2 days 9 hours 49 minutes to go... to my first ever Triathlon, a Half IM distance.
EEEEEEK!
Its hit me like a steam train. I suddenly realised what I am about to do in two days time as I got on the bike for a steady peddle at lunchtime. I had to go back for my helmet (never crossed my mind) and rode with butterflies and found it extremely hard to concentrate. I felt weak and my legs where sorte of rebelling like a disgruntled teenager and I felt like I was in permanent transition (though I subsequently noticed I was actually going faster than normal without any noticeable fatigue according to the computer. I also realised that having never done a tri I don't know how transition actualy feels like on the day). All thoughts were on the possible negatives of the day. I think it started when my training partner (Tri veteran and bl***dy quick) stated how nervous he was of the swim and what could go wrong including surgical knowledge of the best facial injuries he had seen at events. EEEEK! Then a few work colleagues stated they were going to come and watch with their families which then gathered pace as other people decided they were going to watch as everyone else was going to watch. DOUBLE EEEEK! Now I have no fear of making a hash of everything as long as I finish and don't come last. I do have a fear of doing all this in front of people who actually know me. THIS IS NOT PART OF THE HALF BAKED PLAN (There was a plan?) I had. Some have even stated that they believe that watching Tri transition from swim to bike is like watching ski sunday for crashes (That sorte of not only put my tummy in knots but sorte of cut it half and put it in a washing machine on a fast spin cycle) and the swim will be a very cheap way to watch prize fighter underwater boxing - In other words, I wouldn't recommend them for the motivational speech circuit.
As a result my carb loading tonight is quickly moving into comfort Dolly Mixtures and Wine Gums. I am currently looking at anything mlldly or definately bad for me with that loving glow as only one can who has abstained for so long.
On a good note, my entry level Giant Defy 4 (Now known as "Little Nelly") is getting a well deserved treat in the form of a race check from Paolo, the Portuguese bike god. But even he added to the gloom - That is not a bike for this event he stated - Normally good banter as he then shows me the latest Bianchi hyper fast super carbon monster porn which will not only solve the problem but mean I will win every bike event in the next olympics befre solving world peace. But, as my stomach finally put itself in the mother of all tangles, last seen on an octupuses party when they played Twister, I gave out the smallest, yet most significant EEEEK! of all.
I think I'll hide in a corner and watch a good disaster movie
jthet, i've read this with great interest as only my gf taking my wallet away stopped me from doing a similar thing with UK IM this year...she then talked me into a couple of sprint and one OD this year, then maybe half IM next...I have to say that you seem to be doing well and inspiring me (and others alike no doubt) to really ush myself further faster and well further. Keep it up and i'm sure you're going to do yourself proud on the day.
Excellent Thread - good luck with the event - I now have the FEAR about the UK 70.3.....I only wish I had not got everybody I know (and probably ever met) to try and sponsor me...
jthet, i've read this with great interest as only my gf taking my wallet away stopped me from doing a similar thing with UK IM this year...she then talked me into a couple of sprint and one OD this year, then maybe half IM next...
Tell you what, if I like this Tri lark lets plan an event next year with few other forum types (Irnn...n. UK... No no, can't say it at the moment, BoW in the room) and then its the joint pressure that'l release the funds from BoPs)
JtheT
BoW Bank of Wife
BoPs Bank of Wife is a subsidary company of the much larger Bank of Partners. Even more severe lending criteria apply.
.....I now have the FEAR about the UK 70.3.....I only wish I had not got everybody I know (and probably ever met) to try and sponsor me...
CD, you've just earned another £10 from me on your fundraising page. So you better do it now or I'm coming after you. Though the speed I go at I wouldn't worry for a long time!
Today was 15 mins bike, 15 mins swim, 15 mins run and lots of pasta. Tonight is kit sorte, tommorow is rest and panic. Oh and race brief, first dip in the open water race area and eyeing up the opposition to see signs of anyone with the same low ability - My fear remains 799 hardened pro Triathletes on £10,000 of kit and me. In between the small matter of work....
The day of reckoning approaches. In less than 36 hours it will be "Complete Novice Wins and beats Course record by 1 hour with entry level kit"
Eeerm, actually it will either be "that was SOOOOOOO cool", "thank **** thats over", "never never again" or "I really wish I hadn't forgotten my bike", "nice try but no cigar", "Utterly utterly useless" or "Tri people are just weird - never again"...
