Tuesday 4 August 2015

Infinitely Crazy?!?!

Well things got a bit busy after London and I have since completed Outlaw Half, Endure 24, the Great East Swim and Outlaw which probably explains the lack of chapter 4, 5, 6 &7 ... so lets rectify that shall we!!
Things are gonna take a bit of a new approach at Ultra-Crazy HQ (www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear) and it seems only right to write about it here to keep you all up to date with what is going on.

In the build up to Outlaw, one of the questions that people asked me more than any other was:
"How on earth do you fit the training in??!!?!?"
And the question that seems to be on everyone's lips since Outlaw is:
"Soooooo ... what's next??"  
This gave me an idea!!!! 
For 5 years now I have been writing about my training and events but not really about how I balance this with work/family life and so I have decided to be a bit more open about that side of things ... good AND bad so that people get a bit more understanding about what I do, how I do it and ultimately know the answers to these two questions.

I spent a good chunk of time on my bike last Sunday thinking about how I could build this into a year long challenge but I found that quite tricky as some of the ideas that I want to talk about aren't really challenges at all.  I realised that the things I want to address are actually things that I just want to focus on a bit more ... and that's when it hit me: 
I needed an Ultra-Crazy Bucket List to make sure I did all the things I want to do!!!   To focus more on home life, work life and the people that are important to me.


Now I'm not really a big fan of the term 'Bucket List' so I then spent a stupid amount of time trying to come up with my own title and I'd love to tell you what it is, but I am still thinking (feel free to jump in with a suggestion at any point).  I am sure it will come to me soon!!   

The other thing that I struggled with when I thought about this list is "What happens when I have achieved all the things I set out to achieve??" Simple ... the list never ends!!  There will always be 10 things on the list and as soon as one is ticked off ... it will be replaced by another!!
Ideas will be linked to events, family & work and I will do monthly updates (here and on my facebook page) to let people know what (if anything) has been achieved and what (if any) new targets have been added ... I will also give little insights along the way to give an idea of how they have been achieved which should address that "How on earth do you fit it all in" question.

Every 12 month challenge I have done so far has started on January 1st and finishes on December 31st but I can't actually think of a single reason not to start this one now and so that's exactly what I am going to do.  All my remaining events for 2015 will be incorporated in the initial list of 10 ideas so hopefully there will be a fair few changes in the list over the next few months.

And that's it!! New challenge ... LAUNCHED!!!  

I'm excited by this one because it's different to anything I have done before but will hopefully allow for a bit more me time and a bit more family time in between the events that I love taking part in. 

I guess all that is left to do is publish the first Infinitely Crazy list (ooooh, could that be the challenge title perhaps??!) ... It would be great to hear your thoughts and maybe even suggestions of what could come next!! 

1)  To complete September's London to Brighton night ride without stopping
2)  To go through with my skydive in August!!!!! 
3)  To start and finish 2016 with a swim/bike/run
4)  To organise a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Now (http://breastcancernow.org/)
5)  To have one family day out a month ... with NO training involved!!
6)  To get my dad to join me for a ride on the road bikes and a swim in the sea ... a few years ago this
      wouldn't have been a challenge but since his knee replacements and open heart surgery he is 
      terrified and so this may not be as easy as it first seems!!
7)  To complete 10 laps at Endure 24 and NOT fall asleep in the middle of the night!!
8)  To run at Parkrun in at least 5 different locations and for at least one of them to be with son no.1 
9)  To get to the start line of Outlaw without the stress I experienced this year ... and for my finish 
      time to say '14 ... something!!'
10) To volunteer at a big event

Stay connected to keep updated ... it's always good to have the support of others and please keep list ideas coming!!! Who knows ... I may be attempting one of your suggestions in the very near future!!

That's it for now but if you want more regular updates please take a look at www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear as I post there almost daily! If blog reading is more your thing though ... I shall see you all at the end of August. 


SwimmerBicycleRunner

Sunday 3 May 2015

Chapter Three ... London Marathon!

It's time to draw a line under London, move on and focus on the next challenge ... but before I do I thought I would write a few words! 
As with my Brighton blog ... I'm not going to write a mile by mile account of what happened but neither am I going to chunk it up and tell you about the roller coaster of emotions that I went through on my 26.2 mile journey through the streets of London with 38,000 other runners because quite simply ... there was was no such roller coaster.  There was no down time, no emotional struggle and most importantly (and much to my relief ...) there was no wall!!!!!
That's not to say I found it easy, 26.2 miles is still a very long way even if you are feeling happy, but running a positive run certainly makes for a more enjoyable experience.
After the nightmare of Brighton 2 weeks prior to London, my prep for this event started much earlier than usual.  Calorie intake was upped from the Monday before, discussions with Mr Osteo happened on an almost daily basis, nutritional advice was sought from numerous sources and I gave myself some serious lectures on positive mental attitude and how London was NOT going to be a repeat of Brighton! Time targets, peer pressure and self expectation went out the window and all that was left on my list of aims was to run every step and enjoy it from start to finish! 
I kept wondering when the nerves would kick in and I would be lying if I said they didn't feature in my pre-marathon week but they really weren't as bad as I was expecting.  I spent the week seeing pictures of people proudly holding their running numbers at ExCeL but it still didn't feel very real to me and I've no doubt that probably helped me to stay calm.  Denial is clearly the way to. 
I wasn't able to get to ExCeL to collect my own running number until the day before the event which felt really late to me but looking back, this probably helped to keep the reality of the event at bay.  The added bonus of not collecting your number until the day before is that it's so ridiculously busy you just want to get in and out as quickly as possible and so you avoid the nerves, excitement and hype of the other runners.  I stayed just long enough to meet and chat to some facebook friends, catch up with the very lovely (and ever patient) Gavin from Breakthrough Breast Cancer (my chosen charity) and to listen to Martin Yelling's annual motivational, hilarious, uplifting and honest talk (whilst I ate my own body weight in rice cakes) and then I left. 




The evening before felt as calm as the week leading up to the marathon but I could feel the emotions bubbling under the surface ... bursting into tears because you have to say goodbye to your dog (who was going for a sleepover) is always a sure sign that heightened emotions are not too far away but I still felt in control of what I was about to do and that gave me a real boost.  
Mr McB took me for a glass of wine (it's ok, it's tradition) ... we ate dinner and we went to bed where I had a surprisingly peaceful night's sleep!!!
Then it arrived ... the morning of the London Marathon.  I got up, got dressed, drank tea, ate toast (don't worry, that's not all I had!!) and then we were on our way to Stansted, to get course 2 of my pre-marathon breakfast: a sausage and egg McMuffin and a hash brown washed down with coconut water!!! I very much doubt it was what Paula Radcliffe was eating/drinking at that moment in time but it seemed to be working for me!!


 

Once parked at Stratford, everything seemed to speed up ... almost like somebody had pressed the x2 button on the remote.  Trains were caught, more friends were found, hugs were given, legs/hands were written on, goodbyes were said, tears fell, toes were taped, bags were stored, portaloos were visited (as were female urinals but that experience is a whole other blog in itself!!!!) and then I was on the start line of the 2015 London marathon ... my 9th London ... the one I WAS going to run ... the WHOLE way!!!!! 



