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. 

2-34 days to go

After a weekend of snacking, apple pie, cakes, fries and other not so good food, I was out today again to run. My friend had found a perfect spot to do just that: between two bridges. Basically the goal was to run from one bridge to the other (about 600 meters) and then walk back. 

I didn't manage it. Basically it was a bridge too far. What I did do however, was trying to run further at each try (which I managed) and then instead of walking back, running back again to whatever point was possible and walk the rest of the way. Again, trying to run further at each try. 

According to my friend my breathing is becoming better, so that is something. There are only a few days left to the first trial of the year: the five kilometer run I did in just over an hour last year. I do hope I will do better this year.

As for the triathlon, I am seriously wondering about that. Last year's triathlon was in August, giving me plenty of summer (read nice weather) to train, both on my feet, on my wheels and in the wet. This year's is in just under five weeks from now and the outside water is still too cold to swim in. I've only just started the walking/running bit and as for the cycling....

But, we'll see. 

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...

2-44 days to go

Last night was my second time out in my jogging shoes. This time the weather was a bit better: less wind for a start. Still not warm by any stretch of the imagination though.

Fortunately the walking helped get me warm and I even managed to get a few running sessions in as well. From this tree to the next and then I ran until at least the next tree, but tried for a bit more. It showed in the final tally. Where I managed to get 3,75 kilometers in on Monday, last night I managed a whole half kilometer extra in the same time of 45 minutes. 

Of course I'm nowhere near good, but I moving forward. The Hydro Rundt run (62 minutes last year) in two weeks' time will be mostly walking with some running, but I am aiming for a triathlon that is mostly running with some walking. 

2. 48 days to go

It was windy, it was cold, but I did go outside tonight to do my first training in a long time. A running training, although not a lot of actual running was done. Mostly it was walking and speed walking, but I did do some running. Over the next few weeks I will have to keep that up and progress, but I am happy with tonight. 

After all, I have to start somewhere don't I?

2: 137 days to go

After a very wet walking training that was interminably long and a lovely sunny walking training that was quite short, last night I went for another wet training. This time by choice though. Because I had my first swimming training.

During last year's triathlon, I swam breast stroke. I am not fast at the best of times and breast stroke is the slowest of all the swimming strokes, so it took some time to complete the two laps. One of my aims this year is to be faster on the swimming and one way of doing that is learning the crawl: the fastest of the swimming strokes.

Last night was my first training. First a bit of warm-up by swimming several laps. Then some breathing and floating exercises. And finally trying to do some sort of crawl. I think I did fine. The crawling bit was somewhat there, but I still breathe as I would when doing the breast stroke, ie, head up facing forward, so that needs to be changed. Of course I need more technique, better breathing, faster swimming, better endurance, but the beginning is there!

My main question of the evening though: why oh why was the swimming pool filled with salty water? Yergh!

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!

12 days to go

Tonight was an open water swim training. And because I was feeling much better, I went. However, I did not venture out into the water. I wanted to, but I am not too dumb to realise that I needed a bit more strength in my body after not eating for two days and not eating that much on day three. 

Anyway, my body is on the mend, and tomorrow I will get back to work. I lost about 3 kilograms in total (around 7 pounds), plus I got to see a lot of the Olympic Games, including the Dutch lady who won the 10k open water swimming!  So, the inspiration is definitely there to go back to my training. 

15 days to go

After more than a week of lazying about, doing nothing much and generally watching more than doing sports, today was the day I was going back to work. A swim training.

Now, the summer we have had so far, has been with quite high temperatures, but with a lot of rain. This past week though, the temperatures plummeted. Single figures at night and during the day in the low teens. Which meant that the open water we swim in, has not been warmed up by the sun. At All!

I knew that of course, but I came prepared. Neoprene socks and a neoprene hat together with my usual outfit and I was good to go! Absolutely fine! Apart from my hands and face of course, which were not covered and freezing. After a bit though, even they warmed up (or I didn't feel them anymore of course). 

