Weekly round up

Ok, so by now you will know I had a good race at Vitruvian yesterday, but that was just part of my week.

Monday

Early 27 mile bike ride around the Leyburn loop followed by a 1.7 mile run. Later a four lap swim at Ellerton. 

Tuesday was a 10 mile run, my legs were  tired.

Wednesday was a 5 mile run.

Thursday was a short hilly bike ride followed by a 1.7 mile run. Later I did a few lengths of Catterick pool.

Friday was just a 1.7 mile run to maintain my runstreak, now at 240 and some strength and conditioning, before traveling to Vitruvian.

Saturday was Vitruvian, 1.3 mile swim, 50.5 mile bike and 12.6 mile run.

Sunday ( Today ) A 20 mile, mainly road run, tough on tired legs, this was definitely a mind over legs run.

I also walk the dog at least 3 miles most days. This is good to warm my achy joints in the morning and to keep them moving in the afternoon, helping prevent stiffening up.

So that's it for this week, 3 weeks to Equinox24

17 miles of walking

53.5 miles of running

93 miles of cycling

3.5 miles of swimming.

One more tough week, then I really can taper.

Vitruvian Middle Distance Triathlon

This weekend was Vitruvian middle distance Triathlon at Rutland Water in Leicestershire.

1900m swim (2 laps with Australian exit) 50,5 mile cycle with 2641 ft of elevation and 12,67 mile run with only 282 ft of elevation

First lets check the results from last time I did this race in 2013
Helena Conlin Race number 1009
Swim lap 1 00:23:53
Swim total 00:49:04
T1 00:03:24
Cycle 03:26:02
T2 00:01:51
Run lap 1 01:06:47
Run total 02:16:32
Finished
Time 06:36:56
Position 712/766
Category 45-49
Category Position 15/16
Gender position 132/148

We arrived at Rutland Water on Friday afternoon after a longer than average car journey due to traffic jams on the A1 and went for coffee whilst we waited for registration to open and for our team mates to arrive. It was sunny and warm but windy.

the lake looked ok, nice and clear and no weed to speak of.

After registering and collecting our hoodies we dressed our bikes and helmets with the numbered stickers and racked our bikes.

We then went to our hotel for the night Redwings Lodge at Uppingham, the hotel was 20 mins away by car. when we got there we were pleasantly surprised that they were putting breakfast on for the athletes at 04:30. that was nice. After dropping our kit off we went to the eatery next door for tea before turning in for an early night.

Saturday 29 August 2015

So after an early night but little sleep we got up, had the cereal we had brought with us as we hadnt realised that the hotel would put breakfast on. We prepared our nutrition and set of in the dark for Rutland Water. the moon was just sinking across the water as we arrived.

When I did this 2 years ago and didn't like that all the women swam in the last wave, regardless of pace or age. But at least the second loop gave me a clear swim, This year all the women were in the same wave again, but this time we went in first with the over 55 men. Then the other men started at 10 min intervals in age groups. This was a nightmare for me. After the initial melee I went wide for clear water, soon I could see white hats amongst our red ones. The second lap was aweful as the Yellow hat wave were getting ready to start on the right, the fast whites were on the left and I was about to be sandwiched and was only just holding down panic, I managed to cut across before the first yellows reached us, and went REALLY wide, but lots of others, red, white and blue had the same plan. I had a few bumps but made the final turn buoy. Within a few yards now it got more congested and just as I thought I'd made it, I got surrounded by the main washing machine of the white wave, I was pushed, and hit by other faster swimmers coming up behind me, I couldn't cope. I stopped and everyone had to swim round me. The canoeist asked if I was ok, I said I was and set off for the last bit doing rubbish breaststroke and heads up crawl. I was so relieved to get out and run to transition. Swim was faster than 2 years ago though.

Transition 1 was not too quick, the older I get the more I seem to dally about dithering about wearing jackets and stuff.

The Vitruvian bike is 2 laps on open roads which are busy, the weather was dry and sunny. There is a series of 3 hills known as the Rutland Ripple. They are big but not technical and you get a decent run up to them, the biggest challenge is the traffic and being constantly overtaken by really fast bikes making it difficult to overtake slower riders, but I got a decent pace and the first lap went quickly, the second was a bit windier, the weather, not me, so was slightly slower.Even so, I was catching and overtaking bikes right to the finish, I was relieved to get off. no punctures, no mechanicals and for me the bike was quick. Very pleased, all those hilly long routes and short flat bike sessions have really paid off.

