So that new thing I was talking about....It was a bloody TRIATHLON...

 

Alot of people at Bushfield have been doing tri's for years or have recently started having a go, so it's something people are always talking about. PACTRAC run triathlons throughout the summer and last nights was a novice only event (novice being anyone who has been in the sport 1 year or less).

 

It included:

 

400 yard swim

10 mile bike

3.5 mile run

 

The swim went surprisingly well, but I knew this would be one of my strong points. Lanes were split into abilities and I started in the slowest lane as I wasn't sure on my speed. This is really difficult to judge when you have never swam against anyone before. I ended up switching lanes 3 times in the end. The swim was full of mixed abilities so was nothing to worry about. However attempting to get out of the pool, in the deep end with nothing to push up from, without flashing spectators was really fun.

 

The bike (which I knew was going to be my worst) turned out to by my worse. When we got out the pool it had started raining which I didn't think would matter when I was already wet. Oh how wrong I was. My transition period was really fast (I'm good at the bits which didn't require any exercise!). I used my bog standard Raleigh bike which was a big mistake as it was so heavy. The first 5 miles of the ride are pretty much all up hill in the pouring rain and wind. At one point I ground to a halt on a hill and honestly didn't think I would make it to the top. But I sucked it up and carried on, knowing I was last I just decided to enjoy (well as much as I could) myself.

 

The run, by this point I was so cold and wet I had to fumble around putting another t-shirt on in my second transition peroid. I remember telling my friends watching that I thought I was dying (always one to exaggerate). When I started running I honestly thought to myself how am I going to do this, my legs felt like jelly and I was so tired already. But I pushed through. Paul from Bushfield jumped on a bike and biked alongside me to keep me company which I really appreciated and I don't think I would of finished without him. Once I found my pace the run was actually enjoyable, it was an out and back route with the back section being uphill (so not fair). I was surpised the marshalls stayed out to see me finish as I was so far behind everyone else but I was really thankfull that they were there and it really motivated me to push a little faster.

 

I have never been so happy to complete something and even as I type this I am still on a high, I can't believe what my body can do when I ask it nicely. The support/organisation and marshalls where amazing and I can't thank them enough for an enjoyable event. Whether I will do another one has not been decided yet, but that doesn't matter because......

 

I'M A TRIATHLETE!!!!

 

 

 

 

As previously mentioned in an older post I have been going through some trouble with my stomach and what I can and can't eat. On Thursday, after numerous blood tests, cutting out food and invasive tests (colonoscopy I'm looking at you) I was finally diagnosed with Crohn's disease.

'Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system.'

This came as a little bit of a shock, I've been waiting so long for my test results I just assumed they would tell me I had an intollerence to something I was eating and I would be sent away. But no, I actually have a serious illness. I've been put on steroids for the time being to keep the swelling down and it is now up to trial and error to work out what food triggers flare up's. This tends to be spicy food or food with a lot of fibre in as my body is unable to digest this.

From the begining of the year I have been making a concious effort to look after myself better, especially in regards to what I was eating. I will be the first to admit that my diet was awful, I lived off processed foods, I honestly was addicted to Mcdonalds and I couldn't go a day without drinking at least 2 cans of coke. This left me permantly run down and bloated. In January I decided to really make a change to look after myself, I no longer drink any fizzy drink and I rarely drink fruit juice anymore, sticking to lots of water and sugar free squash. I haven't eaten a Mcdonalds this year, or Burger King, KFC etc. I used to have a take away at least once a week and now this is limited to once a month, I used to eat out all the time and this now happens once a week, if even that.

Thankfully this hasn't been too hard as I love fruit and vegetables so now my diet takes an 80% clean approach, with the odd treat thrown in.

A typical food day for me includes:

Breakfast: Greek yoghurt, raspberries and granola

Snack: Apple

Lunch: Salad or wrap (normally chicken or falafal)

Snack: Banana

Dinner: Fajitas, Curry, Pasta, Chicken and rice etc

And I normally always have a square of chocolate or jaffa cakes (my guilty pleasure).


All in all, now I've settled into a habbit with my food choices and taking my steroids I don't really suffer anymore. I have odd days where I feel really run down and lathargic, but I've just learnt to get on with it.

Tomorrow I will be trying something new, pushing myself further out of my comfort zone then I have ever been before.

Wish me luck.

So I went on holiday & I had planned to run a lot whilst I was away. I managed 1 run, it was just so hot,  even at 7am I was covered in sweat!! Not a good look.

I did brave it and run in my sports bra though which is a big move for someone who hates the way they look. On the plus side, I didn't put any weight on whilst I was away!!!

My dedication levels are scaring me, I got up early on the day I went on holiday to get a run in. Crazy I know. 

6.05 miles 

1:20:21

I haven't ran on my own in weeks and I was really pleased to keep my pace up. Obviously not as good as when I'm with others or when racing, but it felt really good and I managed to run for most of the distance. When its just me, I always get the urge to stop and walk and I'm really trying to get better at this. 

Tuesday was the last run at Bushfield before I went on holiday. I had gone to the gym in the morning, as I was paranoid about the bikini body having to make an appearance, so it's safe to say I was feeling a little tired. 

I decided to run our standard 5k route, I wanted to push myself a little bit and it felt really good. 

5k

35 minutes 28 seconds

sub 35 minutes is within my reach. 

Monday

Run - 2.49 miles - Hill reps x 4

Squats x 240

Sit ups x 240

Tuesday

Cross Trainer - 25 mins - Level 6 - Interval Training

Treadmill - 15 mins - Incline 8 - 5.5mph

Leg Curl - 20 reps x 4 - 18kg

Leg press - 20 reps x 4 - 30kg

Leg Extension - 20 reps x 4 - 18kg



And then I went on holiday....