Fat Girl to Ironman

10 August 2015

Ironman Dublin 70.3 – The Bike

I grabbed my bike as quickly as possible, attached my Garmin and ran towards the mount line. I was surprised to see that almost everyone else was holding onto their handlebars or bars and saddle – I may not be quick, but at least funny and pushing my bike whilst holding onto the saddle is something that I can do!...

Categories Cycling/Triathlon Comments: 0

10 August 2015

Ironman Dublin 70.3 – The swim

Breakfast and T1 We got up early and got ready quickly. Breakfast was just a Fuel protein porridge pot, but I was feeling so nervous that I didn’t think I could eat any more. We had agreed to meet Steve in the lobby at 6am, but we there ready and waiting by 5:50am. I was glad that we hadn’t stayed...

Categories Swimming Comment: 1

10 August 2015

Preparing for Ironman Dublin 70.3

Stu and I drove to Holyhead on Thursday afternoon/evening. The traffic was heavy, so Stu did the first section on the motorway, and then I did the twisty bit on small roads in Wales. The scenery was absolutely stunning and several of the lakes and rivers we passed looked like they’d be great for swimming in, albeit somewhat cold. We...

Categories Swimming/Triathlon Comments: 0

10 August 2015

Monday Morning Motivation: The power of running

This advert from Fleet Feet Sports really conveys the power of running: “We run for different reasons. We have different goals. We come from different places. Yet, we are all on the same road – one without a finish line. Where personal achievement, performance, and connection run together.”

Categories Motivation/Running Comments: 4

3 August 2015

Monday Morning Motivation – Tamsyn Smith

Woohoo! I’m featuring myself (Tamsyn Smith) as this week’s Monday Morning Motivation, just because I can! At the end of this week, I’ll be taking part in my second half ironman, but I was interviewed by Just Racing (on June 4th) as one of their inspirational stories ahead of the second Challenge Weymouth event: http://www.justracinguk.com/news Inspirational Story – Tamsyn Smith...

Categories Motivation/Triathlon Comments: 2

2 August 2015

Tiring training weekend

On Thursday evening, I was excited about trying out my new wetsuit at Lakeside. However, a series of minor disasters (including leaving my phone at work and finding that the building code wouldn’t let me in) meant that I almost didn’t make it. By the time I arrived at the lake at 7pm, it was already getting cooler. It has...

Categories Cycling/Running/Swimming Comments: 2

1 August 2015

Southampton parkrun #163

Southampton parkrun was to be my last parkrun before Ironman Dublin 70.3. It was also the first time that I had seen my friend, Teri, for weeks. I asked whether she wanted to go for a quick run or a social run, and she suggested that both would be possible. I wasn’t sure, but agreed to start with Teri. At...

Categories Running Comments: 0

28 July 2015

Ironman Dublin 70.3 is fast approaching

I am starting to feel so nervous about this race, but I’ve been doing my best to prepare. I bought a new wetsuit last week. I chose a Zone3 Aspire as it had good reviews and I was able to try it on locally. According to the size guide, I thought I would be a Medium or possibly a Small...

Categories Triathlon Comments: 0

28 July 2015

Thunder Run 2015

Last weekend, Stuart and I took part in Thunder Run 2015, a 24-hour running relay that takes place in Derbyshire. It’s the 4th time that we’ve taken part in this event, so we knew what to expect. Liz, Suzanne and Jenny also ran (as members of two Run Camp teams). Stuart has previously run with some competitive male 5 teams,...

Categories Running Comment: 1

27 July 2015

Monday Morning Motivation – Harriette Thompson

I regularly hear people say that they can’t do something because they’re too old. Whilst a few individuals really do have limitation for the majority of people, the only limit is their imagination*. Harriette Thompson is someone who has never let age get in the way of achieving her goals. Harriette Thompson’s record-breaking San Diego Rock’n’Roll Marathon On crossing the...

Categories Motivation/Running Comments: 2