Challenge Fuerteventura

Sat here on the beach looking out at the oacean I can hardly believe what happened yesterday.

The day started typically early for triathlon race day, and with a big old bowl of porridge and yummy things, plus a bucket of coffee. Bike racking took place the day before so the morning onsisted of checking tyre pressures and ensuring the correct things were in the correct trnsition bgs (not used those before)!

The swim was 2 laps with an australian exit. Not done one of those before either, but a run in the midle of the swim cant be a bad thing!? The pro men got underway first then it was the pro ladies and all the age group women. Very exciting! Off we went and after the first 100m or so of generally just panicking I settled into something of a rhythm. Sighting was tricky with the low bright sun at 8am, and I swam a bit of a

banana between a couple of the bouys!The Australian exit was very cool, I felt like I was in the World Series or something! This is where you get out of the swim, run along or around something and then jump back in. Unfortunately I trod on something sharp which went right into my heal, which I promptly forgot about until that evening nothicing something black stuck in myfoot!Otherpains to worry about! The second lap of the swim was made more interesting my the AG men setting off after the ladies, and now catching us up. Some were partticularly agressive wihich i thought a little unfair, as I was (im sure) the trailing lady at this point.

Out of the swim and under the cut off (this was somewhat of a worry, sicne the cut off meant I had 43 mins, im a pretty steady 2mins,100m swimmer, so any added OW trouble, a kick in the face or loosing my goggles and it could have been close). The run to trnsition was long, and uphill, but I managed to sneek past a few more people on the way. Convinced I was last in the ladies field I was determined to get my transition admin done pretty quickly! I decided to stick on some socks after chatting to a few other people over the past few weeks, quick swig of water to get rid of the taste of the sea in my mouth and off to get the bike. The bags were in a seperate tent, rather than people having their stuff sprawled around their bikes.

I set off on the bike, trying to rein myself in a little. Convinced I was last, but i kept telling myself that it was gonna be a long old ride, and plenty of time to catch people. The first part of the bike was also a really windy section through town, with really uneven roads, so there was no need to risk busting a tyre so early on, although the blokes had other ideas! I overtook one lady on the bike, and a couple of blokes, but not so many people that i had a warm and fuzzy feeling I was progressing up the field. Then going uphill my chain jumped off and she scooted past me. A few more km's and I was back past her again. Then onto the climb, which was pretty tough on a TTbike, and the half marathon was looming heavy in my thoughts. I just tried to keep my breating steady and not go to crazy at any point on the bike. The words of my coach rining in my ears,  'pedal in circles' - it really works! Before long over half way, and little treats o drinking or eating ever 15 mins was a good way to keep my brain occupied. The aid stations were a welcome sight to break up what is quite bleak landscape too, and the people staffing them were really switched on and attentive, a welcome change. I was starting to hurt at 70km but I told myself that the last 20km practically cycle themselves...yeah right!Another hill and another case of the chain not wanting to stay on my bike!

Back in T2 and out on the run. Very hilly run. The first 12km were ok and then the wheels fell off a bit for me. Very hot and I was concious I had probably not drank enough, but i didnt want to start forcing water down and end up with a giant sloshy belly!My stomach was cramping badly and I had a strange stabbing pain between my left ribs too! Im sure my face looked a picture. The run was 2 laps wich meant coming through Playitas resort, loads of people were out cheering which was great and seeing Charlie was of course brilliant. He offered some words of encouragement, to which I can never musster a reply - sorry! Down to the finish and I almost coudnt believe the time on the clock!I had guessed maybe 5h30 if I was lucky, but it was 5h16, which meant 5h14  for the ladies!

Stunned, overwhelmed, exhusted!

The results wernt up for a while. When they were, more shock and stunnment! I was the 2nd Age Group athlete overall, 1st in my AG and 10th in the entire womens race including the pro females!

The last surreal moment of the day came at the awards ceremony where the AG awards were given first and I trotted up to get my 1st for the 20-24 category. We were just about to go for dinner, as I was keen to eat everything in sight by now. They then announched no 10 professional athlete 'Abigail Bagshaw from the Royal Air Force'!

Mallorca Cycling 2015 GoPro

Looking back to look forward

Now on the way back from a glorious few days of training in Mallorca the reality of the 70.3 is begining to sink in. The count down is into single figures!

Every time I have wanted to quit a training session over the winter i have thought about how it is making me stronger, faster fitter for this race.

I am going to try and do something I have rarely managed in most of my races so far, and that is enjoy the moment. Its going to be hot, hilly and windy. But it wont be like that for just me, everyone is going to be baking out there!

My trusty mule is coming along for this one, which will be nice. He can take some of the emotional strain, as well as some of the baggage! I have found sometimes you just need someone to confim that yes, registration is at this time, and yes you have got everything. Doing it all yourself can be quite emotionally draining.

