If you ever......

Find yourself on the start line of an event wondering, what the fuck am I doing here......then have a look around for this guy....yeah the one in the photo. He will be there somewhere :-D

But I'm getting ahead of myself aren't I.

Last week was a pretty good one at work. Got a project going, I may have improved another and I'm getting pretty busy. All good.

Training was ok. I will admit to being quite tired having done a lot of races lately. But I'm not broken yet.

I had Friday off work to travel up to Birmingham, my annual pilgrimage to the JW Ultra. As much as I say I'm not doing the race again that's a lie :)

I stopped at a hotel near the race finish and arrived around 2. I then promptly fell asleep for 90 minutes :-D woke up and went for a little run really just to do some hill stuff cos I don't have any near me do I! I was only a little deflated when Lesley told me that the place I went to for hills is where she goes to avoid them. Haaaaaaaa .

I found myself some food and whiled away a few hours in the hotel bar just relaxing before going. Early to bed.

Next morning I was invited round to Lesley's for brekkie as the hotel didn't start serving early enough, which was ace. Was able to have PB on toast which is my preferred race breakfast.

We got the coach at the sea cadets place and had a good old catch up with Cas on the way to Stratford where the race starts. Once there I met up with my relay team mates Matt and Jules and we sorted out numbers and toilets and all that. It didn't seem long at all till we were lining up to start. On the start line I met a twitter pal Iain, who was a first timer at the JW but I thought could win it.

I was first leg, just short of 10 miles and basically my race plan was, hammer it! So I started like I always do. Bat out of hell......you need to in this race because after not very long you are sent back on yourself into a field with a couple of gates and then into the woods with a couple of flights of steps. It's essential to get good position early or you will be held up at these obstacles.

I seemed to do ok here anyway and had plenty of space as we came out onto the canal. Crucially I knew that no women had overtaken me as my goals were A) first woman to cp1 where I would finish and B) a quicker time than last year.

There isn't much to say about the run as it is just along a canal! There isn't room for much support though there was one runners crew who were very encouraging clapping me wildly for being First Lady. I had to tell them I was just a relay runner so I should be! There was also a chap I desperately tried to get rid of for ages. He was huffing and blowing and shouting at himself which was most disconcerting. Every time I overtook he sped up, then flipping slowed down again. He was doing my head in! He was wearing earphones and at one point took one out to bellow an introduction at me. I nearly jumped in the canal :-/ anyway, he eventually couldn't keep up any more. Ha!!!!

When I came to the aqueduct I was happy cos I knew that was about 8.7. I ran with my hand in the water, and managed to make a tidal wave that soaked my left side...clever me huh? But it didn't matter I knew I was running well and soon enough saw the crowd on the bridge at cp1. And this year my second runner was there. YAY!!!!

Was told I had done 1.14 something, so that was B, and I was first woman there too. Mission accomplished!!!

I hung around there for a while with Jules who was our 3rd runner before setting off to cp2 to await Matts arrival.

There he is! He ran his heart out!

We had a drink at the pub at cp2 and then raced to the end to try and meet Jules as he finished. Sadly we failed, but he had a really cracking run, thanks Jules!

Then we had a lovely sit back at the sea cadets place and a chat to various folk before it was time to head back to the hotel for another relatively early night.

Next morning was picked up nice and early to head to the W midlands waterski centre for a 5k Spartan sprint race. Yeah you're right that fella had a lot to do with it. However when he first suggested it on twitter I thought, that chap ensured that I got through the. 10 in 10 in one piece, who better to do an obstacle course with where mutual support might be the difference between finishing or not?

I was apprehensive though. I know I can run but rope climbing ain't my forte! So when we started I think we were both nervous, but probably just fear of the unknown as they really don't tell you what will be out on the course. The build up was cheesy but great, lots of shouting 'I am spartan!!!' And all that and a few burpees and stuff. Then we were off. A gentle jog, no need to push it. First obstacle, get over a fence. Ok.

Then it's a blur, we gad to carry loads of stuff up hills, ammo boxes, logs, Gerry cans. We had to pick up heavy weights and carry them then do press ups then carry them back. There was a massive tyre to drag that Mark had to help me with, I couldn't even move it! There were monkey bars.....which to my utter amazement I did without dropping off. There were fences to go under. There was a long walk carrying bricks and going under barbed wire and cargo nets. There was a massive cargo net to climb up and over, a rope to climb.....couldn't! Throwing a spear at hay bales, a fire to jump over and and well lots more.