My first worry was my foot and although there was some foot pain, it was nothing like the pain I experienced 2 weeks before so I instantly relaxed and allowed myself a smile.  I also warmed up pretty quickly; a double layer of plastic sheeting is good for that, so I tore one of the layers off and kept smiling.  Soon enough, the second layer of plastic came off, as did the socks that I had put on my hands, and I was running a very safe, very comfortable, very enjoyable pace ... and yes, I was still smiling! 
I got through mile 3 (where the 3 different start zones merge) without any issues and then headed on to mile 6 ... where I launched myself at my boss and his wife for a very happy and possibly slightly sweaty hug!! Sorry Mr/Mrs Jones!! 
On past mile 7, 8, 9 ... with a a quick stop to put the world's biggest dollop of Vaseline on my left foot to ease the pain of a growing blister, but even this didn't stop the smile!!!

Hmmmmmm, it seems I am giving you a mile by mile account after all, apologies!! Stick with it though, it has a very happy ending!!! 

My next focus was to get to mile 13 ... not because it was the half way point that most marathon runners focus on, but because that's where my parents were with my first bag of food.  I have come to realise that I do not store energy all that well so I had asked my family for goody bags at crucial points on the run and once over Tower Bridge (always a highlight and ALWAYS tear jerker) I was able to top up my energy stores with half a banana, a few jelly babies and a bite of a cereal bar ... and a hug!!! 



 



Next target (and next bag) ... mile 15!! Here I had a few mouthfuls of ready salted crisps (thanks for that suggestion Mike) ... a couple of bites of a sausage roll and a gulp or two of coke!!! 







Next target ... Mile 17!!! 
There was no food (or loved ones) here but it's where I stopped running/started walking in 1998 and 1999 and I was determined to get beyond this point ... and I did!! I'm not sure I have ever smiled a smile that was bigger than the smile that I smiled when I ran under those balloons at mile 17.  It was beginning to hurt now but I was also starting to believe I could actually do the whole distance so the smile continued.  The other boost that comes to getting to mile 17 is that you only have 9 miles to go ... single figures ... less than 2 hands worth of fingers and thumbs!!  From here on in I was counting down, not up!!  I had this!!!!
Mile 20 ... still running ... still smiling ... still doing this!! 6 miles to go ... 10k ... 2 parkruns ... I got this!!!
Getting back the Tower is always a bit of a tough section of this iconic marathon and I really started to feel it.  My legs were heavy, the blister on my toe was now making me limp and I knew I was getting slower (even though I hadn't looked at my Garmin for the entire run).   BUT, I was still feeling positive and could deal with the discomfort for a little bit longer ... less that an hour, that's all I had left.  Then ... POP!!! The blister on my toe was a blister no more, the pain had doubled and I actually yelped! Raw skin was now being exposed to my socks and I was in agony!!!! Cue Caroline to come into my thoughts.  More specifically, Caroline and all treatment she had to have, the hours and hours of attempts to get needles into her useless veins and the pain she went through every time thought about what was going to happen to her.  Suddenly my toe seemed very insignificant!!  
Smile back in place .. on I went! 
Next target ... mile 24 and food bag (and hug) no.3! I couldn't face eating anything here but I did have some big gulps coke.  Knowing that I usually have a bit of a 'wobble' when I cross a finish line (dizziness, sickness blah blah blah) these gulps of sugar were all about ensuring that I stayed 'with it' long enough to find Chris at the end! 
Mum was grinning as much as I was and my dad, well, my dad looked as proud as punch!! Never one to go overboard with emotions, he simply put his hand on the back of my neck, looked me in the eye and calmly said "you are looking great, keep going"  I nearly lost it there and then but took a deep breath and got back to it ... I'd see him for a proper hug in less that half an hour!!! 
Big Ben ... Birdcage Walk ... A quick shout of "I'M GONNA DO IT" to Chris (whilst leaping over someone who collapsed right in front of me) then up to Buckingham Palace ... Turn the corner and there it was .. the finish gantry of the Virgin London Marathon 2015 and I was still running!!! 



On to that famous red tarmac and I had done it ... I had finally run the London Marathon!! Something I had said I would do when I watched the very first one 35 years ago.  Something I had attempted to do (but failed) twice.  Something that always seemed so impossible for me to even consider ... but I guess nothing is ever really impossible and dreams are there to be realised!!! 

I had played it safe and run a very sensible run.  I had stayed focused and controlled from mile 1 to mile 26.  I was even focused and controlled whilst collecting my medal and bag at the end and didn't even lose it whilst being wrapped in foil by the most wonderfully warm-hearted volunteer or when I met up with Chris at the runner's exit.  
I may have had a bit of a moment when I saw my dad and he calmly looked at me again and said "You looked amazing" before giving me the biggest and tightest of hugs ... but I kinda knew that would happen so that's allowed ... right??!?!!?!!




I had done it ... I had done what I set out to do ... I ran London and if I never get to do London again, I will die happy!! Having said that, I absolutely will be applying again and I will be disappointed when I get my rejection magazine but the memories from the 2015 London Marathon will stay with me (and make me grin like a loon) forever!! 





 
So that's it ... I am drawing a line under London now and my focus is now shifting to event #4 ... which is worrying me a little as I can't run at all at the moment thanks to a bit of a problem with my right Achilles!  It's gonna be interesting to see if this year's challenge actually gets beyond event #3!!!

Watch this space! 
 


And that's if for now, but if you want more regular updates, please take a look at www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear as I post there very regularly.  If blog reading is more your thing ... I will see you at the end of #4!! 


If you feel the urge to support this latest Ultra-Crazy challenge with a donation .. please head to www.justgiving.com/McUltra-Crazy/ and give what you can.  Thank you so much

       SwimmerBicycleRunner

Monday 13 April 2015

Chapter Two ... Brighton Marathon

But first a Chapter One catch up:
Don't worry, you haven't missed Chapter One .. I didn't write one!! 
Paddock Wood was event #1 of 2015 and the aim was to use it as a training run for Brighton.  It was wet, it was windy, it was cold but I got the job done and managed to get a course PB.  It was a lovely feeling to know I was fitter and faster than my 25 year old self!!  

So, onto Chapter Two
I'm not going to write a mile by mile account of what happened, that would take far too long and I want you to stick with this long enough to get to the good bit .. it all gets a bit dramatic at the end! Instead I'm gonna chop it up into chunks, so grab a cuppa, strap yourself in .. because you are about to get inside my head and ride something of an emotional roller coaster!! 

Sunday 5th
10 miles - DONE!!  Had foot pain for most of it but nothing serious.

Monday 6th
Foot pain is worse.  Time to start stretching my calf.

Tuesday 7th 
Fell over when I stood up getting out of bed due to an intense pain in my calf. This isn't good!!!! I make an appointment to see a sports physio and get some treatment!!! OUCH!!!!!!!!!   

Friday 10th 
Calf has eased and after a follow up treatment with Mr Osteo, I am beginning to think Brighton might be possible after all.  Apparently, the pain has been caused by a bad cramp so I have been advised to take magnesium.  

