The madness continues!

As you may recall, I sort of lost my marbles last year. For some reason I thought that being able to swim, cycle and walk would be enough to participate in a triathlon. I came last, of which I am incredibly proud. I really am! And my time was a lot better than my goal of three hours. 

Already last year I had said that I would do it again, so at the end of last year (last week in fact), I signed up for this year's triathlon. Which does not take place in August, but in June. Instead of 8 months of training, I have only 5. 

The thing is though, since last year's triathlon, I haven't done a thing. Well, we walked a bit on holiday and I climbed one mountain, but other than that: nothing. At all! I will have to start from scratch again. 

Fortunately, as I am now a member of the local triathlon club, I am able to get crawling lessons. Not on all fours (I can do that, especially after a few too many. *Hic*), but in the water. They will start in just under three weeks time. 

This weekend will be my first outing outside again. We will go on a light hike to get the bug again. Then, after a few weeks, we will start trying to run. Because not only do I want to run during the triathlon, I also want to run during another 5k race, which takes place in May. 

As for the cycling? I will have to adjust my steering and see some professional or other about my shoulder/neck/head, but I should be okay in general. My PiC from last year is looking to buy a house quite close to where I live and he offered me the opportunity to go there (if he gets the place, so cross fingers and paws everyone) and train on either his treadmill or his stationary bike. 

Five months to go....

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!

How did I do? (and yes, it's a long read)

Waiting to start

Sunday morning began bright and early for me. I was up at a time I hadn't wanted to be up yet, but since I was awake and thinking only of what I was about to do, I felt I might as well get up. I got my breakfast, tried to drink as much as I could, got dressed and then me and Miss Oswin had some cuddling time. For me to calm down, for her because well, is there ever a reason needed?

Right behind the guy in the short blue wet suit

I was out waiting for my partner in crime in good time, checking the flowers in the garden. And again and again. But he arrived, loaded my bike on the back of his car and off we went. Not ten minutes later he parked the car, we got our stuff and were on our way to check in. 

Just to the top and left of the small orange buoy. I think

My bike was deemed okay (16 spokes per wheel minimum and working brakes) and so was my helmet (including Dutch flag ribbons). I then got the seat fastened again and my tires pumped up just a bit more and 'parked' it. Over an hour to go!

Helping me up after my first lap

I started unpacking my stuff and found that the cycle shirt I was due to wear after the swimming was soaking wet. Turned out that the last minute bottle of water had been leaking due to me not closing the lid properly! So, put it on, it was wet anyway. Struggled into my wet suit, then had to go potty, so had to take it half off again. A bit of trouble getting the whole lot on again, but managed in the end. Fifteen minutes to go!

I couldn't have drowned if I had wanted to!

I made my way with all the other contestants/participants to the water's edge. Had to wait while the first group, who were due to do half the distances, were sent away. The nerves were there, even a tear threatening to come, but managed to talk that one down again. Fife minutes to go!

Ten meters to go!

And then: the ribbon was lifted, the group surged forward and I was off as well. On my first ever triathlon. The lack of training of the last few weeks made itself noticed immediately, since I had to stop several times on my first lap. While on the second buoy I was fine, but then got a slight kick in the ribs by somebody lapping me. He hadn't meant to, but it gave me a bit of a bfmpf. But, I got back into the rhythm and managed to complete lap 1. 

And I had only finished the swimming...

I was hauled up and after a few moments getting my breath back, I waded back in and started on my second lap. By then, far fewer people were in the water and I was dead last. There was somebody close to me taking her wet suit off! while in the water, but she stayed ahead of me the whole time. Again I had to stop several times, but only for short spurts of time. And then I had completed the swimming. Once more I was hauled up and out of the water and the first part was done!

Yes, the wet suit was too big

I was received on dry land by Coach Jorunn, who was so happy to see me, but also helped me get down to the shifting area. And honestly, I needed all the help I could get, because I had lost the use of my legs! Once in the shifting area, one of the members of the tri-team on the same program helped me get undressed (wet suit) and dressed. Dried my feet, helped me with my shoes, found the number (I had forgotten) and put it on and then sent me on my way. 