It was fucking brilliant! We laughed so much it was unreal and pretended to do the burpees that were the forfeit if you couldn't do an obstacle.

It was brilliant to see Matt and Max there who came to watch and take some photos. I'm sure they both wanted to do it and I for one can't wait to do it again. Who's with me?

I do hope you like that photo Mark :-D

Getting the fun back...

Oh yes!

Sometimes it becomes a drudge doesn't it. Working, training, racing. Working training racing. Blah blah blah.

Some times you find yourself lined up at a start line and the result is too important.

That's fair enough if you are a professional athlete. Not if it's your hobby. And it's something I'm wary of. That 10k I did last weekend left me gutted. Luckily the tri I did on Sunday picked me up again. But training this week was rubbish. Circumstances left me feeling awful. Didn't even go to work on weds.

However this meant that I would feel good on Saturday for the PruHealth Tri. When the lottery opened for this event I couldn't sign up quick enough.....a chance to do a tri in Hyde Park the same weekend as the world champs? YES PLEASE!!!!!

When I didn't get in I was gutted :( I really wanted to do it, so impulsively signed up for a charity place, not something I'm keen on doing because I appreciate that my friends aren't made of money.

However I had to pay £100 to enter so it wasn't like I was going to ask anyone to pay for my entry and in the end I know that I have very supportive friends and Marie Curie Cancer Care is a worthy cause that people can identify with :)

So I was in.

Erm I forgot my point from earlier didn't I. What I wanted to say was that I booked a few weeks of tris to get out of the race race race grind. I'm no amazing triathlete but I love doing them. And this was the biggie.

I decided not to train on the bike at all cos that's cheating innit! I did swim in open water twice as extra special prep for the swim.

The thing I was most worried about was getting the bike into town.

Oh you say? Really? Why don't you ride your bike there? 

Don't be so fucking stupid. I'd die!!!

No I found out we could take the bike on the district line to Sloan square then walk a mile to Hyde park. Perfect. First we stopped at Barking Park to marshal  parkrun. New ladies course record 20.08.

Need to get my arse in gear!

Anyway on train. Really quiet. We have 20 stops. All very quiet so no problem with the bike...... For 18 stops. Then the whole bloody world gets on! I start to panic about getting off and start to melt down. But luckily people were really nice and moved out the way so I could get the bike off. Phew!

Then a nice walk down Sloan St looking in the posh shop windows. Bloody nice underwear shop there, all looked a bit kink to me :-D 

Into Hyde Park to find we are not too far from the action. Elite women have finished and open hasn't started yet so we are ok. Spot Fat Buddha in transition on our way round and he points me the right way to check my bike in and make transition ready.

Gosh there are loads of racks. Still doesn't take long. Then off for a cup of tea and quick spin round the expo where I spot a lovely purple transition bag :)

Before I know it it's time to get into my wetsuit and go to the assembly point. Quick briefing and we are sent off onto the pontoon. The guy commentating keeps calling it the podium. Really gets on my tits for some reason!

I feel like a proper athlete as I walk along to my place, I've seen this on tv. We aren't allowed to dive in though. We are instructed to sit on the edge. Feet go in, fuck! That's cold. No time to think though, we are told to drop in keeping one hand on the pontoon and 10 seconds later the hooter goes. Blimey!

Swim wasn't too bad, the only problem I had was with a couple of breast strokers, it's very hard to swim next to them but they won't let you get away! Got one kick to the stomach but that was all and actually was quite pleased with how it went. Getting out was easy up the ramp, then a bit of a run to transition up on the grass. I managed to throw my goggles away but never mind.

Had a mild panic attack in transition as I couldn't find my bike. I knew my number started 19 but couldn't remember the rest. Ran around like a headless chicken for a bit then finally spotted my blue helmet. Phew! Fought my wettie off, shoes and helmet on and I was off for a fairly long run out, past FB who told me to get a move on :)

Off out off transition and o to lap one of 5. Luckily the ground wasn't that wet so you could give it a bit, there were some tight corners and a hairpin at the far end of the lap that scared me a bit first time :/

Coming to the end of the first lap I made a bit of an error.......there were signs saying keep left for laps keep right for transition but as I came up to them some fast guys were coming up behind me shouting at me things like INSIDE, LEFT, OUTSIDE, RIGHT.....and I was so fecking confused I ended up cycling towards transition.... I knew I was wrong so I just stopped. Some spectators leaning on the barrier told me everyone else was going the other way so I turned myself around and put myself right. As it happens it was quite confusing that bit with another hairpin coned off where for the next 2 times I actually had to put my foot down as I'm rubbish at them! Still I was ok now, I knew what I had to do and concentrated on trying to keep focused and enjoying the 'go pirate!' Shouts. Saw Mr H at his cheering point twice per lap which was nice. Met a forumites who tried to high five me on the bike but we missed :-D

Finally got to do the cycle back to transition thinking that I still felt fine :) got shouted in by FB and Petal which was nice and ran my bike all the way round transition to my rack.

