It's funny how one gets recruited to do such silly things. Perhaps all it takes is the planting of a little seed...

13th Feb
Keeto sends me a link to HIM Monaco and says 'for 2007 of course ;-)' while he helps me with my Marathon training.
the seed is planted…

3rd Apr
After watching Keeto's HIM Monaco DVD & seeing hill climb, after hill climb, after hill climb…I say 'eikona!' so he sends me a link to the New Forest Middle Distance next (perseverance!)
the seed starts to fertilize…

11th Apr
2 weeks before FLM & eager to recruit more lasses for NF HIM (safety in numbers!), I forwarded it on to a few SAUKers, asking them do we put this down as a bad joke?! ..or grab the bull by the horns & tackle it head on!?! adding it might be FUN to all train together (peer pressure!) …& to my astonishment, find out that Candice, Zoe & Hannah have already entered (hardcore!)
the seed has sprouted, so I enter…

10th May
I receive my 12 week training program from coach Keeto to commence on the 3rd July and note the 30 hours of swimming, 60 hours of biking and 40 hours of running needed to get me round the course.
still injured and recovering from FLM, I take the next month easy and enjoy more R&R…

12th June
Kevin and Cath plant the World Quad Champs seed in our minds…

Keeto & I decide ‘oh what the hell, it should be a good laugh’ …& with coach in a kayak it's bound to provide some entertainment!
so we sign up for it & I slowly start getting back into my training…

3rd July
I start my training program with Bananaman (July 16th), Quad Champs (Aug 12th) and NF HIM (Sep 24th) as fitness goals to work towards.

Great! … sprint … olympic + paddle … half-ironman … all in my first season.
well if not, why not? Just train & see how you get on…

24th Sep
I arrive at start line - with 22 hrs of swimming, 55 hrs of biking, 27 hrs of running and 8 hrs of paddling under my belt - feeling fit, healthy, injury free, confident, positive & smiling with my red flag waving at this bull!

The race goes down as Hannah so accurately described (see link), whilst I ponder on a few lessons I've learnt along the way…

• The Marathon gave me an excellent base, & running through it injured, set me up well - physically & mentally - for the year. Yet, never will I be so stupid to run through “injured pain” again.
• It's not only about the race itself but the journey to the start line, that needs to be embraced and enjoyed at all times. The day itself races by too quickly to make it a lasting joy.
• It's the friendships formed and training buddies that make it FUN. Team events come highly recommended!
• A training program is there as a guideline only & won't always go to plan: life, injuries, illness, over training/sleep deprivation can alter your schedule. Accept it and work with it.
• Seeds may be planted, but it's YOU that signs up for it. You're still the one that has to put in all the hard work. What you put in… IS what you get out. If you do your best in preparation and execution, you should be satisfied with whatever result you get.
• It helps having a coach/mentor. Special thanks go to you, coach Keeto!
• Our supporters, my family & the SAUK tri club never fail to give me my 2nd wind when I need it most. You guys are the bomb!

... and my favourite quote when things get tough:

Your biggest challenge isn't someone else.
It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs and the voice inside that yells "CAN'T".
But you don't listen.
You just push harder.
And then you hear the voice whisper "CAN".
And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are.