I have learnt the following top triathlon tips:
1. If you want to start running, don't buy a running book, buy a pair of trainers and go running
2. If you want to cycle and compete, don't buy a cycle book, buy a bike and go cycling now.
3. If you want to swim buy some trunks and a pair of goggles. Don't talk about it or buy a book, get int he pool.
4. If you do 1-3 your a Triathlete (But, as I know he's watching, obviously read Coneheads book first....)
But the biggest lesson of all:
5. The only real difference between short distances and long distances is the soreness of the nipples at the end.
Anyway, a big thankyou to the words of encouragement both online and in private messages. Its in the hands of the Tri Gods now (particulary keeping away the Gods of Puncture, injury and, for me, stupidity in transition). My journey ends at 0800 on saturday when I finally find out what the hell this Tri thing is all about.
jthet, i've read this with great interest as only my gf taking my wallet away stopped me from doing a similar thing with UK IM this year...she then talked me into a couple of sprint and one OD this year, then maybe half IM next...
Tell you what, if I like this Tri lark lets plan an event next year with few other forum types (Irnn...n. UK... No no, can't say it at the moment, BoW in the room) and then its the joint pressure that'l release the funds from BoPs)
JtheT
Sounds reasonable to me... oh sh*t what have i just agreed to?
Well done Julian excellant result on your first triathlon.
It was great to meet up with you and your mate, was it Mark?
A good race report too.
It was a cracking event, well organised and great weather all though a little windy on the bike out.
I kept wide left on the swim and had a good swim with plenty of space yet my brother said it was his worst swim for getting knocked about in.
The bike was a bit hard riding out into the wind but on the turn around coming back it was awesome but I had a scary moment, I was on the tri bars on the fast downhill doing 40+mph and the wind caught my zipp wheels and knocked me sideways it was enough to come of the tribars and grip on to the end of the handlebars, it also made me very nervy on the other laps.
I was happy with the run but it seemed to go on forever around the swim area.
I was hoping to crack sub 5 hours so was well pleased with 4hours 57 mins 47 seconds. I was even more pleased when I found out this had got me 3rd place in my Age group which resulted in a trip to the Lisbon Casino on Saturday evening for the Age Group medal presentation, even better when we were told it was free beer fot the duration. Also should be good enough to get me on the GB team for Prague European Long Distance Champs.
Good Luck with your future Triathlon career. I told you you would become hooked.
Bathtub - It was really nice to meet you and your brother. The whole event was very friendly. Biggest congratulations - I couldn't make the award ceremony as bizarrely, I had to be up early to fly to the UK for a few days.
My mate was Mark who came in at a 4.29 time. His first Tri at this distance and despite falling off on the wet cobbles at the turnaround point (Just as his boss watching went "Watch out for the wet cobbles" -you couldn't make this stuff up!). And as my bug bites I am already saying I will beat him yet.....
And you got in the places - simply incredible. I would love to hear how you get on - The forum boys did good!
Comments
Best of luck.
EEEEEEK!
Its hit me like a steam train. I suddenly realised what I am about to do in two days time as I got on the bike for a steady peddle at lunchtime. I had to go back for my helmet (never crossed my mind) and rode with butterflies and found it extremely hard to concentrate. I felt weak and my legs where sorte of rebelling like a disgruntled teenager and I felt like I was in permanent transition (though I subsequently noticed I was actually going faster than normal without any noticeable fatigue according to the computer. I also realised that having never done a tri I don't know how transition actualy feels like on the day). All thoughts were on the possible negatives of the day. I think it started when my training partner (Tri veteran and bl***dy quick) stated how nervous he was of the swim and what could go wrong including surgical knowledge of the best facial injuries he had seen at events. EEEEK! Then a few work colleagues stated they were going to come and watch with their families which then gathered pace as other people decided they were going to watch as everyone else was going to watch. DOUBLE EEEEK! Now I have no fear of making a hash of everything as long as I finish and don't come last. I do have a fear of doing all this in front of people who actually know me. THIS IS NOT PART OF THE HALF BAKED PLAN (There was a plan?) I had. Some have even stated that they believe that watching Tri transition from swim to bike is like watching ski sunday for crashes (That sorte of not only put my tummy in knots but sorte of cut it half and put it in a washing machine on a fast spin cycle) and the swim will be a very cheap way to watch prize fighter underwater boxing - In other words, I wouldn't recommend them for the motivational speech circuit.
As a result my carb loading tonight is quickly moving into comfort Dolly Mixtures and Wine Gums. I am currently looking at anything mlldly or definately bad for me with that loving glow as only one can who has abstained for so long.
On a good note, my entry level Giant Defy 4 (Now known as "Little Nelly") is getting a well deserved treat in the form of a race check from Paolo, the Portuguese bike god. But even he added to the gloom - That is not a bike for this event he stated - Normally good banter as he then shows me the latest Bianchi hyper fast super carbon monster porn which will not only solve the problem but mean I will win every bike event in the next olympics befre solving world peace. But, as my stomach finally put itself in the mother of all tangles, last seen on an octupuses party when they played Twister, I gave out the smallest, yet most significant EEEEK! of all.
