I've completed the Eastleigh Open Water Sprint Triathlon!

Wow. Done.
So how was it?
Great fun!

Only had about 5/6hours sleep as so excited. Got to katherine's by 6.45 and we were enroute by 7.10am. Ended up parking in the concord club and joined the queue for registration.

Set up transition and only had to go back a couple of times to check everything was in order. We then had about 45mins to chat. Lovely. Nice and warm, sun coming out.

Wave 5 and we headed down around 8.45ish. Watched the wave before us and waved and cheered Pam as she entered and left transition for the bike leg.

Didnt really like the swim. Just find it hard work - don't really like swimming. Did mainly crawl but also quite alot of breast stroke but I knew I would take about 15mins which in thw grand scheme of things isn't that bad.

Decided not to wear socks - don't think I'll do that again - feet fine but by the end of the run I could feel my feet starting to rub abit. Flaffed about doing zip of gillet up but was out and running to the mount line within 3mins. Waved at chums but mainly focused on getting to the mount line and heading off. 20k cycle, two laps. Was okay.

Had a mini malt loaf snack and has to stop to do up gillet but overall I was making good time. Waved and said hi to Katherine and Suzanne enroute. Was getting abit tired but did the cycle in less than an hour.

Dismount and ran back to transition. Feeling okay. T2 was very fast and was off on the run within a minute!

Bumped into Suzanne on her second lap - going strong but just wanted to finish! Cheered as I swung round for my second lap. I didnt stop once but boy did I want to. Tired, thirsty and hot. Smiled at the marshalls and with every step I was getting nearer to the finish. I even managed a little sprint and was utterly amazed to look at my watch - 1:40:26 - nearly 20mins under 2hours!!!

Lots of congratulating each other, taking pics and reliving the race.

Finally collected the bikes and had luncheon in trego lounge, portswood. A wonderful morning. I'm now a sprint triathlete!

400m open water swim
20k bike ride
5k run.

The Eastleigh Tri is tomorrow!

Blimey. All those months ago when I first suggested I might do the Eastleigh tri and now here we are - less than 12 hours away from my first sprint triathlon. I'm constantly pinching myself cos I really can't believe it's actually happening.

Swam approx 1300m in about 33mins - although I can't actually remember to be honest. Was a good work out, coach kirsty is desperate for me to go abit faster! Then tea and scones with Suzanne in Tudor cafe.

Luncheon while watching le tour de France, shopping then 9.7k cycle to hedge end for a bbq. Great fun. Lots of carb and sugar loading but no alcohol. Cycled home. So have done at least two thirds of the tri already today!

Sorted out my kit - will pack it all up tomorrow. And now it's bedtime. Alarm set for 5.15am I think.

2 days to the Eastleigh Tri

Well... I may have mentioned about going for a cycle this eve when in fact all I did was cycle over the bridge to a chum's for food, red wine and an evening of chat and laughter. Great fun. And the wine was beautiful - so soft and smooth.

Swimming tomorrow then cycling to hedge end then early night at need to have set up bike by 7.50am Sunday and my wave - 4th one, is at 9am.

Excited but it still hasn't sunk in that I'm about to do a sprint triathlon!

3 days to go till the Eastleigh Tri

Have been at work all day so have done no tri training. In fact I've picked up a wii related injury on my right ring finger - managed to be a tad too energetic while playing Wii tennis and whacked my finger on a chair. Knocked skin off and it bled quite alot. Have covered with plasters but rather tender. Hopefully it won't impeded in my sporting prowess in Sunday!

I probably need to do something tomorrow - maybe a cycle? Plus I need to check which wave I'm in and I still need to clean my bike.

I don't think it's quite sunk in that I'm racing in Sunday - I'm feeling way too chiilled about it all.

4 days to the Eastleigh Tri

Gosh - I'm doing my first sprint triathlon in four days! Who'd of thunk it?! I'm still slightly stunned by my athletic prowess compared to just a couple of years ago.

Will be round at K's by 6.45am this Sunday as have to of registered and set up transition by 7.50am as first wave sets off at 8am.

I reckon it'll take me about 2 hours - will be done by 11am even if in last wave - will be able to continue the now traditional bacon sarney tea and cake afterwards. Also reckon they'll be quite a few familiar faces competing and in the crowds - I'm very excited.

Training wise - rest tomorrow, maybe a cycle Friday, Tri club Saturday and cycle to mate's bbq in hedge end. Early night after sorting out all my gear then triathlon Sunday morning. Probably won't get another run in - wonder how long my 5k will be after the lake swim and 20k cycle... Guess we'll find out within the next 4 days.

5 days to the Eastleigh Tri!

Eeep. I'm getting excited and abit nervous. Still abit sore from Sunday - left foot bit tender. Still can't decide about the RR10 in manor farm country park - hedge end and running sisters event.

Tri suits haven't arrived - one member of stc suggested sports bra amd running shorts would be all I needed. After run camp this eve I showered in sports bra and running shorts, pulled on top and trainers with new no need to tie laces and went for a run - shorts felt fine.

I still need to clean my bike and sort out my kit. I'd like to cut off about 5cm of wetsuit at the ankles before Sunday plus figure out how to use the gas canister and see if my pump actually works on these valves.
Got to be there by 8am - registration closes at 7.50am. Early start again - early night Saturday!

I should prob let work colleagues know it's the triathlon Sunday...

Polsedon Lacey 10k

2012 I did it in 81minutes - today I did it in 73mins. 8mins quicker - I'll have to ask Coach Ant how big an improvement that actually is.

Would have been abit quicker but spent couple of mins checking a fellow runner who'd totally blown up - had a mare of a time with his pacing - had thrown up and was lying on the ground. Asked what else I could do to help - to tell his wife Petra that he was fine as she was waiting for him about 5mins ahead. Spent a minute or so telling her he was fine then headed off for the last bit.

It's a great feeling - knowing that you've just run 10k. Left knee bit tender - did more walking than I'd of liked and I wasn't absolutly knackered. Must sort this out because it's obvious I can run faster if not for niggling pain at about 50mins (approx 8k).
I really felt like I was middle of the pack but looks like I was again in the last 30 or so. We've all got better since last year!!

Weather was great - sunny and clear - instead of wind and rain which had been on the cards for awhile. Debs and the girls did the fun run and we met a few other ashtead chums which made the event even more fun.

Will def be doing it again next year. Plus it was so amazing to run in my club shirt!