Saturday 11th ... Seaside bound!!!! 
I can now only feel the pain in my calf if I press it (probably should stop doing that) and I 'm feeling good.  All I am having to deal with now are pre-race nerves but I'm used to those, so it all feels pretty normal.  
On the way to Brighton we take a detour to Ditchling to drive the epic hill that I rode as part of last year's London to Brighton night ride.  It was quite an eye opener seeing it in daylight (couldn't see a damn thing when I rode it in the middle of the night last September) and I was quite surprised that I did it on my bike!! A very clever strategy by Mr McB as this little detour gave my dwindling confidence a much needed boost! 
So we are in Brighton and I have my number!!  I have waited a long time to pick up this number ... having to withdraw from events the previous year always makes number collection seem just a little bit more special. 

Sunday 12 ... Marathon day!! 
I slept well so I'm feeling pretty fresh.  I drink some tea, eat some toast (I now know I should have had a LOT more than this) and get ready! The bonus of staying with family means you get driven right to the start (thanks Sue) and we are in a very sunny Preston Park by 8am.  
More tea and a pain au chocolat (still not enough) 
Loo stop #1
Bag store
Loo (bush) stop #2
Write on legs (C'MON/#IGotThis)
Loo (bush) stop #3 (that's enough now)
Fire up Garmin
Count down
GO!!!!!! 
A quick hi-5 with Jo Pavey (she's a mother of 2 don't you know!!) and I'm running!!!  
$@£%, There's that foot pain again .. and it's hurting .. a lot!!! 
Don't say anything about it, if you say it out loud it will make it real and this pain ISN'T real, it's in your head!!  Keep moving .. it'll pass.  You haven't even done 1 mile yet .. it's not allowed to hurt this much yet!!!! Keep running!! 

Mile 1-4 
This feels ok, bloody foot still hurts but I think it's easing, yes, it's easing .. it HAS to!!! Wow, these crowds are fab .. and SO loud! Glad I put my name on my vest .. I feel like a celeb! Sun is out ... this is gonna be a good day! Feeling a bit emotional though ... and it's a bit draining, I need to get a grip!
Ooooooh, this bit's new, where are we going??  They must have shortened a bit of the course somewhere else if we are going up here!! I wonder where .. I hope it's that hill in Ovingdean!  Ooh, there is a hill here too, a sharp one too, just take it steady .. You Got This! 

Mile 5-13  
We are seafront bound now.  Will it be windy??  What is that hill up to Roedean feel like?? Will my foot keep hurting like this?? OMG, stop analysing Zoe .. just switch off and run! Music goes up a notch.  Oh good, another hill .. a longer one this time .. but I feel strong and it doesn't actually feel too bad at all.  This is great, loving it!!  There's the sea!!!! It's breezy but it's getting hot now so the cool air is a welcome relief.  The road ahead is going up, for as far as I can see .. you've trained for this bit .. dig in .. you got this!
7 miles and there is Sue, Jen and Amy .. hugs, kisses and encouragement and a "See you at mile 11" and off we go again! I can see Ovingdean and RESULT, we don't have to do the hilly bit after all!!  Eyes are now pealed .. I'm looking for Crispy .. she's gotta be close ... pink visor, pink socks, Royal Marsden vest .. that's her "CRIPSY"!!!!!! WOW, she looks strong!!
Short rise up from mile 10, the last one of the course so I don't mind.  There's Sue, Jen and Amy again ... mile 11??!?!!  Are we at mile 11 already?? Goodness, that has gone quick! "SEE YOU AT THE FINISH" ... Keep moving!!
Waving .. who's that waving? There's Christina .. happiest looking marathon runner for sure!!
Brighton is looking beautiful from up here, the pier is getting closer, half way is just beyond that.  Keep moving.  DON'T LOOK AT YOUR WATCH .. DON'T DO IT!! You had to look didn't you, now you know you could get that elusive 4:20 you have always wanted.  But the second half is always so much harder .. I can't keep this up .. Can I?? 
For the love of God Zoe .. STOP ANALYSING!!!!!!!!  

Mile14-18
I can't breathe.  Seriously, can't breathe. I wonder if anyone around me has an inhaler??? Do I say anything .. if I do, it makes it real and it's not real .. it can't be .. keep moving.  There's a first aid tent round the next corner, you can stop there if you need to.  But they won't let me carry on if I say "I can't breathe properly" so suck it up .. keep moving .. relax .. slow down a bit but just keep moving! Chris knows.  I know he knows because he is telling me to slow my breathing!! Dammit, if he knows then it must be real!!  THIS ISN'T GOOD!! 
Hove really is lovely so why does this bit always feel like such a slog .. Look at the houses Zo, they are beautiful, focus on that .. focus on the crowds, they are amazing and they are telling you that you are looking strong so it can't be that bad!!  Keep drinking, it's hot .. stay hydrated .. My god, my chest feels so tight .. I can't breathe!!  Lose a layer, don't over heat!! The vest is off!! Ooooh I say, I'm running in a bra!!!!
3 miles and you are out of Hove .. that's a Park Run and you do those all the time .. keep moving!   
 OK .. Hove done, calculate!!! 8 miles to go .. that's just over 2 park runs!!  You could do 2 park runs if you had to .. Yeah, but not after 18 miles .. Yes you could!!! FOCUS .. STOP ARGUING WITH YOURSELF!!!!!

Mile 19-21
Ooooh, I just overtook someone!! I must be doing ok .. I wonder if I can overtake that person up there .. YESSS, I can! I'm still doing ok and I'm still moving, actually .. I'm not just moving, I'm still running .. I'm doing this!!  Focus on that chimney now, that's the turning point, that's your target!!!! Scrap that, the damn chimney isn't getting ANY closer .. focus on picking people off instead .. who you gonna over take next .. that's better, far more satisfying!!! 
Powerstation .. fish .. petrol .. not the sorts of smells you want to deal with when feeling nauseous .. all the more incentive to get out of this God forsaken place!! 
Pink visor, pink socks, Royal Marsden vest .. It's Crispy, she's passing me .. She's looking strong, how is she doing that, why can't I do that .. I can't even answer her .. She must think I'm so bloody rude!!  I'm not rude .. I'm actually so proud of her .. it's just that I literally CAN'T speak!!! For the record .. "GO CRISPY!!!!!" is what I wanted to yell at her as she powered away!!! 
Turning point .. water .. BANG .. I'm doubled over .. was that the wall??  Why do I feel so sick??  What's happening?? Chris, come back .. I can't shout!!!!!!!!!!! Come back!!!
I've gotta keep moving .. stop looking at your watch, it's not about that any more, FOCUS!  You're not going to be sick so stand up, get moving and run! Jeeeeez, I'm strict!! Why can't I tell myself to sit down and have a rest instead, that would make so much more sense to me right now!!!! 
1 more mile and you will be back on the seafront and you will see the finish.  Ok, so it will be 3 miles away but you will see it!!!! You got this!!  
More water .. feel sick again .. need to stop .. DON'T .. keep moving!!! 

