Making progress

So training is a long progress with a goal in mind. As of today my big goal is 184 days away.

The past Sunday I did my first very long training ride. I took part in the One Tonner 160 km cycle event. The aim for me was to cycle as close to 6 hours as possible. As all of us know in a perfect world it does not always go according to plan.

We (me and Jan de Moerin) set off and was keeping a good pace. Up until about 100 km were he started experiencing back pain etc. We went very slow from here up to 130 km were I then left him to cover the last 5 km to the car and I went off to finish the last loop of the race.

Eventually I spent 6 hours and 50 minutes in the saddle! But that is all OK as I really did finish strong and that means that training is starting to pay off.

Now we just have to keep the legs and arms going to the next mini goal which is Jailbreak in December!

New meaning to washing machine effect ...

Let me tell you that no matter how much people tell you about the triathlon swim, and how much time you put into training in the pool, NOTHING will prepare you for that open water swim (shocking) experience on your first triathlon.

So I waited at the back and went slowly into the dark, brown mountain water in the dam! I just could not get my head into the water and swim like I train. NOT AT ALL!! Eventually I decided that swimming on my back would be better and only then started to make some progress. So after 22 minutes of swimming I made it back safely to the side and went in to transition area.

From there it was a breeze (or not as it was 34 degrees Celsius) on the bike. I passed so many people and had to keep on telling myself to hold back just a little as I still had to run. The run was off road but not a problem and eventually I finished in 1:52:14!

Don’t care about the time anymore as I enjoyed it too much to worry.....

Now for the next event!