Transition 2 again I dithered, I changed my socks and took a gel, set off, forgot my buff, went back, set off, snotty nose so went back for tissue, set off, forgot gel bottle, oh blast, just get on with it and get nutrition on course.

The Vitruvian run course is 2 laps along the edges and dam of Rutland water, it's relatively flat but quite exposed to the sun and wind. It took about 5 miles to feel like a runner again, but then it all clicked in and I felt like a runner again. As the miles passed I ran better and better. Now because the men went off in age groups Billy had set off 45 minutes behind me, I was relieved to make it onto the run without him passing me. This gave me a boost. I saw Richard the winner about a mile into my run as he was headed to the finish, we cheered each other on. I was careful to take water and high 5 at each aid station and made the first turn at the church

about 3.2 miles and set off back to the main event area, I was beginning to worry that something had happened to Billy when I saw him in the distance running towards me, he was fine and about a mile behind me. Right now I needed to run. It was the kick up the butt I needed. On the Dam I met teammate Jeff, Quick run I thought, don't get caught. I made it to the turn point in the main area and they were playing the song that I've been using for inspiration this year, Not Giving IN by Rudemental. With the song in my head I set off back to the church and met Billy, he was closer now,
This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in,
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in.
Back to the dam, there was Jeff. I wanted to push it a bit but was worried that I would burn out. Hold it together to the turn at the church. This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in,
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in.
Keep up the nutrition at each station.
I'm not giving in,
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in.
There's the church, I was imaging Billy passing me, collect band, water, High5, RUN, I'm going home, Not giving in, there he is, he's catching me, RUN RUN RUN, Just a park run, GO, Not giving in. I ran as if my life depended on it, still getting water and High5 at each station waiting for Billy to pass, I was gonna do it I would beat him in even if I did have 45 min head start.
This time, I'm gonna be stronger I'm not giving in,
This time, I'm gonna be stronger, no, I'm not giving in.
I even thought we might cross the line together, but the line was getting closer and I was running as hard as I could overtaking people, getting stronger and there it was the finish. Helena Conlin you are a Vitruvian, I'd barely caught my breath when Billy Conlin you are a Vitruvian.
Oh boy what a result. I checked my watch, 6:04:46. WOW.
PB for me, and a PB for Billy. we got our medals and t shirts and went to wait for Jeff. It was not long before he finished completing his firs middle distance triathlon in under 6 hours. Brilliant. Congratulations Jeff.

Thanks to all the organisers and volunteers and special thanks to Jeff's wife Helen and Martin our training partner for your wonderful support.e
The only thing that spoils Vitruvian for me, an average swimmer is the start system. I prefer swim starts by pace rather than sex or age. but that's personal preference, the event has been running 13 years so it obviously works for the majority of athletes.
I highly recommend this event but you need to be quick off the mark, it sells out an a couple of hours.

And so the results
Date 29/08/2015
Bib no. 148
Name Helena Conlin
Club NYP Tri

Position overall 556/704
Position female 80/140
Position 45-49 female 9/24

Start time 6:16:40

Finish time 6:04:43
Chip time 6:04:43

Very happy, especially as I had not really tapered, I had reduced volume and increased intensity for my bike and swim this week, as well as my last couple of runs. but I've maintained my runstreak and Equimox24 training, completing 20 run miles Mon - Fri
Billy did 5:24:56 Good job he didn't taper at all, or he'd have definitely caught me.

So for billy and I its back to training.

Please help

I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and I ride a bycicle. I ride it through choice, I do have a car, but my bike has no emissions it's better for me and the planet, but I don't feel safe. I get overtaken too close, get cut up and forced into the verge and potholes. There is a petition going around to get cycling awareness on the driving test. Please sign. Cyclists are delicate flesh and blood and will inevitably come off worse in a collision with a car, bus, truck or tractor.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/106378

Oops! Broken promise

Time to round off the week.

This week has been a toughie again, My target was to run 70 miles as well as keeping up bike and swim training.
#Monday I did started with a bike ride 51 miles with 2812 ft of elevation, followed with a brick run of 1.7 miles. in the evening I did a 1 mile open water swim.

#Tuesday I ran 15.5 miles, I did this on the loop near my house of just over 5 miles giving over 800 ft of elevation.

#Wednesday I couldn't sleep so went out at 03:45 for a 2 mile run, then went and did the 5 mile loop just after breakfast.

#Thursday I rode my bike along the service road to try and improve my inconsistent pedaling,33.6 miles with just under 800 ft of elevation and followed it with a 1,7 mile brick run. in the evening I ran around Ripon racecourse lake 1.2 miles, before swimming a very weedy 1 mile lap and running around the lake again.

