2-33 days to go

Being Dutch I am used to riding a bike. But since moving to Norway I have not ridden a bike that often. At first because I didn't have one and once I had one (very old), I hardly rode it because of the terrain. Humpy, bumpy, hilly. And always that wind! 

For last year's triathlon I got a bike. But it's not like any of the bikes I grew up with. For starters, I have to lean forward. Which wouldn't be a problem with a normal chest and belly, but with a chest like mine (we're nearing the halfway point in the alphabet) and a belly like mine, it's a bit harder. Even with the strap-them-in torture devices used!

Tonight I had a spinning class and basically I have the same problem. The handlebars are too far away from my bum, meaning I have to lean over. That also means that because of the leaning, I tense my shoulders. Tense shoulders equals tense neck equals guess what! I stopped before it became an issue (I felt it coming). 

During the spinning we are also supposed to stand up on our pedals. Yeah, as if that is going to happen. I loose all control that way and am afraid I will fall off. So, I stayed seated the whole time, just upping the resistance when the others were doing their bit for King and country. So to say. 

I did manage about 40-45 minutes today, after which I got off the bike and started moving to the music. Swinging my arms, stretching my shoulders, doing whatever. I am pleased with the work I did. Even if it wasn't as much as all the others did. 

2-40 days to go

Air! That was the main thing today. Air! Or lack thereof really. For the first time since last September I took out my bike and oh my GSD! it was hard. Unlike the tires which weren't hard at all and lacked a severe amount of air. 

That lack showed itself quite soon, as I was trying to get my chocolate filled body up a hill. I was soon gasping and gasping. I did manage to get to the training center though, because we were going spinning. 

Which (for the uninitiated amongst you) means a stationary bike and then cycle on it. No distance or calories shown, nothing fancy. Just cycle until you drop of. It was to be an hour's lesson, but after only half an hour, I was done. After all, I had that hill climb in my legs already. 

Fortunately I didn't have to cycle home, one of my colleagues had a big van and drove both me and the bike back. I will get the tires filled tomorrow I think and then I can go out and do some proper training again. Although I do think this was quite a proper hard training as well. Just saying...

16 hours to go

Oh my! Less than a day to go and I can tell you this: my nerves have started to flutter. Today I picked up my start number and went to a race brief to learn all about it. There was a lot to stuff into my head, and I am not sure I will remember every single thing, but I think I will be okay. 

There was a worry for me that I would be overtaken by the elite athletes (who will be part of the Norwegian Championships) while cycling, but I was told I would be taken out in that case. And it turned out that I had just under two hours to complete the swimming and cycling, so I should be fine. If I am overtaken during the running I will be okay and they let me finish.

The amount of stuff I need though: incredible! As you can see in the photo, there is so much of it! The number (258) to be worn on the back during cycling and the front during running. A chip to record the actual time. A bottle with squash for my cycling part. A wet suit to be worn while swimming. A swim hat, goggles, ear plugs and a personal buoy. Cycle shorts and shirt, bra, running shoes, socks and wrist and knee protectors. Not in the photo are my cycle helmet and my bike. 

I will be picked up tomorrow by my partner in crime, who has been incredibly helpful over the past few months. I don't think I would have been as ready as I am now without him. Not to say that I am that ready, but I will get over that line tomorrow.

6 days to go

Last weekend's stick between the spokes (ie me being sick) meant that in the end I have hardly trained for the past two weeks. It needed to change and fast, since it is only a week until the actual triathlon. So, I had big plans for yesterday and then found several excuses to not do anything. This morning however...

I woke up early and put on my cycle gear. I was out the door by 8.15am and began my twenty kilometers. Not my usual four laps, but a different route, combining my first cycle trips with the lap and then back home. I was back after just over 20 kilometers. I was quite tired, because it had after all been two weeks. But I wasn't done yet...

On the bed was my running gear. My knee bands, my shorts and shirt. Off with the cycle stuff and on with the running stuff. A little adjustment to Gizmo, on with the headphones and I was out the door again. Off for my five kilometer walking/running training. I walked, I ran, I walked some more, I ran. I admit, it was mostly walking fast and not so much running, but I did manage to come in in 51.29, just 5 seconds slower than my best time, which had been on a track and had no ups and downs at all. 

So, I have done the cycling and running in one go. I was really tired when I finished, but I did it in a time I was happy with. And next week it will be the whole thing!

27 days to go

As I got out of bed this morning, I heard the rain. Not the best start of today's training. But, once I made my way to my bike, it had let up a bit, so I was hopeful. After all, I had a thin raincoat on over my cycle gear.

I cycled to the start and began my first lap. I wasn't even a kilometer in when the heavens opened. For real. Within minutes I was soaked. It was so not fun, it was unbelievable. Half way through the lap, I saw this woman jogging. In the still pouring rain. We smiled at each other, asked if we were having fun, gave each other the thumbs up and continued. 

