Friday 14th June - Great North Swim

And so to the swim....

Friday morning began carbo-loading in preparation for my 3pm start.

Myself and my coach/support team/general all round good egg (mum that's you) set off around 11.30 to head to lake Windemere...powering up on flapjack and sandwiches on the way.

We arrived in Ambleside to be greeted by the traditional lakes welcome - A torrential downpour of rain. Mum was less than happy about this but I had my mind on other things, like the fact that in just over an hour I would be up to my eyeballs in lake Windemere fighting my way through a load of other swimmers (this turned out to be highly accurate).

We arrived on the Swim site (Low Wood Bay Hotel, Ambleside) and it was a quick change into my kit, including newly purchased swim booties (a great buy for anyone considering open water swimming)after a quick warm-up with the GNS team, the red wave set off into the lake bright eyed and bushy tailed! 

The first 1/2 mile was somewhat tricky and I experienced my first ever 'swim rage' when a slightly rotund male swimmer was swimming on top of me about every 10 strokes. After suffering for about a quarter mile enough was enough...We had words, a few expletives were exchanged and needless to say he did NOT do it again! I was able to continue on without any more irritation, sighting my way around the buoys for 2 laps towards the finish line. Conditions were fairly good; although the lake was somewhat choppy compared to the previous year meaning quite a few gulps of Windemere water went down the hatch!

Despite the tricky conditions and rogue swimmer, I managed to finish in a respectable time of 1hr 12mins and 41secs. Not a PB but excellent training for Ironman and a lesson learned to practice my bilateral breathing (breathing both sides for those not in the know) and also how to deal with male chauvinist swimmers.

In other positive news my dad continues to improve and was even able to have a short walk/run up at Simonside at the weekend, which must feel like Ironman to him at the moment. He is an inspiration and his unwavering strength and positivity makes me more determined than ever to complete this challenge and train like a demon to do so.

My next event will be 7th July - An Olympic distance triathlon at Druridge Bay.

1.5k Swim  .  40k Bike  .  10k Run - This is approx. half of what I will complete at Ironman so it's a good test for my stamina and mental strength.

Next update coming soon.

Triathlotte x

The Journey begins....

334 days to go until I take on my biggest challenge so far....

In January of this year, after months of uncertainty we found out that my dad had developed cancer of the Pancreas. It hit us all pretty hard as he has always been so fit and strong and has a very healthy lifestyle (supplemented by a few glasses of red wine here and there of course).

The hardest thing about it all is being powerless to help - Watching dad and also my mum suffer, is the most difficult thing I've had to deal with in my lifetime. 

When faced with the prospect of loosing a loved one it makes you focus on what is most important in life - family and friends. It got me thinking about how I could channel some of my energy into doing something to help dad in another way.

Alongside his Chemotherapy, dad has been undergoing a trial drug treatment at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials research Centre. The overwhelming message in all of this, is the level of care he receives on his weekly visits to undergo his treatment. The staff have been amazing and make what is a very difficult time, much more bearable for dad.

My Challenge - after completing several endurance events last year - (great north swim, run and bike ride) I had been toying with the idea of entering Ironman 70.3 but was very daunted at the thought of the sheer distance and mental strength required. I  had a word with myself! I figured If dad can undergo all of this energy draining treatment and keep fighting then I can push myself harder and complete this event - most importantly raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and also Hospice Care Northumberland whom I have fundraised for over the last few years - both charities provide invaluable support for people and their families who are facing cancer.

So it begins...The company I work for, Countylife Homes - Have sponsored my entry into Ironman Mallorca 70.3. 10th May 2014. So I can't back out now. Not only that, but news has spread around my Triathlon club (Tri Northumberland) and 3 other guys I train with have entered...so now we have a team of supporters and fundraisers! 

 Time to start the training...this friday 2 miles in Lake Windemere...Here goes nothing!

I will be setting up a just giving page very soon for donations...I know it's a long way off, but please give what you can. Most of us will be affected by cancer in our lifetime, and these charities rely on donations to keep going and keep researching.

Updates coming each week, Thanks for reading.

Love Triathlotte x (copyright - Claire Forsythe)