Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...

Just got back from Swimathon. Did 5k challenge swim,  (200 lengths) but to be honest it was more about me covering the distance for the Outlaw. (3.8k, 152 lengths)
I did 3.8k in 1 hour 15, as I wanted, and felt fresh as a daisy. Wasn't tired, wasn't out of breath. I don't know how long the whole thing took me, because after that I wasn't really concerned. I'd guess at about 1.45. Even though I am 29 next month, I was still thrilled with my medal. Getting a medal is just great, I love it much more than a t.shirt that ends up being worn to bed or to do DIY. Not that I do any DIY, but if I did I'd wear it for that.

The swim was good actually, didn't get as bored as I thought I would, and I was glad there was only 2 people in my lane, me and another man who I swear was Duncan Goodhew in disguise, he finished in just over an hour!! I had to keep stopping to let him pass. But then I got fed up of stopping, so because there was only two of us we had one side of the lane each.

Unfortunately I forgot my earplugs, which I never swim without, so halfway my ears started getting quite painful, and ended up making a weird kind of ringing noise.
I'd borrowed some anti fog spray from my friend which worked a treat on goggles, but they leaked. Not too badly, but enough over that distance to irritate my eyes. Everything looks cloudy now and they feel like they're full of grit. I've had a constant battle with goggles, can't seem to find any that don't leak or squash my head!
Also got bunged up nose from the chlorine, and been having several sneezing fits since I got home. Swimathon sent a message asking for uploaded pictures, but I was like nooo thank you, I look a right state now!

Feel really happy that I've proved to myself I can do the swim distance. I thought back to 18 months ago when I could barely do a length.

So, can do the cycle, can do the swim, the only unknown is the run...

Training been a bit lax this week... Monday and Tuesday I felt really tired and sore, probably from the long ride on Sunday.
Life in general got in the way for the rest of the week, I've just been stupidly busy. Managed two swims and one half hearted gym session where I was so knackered I left after 20 minutes.
Friday I woke up sneezing and felt like I was getting a cold, but my resting heart rate was still at 49, (usually goes higher before I'm ill)  so was hoping to fight it off before it properly took hold. So far so good.

Today was meant to be a 6.30 bike, followed by a 1.30 run. Was actually really looking forward to it.
(8 hours continuous training and I look forward to it.. need to get a life)
But due to the appalling British weather that was changed round. The bike just isn't happening and I went for a run yesterday.

After 20 minutes run/walk I felt a familiar pain in my shins... was tempted to carry on, but I didn't.
When I got home I spoke to my coach. We knew it was a possibility I would get injured again, because to be honest I haven't really healed! Once again I'm faced with the dilemma of either opting to pull out and defer to next year, just do the bike leg for a relay or continuing the full thing as planned and walking the whole marathon. If this is what I'm going to do then there would be a plan of not running at all until the day. Risky, and psychologically challenging to say the least. But.. at least I'd have the chance of finishing, whereas now if I keep running I could make it much worse.

I'm raising money for Nottingham Hospitals now too, a cause that means a lot. I don't usually do the whole fundraising thing, but I thought as this is my first iron tri I'd try and make it worthwhile. I won't be fundraising again. Therefore my plan is to just get through it, walk the marathon if needs be, and just get over the line before the cutoff time. It's really annoying because I know I could do better, but plenty of time for that in the future maybe.
(Haven't even done this one and I'm already thinking of the next one!!!)
Back to the gym, core work, physio and aqua jogging.

Mallorca 70.3 looms.. it's only 12 days away! Hopefully I'll get a bit of an idea from that how I will feel.
I'm looking forward to the sunshine and the holiday bit more than anything! Although I do hope I do well, I am treating it as a test run for the big one.

It's not far away now!! Everything feels pre or post Outlaw. When writing things down in my diary I think, ''ooh, that's so and so days before the race'', or ''It'll all be over before this''.

One part of me is excited, one part of me is terrified.