My first of four cycle laps

The cycling was remarkably easy to be honest. There were people cheering me on all the way and I managed to have a steady speed. In fact, I had never cycled so fast (on average) as yesterday! And even though it was quite lonely in the end (most of the public had gone and I was the last one cycling), I kept it up and managed to come in in just over an hour.

All... By... Myself....

This time I had to change all on my ownsies and it was quite hard. I usually sit down to put on socks, but I knew that if I did that now, I would never get back up again. I had put on one shoe when I realised I had forgotten to put on my knee brace, so off with the shoe, on with the brace and then on with the shoe. Fortunately the second leg went fine and after turning the number from back to front, I was on my way to the last leg of the triathlon!

Off on the running

There were a lot of athletes on the path who were due to start the Norwegian Championships soon, so that was a bit tricky, but I soon was on my way to the finish line. After first having to complete three laps. After my first lap I came into the finishing area and was asked by the announcer whether it was fun. NO! And the reason for that was, that I was getting light-headed. I had not had anything to drink other than a small cup of water right after the swimming and a few sips during the cycling. I was getting dehydrated.

Walk... walk... walk...

By the end of the second lap I asked my partner in crime to get me some water (he did and some energy drink) and immediately I perked up. Not that my speed was getting higher, but the light-headedness was gone and I could focus again. 

Is it fun? NO!!!

On my third and last approach to the finishing area I was met by PiC and by my dresser Lene, both spurring me on. As did the announcer, who had called every single official, non-official and random person to come to the area and cheer me to the finish line. The tears might have been close, but those last 150 meters I 'ran'. And I made it over that line! 

Nearly there!

I was shaking, I was crying. I got a medal, somebody pushed a cup of water into my hands and told me to drink. But I made it! Will I do it again? YES! Because once I can crawl instead of doing the breast stroke and once I can run instead of walk... it should be even more fun than it was now!

Me and my partner in crime Jan Tore

My final times? Swimming: 28 minutes, cycling: 1.05 and running: 52 minutes. Add to that the changing times and it totaled 2 hours, 33 minutes and 45 seconds.

Photos by Unni and Lene

What's the time please?

On to lap 2

So, this triathlon then. This fit of madness that made me climb mountains and cycle up hills and swim in open water. And then yesterday I had to do it all. One after the other. And I was nervous. I was jittery. I certainly didn't feel ready.

Here is a list of people (and animals) who have replied to my triathlon post and have given me their thoughts in hours and minutes and sometimes seconds. Some on Facebook, since I was a dunce and didn't open the anonymous bit for their comments until Sunday morning. And the plan had been that only people commenting on my blog would be entered to win. So, in the end, I decided to give away two calendars. Just because. 

Fresh as a daisy (sort of)

Fun60                      3.08.30
Marie Smith            3.05.00

Yamini MacLean    2.59.59
Boes (or my sister) 2.58.00

Unknown IlR          2.57.45

Anvilcloud              2.57.00
Je vader (my dad)   2.55.00

Murphy & Stanley  2.51.47

Charliedownunder  2.51.00

Ed                           2.51.00

MT (via FB)           2.48.00

Pepperfly                2.47.00

Ginnie Marie          2.42.00

Janice Adcock        2.41.28

Mara (yes, me)       2.38.53

JTTS (via FB)        2.36.45

YHN (via FB)        2.29.00

IGD (via FB)          2.28.56

Well, I can tell you that with a lot of cheers I was the last one over the line, only about five minutes before the first of the elite athletes (who started two hours behind me) came over that very same line.

Nearly there!

And I did it in (drumroll please): 2 hours, 33 minutes and 45 seconds. Which means that of the FB repliers, JTTS (my partner in crime) was closest, only being three minutes off. Of the people who haven't seen me train and/or know me in real life Janice Adcock was closest, being nearly 8 minutes out.

Both of you will receive a calendar as soon as it's made which will be November time. Congratulations!

Photos by Unni and Lene

Tri-Mara

I'm running! And winning!!

I had my first real training today as sanctioned and advised by the physiotherapist. I saw her on Friday and once she had the lay of the land (or the aches and pains of me), she advised me to take it easy, especially in the beginning. 

She told me that for the first two to three weeks I should do most of my training indoors, ie at the gym and then we would evaluate and see how I should continue. I try to cycle to work every day, and that was good, but a big event coming up in a few weeks was a decided NO! from her. Mind you, it is about 70 km (I think you can do half as well), but that would still be over ten times what I do now. So, no. 