I was certain that I would only do one lap and go straight home. Sod (sorry for my French) the training. But, the rain let up and I continued on to lap 2. Which was all I was going to do. After all, I was soaked. Lap 3 was completed (the sun came out) and then I figured I might as well do the fourth lap as well. So, I did. 

I then started cycling home. A different route from the way to, but in my view an easier route as well. Just straight ahead and no bother from cars and angry motorists thinking I cycle too slow (which I do). And just when I thought I could continue a bit more, the heavens opened once again and this time I had had enough. I just wanted to go home and take a shower. 

I was wet throughout. From hair to toes, I was soaked. Even though I had worn a raincoat. I did a bit more than last week (about a kilometer I would say), but for some reason Gizmo decided that that was good enough for today. I am not arguing! 

34 days to go

My partner in crime is on holiday, so my cycle trip for today would have to be done alone. Last night I didn't feel quite up to it and the big question of course was: would I go through with it? Well, the alarm went at 8.30am, Miss Oswin came demanding for food at 8.45am and in the end I got out at 9. Got some breakfast, filled the water bottle, remembered (in the end) to take Gizmo and made my way to the basement.

As I was cycling to the start, I knew I would do three laps instead of four this time. Basically, because just cycling to the start meant I had over half a lap already. Which in turn meant that by the time I had cycled home, I would have more than a lap. Which was all I wanted. 

I did four laps. Plus the bits from home to start and finish to home. My average speed was up by nearly 1,5 km an hour (close to a mile faster), I wasn't as exhausted and when I got home, instead of congratulating me on reaching today's goal, Gizmo informed me there was still a bit to do today...

Perhaps a little walking trip to the fruit stand? The long way around??

38 days to go

As if I hadn't done enough lately, I felt that today I had to take advantage of the beautiful summer weather (first time since June 15th in fact, they said so on the radio), so I called a friend and off we went! 

First I cycled home, then I cycled to my friend and then we cycled (and walked) to our starting point for the hike. We hiked to the mountain (okay, hill, but it was still steep and difficult) and then back to our bikes. 

According to the gizmo I have? I cycled about 15 km today (including to and from work) and I walked about 3,5 km. And it congratulated me on a job well done: I had reached today's target! I like gizmos like that!!

41 days to go

Forty-one days! That means that in six weeks time I am in the middle of my triathlon!! Scary, yet exciting at the same time. 

I have done the 5 km run part before, fast walking and that was it. I don't expect it to be different during the triathlon. The swimming and cycling however was another matter. So, today my colleague and I made our way to the area where we will be cycling and with my brand new gizmo (a belated birthday gift to myself), I knew exactly how many kilometers I cycled and thanks to the gps, even where and how high we were. 

Well, I am glad to say, I did it. Yes, it took me some time. And yes, it was hard going uphill. And yes, my average cycling speed is just under 17 km per hour. And no, when my colleague thought it might be better to cycle back because there was rain coming, I said no. We have only done three of the four laps. A bit of rain won't hurt us. But, I did it and have now done the full cycling bit as well. Need to do it a few more times, but I am pleased. 

I never thought I would be doing this three months ago. And only two months ago I didn't think I would get up to this point. But thanks to all those colleagues who come swimming and cycling and walking with me, I think I will be alright. 

I did a little over 20 km in total. Highest speed around 33 km an hour, highest top(!) around 36 meter above sea level. It took us an hour and a quarter. 

48 days to go

Because I had walked this nice mountain walk yesterday, I didn't feel the necessity to do anything today. I could feel my legs, from my toes to my hips and I was pretty tired. So, why did I get my bike out at 10.30 this morning? 

Well, I was supposed to go cycling with my colleague, but somehow or other our messages got crossed and in the end I did a training by myself. 

It wasn't a big tour this time. Only a quick round the block so to say. Although I did go up that not steep but long incline again. Figured out to where I could stay in a higher gear before dropping to the lowest so I could make my way up. I certainly felt the walk from yesterday, not to mention the fact that the wind was against me as well.

Once up the incline, I had a little rest before continuing. A little round and then back home. Up to nearly the highest gear, which felt fantastic. 

I did drop this afternoon's swimming training though. Have to draw the line somewhere!

52 days to go

Good weather today meant that I was quite willing to go cycling again. With the same friend again as well and guess what: the same route! 

I only did the not that steep but very long ascent once, but I noticed it was easier to cycle up already. It took a lot longer before I needed to go down into the very first gear. Pleased with that. I have noticed it all becoming a lot easier, but seeing it like that is definite proof.