I think I'll hide in a corner and watch a good disaster movie
Do you think I am nervous of the race?
JtheT
www.lisboatriathlon.com
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
www.justgiving.com/julianturner
Enjoy the race!
Iain
Tell you what, if I like this Tri lark lets plan an event next year with few other forum types (Irnn...n. UK... No no, can't say it at the moment, BoW in the room) and then its the joint pressure that'l release the funds from BoPs)
JtheT
BoW Bank of Wife
BoPs Bank of Wife is a subsidary company of the much larger Bank of Partners. Even more severe lending criteria apply.
CD, you've just earned another £10 from me on your fundraising page. So you better do it now or I'm coming after you. Though the speed I go at I wouldn't worry for a long time!
JtheT
Today was 15 mins bike, 15 mins swim, 15 mins run and lots of pasta. Tonight is kit sorte, tommorow is rest and panic. Oh and race brief, first dip in the open water race area and eyeing up the opposition to see signs of anyone with the same low ability - My fear remains 799 hardened pro Triathletes on £10,000 of kit and me. In between the small matter of work....
The day of reckoning approaches. In less than 36 hours it will be "Complete Novice Wins and beats Course record by 1 hour with entry level kit"
Eeerm, actually it will either be "that was SOOOOOOO cool", "thank **** thats over", "never never again" or "I really wish I hadn't forgotten my bike", "nice try but no cigar", "Utterly utterly useless" or "Tri people are just weird - never again"...
I have learnt the following top triathlon tips:
1. If you want to start running, don't buy a running book, buy a pair of trainers and go running
2. If you want to cycle and compete, don't buy a cycle book, buy a bike and go cycling now.
3. If you want to swim buy some trunks and a pair of goggles. Don't talk about it or buy a book, get int he pool.
4. If you do 1-3 your a Triathlete (But, as I know he's watching, obviously read Coneheads book first....)
But the biggest lesson of all:
5. The only real difference between short distances and long distances is the soreness of the nipples at the end.
Anyway, a big thankyou to the words of encouragement both online and in private messages. Its in the hands of the Tri Gods now (particulary keeping away the Gods of Puncture, injury and, for me, stupidity in transition). My journey ends at 0800 on saturday when I finally find out what the hell this Tri thing is all about.
JtheT
[color=#800080]www.lisboatriathlon.com[/color]
[color=#800080]www.helpforheroes.org.uk[/color]
[color=#800080]www.justgiving.com/julianturner[/color]
Sounds reasonable to me... oh sh*t what have i just agreed to?
Thanks mate and hearty congrats.
And a good time to boot.
If I could I'd buy you a beer
I feel like I should get my wallet out now...
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Well done you! Trouble is, going to miss the training log now, what else can I read.....
Excellent stuff
It was great to meet up with you and your mate, was it Mark?
A good race report too.
It was a cracking event, well organised and great weather all though a little windy on the bike out.
I kept wide left on the swim and had a good swim with plenty of space yet my brother said it was his worst swim for getting knocked about in.
The bike was a bit hard riding out into the wind but on the turn around coming back it was awesome but I had a scary moment, I was on the tri bars on the fast downhill doing 40+mph and the wind caught my zipp wheels and knocked me sideways it was enough to come of the tribars and grip on to the end of the handlebars, it also made me very nervy on the other laps.
I was happy with the run but it seemed to go on forever around the swim area.
I was hoping to crack sub 5 hours so was well pleased with 4hours 57 mins 47 seconds. I was even more pleased when I found out this had got me 3rd place in my Age group which resulted in a trip to the Lisbon Casino on Saturday evening for the Age Group medal presentation, even better when we were told it was free beer fot the duration. Also should be good enough to get me on the GB team for Prague European Long Distance Champs.
Good Luck with your future Triathlon career. I told you you would become hooked.
Awesome achievement
My mate was Mark who came in at a 4.29 time. His first Tri at this distance and despite falling off on the wet cobbles at the turnaround point (Just as his boss watching went "Watch out for the wet cobbles" -you couldn't make this stuff up!). And as my bug bites I am already saying I will beat him yet.....
And you got in the places - simply incredible. I would love to hear how you get on - The forum boys did good!
Makes me a little less scared about my own 70.3 in 6 weeks...
JtheT, I really enjoyed the updates and the really nice race report.
But your only as old as the women you feel [;)]
I've been wrestling with the obviously daft idea of doing a 70.3 next year....... You have moved me closer to a "yes" Damn you!!!! [:D]