I’ve never thought about quitting a race part way through before but when less than 200 meters in someone is already rolling over for the rescue boat and it feels like I’m making no progress at all I must admit that I considered it.  At various points it was the cost, the shame and the sheer bloody-mindedness that kept me going.  At one point I told myself that I’d at least finish the swim and then my head woke up to the realization that once I’d done that bit I might as well carry on.

I finally rose from the sea like some sort of startled sea monster and staggered up the slipway and onto terra firma.  My slowest transition ever, and by my standards that is slow, but I was out on the bike and so pleased to be on my way.  I’d reccied the bike route the day before and knew there were very few flat bits on the course and some big old climbs so I tried to keep my energy but was still able to go along at a decent speed.  Being almost last out of the water meant there were very few behind me so I could mainly focus on catching people in front.  Was impressed with myself on the long drag up the A48 as I hauled in several competitors and it was very apparent that the weight I’ve lost training is definitely making a difference.

Finished the bike and onto the run where I hit a good speed early and managed to overtake 7 or 8 people on the way round – my localized hill training paying off here – and in the end I came home in a good (for me) time.

The swim was so hard though and although I’m pleased I got through it it’s made me realize that if I’m going to progress in Tri I need to learn to swim properly or at least better than I currently do.

Marshal had other ideas when he called out 3 laps done twice as we went around the large triangular course they’d laid out.  It wasn’t just me but everyone in my wave who was affected.  I managed to do it mind and I guess in theory Tuska is now only a little bit more rather than 50% more.

Got out of the pool and into T1 – is it just T for a aquathlon or duathlon? – and managed to get the wetsuit off easy enough,  Took a while faffing with socks which I wouldn’t have done in a big race an set off on the run aiming at a run time of about 32 minutes.  Problem was I couldn’t settle into a rhythm at a fast enough speed and kept falling off the pace.  Managed to overtake several of the faster swimmers in my wavebut still only came in on 34 minutes.  Not really happy with that and the 32 minute target would have seen me jumping about 8 places in the field.

A good event though and less wary about Tuska’s swim now – although I do need to add a 22K bike in between with some killer hills.  Why do I do it?  To see if I can I guess.

Off to Maindy cycle track in the week for a couple of hours of leg spinning – must try and work on getting my cadence up to something respectable and a track is about the easiest way to do it I guess.

On the 11th July I took part in my first Parkrun -  a free 5KM time trial around Blackweir Park (22:51) a very well organised event and I’m sure I’ll do more.  14th July was the next of the Rose Inn series and Chris pulled out due to his illness so I was doing it solo.   I set the previous Rose Inn race as a virtual partner on my Garmin and effectively raced myself around the course, I was well up on the first lap and kept it going well giving myself a chance at sub 30 minutes.  A big effort in the last 400 metres got me home in 29:49- a time I wouldn’t have thought possible a few months ago.  Shame I’m not going to be able to get the 3rd one done to qualify for the series competition as we’re on holiday but I don’t think I’d have won anyway!

19th July was the Hereford Triathlon – 400M swim (freezing outdoor pool), 16K bike, 5K run.  A nice early drive up there to Chris’ in-laws and a nice ride over to the venue we were due to go off just before 10am.  I started off a minute behind Chris and this lead grew to about 3 minutes after the swim.  I made up a minute on him on the bike and then caught him about half way round the run.  We stayed together from there ending up a minute apart on the final times.

25th July was the Cardiff Triples event held at Maindy Pool/Velodrome.  A crazy event which involves teams of four completing 3 short triathlons one after the other with only 5 minutes break in between each.  Chris, Ian myself and Gareth McNamee (an old friend of Chris’) comprised team Fat Chance and considering that 2 of them had never done a Tri before I think we did pretty well.  In our wave we were among the best on the bike stages  (legal drafting) but let down on the Swim (mainly me) and the Run legs.  Official results show us dead last but our final leg time was wrong and we did 11 laps on one of the cycles so we’re hoping the results get amended (moving us from last to second, but not, last).

That sums up July events but this coming weekend I’m debating doing another Parkrun and am entered in the Cardiff International Pool Aquathlon.  Unique for a pool swim wetsuits are allowed (chance for me to debut mine) and rather than swimming lengths we will be swimming around a triangular shaped course – 5 laps of 100m.  I must admit to being a bit worried but we’ll see how it goes.  The run after is 6.5K around the bay back and forth over the flyover a couple of times and then up and down the river.

