Adrenaline and Ice Baths

I'm on what can only be described as an exhausted high!  As I write this I'm feeding on large quantities of protein and carbs, in the form of cheese and oatcakes with chutney.  Possibly not what a professional triathlete would eat after a race but I'm incredibly proud of myself and so I think I deserve it. Plus, not in the wildest stretches of my imagination could I consider myself an elite triathlete!

This morning was awesome fun: I got to the race waay too early and had to sit around for about 3 hours.  But I saved a baby bunny from a drain, or rather I persuaded the paramedics on hand to, so time not totally wasted.  My good deed for the day.  The bunny might have chosen that drain - a change of scene, a bit of peace and quiet away from the other bunnies - but he was set free, whether he liked it or not!  Anyway, enough of the rabbit.  The pool swim got off to a strong start: I overtook the leader of my lane, and then let my tail overtake me, to finish a satisfying 400m in about 8:15 I'd say - not a PB but about 45 secs faster than I had mentally prepared for.  T1 took ages, mostly because I was faffing around putting my lenses in - must buy prescription sunglasses - then I was off for a hot, humid and hilly cycle.

Husband plus friend drove around the course, positioning themselves in laybys to take photos of me as I progressed, which was both amusing and motivating, as I had no bikes in eyeshot throughout the leg to focus on.  That will no doubt change as I progress to larger races!  T2 fared much better and the evil last leg of running began steadily.  Not for the faint-hearted, there were some blinders of hills to tear up - one so steep they'd carved stairs into the hillside... I walked that one.  The first 500m were a world of pain and a 'digging deep' for the PMA to push myself onwards.  Once my legs got used to running after 20K cycling, I settled into a steady pace and finished 5 minutes under what I'd aimed for, gasping for water.  Note to self - hydrate more on the bike.

Adrenaline high was followed by an excruciating ice bath once home to help repair muscles - I think that was almost more testing than the race! And now the best bit - celebratory food!  It's been a fantastic experience, both enjoyable and eye-opening.  I've learnt a lot from today and know that a re-structure of my training schedule is needed, to weight it in favour of the bike rather than the pool.  Plus even though they hurt, brick sessions need to become a weekly activity if I'm going to work up to an Olympic by September.

The next Sprint race is 400m open water - 20K bike on the flat - 5k run on the flat... easy after today!  Well, the open water bit does slightly fill me with dread but time to squeeze myself back into a wetsuit for more open water practise to conquer those fears.  I've got 4 weeks until race 2 of the season and I can't wait.  I'm truly hooked - I can hear our bank balance groaning with dismay - and raring to go. Not right now though... maybe Monday.