Bike on rack helmet off, shoes on, visor on, number round, neck gel, gulp of water then away!

As you may have predicted I loved the run. I felt strong and the support was amazing. 4 laps of 2.5k. I concentrated on picking people off because tbh I was running faster than lots off them. Any places I gained were on the run. We had our names on our numbers and getting shouts of 'go Amanda' was brilliant. The first time I passed Mr H he held up the bag I had been wanting that he had bought for me:) superstar! 

We passed the finish on each lap and the clock there was the actual time so I amused myself trying to think of how long it had been since I started and was I going to beat 2.50 which was about what I did at BRAT tri a year ago. I wasn't sure but I was bloody going to try. I ran hard but I had fun too high fiving the kids leaning through the barriers. One did make me smile as he had his sleeve pulled down over his hand. Wise child I thought!

Running towards the final turn onto the finish carpet was fabulous. Mr H was in the stands cheering me on and I felt like a superstar, whatever time I had done I had a fabulous day and got a really nice medal :)

These are my splits I won't be sure if you can see them til I publish this. So I will do it now!

You can't so I took it out! Here is a pic of me with my medal instead!

You can't always get what you want....

You probably get what you deserve though :)

This week has been a bit, hmmmm. Don't feel like I got anywhere at work really. Things cancelled, things not working. Hey ho, that's what my jobs like. If we all did science too well it would all be done by now wouldn't it. We would all live forever cos there wouldn't be any disease or ageing and then we would have to work out how we could all be virtual because there wouldn't be any room for any of us.

Ha that wouldn't happen we would have all killed each other long before then.

Sportingly things have been tick ticking over. Enjoyable track session Tuesday. Yes, I was a track warrior, rah!!!! Another run at supposed 10k pace (wasn't, maybe I should have taken more notice of that) a session with Russ that was really useful......need to work on stride length now, and a couple of swims.

Yesterday was a target 10k. The women's running 10k in Finsbury Park. I targeted this as a race away from club mates where I would do my own thing. I thought it would be a good course for a PB. I am actually not sure why that would be but I did. I was quite wrong.

It was one of those large events with an organised warm up and all. Baggage storage was hassle free and though there were not many toilets there were enough. Was quite proud of myself for getting there as I'd not been before :)

Did a 2k warm up before the start taking in a part of one of the laps. Oh dear I thought. This is a bit more upwards than I had hoped. 

Never mind, get your race head on AJ, you know you have one.

After warm up they called for anyone who wanted sub 45. Out of hundreds about 10 of us stepped up. Cripes! We went to the front right on the startline and Nell McAndre posed for piccies with us all standing around her :-D fame! They then called sub 50 and sub 60 and having lined up very quickly we were off.

After about 200m I was in front. Fuck me!!!!! Just the bike ahead. It was ace! I think it was about 1500m when I was passed by about 4. I wasn't too worried as I know I start fast. I purposely didn't look at my watch as it was ticking off the Ks, I was working as hard as I could and that's what matters. Over the next 3 or 4k some more passed but not many. I was ok but felt that I was running the inclines really badly and was getting a bit frustrated with myself. Still, all you can do is work as hard as you can.

I was ok really until the 45 minute pacer passed me just after 8k because then I knew I wasn't on target. She tried to encourage me on and believe me I was working at maximum but she gradually pulled away and I was resigned to getting as close to 45 as I could.

So final result, 45.17 8th overall 2nd in age group. I ran 44.33 2 weeks ago so you can see why I wasn't that impressed but in the big scheme of things I ran a decent race. If I'd have been running for placing I'd have been more happy.

Onwards.

Today was Dunmow sprint tri. Bit of fun really and boy was it!

Was able to start earlier than my time as it was quite relaxed. 400m pool swim. Felt fine, just try to keep smooth you know this isn't your best bit. Then out for a 300m run to t1. Saw loads of people in their trainers but it was fine really in bare feet. 