#Friday is rest day Yey! Runstreak doesn't rest though, so an early 1.7 miles sorted that, then a session on the roller and some strength and conditioning done, meant that I could rest.

#Saturday as you may have read in my previous post was a warm up run to Park run, Parkrun (PB 25:49) a jog to the car then four times around a lovely mainly off road 5.6 mile route, 22.3 miles in 4:27:22 with 4350 ft of elevation.

#Sunday Today was tough, tired legs, sore achilles and toes made the planned 15 miles tough. I used the 5 mile route which is predominantly tarmac. On the first lap my left achilles thought it would join my right achilles in being a pain and the toes on my left foot felt cramped, so with the advantage of lap running I went home and swapped trainers, what a difference. I managed to slowly run the next one and a half laps when my right achilles became a nuisance and my stride was slowing and getting shorter. I plodded onwards promising myself that if I got to the bottom of Roughly Bank then I would walk up it. As I approached the incline my legs finally clicked into run mode, not fast but running. This is why I have worked so hard to run even whist tired, to create almost a default setting. Since my legs were now doing as expected I did not walk up Roughly Bank. Promise broken. So today I covered 15.4 miles in 3:13:28.
So did I make my target? You bet I did 73.2 miles of running with an average pace of 11:48 and 7139 ft of elevation in 14.7 hours as well as 2 miles of open water swimming and 85.29 miles of cycling.

235 days of Runstreak completed.

Next week will hopefully be less tough as Saturday is Vitruvian, a middle distance triathlon, so I will be on taper from now till then. Less volume more intensity

Another long day of running including a Parkrun PB

I've had quite a week of running this week, I did my first night run and I've maintained my runstreak. I decided, as last week to run at Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey. I sat last night and worked out a route similar to the route at Equinox24 then asked if anyone wanted to join me. I had only one taker. I think two things were possibly putting people off, lots of runners don't like laps and the other thing was the planned pace of 10-11 minute mile pace. But anyway Hayley was up for it.
This morning I got up and walked the dog to warm my constant aching muscles and bones then drove to Ripon and parked at the car park at Studley Royal before jogging and doing dynamic stretches to the start of the 76th Parkrun at Fountains Abbey http://www.parkrun.org.uk/fountainsabbey/

That was a mile worth of warm up. There was not much time for socialising as we were called to the start, as usual I went towards the back, Hayley joined me and after a few messages we were off. I didn't have any plans only to run hard, as the laps later would be steady. Its important to mix up the training, and if I want to run fast I run best in company. I got a PB last week of 26:21 but after a hard week of training I was thinking that I would not be quick this week. I set off weaving though the crowds and saying hi to friends as I passed. I am not a parkrun regular because Saturday has been long bike day for so long, but I got a feel that I was doing OK, I pushed myself hard and entered the second lap slowly gaining and overtaking people, as I approached the end I didn't have a sprint finish, I was done in. I stopped my watch, 26:01. Wow! PB, hopefully with 25 on the front as I had not stopped my watch immediately.
Hayley was talking to Dawn and we persuaded her to join us for a lap. she agreed to see how it went. We walked up to the visitor center and then jogged to Studley to my car to get water and fuel, another .87 of a mile.

We set off, up the grass hill to the St Mary's Church, out of the gate, past the visitor center and onto Howe Hill where we turned off across the fields with a great view of the Abbey,



Through the cows, the farm and up through the wood to the stone arch, through to to the deer field, down into Studley and over 5 of the bridges, up to Sam,s Seat, down to the entrance, up the main drive down the car exit road to the car park and to the car. Lap 1 complete, 5.6 miles done. Dawn decided to leave it at that but Hayley was happy to carry on. Hayley and I got more water and I refilled my Tailwind http://www.tailwindnutrition.co.uk/ then we walked/jogged Dawn back to the visitor center and ran our second lap, at the car we refueled and dehydrated and set off on the third lap, Hayley started to be bothered by an old injury and decided to make this her last lap. Good decision listening to her body rather than her head as she really wanted to do the four laps but its not worth risking injury and she had run 20 miles today. At the car she decided to go to the cafe to wait whilst I slogged out the final lap, it was tough but I managed and finally made it back to the car for a well deserved ice cream.
Really glad that Hayley and Dawn chose to accompany me today, they helped me get it done.
The 4 laps totaled 22.36 miles which including fuel stops took 4 hours 42 minutes and 52 seconds. I Checked my phone and had a message from Parkrun, Yey! a PB 25:49, position 97 and 2nd in my age cat.
Total running today
1.01 mile W/U 12:21
3.07 mile Parkrun 25:49
0.87 mile C/D
22.36 mile 4 lap run 4:42:52

Total run miles 27.31 time 5:31:10
Didn't take any pics today so they are all old ones.

