Fat Girl to Ironman

20 July 2015

Monday Morning Motivation – Noah and Lucas Aldrich

Many people have heard of Team Hoyt, but have you heard of Noah and Lucas Aldrich? Noah and Lucas Aldrich are brothers living in Boise, Idaho. Lucas was born with lissencephaly, a rare brain disorder that affects development and growth. Lucas can’t walk or talk, but this doesn’t stop him from participating in activities like cycling, skiing, and going to...

Categories Motivation/Triathlon Comments: 0

19 July 2015

My first ever 5km swim (technically a DNF)

The second event of the weekend for Team Smith was Carn Brea and Helston Inaugural Open Water Swimming Meet at Stithians Lake. Stu and I had noticed this event was taking place not far from my mum’s house in Cornwall. We decided that we might as well take part before heading back to Southampton. I’d read in the rules that...

Categories Swimming Comments: 4

19 July 2015

St. Michael’s Mount Swim

Back in January, Stuart and I signed up for the 2.5km St. Michael’s Mount Swim in aid of the Chestnut Appeal, a local cancer charity. We thought it would be a good step towards the Scilly Swim Challenge and also an opportunity to go home to Cornwall for the weekend. We chose this event because the Chestnut Appeal is a...

Categories Swimming Comment: 1

14 July 2015

How far would you go to improve your race time?

Cycling Weekly has written about 13 ways to increase your average cycling speed. The baker’s dozen of tips to improve your race time are: Bend and tuck elbows Listen to music (*this has some caveats!) Ride with others Pump up your tyres Brake less Ride on the drops Track stand Ride out in a headwind and home in a tailwind Lose...

Categories Cycling Comments: 2

13 July 2015

Monday Morning Motivation: Novak Djokovic

Ok, so Wimbledon may be over, but how about some Novak Djokovic for some Monday morning motivation? The ‘Made By’ films series, which was directed by Keith ‘Keef’ Ehrlich, has three chapters, ‘Birthed by Serbia’, ‘Shaped by Jelena’ and ‘Inspired by Dreams’.

Categories Motivation Comments: 0

12 July 2015

The GU Energy Weymouth Bay Triathlon

This was the first Olympic distance triathlon that I did last year, so I decided to enter it to try to beat my time. I also thought it would be a good race to do as it involves a sea swim and I haven’t done any sea swims so far this year. Unfortunately, the day didn’t start well. I spent...

Categories Cycling/Running/Swimming/Triathlon Comments: 2

11 July 2015

Southampton parkrun’s third anniversary

Today was the third anniversary of Southampton parkrun and also Gary’s last parkrun as Event Director, as well as my first opportunity to wear my new parkrun t-shirt. I was feeling a bit tired, and I’ve got a triathlon tomorrow, so I decided to have a steady run. It was a fun and sociable run, so I was quite pleased...

Categories Running Comments: 0

10 July 2015

Hitting new swimming targets

Last night I cycled straight to the lake after work. When I got there Stu was waiting with my swimming kit, so I got changed as quickly as possible. We headed down to the lake and I zipped up my wetsuit. Unfortunately, the rip in it is getting worse and every time I bent over, I could feel it rip...

Categories Swimming Comments: 7

9 July 2015

What’s made you smile today?

For me it was this picture:

Categories Swimming/Triathlon Comments: 0

8 July 2015

Could you live without your car?

I love my bikes and cycle to work every day. It’s rare that the weather really causes me any problems that can’t be solved by putting on some waterproofs and I enjoy the quiet thinking time and exercise, although occasionally I have so much stuff to carry that even my sturdy panniers are challenged. I’ve also realised that it can...

Categories Cycling/Running Comment: 1