Mile 23-25
Seafront .. you can do this.  Just get to the end of those beach huts.  Good!!!!  Now get to the end of that next row of huts.  Fantastic!!! See those people leaning of the railings over there, you are doing better than them! 
BOSH .. there's the BOSH crowd!! Get your arm up Zoe, show them you are a BOSHer, they will see your band and give you a cheer .. you need it .. get some help .. soak it up!!!! A shameless plea but it worked .. I'm still running!
Now, use that boost to get you to that big building up there.  Oooooh, it's a pub .. so many people .. every single one of them is helping every single one of us .. what an amazing crowd!!!  They are saying we are amazing ... but in all honesty, it's them .. they are the amazing ones and they have no idea just how much they are helping!!! I wish I could thank them .. but I can't .. I just about manage a thumbs up and keep moving!!  
WHY ISN'T THAT PIER GETTING ANY CLOSER!!!!!!!! Stop it, don't look at it .. look down and see what's on your leg .. C'mon!!  Now get to the end of those beach huts and get your vest back on .. let people shout your name, It'll help you to keep moving forwards!!!!

Mile 25-26.2 
Left turn, back on the road .. you are now level with the West Pier .. remember, that's the pier you thought was so far away .. well you just reached it!! Just 1 mile to go now, that's 4 laps of a track, one school run with Luke .. break it down how you like, you know you can do a mile!!!!
It's gone quiet .. the crowds have stopped cheering .. Why??  I'm down again, hands on knees, I can't move .. I'm going be be sick!! 
NO YOU'RE NOT, GET UP AND GET MOVING!!!!!! 
I'm up, I'm moving, I'm running, the crowds cheer .. normal service has resumed!!!  
Oh dear God .. there it is .. there's the finish I'm gonna do it!!! 
LOOK AROUND YOU Zo-Zo .. TAKE IT IN ... YOU HAVE JUST RUN A MARATHON!!!! 
Stop the Garmin (priorities) .. now you can sit down!!!
What on earth is that noise .. Oh Lord, it's me!!!! Feel so sick, I have 2 paramedics next to me asking if I'm ok.  They give me water but I need sugar but coke clearly isn't regulation NHS medicine but trust me, it should be at times like this!!! 

And then ...
Now to get up and move again but this time I know it's ok to walk. Medal, T-shirt, banana, kit bag, beach ... and I'm down again!!!!! If I don't get sugar in me soon I'm gonna lose it!! Cue the appearance of my coke dealing angel who literally appeared from nowhere, asked if I was ok then went off to get supplies.  I thought she would be gone for hours as there were no shops/bars ANYWHERE but she reappeared about 2 minutes later with 2 cans of coke a 4 chocolate bars!! Now you try telling me that someone wasn't looking over me at that very moment!!!!   


So there you have it .. a little journey inside my head through event #2 and possibly the worst marathon experience of my life! Over 30 marathons and that was the worst ever?? Was it?? Really?? This claim has got me thinking!!  Yes, I have done a LOT of events ... So they can't ALL have been special, fun and enjoyable packed full of pain-free giggles and smiles, surely??  I'm sat writing this with the medals from these 'happy times' hanging on the wall next to me and I'm looking at each of them in turn trying to remember what REALLY happened during the event rather than the feeling it left me with once it was all over. 
This is just a selection of my findings:
London Marathon 1998 - had to walk from mile 17
London Marathon 1999 - had to walk from mile 17 and was in tears from about mile 23
London MoonWalk 2004 - Sat down at about mile 21 and cried
Run to the Beat Half 2010 - Panicked and couldn't breathe properly for the last 2 miles
London Marathon 2011 - Struggled to breathe from mile 7 and collapsed at the end
Ultra-Moon 2012 - Collapsed at the end of 52.4 miles and was put on a drip! 
Beachy Head Marathon 2012 - Sat down with about 2 miles to go and refused to get up
Thames Path 100k 2013 - Lost the ability to speak with 10k to go, could barely put one foot in front of the other and was almost hypothermic
Vitruvian Tri 2013 - Sat and cried at most of the feed stations on the run
Outlaw 2013 - Needed a serious talking to at a feed station on the last run lap to keep me going!

So you see, it's not all smiles and instant positivity.  Bad times happen, they happen all the time to all sorts of people but those bad memories fade along with the muscle soreness and tiredness and what gets left behind are positive thoughts and pride.  The tough bit about all of this is that before we get that wonderful feeling of pride, we will often beat ourselves up far more than we should ... well, I know that I do anyway!!  And that's what this blog is all about really.  It's good to get it all out there and show what it can really be like with no filters, no fluffiness and no pretending ... just honesty!!
Yesterday was not a good day for me ... but it was a blip.  There were some very dark times and I made some big mistakes but as my very wise osteopath said to me "A mistake is only a mistake is it's not learned from".  
Which begs the question, what have I learned:
I need to eat more for breakfast before I do big miles
Take real food with me to have on the way because gels just don't work for me
I need to monitor my salt/electrolyte levels
I need to give myself a break and not beat myself up if things don't quite go to plan
I need to learn to stop over analysing EVERYTHING when I'm finding things hard

To say I'm nervous about having to do this distance all over again at The London Marathon in just 2 weeks time would be a huge understatement ... I'm terrified.  But if I can put all of these new strategies in place, and soon, I should be able to avoid a repeat of what happened yesterday when I take on event #3!! 

Watch this space! 


And that's if for now, but if you want more regular updates, please take a look at www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear as I post there very regularly.  If blog reading is more your thing ... I will see you at the end of #3!! 
If you feel the urge to support this latest Ultra-Crazy challenge with a donation .. please head to www.justgiving.com/McUltra-Crazy/ and give what you can.  Thank you so much

       SwimmerBicycleRunner

 









Sunday 1 February 2015

The M(a)c has returned!!

Well it's been quite a while since I sat down to write a blog ... but with 2015 set to be my last Ultra-Crazy Year (yes, I know I have said that before) I thought it would be good to get it all written down and recorded somewhere.  So, my aim is to write a review (of sorts) at the end of each month to keep you all updated with what has been going on!! 
Before I kick off with January though, I though it would make sense to tell you about 2015's challenge ...  as there may be some of you out there who don't know what it's all about.
SO, thanks to a twisted pelvis, horrible leg injury and a toe operation ... 2014 was a bit of a nightmare in terms of events and training!! I had to pull out of 5 events in the first 6 months of the year and the events that I did manage to do (in the second half of the year) were cautious to say the least!!  To say I have "unfinished business" is putting it mildly!!! 
It's because of (and thanks to) all these problems that I have come up with my challenge for 2015 ... but first, here's a bit of history!!! 