Product review Tailwind Nutrition

YToday my training plan said 20 miles long run so I decided to do Parkrun.

Trying to up my mileage to 60+ miles a week to prepare for Equinox24 is proving tricky. There are not many really nice run routes where I live so I decided to drive back to Ripon and run some of my old routes. I planned to park at Studley Deer Park and run around to Fountains Abbey for the Parkrun, complete the Parkrun and run back to the car to get my bottle and then run 15 miles around the area.

Coming back to the car about 7 miles to refill my bottle for the next 8 miles.

I arrived in good time, ran to the Fountains Abbey Parkrun start 0.9 miles away. I ran the parkrun feeling strong, I enjoyed being back running inthe Abbey grounds. I finished and my watch said 26:19, wow that was good, better than I thought, must be close to my PB. 

I chatted with other runners and walked to the visitor centre before running 0.7 mile back to the car.

Now for the main event, a 15 and a half mile mixed terrain undulating run, powered by Tailwind.

Tailwind is an energy source that you mix in your water and drink, rather than getting sticky with gels or getting that sickly sweetness of  jelly babies or jelly beans. 

The claims; below is taken directly from the company's US website 

WHY TAILWIND

All you need, all day. Really.

I created Tailwind for racing the Leadville 100. It’s designed to overcome the nutrition problems faced by endurance athletes in events like 50's, 100's, 24-hour, and multi-day epics. Tailwind combines complete fuel, hydration, and electrolytes in a tasty drink that won’t turn your stomach into a brick. Read on to learn how Tailwind helps athletes get endurance nutrition right.

Complete Energy+Electrolytes+Hydration

Ditch the gels, bars, chews, and pills and go all day with just Tailwind.

Tailwind mixes with water to meet your calorie, hydration, and electrolyte needs, no matter how big a day’s in front of you. Deliberately mild, customers describe the flavors as “clean” and “light” with a mouth feel as close to water as you can get while still meeting your nutrition needs.

Your hydration pack will love Tailwind too. Tailwind dissolves completely on contact with water and cleans up with a quick rinse. No film, no lingering aftertaste, no gooey mess.

Better Absorption

Tailwind’s glucose/sucrose fuel takes advantage of how our bodies absorb nutrients. The combination of Tailwind’s fuel, electrolytes, and water has a synergistic effect, allowing the body to absorb more of each. Once in the bloodstream, the glucose in Tailwind fuels muscles directly, allowing athletes to go longer at higher intensities.

Tailwind’s electrolyte profile mimics what you’re sweating out. Tailwind is all you need. Go ahead and donate those electrolyte pills to a good cause. You won’t need them anymore (and you won’t need to buy them!).

Easy on Your Gut

The three most traumatic moments in my stomach’s career: Spring Break Palm Springs ’91, Lechuguilla at the bottom of the Copper Canyon ‘93, and Gel #6 Leadville ’04. No more! Sipping Tailwind is like having the wind at your back, not like a kick in the gut at mile 45.

Not all stomachs can handle the sticky sweetness or hard-to-digest molecules found in most nutrition products. We’ve been there, and we’re just grateful there’s only one. Sipping Tailwind provides steady, small doses of fuel that pass right through the stomach. The composition of Tailwind’s fuel matches what the gut is made to absorb, so Tailwind enters your system quickly, without taxing the digestive tract.

Did we mention that Tailwind is made from all natural ingredients and organic flavors? It mixes crystal clear and tastes light and clean, so you can drink it all day. Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives are so 1992.

Sounds good, I am a nightmare when it comes to nutrition, I don't like gels and so whilst I am training I often just don't take them, or keep putting them off until I'm desperate. I decided to try Tailwind.

I ordered a box of sticks of nutrition on Wednesday evening and they arrived yesterday morning, great service. I had a mixed pack, 4 x lemon, 4 x naked ( no flavour) 1 of mandarin and 1 of berry.

I packed a naked in my bag along with a 500ml bottle of water for later and made up a lemon sachet, this was simple just add to a bottle of water, I would use this first. So after Parkrun I got my made up bottle of lemon Tailwind and set off, it was an unusually warm morning but beautiful.

