about.

It is a sport on a wonderful community level that everyone regardless shape or form can have a go.  Viewed upon for what is inside, and the courage that gets you across the line after being out there for a couple of hours in the sun, wind, rain, or whatever the elements throw at you. 

Finishing, or putting in the effort to try is what counts.  Yep, you will always have your competitive people and why not alot of training goes into their times, and effort some are naturals.  Others like me, well, we give it a crack.  That's all you can do and dare I say it have fun along the way?