Triathlon Results

I can now officially call myself a Triathlete :)

Today was the day of the Caloundra Triathlon. I had a blast!

I only did the enticer race which is only a short distance, designed as an introduction to triathlon. But I was really pleased with my results.

I went out really hard in the swim for the sole purpose of avoiding being trampled and hit by arms and legs. And I was leading the pack until I reached the first turning buoy when I realised I was taking the turn too wide and then a bunch of swimmers cut in on the inside and I had to swim over the top of bodies to try to reclaim a decent position. I was hit, kicked and swam over and at one point I did start to feel very overwhelmed. I just told myself to let go of the swim leg, and try to make it up on the bike.

Then the cycle. I had learnt and practiced the running mount and dismount only the day before. And was still tossing up right until I racked my bike as to whether I was going to give the running mount a go. What the heck. So I clipped my shoes in when I racked the bike and then tried to make sure the pedals were in the right position as I ran my bike to the mounting area. Trying to remember what coach said. "count one, two - hands on the bars. one, two - leg over and other foot on top of the shoe. Then you pedal and get momentum with your feet on top of your shoe. Once you are on your way, you slip your feet into the shoe and then go hard.....

I am pleased to report that the mounting successful !!! And the dismount went even better. Take feet out of shoe and ride with feet on top of shoes for last 100mtrs. Approach the dismount area, throw right leg back over the bike then hit the ground running..... successful !!!

Then the run... nothing much to report. Stock standard 2km run. I'm still having a lot of trouble with some bursitis on my right hip and so I didn't run as fast as I think I may have. But the good news is that my goal this year is to run an average 5 mins per km. I did the run at a 5min 30sec pace. So I'm getting very close to my goal.

My overall results were :

Swim - Category position - 10th

Cycle - Category position - 5th

Run - Category position - 15th

Overall position - 7th

Total number of competitors - 76

So now I can finally see which is my strongest leg and cycling wins the prize. Which is interesting because its also my favourite leg out of all three. And although I've been running for nearly a year now, I'm really not a fast runner :(

Over all, it was a brilliant morning. It poured down rain right after my race. So I was pleased that I did the enticer and not the QTS.

My eldest boy, Michael did the kids one. I was so proud of him. He was very nervous, and unsure and almost felt like pulling out the night before. But he did it and he loved it and is keen for the next one. Its going to do wonders for his confidence. Here he is just before the start.

And here he is (blue shorts) crossing the line.

Getting Ready for the Caloundra Triathlon

Well, due to a whole heap of crap that went on last week, I totally missed what I thought was my final (and only 2nd) transition training opportunity prior to the triathlon this weekend.

But I just received an email from the coach advising that our normal Sat morning ride is being replaced with a 6am transition training session at Kawana Lake to get final practice in before Sunday...... phew..

The downside is that I have not been on my bike since Australia Day, so I am disappointed that I am missing the ride, but the upside is that I will get in some transition training. Which is probably more important at this stage anyway.

Maybe I'll have an easy ride on Saturday afternoon. Or maybe I should just forget it, rest Saturday afternoon and be fresh for Sunday..... ???? Who knows. Its only a very short distance race and I'm not expecting to win, so I guess I shouldn't place too much worry on it anyway.

In regards to training in general. I've been very hit and miss for the past two weeks. Not because of laziness or a lack of want. Its just that life has gotten in the way somewhat and I have had my resilience tested almost beyond its limits with different things going on. And I am happy to report that I continue to surprise myself with the amount of resilience I am finding towards adversity.

Having said all of that, I am itching to pick up some weights and thrash it out on my bike. I am frustrated and annoyed at the lack of training and quite frankly it just WILL NOT DO.

Next week, I'm hoping to be able to refocus and get back into what makes me happy.

Bye for now.

x

Glitter in the Air

Its no secret that I really like Pink.... as in the singer, not the colour - although the colour is kinda nice too ;)

Anyhoooo..... Pink performed one of my fav songs the other night at the Grammy Awards. Click on the Picture to listen to the song. The lyrics of this song are beautiful and I find them very touching.

Glitter in the Air

Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Close your eyes and trust it, just trust it
Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face
And said I just don't care?

It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg, the sun before the burn
The thunder before lightning, the breath before the phrase
Have you ever felt this way?

Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?

It's only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table, the walk before the run
The breath before the kiss and the fear before the flames
Have you ever felt this way?

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

There you are, sitting in the garden
Clutching my coffee, calling me sugar
You called me sugar

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself
Will it ever get better than tonight? Tonight

Urban Dictionary

Just for a laugh I looked my name up in the Urban Dictionary and this is one of the results....

A Nicole is someone who is omnipotent. A Nicole is gorgeous, intelligent, mysterious, witty, hilarious, out-going, creative and seductive, yet she is also tough, street-smart, experienced, brave, enduring, and mainly a wonderful mother. Nothing and nobody can compare to a Nicole in any aspect. Mess with a Nicole, or her family, and you will regret ever being born.

"Why vote for either Presidential candidate, when there is a Nicole out there much more suitable for the position?"

hehehehehehe......

Training for the coming week

Training was a bit hit and miss this week. I had a lot of other things to deal with and as a result I just didn't do what I would have liked.

I missed my Sat morning ride. However, made up for it by running up to Montville yesterday afternoon. This morning I awoke to the sound of pouring rain at 5.30 and turned off my alarm (which was due to go off at 6am). Then, I woke at 7am to find that the rain I'd heard was gone. It was a little disappointing because it was the last transition training session before the triathlon next week. And let me tell you.... transition is a BIG issue for me.

I have the triathlon on Sunday. Its only a short distance so I don't see the need to taper off too much at all during the week. I will be conscious of not overdoing it though to make sure I've got enough in the tank to give Sunday a good nudge. So, training next week will be as follows :

Monday am: light weights at the gym

Monday pm : swimming training with the tri club

Tuesday: Early morning ride up to Montville.

Wednesday: light weights session at the gym

Thursday: rest day

Friday: Ocean swim, Mooloolaba with the tri club

Saturday: Morning ride and run off the bike with the tri group

Sunday: Triathlon.

Fuck this, I'm going for an afternoon run up the hill in the rain.....

Post Update (4:21pm) - I took 30 seconds off my personal best.

Its a beautiful view from the lookout.

I sat up there on my own for a little while... :)

And On a Lighter Note

5:30 Friday afternoon. I guess it was a BIG first week at Prep.