Training went well over the winter even when the alarm went off at 5am for either a swim or bike session, I still got out of bed even though I wanted to turn over and go back to sleep.
The countdown was on and from something that was months away we were down to the final weeks and the self doubting kept popping up, if only if a couple more weeks of training left, if only I'd done more hill sessions etc etc the only thing left to do was get on and do it.
The final week before the race, I learnt how to dismantle and rebuild my bike and pack and unpack my bike in my nice blue shiny bike box, realising just how much kit we need to take including the just in case bits which we all pack. The time had come to set off to the airport.
With everything on board the only thing left to do was relax and enjoy. We arrived at the apartments and put the bikes back together, went up to register and pick up our packs. Everything went relatively smooth so after a lovely dinner with my buddies and with butterflies in my tummy off we went to bed.
Friday - packing and unpacking transition bags made the reality more real that I was going to do this so off we went to hand in our bags and bikes and head to the beach for a warm up swim.
Walking into the water I remember how lovely it felt compared to Denham lake the weekend before and after taking a few strokes and mouthful of water a little panic rose it's ugly head after only a couple of hundred meters I kept thinking what the hell am I doing and was glad to be heading back to shore.
We headed off to drive part of the bike course and I remember when we set off thinking I was going to enjoy this but as we continued on and up and up I noticed how quiet we had become. I kept thinking this was nothing like Ivinghoe Beacon, a hill which I loved training on. Up and up we went I just knew I had to keep my head down and to push as hard as I could and get on with the run.
After a restless night race day was here and knowing it would be many hours before I would eat properly, I managed to eat my porridge and off we went heading to the start line
With Kerry and Melinda by my side we stood on the shoreline with what can only be moments to go until the start gun would go off but felt like a lifetime to wait then bang we were off......
The start of the swim felt like being but in a giant washing machine with arms and legs everywhere but once into a rhythm it all came together and even though I drifted twice I'm still happy with my 47 mins and coming out of the water I knew I had get a move on.
The bike started great and really started to power down and it was only as we started to climb the hill I started to struggle and getting to the top was going to be an achievement in itself. I was hot, my stomach had cramps and every time I had a drink I felt sick.
Marshals and other riders kept stopping to ask if I was ok and loads were giving words of encouragement to keep going and not far to go. I was so glad to finally reach the top and enjoy the descent. That was one tough ride.
After more than 4:33 on the bike it was time for the run the sun was blazing down I felt so thirsty I was so pleased to see the first water station after transition I need to cool down the marshal thought she was helping by tipping water all over me but most of it landed in my left trainer. I knew I would pay for that so with squelching trainers off I went heading towards the 1k mark my breathing became rapid and couldn't get my breath I then saw our support crew and emotion overwhelmed me making my breathing even harder I just knew I had to carry on and finish.
The heat was fierce and with hardly any shade I just had to keep going even though I was running on empty it had been such a tough day but I knew I had to finish along with my buddies heading towards the 6k mark I saw Justin he told me to keep going and I looked strong. I knew I didn't feel it but kept going walking and running the whole way round.
Collecting the 3rd band felt a bit like Christmas Eve, the end was near and I could see time was ticking and I just had to finish heading on the last stretch I could see Nina one of our support crew and she said (two bands back she would run the last bit with me thinking I was finishing) I gritted my teeth and went for the finish with my breathing more rapid I went for it and crossed that finish line after a whopping 8:57:54
My journey was complete I'd done it I know I couldn't have done it without my buddies and support crew you were all awesome but my biggest thank you is to my husband and daughter for all those hours I've spent training and family time has been on hold I couldn't have done it without you all.
The question is would I do it again ??? yes I would
I'm signing up for Kerry's spin sessions as I know training on my own is not enough and to have friends going through the same obstacles as I am will make the journey more bearable
Thank you to Melinda, Kerry and Justin for competing and to our support crew for the cheering on the sidelines I can't wait to support you next year xxxxx
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