Apart from the gym however, I am supposed to go outside at least once a week and do a proper walk. Like the one we did last week to Mount Hodna. There is a big nature area quite close by and there are plenty of walks I could be doing there. I have done several of them before, but they are always nice to do again. Especially if my condition is on the up.

The physio did suggest to me to keep a log of what I did at the gym. Also, so she could keep tabs on me. So as not to bore the living daylights out of any of my faithful readers, I started a new blog. Called Tri-Mara. A blog where I tell exactly what's what. The whats, wheres, hows and how longs. Oh, and the how much, once a week. It should be going down. I hope. 

If you are interested, the only thing you need to do is to click on the little link all the way at the top at the right. The one that says Tri-Mara. And you will come to an absolute boring blog. Well, it is now, but it should be getting a bit more interesting after a while. 

I will of course still be telling you about my achievements along the way, but at least the boring "I did 769 meters on a rowing machine today" will not be happening here!

It was COLD!!!

Now, for some reason or other, I thought it might be a good idea to get fit. I have noticed that when I cycle to work now, I don't just stick in the lowest gears anymore, but other than that, I am not quite there yet.

One part of this whole endeavour will be swimming. And because we will be going out in not that warm water, I had to get a wetsuit. Which aren't cheap. Fortunately there is a company in the area that, because of this project, has decided to lend us the suits. And if we want them afterwards: we pay half price. 

So, the other day I got one. The largest one. For men! Not really what I had in mind, but there you have it. The day I got the suit, there was also the kick-off. Nothing to do with balls or kicking even, but everything to do with getting the suit on for real and going out into the water. 

Changing amongst the trees, trying to get this suit on, walking barefoot over pebbles and grass and little sticks and goodness knows what else, I made it to the water's edge. And yes, I did walk in. And yes, I did swim. Not long mind, but I got wet! 

Soon after there was a group photo, then I went in for a second time and then I got changed. Under the trees and in the pouring rain. After which I went home to a hot shower and some hot food. 

And just for those who are wondering: air temperature was about 10 degrees, water temperature was about 13 degrees. In other words: it wasn't tropical by any stretch of the imagination!!

Marbles

These three swimsuits I had already

Has anybody out there found some marbles? If so, could you please mail them to me? Because I think I lost them. Fully and completely!

No, I haven't bought a house. No, I haven't gotten married on the sly. No, I haven't gotten pierced in places where no human being should ever get pierced. Instead, I have signed up to get fit. 

Nice new pink running shoes

I hear you think right now: that is not a bad idea, getting fit. In fact, it is a very good idea. And I do agree with you there. And when I first heard about it, I thought, sounds good. And then I thought: madness. And then I started to wonder...

Let me start at the beginning. A few weeks ago there was the annual health test at work. Two lovely young ladies come in to take blood pressure, measure our blood sugar levels and cholesterol and to weigh us. As usual I was fine with everything except the weight (big surprise), coming in at a BMI of over 36. Which is not good. 

Animal print, wow!

The next day there was a notice on our notice board. The health people were looking for a man, a woman and a team to get fit. Follow the link. Which I did, because I want to get fit. They not only talked about getting fit, they talked about getting fit to do a triathlon at the end of the summer. 

A TRIATHLON!!

That is swimming, cycling and running. The last time I swam must be last century. I only ever cycled at a sedate pace and the last time I ran was when I needed the loo. Badly. 

Yep, it's a new bike!

At first I thought madness, but I kept thinking about it. And then I thought, if they think I can get fit enough before the end of August: show me! I will do my best as well. So I signed up. 

Signing up wasn't the only thing needed however, I needed to write a little something about myself and then I had to picked out of a long list of women wanting to get fit, including one of my own colleagues. 

But I got the call last week saying I got in. I was picked out of 20 women. I will get a talk with a physiotherapist to decide what sort of training plan would work best for me and my body. I will have one swimming session a week, one running session and one cycling session. Plus a lot more besides. 

Oswin agrees: safety first!

I will be doing the full triathlon, which will be 750 meters swimming in a lake, 20 kilometers cycling and then 5 kilometers running. If I have to come in crawling so be it, but I will be coming in!! 

Marbles, please??