First Open Water Swim......

All day I felt quiet nervous about my open water swim session.....
As soon as we got into the water,  I realised it was not as bad as I first thought. However saying that, when Roland asked us to go to the shallow part of the lake so we could stand up, I was not to keen on that. I really do need to man up!!

Our session included:

Relaxing in the open water

 

Overtaking

 

Sighting: lifting your eyes out of the water and looking where you are going.

 

Drafting:  swimming directly behind, or to the side of and behind, another swimmer

We then swam 600m (Omg it felt like forever!!) but it felt good  :-)

Swimming together

Happy swimmers after our session 

 

After the session..... My feet were feeling extremly frozen at this point!!

I found the session extremely helpful and apart from freaking out at the odd bit of seaweed wrapping itself around me I really enjoyed my first open water experience. Bring on the next open water swim:)

Donna Winters experiences of running.......

Donna Winter

Favourite race? Half Marathon in Lisbon, Portugal

Why? It was my 1^stHalf Marathon

Preferred distance? 10k but I love the challenge of a Half Marathon

Preferred Surface? I love running in the countryside with my dog

All your race times: 3km-16:08 5km-29:35 21km-2:18:30

What motivated you to start running? I entered a mini Triathlon and had to run 3km and couldn’t even run 3 yards at the time.

How many years have you been running? 5 Years

Do you prefer running on your own or in a group? With my running partner Fiona & our boys (the dogs)

Why? We help motivate each other and people move out your way quicker when 3 big boys are running at you!

How do you prepare for your race the night before? Good food& amp; rest

Do you carbo load before a race? I don’t really eat carbs anyway, so I don’t carbo load but will have small amount.

If so, what is your eating plan? I try and stick to a diet called Clean & Lean and I use a lot of their recipes.

What is your pre run meal? A small amount of pasta with a BIG protein portion

What do you use to fuel yourself during your long runs? We found these amazing little drinks in Waitrose called Quick energy they don’t make me feel sick like most gels do.

What is your post run meal? The biggest Steak ever washed down with copious amounts of Prosecco, Vodka & Tonic or Wine I’m not fussed really!!

Do you run with music? No only with my Dog & Fiona

If no why? Purely a safety factor

If you could give any advice to someone just starting out running what would it be? You can do it!

What trainer’s would you recommend? Asics & Brooks for off road

Why? They are simply the best and I have never had any problems with either.

Who do you admire the most in the world of running? It’s got to be Paula with Mo right up there too.

First Time out on My bike.....

I was very excited but nervous about going out on the road for the first time on my bike. I am lucky because my buddies Melinda and Ali who are very experienced cyclists took me out with them. I met them in Berko and off we went. We went to a quiet road first so I could play with my gears and get used to the feel of my bike.

Melinda had explained about the gears and how I needed to change my gears to go up hills etc. As we were cycling along I saw this huge hill and I thought to myself "Oh No!!!" We started to approach the hill and Melinda said just keep pedaling and dont stop!! So what do I do..... Stop!! I told them to carry on and that I would go back down and start again. It took me another two attempts and then Melinda came back down for me and helped me up the hill. (Thanks buddy!!)
I have definately learnt my lesson about gear changes going up a hill.

Melinda and Ali were just like professionals going down the steep hills at high speed whereas I on the other hand was a lot more careful as I was a little bit scared of the speed. I am sure the more and more I do it and get used to my bike, I will be just fine. Melinda was an awesome leader as she did all the hand signals and always pointed down to let us know if there was a pot hole coming up.
I couldn't believe how hungry I was whilst cycling, you certainly build up an appetite. We did roughly 20 miles for my first bike ride and I absolutely loved it.
I am really looking forward to my next day out on my bike. Now for the open water swimming.....

My Challenge's for the year ahead.....

I have set myself a few challenges for the next 12 months which I am really looking forward to....

• September 2013 - London Half Marathon (Run to the Beat).
• October 2013 - Henley Half Marathon.
• February 2014 - Brighton Half Marathon.

Then the big one!!

• May 2014 - Mallorca Half Iron Man.

This is the biggest challenge I have ever had to face!!!. I have always liked the idea of getting involved in training for a triathlon and my buddy Melinda has inspired me since she completed her first half iron man this year. Next year I am going to join her and we'll hopefully complete it together. It is going to be nice to have a training buddy to help me through the tough training!!.

• May 2014 - Edinburgh Marathon Festival.

I have decided next year to just do the Edinburgh 10km and the Relay Marathon because it is just to close to the Half Iron Man and think I will still be broken from that to do any more!!

I will keep you posted on the mad training schedule I have ahead of me!!!!