I set off for the woods, it was lovely and cool though muddy underfoot, it was a great day for a run. I sipped the Tailwind as I fought my way up overgrown tracks.

Soon I was back in the open but shaded by high hedges, I kept sipping, I was keeping a low heartrate for this run, between 130 and 140 was my aim and I was managing it nicely and the miles passed by as I ran up and down and round the Fountains Abbey area. At 7 miles I still had half a bottle left and stupidly decided not to go back to the car for a top up, but to continue. I felt comfortable, I'd be ok.

I continued on up a biggish hill which was quite open and I began to realise how warm it actually was, I ran to the highest point of my planned run, a folly with stunning views right over the Vale of York to the White Horse on the hillside above Kilburn.

I then ran down Whitcliffe Lane for miles 9 and 10, the Tailwind was going down quickly now, but I kept on running, still feeling ok I did a loop and headed back to Studley. I was regretting not going back to the car now, I had been out over 2 hours and the 200 cal drink was recommended for an hour, but I was doing ok until about 14/15miles when I started to feel tired but I also more or less run out of drink.

I rationed the last drops to keep my mouth moist until I got to the car. 

I had run 17 miles, far more than recommended and had been running nearly 4 hours. I had maintained my heartrate at between 130 and 140 bpm. I had an emergency gel with me, but never felt that I had to take it, so I didn't.

I drank some water as I stretched and treated myself to an icecream.

My Verdict. 

Easy to make up, just add to your water bottle.

Stick packs handy, you could carry them an refill your bottle at water stations or pubs/shops/cafés on route, and add the Tailwind to it.

In my opinion Tailwind worked for me, it drip fed the calories in as I ran, it had a gentle lemon flavour and I never felt sicky or got that sickly sweet feeling that sometimes stops me taking on nutrition. No gut cramps nothing just a nice long run.

If you want to try it here is the UK site http://www.tailwindnutrition.co.uk

Lesson learnt. I need to stick to my plan, and not risk running out of either drink or nutrition. Particularly on such a warm day.

Oh and when I checked my phone there was a message from Parkrun. They had my time as 26:21 and it was a PB. Get in.

If you don't push your limits, how do you know where your limits are?

If I can, you can.

I often hear. "Oh, I could never do what you do" and I tell people they can. Some have.

If you want something enough you will find a way, it's not necessarily sports related, it could be anything. I didn't just get up one day and do an Ironman. As a teenager I imagined being able to run the London Marathon. I didn't even run, until I was 40. Then it was a lamppost,a mile, a Race for Life, a 10km and so I progressed until I ran a marathon in 2010 and in 2011 I ran London Marathon. Triathon didn't come onto my radar until 2010 and I had to get swimming and ride a racing bike, but through running, I now knew that if I wanted to I would and I did.

There are pros and cons for everything and you need to assess these carefully.

Most of us have a self limiting belief or two, I have a few but I have also addressed a few too.

I am actually sacred of everything. Not ACTUALLY true, but I'm scared of loads of stupid things, Spiders, heights, hills, driving to name but a few. These fears can hold me back, but two of my biggest fears are a great help in me achieving anything at all, they are, fear of failure and fear of letting people down. 

Necessity is aso a great tool for conquering "I CANT". One of my fears was driving. "I don't drive' I would tell people, careful not to say "I can't" that would have been a lie. The truth is, I don't like driving.

It got to the point where I never drove for years, then we moved house, to a new town. I had to drive to get to work. I would let people down otherwise. I bought a car that I felt comfortable and safe in and with some trepidation started driving again. Soon driving to work and on familiar routes became natural and it was time to face another silly fear, driving on the motorway. I needed to get to races I wanted to do and so I would make myself do short journeys on the A1. 

And so, the self limiting beliefs I had about driving are shattered and I now have a whole new independence.

So now it's your turn, what do you want to do, give up smoking? get a new job? Run, cycle, Sail, surf, swim? Travel? Have a good hard think, what holds you back? Money, Time or a self limiting belief?

Time, well you make time for the things that are important to you.

Money, most things can be done on a budget if you look around or research how.

Self limiting belief, believe in the power of positive thinking, I can and I will. Not necessarily tomorrow, but one day.

If you don't push your limits, how do you know where your limits are?

Ironman Uk 2015

After having to withdraw from Ironman Wales in Sept 2014, because the sea was too rough for me to swim in, I have trained hard, throughout the winter and spring regardless of weather. Finally the time came to put that training to the test,
We travelled to Bolton on Friday 17 July Billy and I, we booked into the Premiere Inn near Macron Stadium, I was informed that there would be breakfast for athletes at 3 am on race day, "but you won't be wanting that will you" the receptionist said. "Oh yes I will, I'm competing too"I said. We off loaded our bags and bikes up in our room and went to register.

