Wed Feb 7:
700m swim
My girly dinner last night was, of course, heaps of fun and for a brief two hours or so I completely forgot that I was a (mini) triathlete in training and didn’t hesitate to have that next glass of bubbly nor did I stop the waiter from filling up my wine glass… repeatedly. It was only when I lay awake from 4am with a fuzzy head that was I reminded about my alcohol-induced insomnia and why I don’t enjoy drinking too much – especially not when a 700m swim was what I had to look forward to at the end of a hard day at the office.
Thanks to my lack of sleep and an uncooperative two-and-a-half year old, Alex, I dashed out the door – sans my gym bag. So a frustrating start to my day and a timely reminder why I will not be having late nights for the duration of this challenge (hope you’re reading this, Cath?).
Uncooperative Alex
At 5.45pm we were met at the SSISA swimming pool by our ever-chipper trainers, biokineticists and husband-and-wife team Kim and Richard Woolrich. It feels reassuring to be at the receiving end of training techniques from these two accomplished fitness specialists.
The swim training was tough, but I expected that. I was placed in the last lane and was the slowest in the slow group! (Now I know what the tortoise felt like, hopefully this tale will have the same sweet ending!)
We completed 4x 25m warm-up laps, then practised kicking and breathing techniques, which involved countless laps. I really gave it my all and was completely breathless at the end of the session. I am obviously nowhere near ready to swim 600m comfortably in the open water, but today’s session as tough as it was made me believe that I can do it.
Thursday 8 Feb:
700m swim
My training programme calls for me to swim 700m on my own today – yikes! Having been expelled from my local gym for non-compliance (who knew making it to the gym three times a month would be that difficult), I took a decision to reactivate my membership immediately knowing I had very little choice. I had to swim today.
Contract signed and swearing, hand on heart, that I would attend more regularly, I was lead to the gleaming waters that I was about to become very familiar with. I donned my bright pink swimming costume, goggles and swim cap and diligently practised what I had learnt the previous evening.
25 minutes and several laps later, I emerged, head swirling but feeling super proud of myself for actually making it into the pool on my own.
This is only the first full week of my Tri-Fit programme but already I’ve broken a major self-imposed fitness barrier – I was actually swimming at lunchtime, all on my own. Well done me!
Friday 9 Feb:
Rest day, yay! But my celebratory mood was short-lived when I remembered that I had to be up 5am the next day for a group mountain bike ride, drat!
Saturday 10 Feb:
6.30am; 45min mountain bike
It’s dark, windy and about to rain as I make my way to Tokai Forest for our first group cycling session. But I am excited – it’s been a while since I was in the forest this early in the morning – the fresh smell of pines mingling with the morning mist – it is simply beautiful. Once again we are met by super-experienced SSISA staffers and star mountain bikers, Kesha and Lezandre as well as Kim. As we are about to set out the heavens open just long enough for us to get completely soaked…
Today’s session entails basic bike handling skills and we head off to a flat beginners track and I loved it! Amazing how being on a bike brings out the child in you – buoyed by the warmth of the sun breaking through I am filled with glee as I tackle the mini obstacles and get to grips with my gears. This is going to be so much fun!!!
Sunday 11 Feb:
30 min run
Bright and early, my husband, Arthur, Alex (in his running pram) and I head out for what should be an easy 30-minute run. But because I am feeling so fit and strong and happy and energised, I push it to 60 minutes (sorry Kim!) all along the beachfront. I feel so good I have to stop myself from breaking into song!
Arthur and I bonded over our love of running and Sunday mornings have always been our time to run together and catch up. But today, he’s eating my dust! It’s been a while since I felt this good on a run and reminds me why I love being fit – not there yet, but on the right path!
Ha! Just read this. There will be more drinks – it’s all about balance and better planning. We’ll do it when your strict trainers aren’t seeing you the next day.
Really though – I’m impressed with your sticking power (and finding the time).