The aftermath

So, I completed a triathlon (in case you hadn't heard...) and cried when I crossed the finish line. Tears of joy, tears of achievement? I am not quite sure, but fortunately the tears didn't last and I was soon back to normal again. 

But what happened afterwards though? After I had gotten the medal and the drink and all the congratulations? Well, I got a few more congratulations and then a few more still. But, the most important thing I got was a massage. Of the shoulder and neck area, because I knew that's where the bother would start if I wasn't careful. 

The massage was painful. Very very very painful. The muscles were so tight and stiff, it took a bit of pain to get them to loosen up a bit. But, after a while the pain lessened and when the masseur was finished (a lovely young man who knew where I came from just by looking at the ribbons in my hair), I felt better. 

As we went and picked up our bikes and other assorted stuff, I started to get a bit cold. I hadn't thought of bringing a cardigan or sweater to the finish line (via somebody else) and the weather was about to turn. But fortunately I did have it in my bag and it had stayed dry as well. 

Once I got home and had taken a long wanted shower, I could feel my head starting to work and I wondered why. I had had that massage and I had had a really hot shower. I went to work on Monday, but had to call in sick halfway through. My head was killing me and I was so thirsty! Basically I had a case of dehydration and since everything wrong with me always shows up in my head first...

Over the last few days I have been drinking a lot and trying to eat a lot of salty foods. And yes, I do feel better today (Wednesday), so I will be back at work tomorrow. 

Now, for the aches and pains in muscles and such. A few years ago I went on this walk and it took me more than a week for my body to heal from the onslaught it had had. This time? Yes, I felt my legs on Monday, but it didn't hurt, it didn't bother me, I just could feel that I had done something extra. Other than that: nothing.

As I said in my last post already: I am going to take part in next year's triathlon as well. There is enough room for improvement to make it even more fun. Because even though I said it wasn't fun, that was only the lack of water talking. 

For now though it will be a bit of break from training. And then next week another big thing on the calendar: my holiday with my sister (and Brom of course). 

I want to thank each and every one of you who supported me so much. Both in the virtual and the real world. Without you I would never have been able to make it!