I got the lady to check a that all my bags were in the back pack, as at Ironman Wales I got back to our rooms to sort my transition bags to find I had a bag missing and had to walk over a mile back to registration for another, but this time all my bags were there, so that was a better start than IMWales. 

We went to Bella Italia to book a table for Saturday evening and went to the athlete briefing.

New rules about penalties and the cut off times were explained.

Then we stayed for the pasta party

Next morning I awoke about 5 am as is my habit, I went for a short run to keep my runstreak going, I only did a mile for day 199.  I ran around the shopping centre and was surprised to see lots of cars, it was the Next sale. 

After Breakfast Billy and I headed for Pennington Flash to rack our bikes and T1 bags. We were hoping for a swim but by the time we were racked it was too late. I didn't like the look or the smell of the water, it wax a windy day so the water was choppy and there was green scum on the banks, yuk.

From Pennington Flash we drove Bolton centre to see the Ironkids. It was great watching such littlies running on the red carpet to the finish and proudly wearing their t shirts and medals.

Just before going for tea, we racked our T2 bags.

Then bed, an early night doesn't mean more sleep, not for me anyway, I tossed and turned the night away with the alarm going off at 02:45 so we could get breakfast at 03:00 and be sorted with bike bottles filled, nutrition checked white street ware bag checked for hat goggles and wetsuit and be queuing in the pouring rain for the 04:20 bus.

We didn't have to wait too long before we got a bus. The windows were steamed up but still I noticed that we passed Nicks Resteraunt twice, can't believe the driver didn't know where to go. Soon we pulled up by Morrisons and then had to walk to transition.

Thransition was busy with athletes taking covers off bikes, sorting drinks and nutrition, pumping tyres up, quint for the portaloos and wriggling wet bodies into wetsuits. I sorted my stuff, dropped my street wear bag off and queued for the loo. I chatted with Jill and set off out of transition, I saw Matt supporting in the rain and then found Billy and Martin, we chatted, wished each other luck and went our seperately ways.

The race start was to be a self seeded rolling start, I looked for 1 hour 25 to 1 hour 35 and joined the group. I looked around me and realised there were what looked like hundreds of people behind me. Panic started to set in, I'm used to starting at the back because of all the stories of swimmers being hit, kicked, dunked and sum over in the melee. I moved further back, to the back of my group, I needed to balence my fear with the frustration of getting stuck behind slower swimmers. I had a little weep, got away with it though as everyone around were in their own worlds of anxiety and excitement, but it eased the overflowing tension.

The Pro athletes were starting in the water and they would swim both laps in a similar time that I would complete 1 lap, I would complete 1 lap, I WOULD COMPLETE BOTH.

The klaxon sounded and we all started moving, away from the lake at first then turning and heading to the lake, the procession was slow. 

As we approached the lake other athletes joined in and suddenly there was Jill, we walked and talked and I felt a bit calmer for a few moments but the lake was getting nearer, there was no way out. "Your time has started" said a Marshall, we approached the pontoon and    I lowered myself in, hoping my goggles would not mist up as we hadn't had chance to acclimatise or dip our goggles.

The water felt initially warm, I had obviously been getting a bit cold standing around in the rain. I put my swim wide stay out of trouble plan into action, surprisingly I was in my own space from the start. Unfortunately on my last few open water swims I have suffered serious cramp, but I figured being on the outside I could grab a canoe whilst it passes if it happens. I swam between the first buoys and could just see the next one, it was still raining, the water was choppy but I was swimming,  Swimming wide, there was no canoes, don't get cramp, don't get cramp, don't get cramp, I passed another yellow buoy and another, then after I had been swimming forever I spotted an orange buoy and could see the turbulence of swimmers turning left. I swam past the buoy and turned left, the water was no less choppy I tried to get closer to the buoys but I found myself constantly fighting to get towards them, left again and the rain came down, it hammered off my head like someone drumming their fingers on my scalp, it got heavier beating on my back and bum too as tried to sight and get closer to the buoys, I could see the Australian exit, one more left turn and I was there. I took it steady, avoiding the other swimmers, I was out, and running, just a short way.I left my goggles on I didn't want to break the seal as they had neither leaked nor misted. I saw Jill get in ahead of me. I sat on the pontoon and lowered myself back in not wantin to dislodge my goggles. I was now further than I got at Wales.