I am glad to say that even though I had had a week's slacking off, it didn't show in the swimming. Even though I only did one lap (my partner in crime had some problems and decided to sit it out. In the rain), I only had one stop and was not out of breath at all. Two laps might have been possible, but the warm shower beckoned as well. 

The plan is to walk tomorrow and then another cycle training on Sunday. The weather is promising to be better from tomorrow onward and even going up to summer temperatures again. 

20 days to go

After Wednesday's walk, I realised that in order for me to do more walking/running, I will need something to protect my knees. They were quite painful for several days. Unfortunately I didn't get them yet, so until then I will not do any major walking. 

For some reason however I have been feeling a bit down in the dumps as well. And very tired for some reason. I tried for some good nights' sleep, but last night was interrupted by a smoke alarm. Don't worry, it was only some beeps to tell me the battery was empty, but still. 

Today I was supposed to cycle my four laps again. Looking outside however, I see the flags standing at attention and the wet on the window. Of course I could come up with lots of excuses like being tired or not wanting to have a snotty nose again or it being too painful to my wrists. But the fact of the matter is: I Don't Want To! There, I said it. I don't want to today. I just want to enjoy my day off. Watch a bit of television (Olympics probably) and potter along at home. 

So, no training today. I will start afresh tomorrow (with ankle and wrist protectors)!

24 days to go

The days are moving so fast now! Only 24 left before the big day! Anyhoo...

Today was not really meant to be a training day, but a five kilometer fast walk with my friend was something I ended up doing. There was a moment where I thought I would cancel due to the rain, but in the end we braved it and it turned out to be okay. A bit of rain, but nothing we couldn't handle. Besides that, we would come home to a meal waiting (although it needed warming up).

So, Gizmo is almost happy. Almost, since I forgot to put it on this morning and therefor it only knows what I did this afternoon. Which is only 75% of what I should have done. Better luck tomorrow. Because every single step counts towards reaching the Excellent! Right now I am only on: not quite there yet. 

25 days to go

Another swimming training today. I can do the whole distance now, it is just a case of how many stops I need while doing the distance. The first time there were too many to mention (although I did try). Last week I needed a fair few as well. So, what about today?

On my first lap I stopped twice, on the first buoy and on the second one. I then took a little break at the finish, before setting off for lap 2. I swam straight past the first buoy and only stopped halfway between the first and second. No more stops were required. 

My partner in crime is much faster than I am, but I managed to sort of keep up with him, so pretty pleased with myself. The other bit I was pleased about was that it didn't rain during our swim. Nothing as bad as getting out of your wet swim clothes and into your wet normal clothes. Eek. 

Partner in crime's brother was there as well today. And he asked me what I was most scared of. When I first started this training thing, I said the swimming. But that has changed. Now it's the cycling. It's quite a hard course (for me anyway) on a normal day. Doing it straight after the swim might prove to be brutal. I am not too worried about the running. I can just walk, fast or not and get across the finish line in the end. He did think though that my aim of under three hours was very achievable. 

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! 

29 days to go

The blueberry picking tour that I had planned was cancelled. It rained and rained and rained and rained. Instead, me and my friend went blueberry picking yesterday. It rained on and off all day, but when we started, it was nice and dry and quite pleasant. Until we got to the blueberry bushes, where I stepped on an ant hill (clever) and was eaten by almost every single midge around. At least, that's what it feels like. 

Today would be the jogging training. But again, it rained and rained and rained. And I have this slight aversion of getting wet and then having to walk/jog in the wet for five kilometers. Call me a baby if you want, but I would rather not get ill at this point in time. So, we cancelled. Of course the weather started clearing up by then, but we had cancelled, so cancelled it was.

The guilt however. The guilt! So, I told myself that I would do a five kilometer walk later. I had my dinner. I watched television. I was comfortable on the couch. It was 8.45pm. 

And then? I got dressed. Went looking for my iPod. Went looking for the ear plugs. And yes, a little over 9pm, I made it out the door. 