Almost 17 years ago I took part in my first ever half marathon. Since then I have completed twelve 5k's, twelve 10k's, two 10 milers, thirteen half marathons, twenty-two full marathons, 5 ultramarathons, two survival races, four open water swim events, one 100 mile bike sportive, two sprint tri's, three Olympic tri's, two 70.3 tri's and one full iron distance tri and in recent years, the challenges have become more and more ambitious:
2010's challenge was to complete 3 marathons in 8 weeks
2011's aim was to do 1,000 run/walk miles within 1 year
In 2012 I did 2012 miles in 2012 ... AND the first ever back to back MoonWalk
In 2013 I attempted and achieved one of every run distance (from 5k to ultramarathon) and one of every triathlon distance (from sprint to ironman)
In 2014 all plans were messed up because of the fall that left me with a twisted pelvis and in a whole world of pain - I still managed to sneak in a cheeky 24 hour event, a 70.3 tri, a 5k swim and a 50k run and a 100k night ride though ... much to my osteopath's annoyance!!! 

Which brings us back to 2015 and the new challenge ... 'Return of the M(a)c'.  
This year long challenge will see me revisiting as many of my past events as possible and trying to complete them with a PB!! I will also be including events that I had to withdraw from in 2014 due to injury and so far, the list is looking like this:
Paddock Wood Half (29/3)
The Brighton Marathon (12/4)
The London Marathon (26/4)
Outlaw 70.3 (31/5)
Endure 24 (13-14/6)
Great East (2 mile) Swim (20/6)
Outlaw Full (26/7)
Mill to Mill River Swim (16/8)
Royal Parks Half (11/9)
London to Brighton Night Ride (26/9)
Beachy Head Marathon (24/10)
And possibly Great South Run (25/10) ... but I'm still trying to work out if that is a little TOO crazy the day after Beachy!!! 

I am not a pro, just a very ordinary 40 (something) working mum of two who is determined to prove that if you set your mind to something and believe ... ANYTHING is possible!! 
Throughout this challenge, I will continue to support Breakthrough Breast Cancer (http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/) and any donations will go directly to this wonderful charity. This year I will also be taking on the role of a Team SOAS Ambassador (http://www.soasracing.com/) and I cannot recommend their kit enough ... particularly if you are one of those kinda girls who hates the whole 'pink it and shrink it' approach to female training apparel!! 

Well that's the background ... so what has happened so far?? 
Although I am keeping track of my swim/bike/run miles for 2015, I actually started training for my return to Outlaw on October the 27th - with a rest day ... RESULT!!  Since then, I have been managing 5-6 training sessions a week and sleeping like a baby because of it - The fact I have given up alcohol during the week may have something to do with this too!!
The weather through January really hasn't been very kind to those of us who are training for big events but I have managed to hit all but one training sessions and have only had to resort to the dreaded turbo trainer once.  I really am trying to love this piece of equipment  ... but I fear that it is a love affair that is destined for failure!!  
Balancing family life, work life, marathon training and IM training has really pushed my organisational skills to the limit this month and I have lists and notebooks everywhere to keep me on track.  I do worry that I might have become a little bit obsessive about it all but having said that, I have never felt more focused or determined so early in the year ... so I must be doing something right.  I just hope it continues through until at least July 26th!

So .. Long story short:
The weather has been rubbish
My long runs are getting longer ... but slower
My short runs are also getting longer ... and faster
My legs are getting stronger and my ass is getting bigger (I blame the bike)
I still hate the turbo
My swim times might just allow for a sub 1:30 swim in July

And the stats (since Oct 27th) for all you number crunchers:
9.02 miles (5:50:43 hrs) of swimming
713.89 miles (49:11:59 hrs) of biking
236.24 miles (37:42:36 hrs) of running
Which is a total mileage of 959.08 and a total time of 97:45:19 hrs spent training!! 

And in terms of 2015:
I have swum 6.65 miles ...
ridden 160.79 miles ...
and run 11.27 miles ... 
giving a total mileage of 267.72 for the year ... so far! 

And that's if for now, but if you want more regular updates, please take a look at www.fb.com/AnotherUltraCrazyYear as I post there very regularly.  If blog reading is more your thing ... I will see you at the end of February!! 

If you feel the urge to support this latest Ultra-Crazy challenge with a donation .. please head to www.justgiving.com/McUltra-Crazy/ and give what you can.  Thank you so much

       SwimmerBicycleRunner









 




Monday 2 September 2013

Most memorable Vitruvian moments ...

After the long, drawn out blog that followed Outlaw, I thought I would spare you another long read so I am keeping my Vitruvian write up short and sweet!! 
Most of this was thought about whilst riding through the Leicestershire countryside ... The rest was thought about on the long drive home.



Most T hrilling moment: Hitting 36.5 mph on the second downhill of 'The Rutland Ripple', scary as hell but totally exhilarating!!

Most H umorous moment:  Seeing rider after rider popping out of the bushes on one of the only quiet roads of the bike course - nature calls!!

Most E motional moment:  Crossing the finish line with Patrick and Luke ... I saw competitors do this at Outlaw and I was sad that I couldn't do it too so this was a truly special moment

Most V aluable moment:  Being told "Use your gears ... NOT your breaks"  Great advice that  really REALLY helped get me up (and down) the hills!! 
                 
Most I nspirational moment:  Seeing triathletes in the higher age brackets getting
out there and kicking Vitruvian's ass !!

Most T hought provoking moment:  Taking a moment on the run to think about all those people who were suffering more than me and reminding myself that I had chosen to do this.  It soon made me "man-up"

Most R ewarding moment:  Overtaking a number of full carbon tri bikes on the many uphill sections of the bike course ... Three cheers for the Bianchi!!

Most U plifting moment: The cheers from the guys in the BMW who were following the bike route ... then seeing them and receiving more cheers on the run.  Those guys really were the business!!

Most V ivid moment:  The sunrise!!! Standing at the water's edge with Luke and thinking about what lay ahead,  with Elbow's 'One Day Like This' going round in my head  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0wDYWyYRQo  was incredibly emotional!!

Most I rritating moment:  Swimming headfirst into a kayak because the girl in it didn't move
out the way ... even though she did see me and I wasn't off course!! Grrrrrrrr and ouch in equal measure!!  


Most A wesome moment:  Realising I could run when I got off the bike ... and that I could  continue to run for the entire distance!! Whoop whoop!!

Most N aive moment: Not drinking anywhere near enough on the bike ... rookie mistake NEVER to be repeated!!!

Most T eary-eyed moment:  Saying goodbye to Chris and the boys before I got in the water,
and saying hello to them again once it was all over!!  

Most R eflective moment: Thinking about how far I had come in just 2 years!! From my first Olympic tri in 2011 to a full and half ironman in 2013 ... Made me feel just a little bit awesome!!

Most I rrational moment:  Waking up the middle of the night and having a complete panic at the sound of the wind howling around the tent and convincing myself that I couldn't do it!!! 

Most A wkward moment:  Being caught short on the bike and struggling to find a suitable
'convenience' so that I didn't get seen by the poilice and put on the sex offenders list ... NO JOKE!!! 

Most T ough(est) moment:  Finishing lap one of the run and heading out on lap two - my
stomach was in knots and I was in so much pain but I stuck at it and got the job done ... without walking!!!!

Most H elpful moment:  Getting a little escort at the end of the first lap from Luke ... He ran out to find me then ran with me until I saw Chris and Patrick for some much needed encouragement. 