This time I planned to swim closer to the buoys as now I wouldn't get lapped, but still I felt myself pushed wide, the rain was battering me and bouncing so high, it was difficult to sight through the thick white mist of rain and the droplets they created as they hit the water. I fought onwards fearing cramp, hardly daring to use my legs as I finally had the shore back in sight. I was so relieved to get out of the water without getting cramp or even being touched by another swimmer. 

Right, T1, it's pouring with rain and windy, I needed to get my gloves and jacket on, Jill was there too, we laughed  manically at getting the swim done in decent time, now to get out and pedal as if our lives depended on it, I left first, stuffing a mini malt loaf in my mouth as I struggled to get cold wet hands into my gloves, I slip slided to my bike, unracked and ran to the mount line, the grass was a distant memory as the route was churned by hundreds of tyres and feet before me and was now a pool of slippy mud. On the tarmac I mounted up and rode as if my life depended on it.

My game plan for the bike was to keep nutrition and fluids up and aim for 15 mph average before Sheephouse Lane. I found myself passing other riders comfortably, the wind was strong but a couple of weeks ago it finally clicked fir me to use the Tri bars, it made a massive difference and I was at 15.4 mph av as I reached Sheephouse, the plan here was not to panic about pace, just to get a rhythm and keep it up to the top.
The supporters on route were great and encouraging, I was amazed how many people were stood in the rain to support. The NYPTri banners on the corner boosted me as did the guys in costumes at the top of Sheephouse. 

Jill flew past me at this point, "Come on"she called back, " It's flat at the bottom" I laughed and chased her down the hill. A couple of miles later I overtook her, and spent the next 40 miles or so overtaking people, my mph had dropped due to the Sheephouse climb to under 14 mph, I fought to get it back up. Just as I approached Hunters, the othe big climb I reached 15 mph again but it was about to drop as I climbed the hill. On the road someone had written "Do it for the Hub" I work in the Hub so that made me smile. It was great to see Tracey, a Will and Sharon, jumping around at the top, and shortly after a little voice called " You took some catching" and Jill shot past me. Don't chase I thought, ride my own race. I did and soon was aproaching Sheephouse again, I couldn't get my mileage back up, I got to 14.2 but had a loo stop which dropped it to 14.1 mph av. By 80 miles my back wax hurting after so long in the saddle and being on the Tri bars more than ever before, I got fidgety in the saddle and I struggled to keep the pace, other riders were now overtaking me, but I got to Hunters and there were now a few walking up, but I trundled slowly up, Tracey, Will and Sharon were still there. Right only a few miles to go and it will be over, I was worried that my sore back would trigger my sciatica so stayed off the bars but maintained 14.1. I just could not bring the average any higher, but it was more than the 13.8 required to make cut off on the bike. 

I arrived in T2 at the Macron stadium, there was Tracey and Will again. I racked my bike, ran (hobbled) into the tent, grabbed my bag and sat down. Who was there? Jill. Yey, we made it, it was gonna happen, we could walk the next section if we had to, we were laughing and congratulating each other. She left first for the run, I took my time, getting some water down me, some salt and vinegar crackers and another mini Soreen in me, and set off on the run. It had struck me when I'd arrived on my bike how many people were walking, well I wasn't going to.

It took a while for my legs to start working but I was running (slowly) getting water at each station. I saw Jill at the turn, she was looking good and a fair bit ahead, but it gave me an I dea of how far I had left till the turn. Soon it was my turn to turn and head downhill for a while another couple of turns and I was running by a little stream and there were baby ducks on it. It was quite open though and the sun was now beating down, it was peaceful though.

As I crossed the stream and turned back on myself I saw the amazing Sid, he was on a mountain bike and in a marshalling vest, not in a morph suit or riding a BMX. He told me he had seen Billy and after a little chat he went off to find Billy and let him know I was ok.

Sid raises money for Birminghams Children's Hosiptal with the Poppyfields appeal. He often does bar my stuff like completing Outlaw Long Distance Tri in a morph suit and this year he is attempting it on a BMX. Sid is a real inspiration an has literally inspired hundreds of people he has never even met to commit to some form of exercise and raising funds and awareness for the Poppyfields Appeal. (His niece Poppy is a brain tumour survivor).

http://www.poppyfieldsappeal.co.uk/

Soon my stomach started to cramp, I felt myself leaning forwards and had to force myself to run upright, my run was already becoming a shuffle. I was on the main run loop now, heading uphill, I kept looking at the athletes on the other side, running down. There was Billy, yey! we waved and called out to each other, then there was Martin, and Mark, and Jill, yey! I must be nearing the turn. I was music, nutrition, water, loos. I went to the loo, yuk the portaloo was not in a great state, then got some water, and some electrolyte. The electrolyte was horrid but it was warm so I knew I needed it. I took a few pretzels, Yuk they were like sawdust. I washed it all down with the water and trotted off downhill.

