Well, where do I start?! A great start in January meant some great weight loss and motivation to get me going again in my training- I was fired up. On the whole training has gone very well despite continuing bad weather and challenging conditions for training, but this is the reason they call it Ironman - not just the event, but the training that is required to get there.
Since my last post, I managed to get about 6 good weeks of my training programme in…it was relentless but very rewarding. Getting up at 6 in the morning to go straight to the pool or jump on the turbo is no mean feat, especially when it's still dark - this was one of the hardest parts of training for me because I hate getting out of bed in the morning. I trained hard through the rain, hail, wind and occasional sunshine and pushed my body the hardest I have ever done in my life…for a girl who couldn't even run a mile 8years ago…I've come a long way.
The thing about Ironman that is so tough (but necessary) is that it slowly takes over your life and it demands your time, your energy and your strength both mentally and physically. You have to accept this otherwise you will not get to that finish line. Getting every part of your training, nutrition and recovery is extremely hard - unfortunately I found this out in mid-march and it's taken me 6 weeks to get strong again. The first 10 weeks I pushed myself so hard, rarely missing a session even if my body was telling me it was tired. This resulted in a bad cold which developed into a horrendous chest infection - it zapped all my energy and I went from being on top of the world with a 46mile bike followed by a 9 mile run in the bag- to having three days off work and feeling tired even walking up the stairs at home. I was totally gutted…after about 2 weeks off feeling rough I started back in training still not feeling great, but determined to get back into it.
Sunday March 23rd - My first event of 2014.
I had entered Stokesley duathlon back in January as a tester before IM ( which was an easy 3 mile run, 22mile bike and 3 mile run to finish) This was nothing compared to what I'd been doing in training - nothing ventured, nothing gained right? I still wasn't feeling great, but I thought I'd just use the race as training…it wasn't far…I'd just gut it out. We got up at 6am (Myself, Scotty and Bess the pup) loaded up the car and headed down to Stokesley. I really couldn't say how I was going to feel, but I wanted to give it a shot. I had a good breakfast and felt reasonably fresh - going through the motions of registration, setting up my bike in transition and assembling at the start line. I positioned myself near the back as I didn't want to hold up the fast pack - I was glad of this when the gun went off…it was a fast race. The first half mile was ok…I was going at an ok pace for me, still near the back but I'm used to that when it comes to running. When I got towards the end of the first mile, I was getting further and further towards the back and I was aware that I must be near the last competitor - which is fine - but I was starting to feel weakness in my whole body. I would fight the mental battle and keep going - one foot in front of the other…it might just be my body getting used to running again after a few weeks off. No such luck…The second and third mile were progressively worse and my body wasn't ready for this race. I saw Scotty and Bess about 1/4 mile away from transition and I just couldn't go any further - The tank was completely empty. There were tears and I was bitterly dissapointed - I have never pulled out of a race and it was an awful feeling - I felt like a failure - getting a DNF in a race is pretty soul destroying. However IM was my focus and I wasn't going to run myself into the ground getting there….I needed more rest - another lesson learned on the long road to Mallorca. The journey home was long and tearful but I had lots of positive messages from my team mates at Tri Northumberland and my friends, which made me feel a lot better - I had pulled out, but for the right reasons.
Following Stokesley I took it a little more easily - it was clearly going to be a while before I was back up to full fitness. The first few gym and running sessions after Stokesley were awful…I felt mega dizzy and had to keep sitting down…I couldn't lift my normal weights and my sessions were much shorter - I just wasn't on it at all. Every session felt like hard work, my form was poor in all aspects of training - it was so frustrating. My mind was willing but my body was not able…My lungs felt like they couldn't get the air in and I was really doubting my ability to get to IM…I was at an all time training low.
Sunday 6th April - Morpeth Duathlon.
This was two weeks after Stokesley and I expected to be fit again but I knew I wasn't…after the disappointment in March, I was not setting up myself up for another DNF when I still didn't feel great. I resolved to have a long and steady bike with my team mate Marius - he is also doing Ironman. As soon as I made the decision I felt much better. More long miles in the bank were what I needed for my body and my mind - a fast race would only knock me back and if I had a bad race I would be going to Mallorca with a negative mindset - For me this is the worst thing that could happen. Marius and I rode with Andy, Stevie, Tom and Marcus (Tri Northumberland) for about 10miles and then peeled off to complete a 46 miler. It was enjoyable, but I could still feel it in my legs - the power just was not there and small hills felt like much bigger ones. Stevie gave me some good advice and told me to put my heels down more when I was going up hills - this was a great tip and I found it a massive benefit the following weekend when tackling some big hills (coming up). We completed the ride but the thought of any run afterwards was sickening…I was definitely getting better but I felt very tired afterwards - Marius rode with me the whole way even though I was clearly holding him back - he even fixed my puncture. He is a true gent - as are all the lads from Tri- North.