Most L ively moment:  Being stuck in a trafic jam on the ripple with cars and caravans and super-fast triathletes all trying to get in front of each other and up the biggest hill on the course.  ULTRA-TENSE!!

Most O verwhelming moment:  Hearing the words "You are a Vitruvian" and getting my medal around my neck with my kids right next to me.  Proper lost it at this point and made Chris' shoulder a little soggy!!!

Most N otable moment:  There wasn't one ... The Vitruvian Triathlon was full of  incredible moments from start to finish ... and through the smiles and the tears I loved every second!!! I will most definitely be back!!! 


SWIM ...











BIKE ...











    


RUN ...
VITRUVIAN...
DONE!!!

I have been yet again amazed and touched by the messages of good luck and congratulations.  It really does help to keep me going when it gets tough so thank you ... each and every one of you!!!

To follow my progress with this and other challenges you can find me on facebook at: 

Or to donate to one of the charities that I am supporting throughout my Ultra-Crazy year, please go to:
or
 
                                                                           SwimmerBicycleRunner



Tuesday 9 July 2013

This is it ... Outlaw '13!!

Doing Outlaw is life changing but quite how you put 140.6 miles in one day into words has me a little stumped!! So, I am just gonna let the words flow and if they make no sense then I apologise. 
(I suggest you get some tea and biscuits ... I have a feeling this might be a long one!!)

Saturday 6th July 2013:
Incredible calmness was all I felt as we drove towards Nottingham ... right up until I saw the first sign for Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre ... Then I have to admit shedding a few tears as the enormity of what I was about to take on started to hit me but there was still so much to do I had to get my focus back.  As soon as you arrive at the centre it's all systems go and the first thing to do was to register!! 3 kit bags, 1 wetsuit bag, 1 swim hat (pink ... yay!!), 1 timing chip, 2 number labels, 2 running numbers, and one bright orange wristband that screams "NO GOING BACK NOW" at you every time you catch sight of it!!!! So much stuff ... already this is beginning to feel epic!!!


How do the pro's do this???
Next job - sort kit and rack the bike!! 
Swim to bike bag ... Check!! Bike to run bag ... Check!! Special needs bag (full of peanut butter and chocolate spread sandwiches, crisps and coke for out on the bike leg) ... Check!! Now to attempt to carry all of this stuff back to transition whilst pushing a bike which is not as easy as you may think!! Every where I looked I saw guys managing to do it far slicker than me which made me feel like a total novice 
*C'mon Zo ... get that focus back!!*











Back in the transition tents I found the hook for my kit bags (pretty close to the end which  was great as it meant it would be easy to find) then is was time to rack the Bianchi! 


Result!!
Racked and ready!
As I walked in I was directed to row 2 and I started walking along, checking out all the other bikes (which of course all looked far more superior to my beloved Bianchi) and I kept on walking ... and I kept on walking until I was right at the other end of the row about 4 meters from the BIKE OUT sign!!!! RESULT ... this would mean I had very little distance to run with my bike before I got to the mount line (I've never quite mastered running with my bike so I really did feel like the Tri Gods were on my side!!)



Now for the briefing!! I have never really been one to go to these kind of talks before but I knew this was a big thing so missing the briefing wasn't an option ... even if it was about 30 degrees inside the hall!! It was total information overload but reassuring at the same time.  Hearing that cut-offs were almost up for negotiation was a big relief as was knowing that there would be gallons and gallons of water out on the course ... it was set to be a hot one so keeping hydrated was going to be a huge issue!! You can't be in a room like that and not look around at the amount of people (all of whom looked far more superior to myself) and not feel in total awe!! There were some seriously fit looking people there and I started to wonder what on earth I was doing *C'mon Zo ... get that focus back!!*
The very lovely Tim from Compressport said to me just after the briefing "Feet up now ... get your game face on" and as lovely as that would  have been, we still had a tent to put up so it was more a case of "tent up ... feet up ... get your game face on" but it was great advice none the less!!! (thanks Tim!!) 
The campsite was packed with Outlaws past, present and future all finding a pitch for the night and putting up their tents ... not that any of us would be spending very much time in them ... not with a 4am wake up call looming!!! 
And that was the last of the jobs ... all that was left to do was to have a cheeky pre-event drink to calm the nerves, eat and sleep ... but to also go and have one last look at the lake before the big day!!! It was so beautiful by the water and standing there looking out over the lake was a more calming than I was expecting it to be. I felt focused, I felt ready, I felt like I might actually be able to do this!!! 


Time to get the game face on!!




My angel's feather!
Heading back to the tent in the dark, I saw something floating down in front of me.  It was very small and white and literally dropped into my hand as I stopped to look at it.  It was a feather and I believe that if you see a feather falling then an angel is watching over you.  I had some angels watching me that night ... and I think I know which ones. 










Sunday 7th July 2013:
The alarm went off at 4am and I woke up!! The very fact that I woke up meant that I had slept and that was a good thing!! Tea was made, pastries were eaten, toilets were visited (a number of times!!) then it was down to the lake to pump the tyres (we were advised not to do it on the Saturday as the heat would have made them explode!!!!!) Lots of tears were shed on the walk to the lake ... I felt sick and breathing was difficult WHAT WAS I DOING??????? *C'mon Zo ... get that focus back!!*


Beyond perfect conditions for the swim!



Time was running out ...  
Back to the tent (another visit to the loo) grab the wetsuit, grab a banana, get back to the kit tent ... There's Christina!!!!! I have to stop ... I need a hug!!! I clung to her like my life depended on it and I dindn't want to let go ... I was terrified!!! I had to let go though and store my kit bag, get my wetsuit on, get my hat on (allow myself a little smile at the thought of having the best pink swim hat EVER!!) goggles on (No more tears now ... I can't let my goggles fill up) and then to the water!! 


The Swim - 2.4 miles!!!  
I got in the water feeling totally dazed!!  The water felt warm but the temperature wasn't what was scaring me.  It was the thought of being swum over by 1,000 other people!!!!! I'd said I wasn't going to say goodbye to Chris ... I couldn't have coped with that.  Instead it was a "see you soon" and as we started swimming he pulled away from me and I was on my own.
Having watched many swim starts online I had made the decision to start with the fastest swimmers.  An interesting choice seeing as some of these guys would be out in under an hour but my thinking was that once they go ... there would be clear water to swim in.  I was right!  They shot off and within seconds there was space around me. Breathe Zo ... just keep breathing!! Find your focus!!  Find your rhythm!!  Over and over I kept telling myself I was going to be ok and then I suddenly realised ... I was ok!! Once this dawned on me I relaxed a little and I allowed myself to think about what I was doing ... I was one of 1000(ish) people, one of 100(ish) women taking part in The Outlaw Triathlon!! Now at this point I must admit I got a little giggly which I don't recommend when swimming as the water tends to go up your nose and that's not very pleasant but it was hard not to feel just a bit euphoric!!!  
Get a grip Zo, calm down ... you have a long way to go and you have never done this distance before ... Stay focused!!! 


The secret to a good start ... get in with the elites!!