My week in Mallorca was fab. Sa Calobra concoured, Formentor ran (again) and a bunch of swimming with the fishes in the bay at Peurto Pollenca. I have also dabbled with the GoPro this week, so standby for some holiday footage! I have about 2 hrs of video, which I know ideally needs to be condensed into 3 mins, else no one is going to watch it, or care! I remember having so suffer my Grandads terribly dull holiday videos as a child....many, many hours of them!

I have some good miles in my legs on the inside, and some horrendous tan lines on the outside, so now its time to taper and hopefully not go too mad! Got a sprint in the diary for the 19th April, hopefully I can remember what to do! 

Training Overseas - I need a list for everything!

Before you go:

Bike service
Check bike box is booked on flight

Check insurance up to date

Check passport expiry date

Check if you need a visa

Tell your bank you are travelling

Unblock your mobile if needed

Sign up for Skype, Viber, Tango or What’s App for free communication with home via wifi

Download stuff to watch on phone/tablet on the plane

Essential personal items and electronics:
Passport
EHIC
Credit Card/Debit card
Cash
Flight details / boarding card
Electrical stuff and chargers (Phone/tablet/camera/bike computer etc.)
Plug socket adaptors

Personal items:
Wash kit
Insect repellent
First Aid Kit
Chamois cream

Plastic bag for wets and dirties

Camera

Suncream

Aftersun

Talc

Sudocreme or nappy rash cream (hopefully you won’t need it, but if you do you’ll be glad you have it!)

Pillow (this sounds ridiculous but some European hotels have very flat pillows, or none at all! I know I need a big fluffy one for a good nights sleep, if you squish it in your hand luggage you can use it on the plane too)

Surviving the Flight

Eye mask and ear plugs for flight

Reading book/Tablet/Mp3 player

Ear phones

Travel pillow

Casual Clothing:
Beany or hat
Cap
Jumper/warm jacket
Underwear
Sleepwear
Towel
Evening shoes/flip flops

Compression clothing

Ride kit:
Helmet
Cycling glasses
Cycling cap or thin warm hat
Cycling shorts or bib shorts 

Cycling tights or bib tights
Short sleeved jersey 

Long sleeved jersey

Waterproof Jacket
Gilet
Windproof Jacket or Race Cape
Socks
Buff
Shoes
Arm warmers
Overshoes (might not need them if its going to be hot) 

Waterproof pouch for phone

Nutrition

Energy bars/products
Hydration tablets

Mini concentrated squash bottles

Protein (recovery)

In your saddle bag or on your bike:
750ml water bottle (x2) & bottle cages
Multi tool with chain breaker
Pump (you cant take CO₂ cartridges on an aircraft)
Tyre levers
Powerlinks for chain
Small bike lock
Lights
Bike computer

Spares and useful bits:

This is dependent on where you are going, if you know you can access a good bike store then leave some of the heavier items behind. If you are going to be out in the wilderness, you might be grateful of some of these spares. 
Brake pads (2 spare sets or more)
Inner tubes (4+)
Chain

Duct tape
Zip ties
Cleats and bolts for cleats
Tyre (may want to bring wet weather option)
Tool kit (Allen keys, chain splitter, x-head screwdriver, pedal spanner, spoke key, adjustable spanner, crank extractor, cassette lock ring tool, puncture repair kit, chain lube)
Foam roller

Hiring a Bike

If you are hiring a bike you need to bring the following for familiarity and comfort:

Cycling shoes

Pedals

Saddle

Helmet

Your bike measurements

Run
Trainers
Socks
Talc
Shorts/tops
Sports underwear

Swim 
Swim costume/sport bikini
Wetsuit
Goggles
Swim hat
Swim toys (pull bouy, kick board etc. dependent on what you have planned) 

Sportive numbero deux

Two weeks and 2 sportives!

Yesterday I did the 'Just Racing' Quattro around the hills of Northamptonshire. I have to say it was a lovely route, not the most lovely day though. A little bit overcast throughout the ride and as soon as I got back in the car...BINGO Sun out!

The exciting thing about this ride  was it was the first time I have taken the Go Pro for a spin...product to come later!

So....onto the ride.

The event was organised very well, with a map and natty waterproof pocket for it to go into dished out at registration (very sensible).

TOP TIP! Another grassy car park and I learned my lesson about walking on grass in my bike shoes and I brought 2 plastic bags to go over my shoes to prevent water to get in! I got a few funny looks and a couple of envious ones as others complained about wet feet!

There were plenty of signs throughout the route and it was very clear which way to go depending on which route you were on.

At the aid station there was lots of what you would expect, water, NRG drinks, gels, mini sausage rolls, sausages, flapjack, brownies, crisps and of course because its easter, hot cross buns!:)