News update

Been a while since my last entry, so here's a rap up of all that has happened since the triathlon.

Fundraising: 

Fundraiser at the Swan pub in Taffs Well was great, and with the raffle and collections we made £360! So a big thanks to all who contributed to the prizes, and a massive thanks to Leigh at Ysgol Ty Coch for drumming up support for the raffle! Thanks also to my sister and Mark  ( and Charlotte, for rattling the bucket) for sorting out the night with the guys at the Swan.

Training:

Up and down, busy at work so not as good as it could have been. But as the run is close and the ride not far behind it is now time to step it up!

Currently recovering from a big 80mile ride over the bridge into England. Returning into a punishing head wind! The return through Newport was painful, So a big test today, and more to come.

I did it. Challenge 1 completed.

 

Wow that was much much more enjoyable than I thought. 

The overriding feeling from the Blenheim Palace Triathlon is the warmth from the other triathletes and event staff. As a first timer you felt welcomed into their sport.

So will I do it again? Defiantly! Possibly the longer distance next time, after a lot more work on my swimming and general fitness.

The swim leg was hard, but I felt determined to get to the turn marker which looked along way away for most of the swim! The water was much warmer than I thought it would be and the visibility (although very green) was surprisingly good.

The cycle element was the most fun and I made up some ground and even overtook a few others!

Running after that was hard and the only thing I overtook were a few ducks on the side of the lake. But I saved some energy for the finishing line and took a flag "Brownlee style" from my parents to cross the line.

So challenge one is complete, next stage at the Olympic Stadium, London!

Final countdown!

Almost there, kit packed. Hope I've remembered everything, so many bits and bobs to get ready.

One week to go!

Not posted for a while, so I thought I'd update on how things are going.
Managed to get in my first open water swim in the week. Glad I had a chance to experience this before the Blenheim Tri, wasn't prepared for the shock to the system of entering cold water!! It really does take your breath away, making breathing and swimming a challenge.
It was also a good chance to swim in a wet suit and hopefully it won't be a big shock on the day of the triathlon.
On the down side I've managed to pick up an ear infection and hope that it clears before next weekend. Left me feeling grotty and have pulled the plug on some training over the last few days.
Suppose at some point in between my events it was going to happen, so a few days rest and back to it!

This just got real!

Wow, I knew the triathlon was a matter of weeks away. But today it feels just around the corner as my race pack and numbers arrived for the Blenheim Palace Triathlon.

But with good timing I had a boost at the gym. My weigh in went well, unbelievably I managed to drop 4kg in a week! Great timing and a bit of a boost in the count down to event number one!

MYLOs Olympian Challenge Launch

Next week Macmillan are putting out their press release. So I am busy starting to put out posters and sponsor forms in work and posting Facebook updates and Tweets.
I think I might have gone a bit over the top with the poster. Happy with end result.

Big test.

Currently on sofa watching Giro d'Italia after the hardest day of riding for a long time. My legs are suffering!!
I headed off from Cardiff at around 9am heading for Brecon via Talybont. The weather started off ok with the promise of a band of rain later.
The climb over the top is at 1453ft, the weather closed in and the decent was slippery and tricky.
I had a brief stop in Brecon, before heading back over the Mountain on the A470.
The weather on the pass under iPen-Y-fan was as bad as I have cycled in. The climb went on forever with a nasty gusty head wind blowing me about.
By the time I was getting back towards merthyr I was soaked and very cold.
At this point I decided to wave the white flag and found the train back to Cardiff had just pulled in.
6 hours in the saddle enough for a first long run out.