Unlucky with Traffic Lights... A Triathlon Diary

Well, Saturday morning is never a time when I actually want to go and workout! I prefer to lie in bed with something playing on my laptop. My current favourite in MasterChef. I am catching up on this series as I have missed lots. This morning was no different really, I was lounging in bed, my parents were out and my sister was at work so I was completely at my leisure to do nothing basically.

However, the little voice in the back of my head piped up in that annoying, questioning way that she does. 'So, when is your triathlon again, Megan?'
'Shh brain! It's Saturday!'
'Yes, but if you don't train, you're going to look like a right wally at the event, aren't you?'
'Eurgh, you're right.... but bed is really comfy'
'You know your bed will be here when you get back, right?'
'Yes, yes, okay! I get it. I'm going!!'

So, I hauled my self out of bed and got my gym kit on. Checked my bike, shut the house up and set off. Now, exercise is something that I love to hate... or hate to love... it works both ways. Whilst actually exercising this morning I was the grumpiest person ever. My muscles ached, my chest hurt and I was thinking about the bed that I had left at home. But I pushed through and got into my groove, cycling is great. I love a good flat road where I can crank the gears high and fly down it.

Today was not that day.

I got stopped at every possible red light imaginable! I mean EVERY red light. The loop that do is fairly good, there aren't that many lights and usually I seem to get away with no one being at pedestrian crossings so I can just fly round without thinking about it. Not today. Today it seemed like the world and their dogs were out and about. Every pedestrian crossing, there was a runner or a shopper or family on a walk.... I mean, the weather is beautiful and people want to be out in the sun but could they stay away from the roads whilst I'm out. (I am of course joking... sort of... no, really I am)

So, there was the whole 'red light' issue happening today and then came the wind! Now, the circuit I do is a circle, so you would think that I would be able to avoid the wind at points because I change direction... OH NO! I was cycling into a head wind for about 80% of my ride today which does not make any sense! I was getting so frustrated, by my third circuit that I scared an old lady as I cycled past her, up a hill, with a very loud 'GAHHHH, THIS WIND!'. I handed really realised she was on the pavement until she gave a little jump and squeal! Whoops!

My cycle route

Right, cycle done! Wahoo! Get home, dump bike, helmet and gloves and off we go for a run. Why? Because it's triathlon training and someone needs to report me for being mentally insane. Remember that groove I mentioned with cycling? Yeah, well, I don't really have so much of a groove with the running. Especially after I've just cycled nearly 15 miles first. My thighs had connected to that little voice in my head. 'Umm, hello? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? This hurts, please stops!'

'Now is so not the time, legs. I'm trying to stop my lungs from exploding'

'Fine, we'll just make it really hard for you to run, then'

And boy, they did. Never has the term 'heavy as lead' been more appropriate. It always happens when I get off the bike. Getting your legs to go from 'CYCLE MODE' to 'RUN MODE' is just ridiculously uncomfortable. It takes me at least 10 minutes of huffing like a hippo and wanting to cry before I start feeling remotely like a runner. Before that, I'm more of a shuffler with hips in need of replacing. 

But today, I won the battle! I actually RAN! I actually managed to pick up the pace after my first half mile and my thighs went with me *victory dance*.   I feel like my form is improving, my stride is much stronger and I understand the process my body has to go through to transition from one discipline to the other. 

My running route

So, I have to say thank you to the little bossy voice inside my head. She got me out there today and because of that I have actually made some really good steps on my training journey for my FIRST EVER triathlon. *runs and hides*

Back home and finished.... can I go back to bed now?

5 weeks to go! Fingers crossed I continue to make small breakthroughs during my training as the next month goes on.

Wish me luck,

Megan