All good prep for the upcoming Tuska Triathlon where I’ll have to do a 750m sea swim in Porthcawl followed by a 22K hilly bike ride and then a 5K run.  Going to be a tough one.

Last two event of the season (apart from maybe more free Parkruns) are the Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest event, see the link and watch the video to do it justice, and then the Cardiff Half Marathon.  These are both in October so September looks fairly quiet unless Kathryn decides we should do the Cardiff 10K too.

As I’m not long over the op I’d set this as a target for myself and I must admit I did wonder if I’d bitten off more than I could chew.

We travelled up the day before staying in the Cleddau Bridge hotel (who incidentally were very accommodating regarding my bike and my request for a late checkout so I could pop back after the event).   Went over on Saturday for a reccy (signs were going up as I was driving it) and to preregister.

However not being out on the bike other than on a turbo and not having used my clipless pedals before I was a little nervous about being able to complete the initial climb and following a sleepless night worrying I was almost on the verge of pulling out. So glad in the end that I didn’t!

Really enjoyed the atmosphere and had lots of people chatting to me and my nerves were soon settled.   Did well on the run and managed a decent enough time for me especially as I was taking it easy knowing the hill was to come.  The cycle was well marshalled given the numbers out on the track and as usual the support around the course, although limited, always helps you get around.  Traffic was well behaved on the fast section at the top and I think I only had one car pass me on the hilly section.   The long downhill at the end could have been smoother – I think I rattled half my teeth loose on the way back down!

In the end I came 30th in the Open Male category, which to be honest sounds more impressive than it actually is.

I’ll get some photos up shortly.

Wedding is booked for 20th September 2008 in Llyswen near Brecon with the service at a local church and then the reception at Llangoed Hall.  We’ll be sending out invites in due course and when we do we’ll provide more details of local hotels and B&Bs for those who want to stay the night.

Oh yeah, I’ve got a new job – starts the Monday after we get back from NZ.  Tuesday is my last Logica day!

Friday – ran a 5K PB of 25:45

Saturday – visited a load of potential wedding venues along the M4 Corridor and then went out for a meal in T Bones in the evening with Kathryn’s parents.

Sunday – visited a few more venues on the way back to Cardiff through the Brecon Beacons. Then ran a 10K at 55 minutes flat including a 24:59 5K for kilometers 1 to 6

Monday – rest day. Had to help Carlo with his computer.

Tuesday – 700m swim including a 400m PB of 11mins in the morning; finally got out on the bike proper in the evening, did 18K in 45 mins with a my supposed flat section of it into a headwind – then transitioned to the treadmill and ran a 10:06 2K.

I’m actually beginning to feel like a triathlete – assuming that all triathletes struggle to sit down after a bike ride!

I’m collecting it tomorrow because they’re fitting all the bits for me, so I hope to take it out for a spin on Thursday.

Have done plenty of swimming – yesterdays session was 22 lengths albeit fragmented into blocks of 4 and 3. Would like to get to 4 lots of 4 by the end of next week as 16 is not far at all. Still bikeless at the moment but I’ll buy one shortly.[newline]

Anyway onto the more important things – if I’m doing a Triathlon then you lot can dig deep and at least sponsor my pain – Chris and I have set up a page www.justgiving.com/daveandchris and hope to raise as much as possible for the St. Margarets Hospice. The charity is close to Chris’ family and I’ve always been keen one hospice’s as charities because you know your money is going to have a direct effect. Please look at our page and if you fell you can spare a fiver or whatever then please donate. Bear in mind you’re sponsoring us both too so for those who know both of us you won’t have us asking you twice.

Chris and I have probably decided to compete in the Warwick Triathlon as it seems more suited to beginners.

One thing we’ll do is set up a charity page on JustGiving.com but we’ve yet to pick a charity. Any worthwhile suggestions are welcome.

In a fit of stupidity I have agreed to do a Triathlon – not the full Olympic distance and certainly not Iron Man but either way its a 400m swim, 20K bike ride and a 5K run. The event I’m looking to enter is in September which leaves me with a 3 month training window.

Main problems in the way at the moment are

• I’m unfit
• I don’t have a bike – and do i want to spend 500 quid on one!
• I can’t swim (properly)

I’m going to have to train every day from now till then and I want to be able to do each individual bit comfortably before I move on to “joining the dots”. Using the excellent gmap-pedometer I have mapped out some training routes, a 5K around the leisure centre (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1039305) and a 22K bike ride (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1050349).

Anyone who fancies joining me in this madness should add a comment committing to the cause and anyone who wants to encourage (or mock) should feel free. Wish me luck!