Having so many people around you (most of whom manage to stay in a straight line) meant that sighting the directional buoys wasn't really necessary.  I just picked a person who seemed to know where they were going and stayed with them, then when they left me or I passed them, I picked someone else! It certainly made the buoys arrive much quicker than if I had been looking at them the whole time and before I knew it I was half way!!! *DON'T LOOK AT YOUR WATCH ... DON'T LOOK AT YOUR WATCH!!!* and the first half hadn't been too bad.  The occasional elbow or foot made contact with me and a rather hilarious moment when my arm went right up between the legs of a male breast-stroker (Ooops) but nothing like the washing machine of a swim start I had been expecting!! 
So, just gotta do all that again and I will be out ... I can do that!!! Halfway back the most extraordinary thing happened ... I suddenly felt like I wasn't having to put any effort into my stroke at all.  Not only that, I actually felt like I was being pushed along.  I have my own thoughts about who was responsible for sending such strong vibes in the latter stage of this swim and maybe it has something to do with that feather last night but it could not have felt more beautiful!!!! 
Head up ... sight ... Bloody hell ... there's the swim finish!!!!!!!! I did it ... I bloody did it!!! 1:40:19 (5 mins faster than I was hoping for)
Swim ... DONE!!

T1
Hat off ... goggles off (blimey it's hot) and head for the strippers!! NO ... not those kind of strippers ... wetsuit strippers who rip your suit off you as you lay on the floor!! Very funny experience and thank goodness they were there because I don't think I could have done it on my own without falling over!! 
In to the tent ... there's my hook!! Empty my bag ... put the wetsuit in!!  Sip coke (hmmmmm, that tastes good) get all my bike kit on ... sip more coke and off I go again stopping only to get absolutely smothered in suncream by two lovely ladies!! 
Row 2 ... right to the end ... there's my Bianchi ... run the 4 or so meters to the BIKE OUT sign then another meter or two to the MOUNT LINE ... giggling as I go thinking about how lucky I was to get such a great place on the racks!!
T1 ... DONE!!  

The Bike - 112 miles!!!
The first bit of the bike leg is a lap of the lake which is great and daunting all at the same time!! It makes you feel a little bit awesome to know you have just managed to swim the whole thing but it's also a bit scary knowing that you are going to have to go round it 4 times later in the day as part of the marathon!! Best not to think about that now though ... not when there's still 112 miles to do on the bike first!!
The first thing I want to point out here is that the Trent Valley is NOT flat!!! People say it is but they are liars.  Ok so there aren't any major hills (except the one the the event organisers managed to find ... but more about that later) but the course is full of long, seemingly never ending climbs.  There are lots of flat bits and some fab downhill sections too but seriously ... it's not flat!!! Rant over!! 
The course is made up of a Southern loop (nice) then a Northern loop (not so nice) then the Southern loop again and it really is stunning but because I am not the speediest of triathletes I was on my own for the majority of the ride ... which was good because then not many people could hear me singing!!! 
With feed stations every 20-30 miles it meant I could easily monitor my fluid and food intake ... I made a point of not having any water left by the time I needed to take a new bottle ... and any water that was left got thrown over me which felt just lovely seeing as the temperature was now pushing 30 degrees with zero wind to cool me down. 
My first target was 36 miles which is where Christina was and it was great to give her a hug that was a little less traumatic than the pre-swim hug I'd given her.  It was also good to know that she could text my mum to let her know I was out of the water and on the bike.  Southern loop done I headed out to the Northern loop by which point the speedy riders were already heading back to the Southern loop!!  I have absolutely no idea how they do it!!! 
So, this hill I was telling you about earlier.  I knew it was at 50 miles and I knew it was close.  I could see the rise in the land ahead of me and it looked pretty steep but nothing I couldn't handle ... right??? I turned the corner and there it was ... but it didn't look too bad, that is until I went round another little bend and the road seemed to look like a wall in front of me!!!! *Just keep pedaling ... just keep pedaling ... Just keep ped..a..l ..... Nope, can't do it!!!! I stopped!! Dammit!!! Breathe, just get your breath back and you can do it!!! Then I made the stupid mistake of looking behind me and see a group of riders approaching!! Not good for the morale!! Ok, breathing rate restored ... now I have to try and restart on a really steep hill and try and clip my feet in without falling off in front of the riders who are now all around me!!! It took about 4 attempts and it nearly ended very badly but I managed it and got a few comments of "well done" for my efforts too!! I nearly lost it again giggling at a fellow hill-hater who ran out of momentum and fell sideways into a bush half way up but I managed to stay on!! Poor guy ...  I didn't mean to laugh but it was quite comical!! 


Finally ... I made it to the top!!


Once that hill was out the way I got my second wind ... I started to enjoy it again and even the climbs didn't seem so bad after the hill from hell.  Soon I was on to the Southern loop again and on to my 100 mile target! I couldn't stop for a Christina hug this time as I'm not sure I would have been able to get off or even back on my bike but I did a quick shout of "see you on the run", switched my bottles and pushed on. I have never gone beyond 100 miles before so the next 12 miles were unknown territory.  It felt good to be heading back to the centre but my butt was hurting and my quads were screaming with every hill and I just wanted to get off!!! With 2 miles to go the road surface changed dramatically and we were treated to pot-holed gravel with the added delight of speed bumps and a cattle grid!!!!  If I was going to puncture ... It would be here but fortunately I made it through and I could soon hear the commentary from the lake!! Time to get the head into marathon mode.  I knew people were already finishing and I wasn't even off my bike which was a tough thing to get my head around!!  Mustn't think about them ... I need to think about what I'm doing.
*C'mon Zo ... get that focus back!!*
Turn right, into the centre, down the hill, more speed bumps (my poor bottom!!!) then there it is ... the DISMOUNT LINE!!!!!!! Woohoooooooooo ... I did it and well within time too!!  112 miles in 7:35:30!!!
Bike .... DONE!! 

T2
That's me ... just running past the blue pole!!
Hahahahaha ... trying to run in bike shoes after 112 miles/7:35 hours on a bike is quite possibly one of the strangest feelings EVER  but I somehow managed to get to my bike/run bag, empty it, and transform myself into something that vaguely resembled a runner and headed out on the run.  










The 'run' - 26.2 miles
I probably  managed to run a full 50 meters before my body decided that running wasn't on the agenda so I switched to my old friend ... the powerwalk!! Now, I haven't walked at pace like this since May 2012 so I was a little uncertain as to whether could last the full marathon but I stood more chance of doing it this way than running and there were no other options so it was time to dig deep and get on with it! 
The marathon course was 2 laps of the lake, an out and back along the River Trent, another lap of the lake, another out and back of the River Trent then one final lap of the lake to the finish!!  Sounds confusing but you collect a wristband at every lake lap and when you have 4 ... you can head for home.  
I soon realised it was going to be a really long, hot afternoon ... just one lap of the lake was taking forever and the heat was unbearable.  My back was tightening up so I laid down and did a few stretches to some unhelpful sounds of "Ooooooh, I wouldn't lay down if I were you" It was all good though and I knew what I was doing ... lap 1 was about getting my focus back ... getting myself prepared ... and getting the job done!!! 


