It seems to have been a whole week of celebrations! On Thursday, Indie turned 7, and as she wished, she started Brownies on her birthday (she's been wanting to go to Debbie's brownie pack since she learnt to talk!). On Saturday, I took Indie and 5 of her friends from school out for the day. We went to see Nim's Island at the cinema in Ashford, then had a fish and chip picnic on the beach in Hythe, followed by ice creams on the seafront. The girls all had a super time and I was only marginally worn out when I dropped them all home after almost 7 hours!
Saturday afternoon saw Dom arrive, and then Simon, Dom and Tilly - all camping with us (crazy fools, the weather was shocking). Thanks for your support though, it meant alot even though I didn't get to see too much of you.
We were herded down to the lake at just gone 6am, still pitch dark, 1500 nervous looking athletes....being as tired as I was, I didn't feel overwhelmingly nervous, just had strong desire to lie down somewhere and pretend this wasn't all happening! As we neared the water Tim, Paul, Gary and Mark all wished me luck and then I was swimming out the start line - cold water!! Had to tread water for about 15 minutes whilst all the competitors got near the line and as daylight began to break, we were off. A very rough swim start, got kicked and punched and swum over, spent at least 5 minutes just trying to find enough clear water so I could at least begin my stroke. Swim was 2 laps of the lake and I tried to keep a good line to each end buoy. Very rough again at the buoys, got kicked so hard in the ribs that I felt quite winded. Strange moment at the turnaround for the last leg, looked up to breathe and saw Paul there bobbing by the buoy, so poked my head up and said "Hello Paul" and he said in comedy voice "Hello Chantal" and then off we swum into the washing machine of feet and fists. Glad to finally get hauled out of the water.
Made it through the hectic chaos of transition and was finally out on my bike.......after about 30 seconds, totally regretted not putting arm warmers on, as I was freezing and I stayed freezing until I saw Chris at the end of lap 2 when he chucked me his skinfit top. My feet stayed frozen until 8 hours later, I put my trainers on and started running. I can describe the bike as cold, windy, unrelentingly hilly and pretty bloody miserable. I felt really upset the whole of the first lap, almost on the verge of tears, sick of the cold and the wind and horribly daunted by the miles that lay ahead. Saw Mark and had a little chat (he later told me he thought I might quit). Made myself eat and drink, and although still very cold, cheered up abit as I started my second lap. That was probably my best 37 miles as the last lap felt very hard, the hills seemed to have got longer and steeper, the wind even stronger. My shoulder started to spasm and my back was oh so sore....I had to grit my teeth, not worry about how long it was taking to cover the distance and just keep pedalling to the end of the 112 miles. Just shy of 8 hours later, I got off my bike, so relieved as I knew my ironman was in the bag. As I said to Dom and Nikki as I ran past, I was going to make it!
I had no idea whether I would have any energy left for my run as that bike had really taken it out of me, but I set off at a steady plod and only walked when the hills really got to me (ran up most of them). The mile markers slowly went past, I kept saying to myself, run as far as you can, then you can walk. Past 13 miles, still felt ok, it was a nice feeling NOT being overtaken, I was just running past people the whole marathon. Felt a bit tired at miles 15/16 but got a new spurt of energy, speeded up (or it felt like I did!!) for the rest of it. I was still thinking, you can walk when you truly can't run any further, but that never happened. I was really enjoying the speactator support, didn't mind the hills or the 3 mile muddy off- road section.....and LOVING running past all these super fit looking blokes who were walking! I was truly enjoying the end of my ironman and it really helped compensate for the misery I had felt on the bike. I stopped at every feed station for flat coke and the odd salty pretzel, duly swallowed my gel on the hour and before I knew it, I was in the final section through Sherbourne town...I felt like I was flying (I know I was plodding really!)....I'd seen Gary, Mark and Paul during the 3 laps and I knew I was catching them.
I grabbed India and Kofi in the finish shute and over the line we went. I had finshed faster than I had dared hope and I was so pleased with my run, and that I had at least enjoyed a portion of the day. Gary and Paul were there both looking very green and grim. Chris, Dom and the kids headed back to the tents and Mark and I saw the last Dealie finish an hour or so later. The walk back to the campsite seemed very, very long, by the time I got to the tent, I didn't have the energy to go and shower so I spent a fitful night feeling very sore and grimey. Yuk!
Yesterday I ran with other Dealies along the cliffs from Dover seafront to Deal pier (10 miles) carrying the 2012 Olympic flag and original torch from the 1948 GB Olympics. We started off in Dover in the pouring rain but finished in Deal in brilliant sunshine. The local MP and mayor then hoisted the flag. About 400 flags were raised all over the country yesterday to mark
the countdown to London 2012.
Saturday saw Dom racing the LITTLE BEAVER, an olympic distance tri. We cheered her off on her swim, but due to race timings, she wasn't back before I then headed for my swim start for the BEAVER (2km swim, 85km bike, 20km run). The swim was round and up and down a muddy old puddle that you could stand up in. Spent 5 mins being swum over and being bashed into before settling into a decent swim stroke. Was out of the water in 35mins which I was well chuffed with (especially after my panic attack in Dover harbour a couple of weeks ago). 
Back to the castle and out onto the run, amusingly 3 laps of the castle grounds including three times to the top of the hill where the castle stands. Very funny, not....Felt rather sick by the last lap and my back was pretty seized up but finished with a PB for this distance so the effort was worth it. Dom had done really well in her race despite being undertrained and not feeling 100%, moreover she had enjoyed it which is really cool. Simon did great in his first attempt at this distance as not the easiest course to begin with....
After a late night of boozing and embarassing dancing at a local friend's wedding (and that's just the kids!), this morning we cycled down to Walmer seafront to take part in the Big Bike Ride in aid of the NSPCC. The route was along the seafront cycle track and then onto the ancient highway towards Sandwich, pit stop at the pub for Pimms and return to Walmer Castle. 10 miles in total. Some of our local friends were also there with their kids, and about 100 people set off.
mins.
The old Cardiff gang were meeting up again this weekend. We had planned a few nights camping on the Gower penninsula near Swansea in South Wales, exploring the beaches and admiring the beautiful scenery......as if life would be that straightforward.....
rway services.
