It's all about the bike..

The week after Mallorca and a lot of resting meant a lot of spare time.
I'm so used to either training, preparing for training, sleeping from training, eating for training, preparing food for before/after training, packing for training, travelling to training, talking about training, thinking about training that almost 2 weeks off doing anything particularly strenuous was really strange!!

I started to obsess and think that my fitness was slipping away. I imagined I'd get back on the bike and just crumple. I went out on Tuesday and did 78 miles, and I didn't crumple. I remember a blog I wrote months ago (Arguments, the P word, and a VERY big hill) referring to Oxton hill. Riding it on Tuesday I honestly got to the top and thought, 'That can't be it, thought it was much bigger!?' Talk about progress!! Not saying I'd want to go up it again just for fun, but I do remember how hard it was all that time ago.

Had my first brush with death Tuesday too. I have often heard stories from others about car drivers and cyclists, but have never really had any bad experiences myself. Just the odd beep and shout, but nothing actually dangerous.
On Tuesday my friend was a few metres in front of me, and a massive 12 wheeler decided it would be a good idea to try and squeeze past her just as he approached a bollard. This made him pull right in, put his brakes on and almost push me under his wheels. I had to swerve into the kerb to avoid being squashed. I tell you, I was terrified. It was extremely close, I was very lucky. He then had the nerve to flash his lights and sound his horn very sarcastically, whilst shouting some obscene insult through the window. I find it appalling that he almost killed me, yet still thought he was in the right. Surely it's better just to be patient and wait until it's safe instead of risking killing someone?! My whole body was shaking, I could barely pedal. My friend did make me laugh though, she's quite a respected and articulate woman, and also tiny and really petite looking,  absolutely not someone who you would expect to swear. She cycled almost into the middle of the road before giving him the good old two finger salute! Even through my shock I started giggling. Then I got really angry. What a complete moron. I wouldn't say I'm scared of riding on the roads,  I'm very aware of what's going on around me and I'm careful, but it has shaken me I think. Whilst out today I tensed when lorries were passing, and I actually pulled over and stopped twice to let them pass, worried that they would become impatient and push past.
We need the same laws here as Spain have to protect cyclists, it is an absolute pleasure cycling there, the drivers are really courteous and give you loads of room. Trying not to think about the 1500 Outlaw cyclists on the roads in a few weeks and the attitudes of the cars!!

On the theme of the bike I decided to change my tyres last night. Good practice, I thought. Have never done anything like that before. I undid the wheel, stuck a lever under the tyre, and pulled, tugged, yanked. It wouldn't budge. Wanted to chuck the whole thing out the window. My fingers were red raw and almost bleeding! I couldn't go all pathetic and ask someone to help, because there was no one else there. Apart from the dog. And he's no use, he doesn't even make me a cup of tea when I get in, despite me asking him. So I did it. And then, not to be beaten, I did the other one too. By the end of it I was sweaty, knackered, and panting! And there was me thinking the swim bike run was the difficult bit! I will be offering daily gifts and worship to the Puncture Demon to ensure it leaves me well alone.

Arriving home today after my ride I realised my wheel was clunking onto the frame. After fiddling about a bit pretending I had a clue what I was doing I noticed I've got a loose spoke. I haven't got the tool you need to tighten that so will be taking it to the shop again asap.

Mechanics is a bit like technology. Completely over my head. I just want to get on the thing and ride it!!
Did feel extremely satisfied when the new tyres were on though. Especially as they are a pretty blue colour and match the frame. (EVERYTHING must match) When I was in Mallorca the first thing I noticed was that the colour scheme perfectly matched my TT bike. The bottles and bike shirts are a really nice pale blue colour, and I was so excited that I'd found lycra and bottles to match that bike! Obviously though then I couldn't get them, because I didn't do the race. Next year maybe... I have unfinished business there, and I want that top!!!

Have managed to accumulate a really attractive cyclists suntan, with brown knees, brown hands, strange brown marks on my wrists, and sunglasses marks on my face. I don't like the sun on my skin, so wear long sleeves and factor 50, but obviously I have sweated it off. Waterproof cream is on my list for July.

I'd say now that I'm swinging between being confident and feeling I absolutely can do it, to going the opposite way and being terrified I won't even make the swim. My shoulder is getting better, it still twinges   and aches if I go too hard, but I did 50 minutes continuous on Wednesday with no pain.
I have a friend who is a massage therapist, and she is giving me weekly massages to loosen it off and get me to the line.

If I make the start, I will make the finish, simply because I am not a person who gives up.

Read that the race is going to be broadcast on channel 4, which I think is great, Tri doesn't generally get much coverage, and if it is on telly it's on some obscure channel at 2am. I'll be waving. I'm also planning on orange nail varnish to match my lycra.

Trying not to think about the marathon and the fact I haven't run for months. Trying not to think about the bike either actually. Or the fact that the lake is enormous. In fact, I won't think about any of it.

Live in the moment :)