I had a few days rest and some light sessions, and then on Thursday night I did a short brick session - biking to and from running club. God bless Joanne Brown for listening to my whinging. I had an awful run - I am still struggling on efforts to get the air into my lungs and I was holding everyone up. Joanne stayed with me and helped me get back into a rhythm. I'm still not fast, but Joanne has been a great coach and I'm definitely a better runner than I was a few months ago. Before I got the dreaded lurgy I'd knocked nearly 2 mins off my best time over 1 mile - I will get back there…this is my goal after IM…I will get some speed in my running!
Sunday 13th April - THE BREAKTHROUGH!!!!!
Right - I was definitely feeling much fitter now and after my brick on thursday I felt fine, not much fatigue at all…time for a challenge. I hadn't done many big hills in my training even though I'd done some heavy leg work in the gym. It was time to test my mental and physical strength again and I really needed a good ride and run under my belt before Mallorca. Rather than get in junk miles on the flat before I hit the Hills, I took the bull by the horns…I started amongst the hills…at the mothership - Netherwitton Mill. I was planning to ride 40 and run 5/6 to test my legs…anyone who knows this area will understand that running the Netherwitton trench after cycling Garleigh Moor to Rothbury to Billsmoor and Elsdon to the Gibbet is not an easy task - especially given the last month of illness.
I got off to the best start possible, as I was escorted for the first 6-7 miles by my father the hero…dad is somehow summoning the strength to get out on his bike now the weather is getting better. I don't know how he does it - his mental strength is unwavering throughout his treatment he continues to carry on with a smile on his face and a positive mental attitude. This was for me, a rare day to be treasured and one I wouldn't forget for a while - a great start to my ride/run.
The big hills don't really start until Garleigh Moor in Rothbury - a long slow drag with a steep descent down into Rothbury…dad once overtook a mini going down this hill and was then stopped in Rothbury by a Policeman who told him that the speed limit also applied to bicycles! When I reached the top there was a rather tubby motor cyclist smoking a cigarette. He shouts "You look knackered"…I say back "Cheers mate"…what I really wanted to say, but I'm too polite is "You should try it yourself and lay off the pies and tabs Billy Bunter"… let him get on with it…I'm offski into the hills by the power of my legs and lungs, not a petrol engine with a fag hanging out my mouth!
I carried on my merry way and I was actually feeling good - When I reached Billsmoor (my nemesis) I felt relatively fresh and ready to tackle the monster. I have managed it about 4 times now, but I failed on my first two attempts in 2012/13…it's a steep right angle bend to begin which really takes it out of your legs…then a long slow drag up to the top. It was hard, but I sat right on the back of my saddle and pushed down my heels with all the power I had (Thanks Stevie) - I was slow and steady, but I reached the top and I didn't feel too bad. Another fast descent took me into Elsdon…the effort of Billsmoor was worth it for the speed down into Elsdon…to feel the fast wind in my hair again was awesome!
The final challenge of the three big hills is Elsdon to the Gibbet…another sharp steep climb, followed by a series of long slow drags…just when you think you have reached the top, another hill appears. I just had to keep pushing and I was almost there…I was feeling good…dare I say it 'triathlotte' was back! I sat backside on saddle grinding out the turns and slowly, but surely I was at the summit! GET IN! I knew now that the hard work (on the bike) was done…the next 20 miles would be a breeze…I stopped at the top and took in the view…had some of Lee Tait's magic flapjack and I was on my way.
The road from the Gibbet to the crossroads at the bottom is long and fast…There was also now a strong tailwind…It was joyous…I was going so fast I thought my bike was going to leave the ground and I'm sure it did going over a few bumps- AWESOME riding.
The next 20 miles were still hilly, but nothing in comparison to what I'd already done…that's what I told myself as I chipped the smaller hills off one by one. The wind was picking up, but I didn't care…i was feeling strong again and positive…
Finally the run - I called in at home and dropped off my bike, had a quick word and thumbs up from mum and dad then popped on my trainers and began my run. It started with a long slow drag up the trench - to be honest my lungs are still struggling on the run but after stopping a few times for about 30 secs to get my breath back I was on my way again. Once I got to the top of the trench I was home and dry…it's pretty much all downhill back home (well it feels that way)…In my mind I was there…I had passed the challenge and I was BACK IN THE GAME!!!! I completed the next 4 miles slowly but surely and felt great! I can't begin to explain how it feels to get these miles in the bank. It has given me the confidence to go through to IM and I'm now looking forward to it again. I can almost see the finish line ;-)
Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my training…EVERYONE who has commented on my training status' on Facebook and read my blog and all my team mates and friends. My family & Scotty, who continue to put up with me when I'm grumpy or negative for a time. Lee Tait who has given me a whole pile of books to read for extra motivation before the event as well as some homemade flapjack for energy on my long session. You have all played a massive part in my mental and physical journey to IM. The support has been unreal and I feel very lucky to have such amazing friends, team mates and colleagues. It might sound dramatic but triathlon has changed my life and brought with it a positive mentality that you can do anything you set your mind to, as well as a lot of amazing new friends. I will post one more time before I head off to Mallorca and I'm sure I will be ready to take on my biggest challenge to date…less than 1 month to go!!!
See you all again soon.
Love Triathlotte x
