Triathlon

Today I was supposed to be taking part in the London Triathlon as part of the Push PR and Simply Swim UK team. Instead I am sitting on a plane on my way to Australia to work (how lucky am I?!?)

The start of the London Triathlon

Many people would have been quite happy and relieved not to have to do a triathlon, but I am not one of those people. Instead I was very sad not to be part of the triathlon team that have trained together for months. 

The first practice session before I knew how to swim

A triathlon consists of a swim, cycle and run. The last two stages didn't pose too much of a problem as I used to run marathons before knee surgery, but I was looking forward to combating my fear of swimming. Indeed when I started training for this I couldn't even swim properly and now I splash along and occasionally overtake people! That's a colossal improvement and I am forever grateful for Push PR and Simply Swim for teaching me this.

That's a very tiny me swimming properly in the sea! I'm terrified of the sea but now I can swim in it!

Not wanting all the training I'd done to go to waste, and to continue to feel motivated to exercise, I have decided to sign up for another triathlon and so on 7th September I will be taking part in the Redricks Lake Triathlon.

The Redricks Lake Triathlon start

My weekly training generally consists of 2-3 45 minute swims at London Fields Lido. The pool is 50m long and there are lots of very good swimmers wearing wetsuits in the pool so I don't look out of place even though I'm yet to get into the fast lane!

The beautiful London Fields Lido

Then I try to run twice a week as I don't want to aggravate my bad knee too much. One of those runs is at Mile End Park Run, a 5km race each Saturday morning, which is great for racing practice.

Running shadow, swishy hair

Then I cycle my bike 2-3 times a week for 45 minutes around London or on a turbo. Having a turbo at home is extremely convenient as I can cycle and watch Sex & The City simultaneously!

Doing some outdoor training at the Olympic Park

Simply Swim UK very kindly provided my kit for the London Triathlon so I will be putting it to good use in September. I will be starting the race in my Speedo wetsuit which I hope will keep me buoyant and warm.

Wetsuit by Speedo

Then for the cycle and run part of the race I will be wearing this Tri suit by Orca.

Tri Suit by Orca

My ride is my beautiful Bianchi and hopefully by September I will have mastered using clip in shoes properly and not fall off.

My beautiful Bianchi

Good luck to the Simply Swim Triathlon team today. I hope you all have a great race and I will be thinking of you and wishing you luck (& I'm very jealous I'm not there with you!)

Sx

Follow me on instagram and twitter for training updates.

PS...A special thank you goes to Timed Fitness for the personal training which made my arms ache like they never have before and for introducing me to the joys of rubber band running.

Images: Pinterest, Timed Fitness, Londontriathlon.co.uk

Weekend Scenes

The weekend started a day early for me as I enjoyed a freelance Friday afternoon (which turned into an evening) catching up with university friends at Shoreditch House. Cocktails were consumed and some very competitive games of ping pong were played, but my phone died so there's no photographic evidence of the revelry sadly.

I love Park Run!

On Saturday morning I ran a PB (personal best) at Mile End Park Run which helps towards the training for the London Triathlon I am taking part in with Simply Swim.

Brownie recipe from Peyton & Bryne

I figured I could indulge in a little chocolate action after my successful run so made these deliciously stodgy walnut brownies from Peyton & Bryne. I'm about half way through this massive batch, I'm such a chocolate fiend!

Charity shop here I come!

I finally got around to clearing out my wardrobe (making way for new purchases!) and this massive pile is off to my local charity shop to find a new home.

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray

My hair can't decide if it's curly or straight and is usually a fuzzy mess if I don't straighten it, which I do every day. However I've decided to give it a rest as my split ends are getting split ends, so I started using Bumble & Bumble's infamous Surf Spray this weekend to help define the frizz. So far so good, let's see how my hair behaves when the rain returns.

Dress Topshop (similar here), Sandals Stella McCartney, Bag Prada

It was so nice to have warmer weather this weekend and I couldn't resist getting my legs out and slipping on some sandals.

Let's hope the sunshine continues and have a lovely week!

Weekend Scenes

What a wonderful weekend. I love the sunshine and blue skies are a definite mood elevator. We started the weekend on a productive note with 5km Parkrun and I managed a personal best!

It was finally warm enough for me to wear my MiH stripe dress.

Dress MiH, Sandals Birkenstock, Bag Chanel

My new Gazelles arrived and made me feel like a Jamiroquai loving teenager again! I opted for grey, more summery than black and the neutral colour will work with 99% of my wardrobe.

Trainers Adidas

The beautiful sunshine encouraged me to paint my nails in the most summery tone I could find.

Nails Topshop

The balmy evenings called for alfresco dining.

The BEST guacamole & tortilla chips from Wholefoods

Sunday night BBQ action

I also introduced the boyfriend to Twin Peaks. He's hooked and it's as good as I remember. Watching one too many episodes is why I'm feeling less than fresh as a daisy this morning!

Twin Peaks