Two weeks to go! It's pretty nerve wrecking actually, especially considering I've only really been able to get on my new road bike this weekend. It's a Specialized Dolce 24 and incredibly pretty! I'm sure that's not really a particular requirement for a bike, but it certainly makes me love it that little bit more! Thanks to the wonderful Miles at M&D bikes in Abergavenny, my bike has been tailored to fit my tiny, child-sized hands, so that thankfully I can now actually reach the brakes. This makes going downhill a lot more enjoyable I must say. Knowing you might have a strong chance at stopping at the bottom, should you need to, brings the experience back onto the right side of living life on the edge.
The last couple of weeks have seen a number of other firsts too. All of which have been hugely motivating, not to mention great fun. I made my open water swimming debut last week at the fantastic Liquid Leisure club house just outside Datchet. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, which really settled my nerves. I had visions of barely making it into the water, let alone actually swimming around the lake. But I needn't have worried. It seems I'm a little bit of a natural... not in any athletic, see-you-at-the-2012 Olympics way, but I didn't hyperventilate in the 12C water, nor did I panic. Instead, with some tips from one of the Liquid Leisure team from the bank, I swam three laps of the 200m course and the team were impressed with my technique. Yippee, a triumph! I went back two days later, just to check it wasn't a fluke, and enjoyed myself just as much. I was wearing the most amazing wetsuit, which meant I didn't need to kick my legs at all - I felt like a small, albeit wobbly, swan, gliding through the water (whilst trying not to swallow too much of it).
My pool swimming has come on leaps and bounds too, and I can now manage blocks of 100m without too much of a problem. My husband timed me yesterday and I came in at 8:57 and 8:50 for two gos at a 400m distance. The next goal is to get the rest periods down between each 100m block, as I'm easily clocking up a minute on these overall. But an invigorating time trial and so good to have a solid marker to work from. I really feel like I'm making some progress! So much so that I've booked out the rest of the season - 3rd July Sprint, 21st August Sprint and an Olympic distance to round off the season in September.
But first things first, I've got to tackle the challenge on the 5th June. My first ever triathlon! I'm undoubtedly a little nervous, mostly about the transitions, but I'm sure that practise will make perfect. In a way I'm also glad that no one will be there to support me, so I can focus on the event and not worry about making a fool out of myself in front of friends. Ah the competitive Daisy surfaces. Well maybe that's a good thing and a bit of competitive spirit is just what's needed to drive me up those hills when my quads are screaming.
So, next goals: complete the sprint on 5th June and master the hills and pools of Brecon. Easy peasy...
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