I had been running for ages, everyone around me seemed to have a band, I didn't have a band. Oh no! Had I somehow missed getting my first lap band? I didn't want to have to run more than I needed. I asked a man as he ran beside me. You go into town first and then you get your band outside the school. Few I hadn't missed it. It was nice running down, even with gut cramp, I saw the band station and then heard my name, Tim, Angela, Sharon, Matt, Sheena, Dave and John were there supporting, another boost, I was overwhelmed by the fact that people had traveled so far to support, but I was gutted to see John, He missed the bike cut off by a few minutes (blasted wind) He ran across and chatted with me a while. Soon I turned down a sharper hill, there was Jill, It can't be far now, round the corner, there was Billy, and Martin, and then I saw Tracey and Will again. Another sharp hill, short and potholy this time going up, and another feed station turn a corner and then there were massive crowds, strangers cheering me on and then I saw Alison and Pete in the crowd, another boost. I ran almost to the finishing chute but then had to turn away with ??? You are an Ironman ringing in my ears as I set off for my first band. Right, I have to make that turn two more times before I can turn left down the magic carpet. Best get a move on. The sharp potholy downhill was horrid on tired legs but not as horrid as the sharp 200 m hill round the corner, then gentle incline up to the school collected my band and ran on. I say run, but it was rapidly becoming a shuffle, and the stomach cramp was just so persistent.

I ran (shuffled) my way around the course, long incline, supporters, band, longer incline, water, cola (I couldn't manage the gels in my pocket, the thought of them made me feel sick), turn, cola, long descent, up the short sharp hill, more cola, crowds, turn, water and cola, down the short sharp, up the short steep and repeat x 3. It was starting to get dim as I left the finish chute behind me a third time. I entered my last lap, the crowds were thinning, I constantly thanked those remaining and all the marshals as I passed, I saw Tim one last time and thanked him, just before I collected my last band. I had seen Jill in the same places each lap, she too was now finding it tough with a bad stomach, but we smiled as we aimed for that finishers chute, although I was now quite hunched I forced myself to straighten up as I made that final turn and set off the 3 miles back to town. It was tough holding back the tears, occasionally they escaped, everyone was so nice and supportive, total strangers giving up their day to volunteer and support the athletes. Its funny really how I never thought of the distance at the time, just aiming from one point to the next. As I ran past the band station on the way home I collected a glow stick. Come on me, nearly there. I ran down the hill and walked that last nasty potholy hill telling it how much I hated it and ran again through the feed station for the last time, surprised to see a few athletes heading in the opposite direction with a lap still to do. I hadnt considered time up to this point, I just accepted that I would complete the run section. It felt as If I had been running forever. I turned the corner into Bolton town center, the barriers were nearly empty at first, then as I neared the finish there were more spectators and finished athletes, the noise grew, my legs actually managed to move a bit faster, this is it, Ive done it, finally I turned left onto the red carpet, between the screaming crowds I could here my name, but my focus was entirely on that finish gantry, I raised my arms and passed under it.
Helena You ARE an Ironman.

I was given my medal which weighed down my tired neck and the marshall turned me to see Jill, Yey she was an Ironman too. She came across and we hugged and then went into the change tent. She had refused to go until I had finished. We had succeeded for our supporters and proved our doubters wrong. We didnt set any records but were by no means last either.
Jill was fundraising for Winston's Wish 

https://www.justgiving.com/J-Holt1

We were like kids, exausted but ecstatic. Billy came into the tent too. I got my t shirt, Jill got me pizza, it was a bit salty for me but I managed half of it, Billy got me cake, I even struggled to eat that. but 2 cups of coffee had me back on my feet struggling into my compression leggings and top and heading for the finish chute to cheer in the final athletes with Billy, Martin, Tracey and Will.

2061 athletes on start list
1907 completed
I was 1707
There were 24 starters in my age group and I finished 17 th

My time?

15 hours, 38 minutes and 32 seconds.

I am fundraising this year for Ripon Lions
https://localgiving.com/fundraising/lenaconlin

Thank you to everyone for your support.

If you don't push your limits, how do you know where your limits are?