First Road Biking....

So here is the report from my first time road cycling.....er, kinda hard work!
My Dad's expertise helped as we 'pootled' through a 12 mile course (his words, not mine!) starting at Croft, up to a few large hilly section to Middleton Tyas and through to Moulton, where we stopped for a breather (my suggestion!) Red faced and thirsty I supped a glass of orange juice at the Village fete and Dad talked to old dears about tomato plants!.

The roads were fine, and learnt a lot about 'Car Up' and 'Car Down'...the rules of changing gears to conserve energy on the uphills and how it actually feels to go down hills at rip-roaring speed, thrilling! Mostly traffic free so I didnt lose my cool when the cars sped by! eek!

I must buy a bike soon as I really enjoyed it but have so much yet to learn! I was spoiled by the fact that the bike was a fab Boardman, smooth, light and easy to handle...albeit a tad unconfortable on the seat! :) Women's seats are definately a must!

Right tomorrow sees another run with G, I'm planning a course up to the River Tees, through Blackwell and up to High Coniscliffe. let's hope thw rain stays away....

Oxford Town and Gown 10k by lindsaybennett at Garmin Connect - Details

Oxford Town and Gown 10k by lindsaybennett at Garmin Connect - Details

Town and Gown

So proof that I survived that Town and Gown 10k race lies in the fact that I am writing this and lived to tell the tale.

Boy it was tough, the real thing was the
mental stress of an actual competition. I think none of us had worked this out as we spent the night before loading up on carb-laden pasta (any excuse!) and sipping mineral water (strange concept, sans-alcohol evenings). All our concerns were on the physical, 'have I trained enough' 'ive never ran more than 8k', 'will it be too sunny', 'what should we have for breakfast'...and the good thing is we need not have worried as the whole group finished, despite our reservations of starting at the back of the sub-60 mins, we all flung our selves round the course (lovely meandering streets of oxford) and shattered expectations with great first time finishing times.

Drum roll please...I finished bang on 60mins...feeling mentally and physically exhausted. At the finish line, I wanted to burst into tears- something really just came over me that made me feel that way, v. strange. Perhaps it was just the tapering off from my last stores of adrenaline as I sprinted to the finish...despite the stitch at 4k it was all worth it. Lovely t-shirt from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and MY FIRST EVER MEDAL! (everyone got one!)
Afterwards, all situated in the pub for lunch and celebratory pints, all the conversation turned to our feelings of the weird psychology of being in a race, stuck with the crowds, most of us felt like everyone surged forward while you're getting further behind.
I'm now thinking I have a lot to learn about blocking this feeling out in the coming weeks

Welcome, welcome

13 May

So here is my accompanying training blog…yawn.

Nah, I’m hoping it will become filled with musings of interest and sharing some noteworthy observations on the way towards July 30th.

So just to give an update so far.

Picture the scene. It’s christmas day – at the family dinner - annual sprout and dry turkey feast, I happen to mention my vague inkling to take part in the London Tri – My Dad being the oh-so-professional road cyclist we all have become very proud of, seem’s to guffaw at the distances. “Ha triathlon, not really a race” …rising to the challenge and not wishing to be out done by the fitness levels of my 60+ Dad. I declare – “Well, that’s it then im definitely signing up’!” So stubbornly and perhaps even drunkenly, the Triathlon had been committed to.

And here I am 5 months later – so far having stepped up my gym routines, learnt how to run outdoors, become the owner of some spanky trainers (a valentines gift) and still I’m 80 days away from the sprint distances that I still fear…..and no bike!

On the 7th May – I swallowed my pride and signed up for the Virgin Active Indoor Tri – abnd suprised myself with two things, 1) how much I enjoyed it, the feeling of acomplishment when I finished was unbeatable and 2) how secretly competitive i might be…..

Right, this Sunday will be the first ever 10K run ive taken part in, thankfully Im not alone as its running with the beautiful Oxford girls (and 4,000 others!). The Town and Gown may jsut make me realise how hard running is…..

I will post up the results as soon as I can.

much love, enjoy the weekend x