I walked for just over 5 kilometers. Tried to keep my speed above 5 kilometers per hour (managed that, averaged at about 5,3). Only stopped once to pick a raspberry, but found that a little worm had gotten there before me. He was welcome to the raspberry.

I may have chickened out this afternoon. But I am happy I did this walk tonight. It might not have been jogging, but I got out of the house and got my excellent for today!

32 days to go

It was swim training today. As I said on Sunday, my usual partner in crime is on holiday, but Facebook is a brilliant thing. About a minute after I had put the question to the members of the triathlon club, the first answer was in. And before I knew it, about 6 people had said they would be there!

Talking to some of them, I realised that the lap we have to swim is not split in three equal parts of 125 meters, but it's a wonky triangle. The first stretch is about 175 meters probably and the remaining two are about 100 meters each. Which I noticed, because the first stretch is the hardest for me. I had to stop once halfway and once at the buoy to get my breath back. The remaining two stretches however, I was able to swim without stopping. Well, able, but not possible. My goggles kept slipping up and letting water in. Very annoying.

Anyway, after my first lap I took a little breather and then it was on to the second lap. Again, one stop on the way to the buoy and one smaller one there. Then a stop at buoy number two and on it was to the finish line. 

I did do the wonky today as well though. There is a family of swans living in the lake and they came quite close. I don't want to get to know an angry mum or dad, so I had to divert my course somewhat. Once the swans moved though, I set course once again for the finish line. 

I don't know how much time I needed. But, I think we were in the water by about 6.15pm and I was out again and drying myself off around 6.45pm. Not bad!!

Tomorrow will be a blueberry picking outing in the wherevers of Haugesund and then on Thursday I hope to get another jog in. Twelve and a half laps around the track. Time to beat: 51.24!

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??

36 days to go

The last time I actually did a 'run' of five kilometers, I did it in 51 minutes and 50 seconds. Which was over ten minutes better than my first try. Since then I have climbed mountains, swam lakes and cycled. But I had never actually done another 5 km. 

Which I really needed to do! So, today was my first 'jogging' session. I had asked a colleague who is really quite good to come and help out; give me some pointers and such. My partner in crime was coming as well and together we made our way to the local training area and started. I walked, then I jogged, then I walked again and jogged again and so forth. 

At first it was 100 meters fast walking and 100 meters jogging, but I soon realised that was too much and changed it to 200 meters fast walking and 100 meters jogging. Until about the third kilometer. At which point I walked fast for several laps before ending with a few jogging bits again as well. 

My time? 52.04. Slower. Then again, we did stop for 40 seconds (thank you Gizmo) to take some selfies. So basically my time? 51.24! Nearly half a minute faster. And I think I could have done a bit more if I had really pushed myself. 

There are five more weeks. I will try to do the laps every week from now on. Try and get that speed up a bit. Or jog a bit more. Either way, it will help get the time down!

51.24!!

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!!

39 days to go

Well, I did it! I actually did it!! I swam 750 meters!! I had made a deal with my colleague: I would do two laps and then he would do three. 

It didn't start too promising. The water was colder than last week it seemed and my first stretch was not that good; I needed a couple of breaks. The second stretch was a lot better and I managed to get around in about 17 minutes, including breaks. I took a bigger break while sitting down, trying to catch my breath back and trying to find the motivation for a second lap. And off I went...

The second lap was actually easier. My strokes were even, my breathing was good. I didn't notice the cold anymore, I needed fewer breaks and when I had finished the lap, I had done it in a bit over 15 minutes! My colleague (as per the deal) had done three laps and he was very pleased with that as well.

I have done some mental rithemetick and calculated that I would need about 45 minutes on the swimming (including breaks and changing into the cycle gear), an hour and a quarter for the cycling and an hour for the walking. Totaling three hours! So, that will be my goal for the triathlon. Well, one of them anyway. 

Goal 1: complete the thing

Goal 2: under three hours

Goal 3: and enjoy myself

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.