Talking about proof, the other day a colleague said I looked different. Not only that, I moved differently. More fluid, more upright, more proud in a way. And even if I do notice changes when training, those type of changes are harder to see in myself. 

As for support: can't complain of that either. My colleagues are really supportive, some of them in a more hands-on fashion. Walking with me, cycling with me, swimming with me. Other colleagues want updates on my training, how I am feeling, how I am doing. And what with the boost I got on Sunday (seeing all those Iron Man athletes come in), I think I am doing okay!

Tomorrow there is swimming on the schedule. In the rain...

62 days to go

We thought it would be a good idea. Do a little cycling and training. She because she has recently been ill and needs to get trained up again, me because I thought it would be a good idea to join a triathlon. Ten thirty on Sunday morning sounded good. A little lie-in, a little breakfast and then: out to cycle!

When I woke up though, I could hear the rain coming down. Drip drip drip. And I thought about cancelling. But I didn't. And at 10.30 we both got on our bikes, geared up to the max with rain gear. My gear didn't hold out quite so good. Mind you, a car and a big puddle (read absomungohuge puddle) meant I got soaked. It was funny though.

We got to the incline that wasn't that steep, but long. And while I cycled up it twice in lowest gear, but without stopping, she cycled up partway and walked the rest. We had a little rest in the bus stop and then we continued. Basically it was the same route as last time, but at a much slower pace. But it was good.

On getting home, the only thing I wanted was to get dry. There was a swimming pool in my shoes, I was getting a bit cold and even though I could have cycled more yet, I felt it should be enough. So, a hot shower and then dry clothes. Bliss!

It may have been weather for ducks today, but we managed to do our bit!

80 days to go

Getting fit is healthy they said! It will give you much more energy they said. You will be able to do things you never could before they said. All true. But the cycling from Sunday caused my neck and shoulder muscles to tense up. The swimming on Monday caused those same muscles to tense up even more. And on Tuesday the tension released itself into my head. Giving me a headache. At least now I know what causes it. So I can change my cycling and swimming accordingly.

Talking of swimming. I was due to go for a swimming training yesterday, but when my colleague called and cancelled due to a faulty car, I wasn't too sad. The cycle training of today however I wasn't going to miss. A few extra hours of sleep in my split shift and I was (nearly) raring to go!

The plan was to go up that very steep incline once, so it wouldn't cause a resurgence of the headache and then take it to a slightly easier hill, but do some 'as fast as you can' training. The steep incline wasn't done with ease, but it was definitely easier than it had been the first time. I knew when to stop talking and start concentrating on my breathing and when I did get to the top, I wasn't nearly as beat as I was the first time around. 

The easier hill proved to be easier. I tried it once in gear 3-2, but I noticed it was too low a gear. I had to paddle like mad and felt I didn't get up that hill at all. So, the remaining two times I used gear 4-2 and that was much easier. After that we were finished and I cycled first to the office to pick up my things and then home. 

Tomorrow will be a gym work-out and Friday as well. I have had an offer from a colleague who will help me with my breathing while swimming and I think I will take her up on it. I can use every single bit of help I can get and I have noticed so many people rooting for me and wanting to help me, it is really heart warming. 

83 days to go

After a week of very little training, I was back in full swing today. But with the beautiful sunny weather we're having right now, I felt it would be a waste of time and sunshine to go to the gym. 

I had planned to go out around 8am, but in the end it was closer to 11am before I made my way down to the basement to get my bike. I knew exactly where I was going: up a steep hill. Back down and back up and back down... you get the drift. However, once I had made my way to said hill and started cycling up this not so steep, but very long ascent, I decided to keep going. Which I did. 

I stopped for a while to talk to a colleague and then I continued. Down and up and down and up. It went like a dream. Yes, some bits were hard and I needed to get down into the lowest of my 24 gears (1-1), but most of the time I was up in about 4-2 or even 6-2. Once, as I was cycling up a small incline, I looked down at my gears and saw I was in 5-2! Only two weeks in and I am up to this!!

In total it was 12,5 km of changing terrain. The sun was shining. I was wearing helmet and sunglasses and even though I was quite done in when I got back, I think I could have managed a bit more! Amazing what only two weeks of 'training' will do...

94 days to go

Woke up this morning quite groggy and tired and with a hint of a headache. Everything to do with being tired. I had decided to take the bike on the bus and get to work that way, since I had this big training coming up anyway.

Cycling: warm-up while cycling about 2 km to our training site. Up a fairly steep hill. Once completely which left me completely out of breath. Once half way and the third try went all the way up again. For some reason I was able to talk straightaway after that last one!

Cycled back to work again as a cool-down. Took the bus back home (without the bike though).

My bike is now adjusted: saddle and steer are at proper height. Noticed it immediately: much easier to cycle.

Tomorrow I will take a day off. No gym and only one cycle ride (work-home).