Now that Christmas is over I guess I don't really have any excuse but to start training for the London Triathlon! I signed up a couple of months ago but it seemed a long way away until suddenly I had to admit it was happening this year.
Background: yeah I would describe myself as a relatively fit person. I'm into netball, I cycle to work quite a lot, and I have done a Sprint tri before. But this is a whole new challenge. I haven't gone swimming in absolutely ages. I generally dislike running because I get bored easily. And it's going to be cold and raining sometimes/most of the time, for the first few months at least. But what's the point of a challenge if it's not challenging?!
I'm doing this in aid of the Alzheimer's Society, because I've previously worked with older adults with dementia and have seen firsthand the devastating effects this disease has on an individual and their family.
I'm starting this blog because I thought it might help me motivate myself to train. Sometimes it's all too easy to make excuses or put it off until another day, but I want to know I'm fully prepared for this triathlon, not be worrying in the last few weeks whether I'm fit enough.
I'm also starting this because I want help. Crowdsourcing, if you like. I can't afford a tri coach, and beyond using the local pool and taking a few swimming lessons to get feedback on my technique, I'm not planning to use a gym. I know lots of you are swimmers, or cyclists, or runners (or any combination in between). If you have any tips or comments about my training, nutrition, recovery, kit or general triathlon stuff that would be awesome. If you want to come and swim/cycle/run with me, do it, let me know, it'll save me the boredom of slogging it out on my own. If you just want to tell me I'm stupid or mad or crazy that's great too. Just make sure you donate on my JustGiving page while you're doing it.
Triathlon related things achieved today:
- Cycled to Epping and back in the lovely winter sunshine - 20 miles
- Gave bike a much needed clean because mud
- Washed workout gear - decided I might need more workout gear
- Signed up for Parkrun - found out there is one just 5 minutes away from home, result
- Looked up triathlon training plans - got overwhelmed and decided to do that another day
- Watched some really helpful videos on swimsmooth.com about improving technique
- Sat on the sofa and watched the entire second series of Hunted (rest is a very important component of triathlon training...or something...)
201 days to go...
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