Out on bike no dramas for a lovely ride round the country lanes of great dunmow and surrounding areas. Was a bit hilly and I made good use of my gears but I kept it strong. A fellow tri sporter had warned me about a hill that would take me by suprise so it didn't :-D and I finished in 50 minutes feeling strong. 

Quick t2 and out on the run carefully chucking a cup of water at Mr H on the way :-D I LOVED the run, it was rolling like the bike but nothing too hard. What was hard was my timing chip digging into my ankle and a stone in my trainer! I wasn't stopping though, no way. I bounced through the run and was well surprised to come to the end so quickly. I feel sure it was short and was assured after it was just a tiny bit so. Well ok then 21.05 was very surprising but you can only run what they give you.

Very happy with how that went and really looking forward to using this last couple of weeks as training for next Saturdays tri in Hyde Park.

Bring it on!!!!!

Put a wetsuit on.....

Come on, come, on, grow your hair out long (c'mon, c'mon) (Madlot)

That's the Vaccines that is. Whenever I hear that album I am running round Lake Windermere again. Happy (painful) days :)

Anyway, there is a reason for that title. In a bit.

Work was good this week. My Swedish boss was visiting so meeting galore and a bloody excellent one with a prof who works on Huntingtons. Her passion and energy are amazing and it energises you too. Hopefully we will have a fruitful collaboration. And yeah, that is an awful disease, but actually very helpful in understanding neurodegeneration because it is caused by one single thing and if you have this single thing there is no getting away from it. Unlike many other diseases which seem to be caused by many different factors with no definites, making them very hard to predict, diagnose and treat. 

Anyhow, my training was decent. A hard 3k paced session, a swim and a bloody hard 10k session that I was really pleased to get over and done with even if it did take me til Saturday to work up the courage for it. Consequently I volunteered at parkrun. I'm going to do that much more now, just choosing when to test my 5k speed. I feel this is quite sensible. God I must be getting old.

After volunteering I travelled with Mr H to Millwall dock where the Great London Swim was happening. A whole day of people swimming a mile in the dock. And it was fab. The sun was shining everyone was happy/nervous/excited. 

I was a little apprehensive as it had been a year since I had done OW. But, the wetsuit went on (bonus) and I joined all the rest of the wave for acclimatisation. The commentator had been going on about the water being a balmy 19.5 degrees. Oh good I thought, nice and warm :)

Obviously I have no idea cos it was freezing! I huffed about for a bit trying to get my head in the water then a guy told me to put my head in and blow bubbles. That seemed to work and I got out feeling good. We did a mass warm up which must look great in wetsuits and pretty soon we all filed in over the timing mat and were off.

I honestly loved it right from the moment I started. Withing 100m I found some feet to follow, albeit they were a bit erratic but that was fine. I was looking at all the buildings around the dock in the sunshine and it was lovely :) I had my only problem when we got right to the end for the turn around a buoy and this guy was doing breast stroke but couldn't decide where to go. I stopped so he didn't go into me and he promptly kicked backwards right into my collarbone which shocked me momentarily. He did apologise so I didn't drown him.

After that, the turnaround and back against the dock wall. Apparently Mr H walked all the way down there shouting me on but because I breathe to the left I never saw him:-D

Got out in 37.03. Very happy with that. We then had a bus ride through canary wharf that was great :) someone pointed out to me that I see that when I do London but seriously I hate that bit. The crowds press in and I just want them all to go away. They should, it would be lovely to run through there without them :-)

So resting then til this morning when we travelled off to the first redricks lake tri. I went there in 2010 to do an aquathlon and had an awful time. I panicked in the swim and had no energy on the run and finished sooooo last you wouldn't believe it!

Today my main aim was to complete an OW tri that I was happy with before London in 2 weeks.

Swim 750m. Loved it! Wasn't fast but I wasn't last no panic, no leaky goggles, even the big fish that grinned and winked at me didn't phase me :) the 400m run to t1 was interesting.

Bike, loved this too.....was worried about some aspects, turning right into busy road and the dual carriageway but they were fine. I passed a few people too :)))))

Run, my thing yeah? Didn't feel that fast but reeled in everyone I saw and finished well.

Yeah, happy with that. Don't know time or place but tbh this wasn't about that it was for confidence and it gave me that in spades.

Come on London! I'm ready :)))))))