Looking to where I'm going next
Wondering if I'm last!!
Lap 2, wristband 2 and I'm now at 5 miles.  It seemed to take forever but the next section would take in a change of scenery and that was something to look forward to. 






The river section was beautiful but stifling ... kids at feed stations were throwing entire bottles of water down the necks of the competitors to try and keep them cool ... it felt so good but really didn't last long.  Fortunately it was only about 1.5 miles between each station so you knew it wasn't long until the next 'shower' and that gave real incentive to keep going!! There was also an incredible selection of water, energy drinks and gels, coke, bananas, jaffa cakes, crisps and amazing crew to give you a real boost.
Another amazing boost came at about 9 miles when I saw Chris.  He was on his last river lap and it was just fantastic to see him.  I wanted to stand (well actually, sitting would have been nicer) and chat forever but both of us had more to do (me more than him) so we had to keep going.  Still no goodbye though ... just another "see you soon"!!
At Trent Bridge I headed back towards the centre and it wasn't long before I could hear the words "You Are An OUTLAW" as the crew welcomed in the finishers but I still had another 2 lake laps and a river lap to do!!!!
*C'mon Zo ... get that focus back!!*
Lake lap 3, writstband 3 (this lake doesn't get any smaller) and I have set myself a target of getting under 16 hours.  Maths is not a strong point but I just about manage to work out that I can do it but it's gonna be close and I am going to have to not stop at the feed stations.  The plan of action now is to grab and go ... eat and drink on the way and hope I don't throw up!!  
Having a plan was good ... it was driving me on but seeing so many people finishing as I went past the finish chute was soul destroying.  I looked behind me and could see nobody following me out on the last river lap.  Was I last?????? 


Heading out on the last river lap - My face says it all!!



I was now struggling to keep it together, I kept looking but I still couldn't see anyone coming with me.  There was nothing else for it ... I needed a damn good cry!!! This happened at the feed station out on the river and the crew there were amazing.  They cooled me down, got me some coke and water and told me it was only about 4 or 5 miles until I saw them on the way back the I would very nearly be an Outlaw!!! Small chunks from here on in then.  Just get Nottingham Forest Football Ground, then cross the river, then head out and back to Trent Bridge, then back across the river ... I was doing it ... one step at a time!!! 

Sid - Total legend!!
 Then I saw someone who in my eyes is a total and utter legend!!! Sid 'Morphman' Sidowski (not his real name but it's how we all know him) was doing the Outlaw Tri in a full morphsuit!!! Bonkers, yes!! Inspiring, absolutely!! 
We hugged it out on the bridge ... he told me to make sure I finished ... I told him to get the job done and we both continued on our way!! 








And then there it was ... the feed station and crew who had been so kind to me on the way out.  The cheers I received were deafening and thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes.  Little Nicole (who can't have been any older than about 10) and her friend ran with me for about 100 meters and were clapping and encouraging me all the way and then I was going it alone again but I could here the commentary from the lake "You Are An OUTLAW" over and over again as people were still finishing and in just over 3 miles ... I would be too!!
And then the lake appeared and the person with the bands ... I finally had band no. 4 ... I was going to finish!!  The only question was, would it be in under 16 hours?? 
*C'mon Zo ... get that focus back!!*
I was using anything I could find as a target at this point ... all along the lake I was saying just get to that post, that tree, that goose, that person ... Don't you dare stop!!! I made it to the top of the lake and kids were running at me with cups of coke and water but I didn't take any ... I had to keep going.  
I was now at mile 25 ... just 1.2 miles to go but it still seemed so far away.  Just get to that post, that tree, that goose, that person ... Don't you dare stop!!! 
Then I could hear it ... the comentary that had been going on all afternoon, the music that had been playing out, the crowds of people cheering each and every Outlaw home ... I could hear it.  It was getting close and it was nearly my turn to hear those words!!! 
I saw the barriers that I had had to stick to the right of for 3 times but now I could go left and I was at the end of the the finish chute!!! I started to run and was relieved to find out that I still could!! Nothing hurt ... nothing ached ... I looked up and saw the time and started to smile!!! Then it happened, the guy with the microphone said what I had been hearing all afternoon but this time he was saying it for me ... Zoe McBeth, You Are An OUTLAW!!!!! I had done it ... I had crossed the line and completed my first ever ironman distance triathlon and within the target that I had set myself 10 miles beforehand!! 


 




 26.2 miles in 6:22:36 ... DONE


  
The Aftermath!! 
I felt sick, I felt unfocused I felt unsteady on my feet and I was exhausted but it didn't matter anymore.  I could have fallen over right there and then and it wouldn't have mattered ... I didn't need to use my body for anything else!!  I had done what I set out to do. 
Julie was there to hand me some water (the best water I had drunk all day), my timing chip was taken from me and those 4 bloody bands were removed.  Then I saw Chris (he had finished a full 2 hours ahead of me) and I finally felt I could relinquish all control.  He took over and led me to the different places I needed to go to get my medal, my T-shirt, my kit bag and my bike ... quite how people do that bit on their own is beyond me!!! 


So happy to be back!!
Then it was up a big flight of steps (cruel huh!!) to thank Christina, Julie, Louise and Laina for their amazing support before going off to find something to eat! My stomach however had different ideas and flipped over at the thought of any food and a cup of tea was all I could manage before we went to watch the last of the Outlaws crossing the line.  






So ... that's it!!! Outlaw ... DONE!!!  Quite possibly the best and worst experience of my life!!
I said straight after that I would NEVER do it again and it took me all of about 35 hours to go back on that decision!!  It wont be next year but I know that one day I will be back to become an Outlaw all over again.  It changes you ... it gets into your soul ... there is something very special about doing something so challenging and I know I want to experience it all over again!!! 


Outlaw ... DONE!!! 




Training for and completing Outlaw has meant so many sacrifices!! My kids have rarely seen me out of Lycra, phone calls and messages have been left unanswered, friends have been left unseen and housework has been non-existent but despite this, the support I have had throughout this journey has been staggering.  There are are so many people to thank: From all of those who put up with my ramblings on Facebook to those who have offered more specific support.  Special mention has to go to David (aka Mr Osteo) at The Mersea Road Clinic (http://www.mersearoadclinic.co.uk) who has worked tirelessly to keep me untwisted and unbroken (despite my best efforts to break myself with hurdles and over training) ... I cannot thank him enough!! Blueseventy (http://www.blueseventy.co.uk), Compressport (http://www.compressport.uk.com), Garmin (http://www.garmin.com/en-GB), and Buff (http://www.buffwear.co.uk), have all been incredibly supportive and have not only been on the end of the phone or there to offer advice at various exhibitions but they have also helped to keep this challenge within budget!!  And to my family who have shown so much patience over the past year.  My mum, dad, kids and of course Chris who believed in me so much when I continually doubted myself.  Everyone has helped in so many ways to get me to where I am now ... An Outlaw!!!   
Thank you ... each and every one of you! XxX


To follow my progress with this and other challenges you can find me on facebook at: 

Or to donate to one of the charities that I am supporting throughout my Ultra-Crazy year, please go to:
or
 
SwimmerBicycleRunner