A CONFESSION
TRICAMP TRIATHLON
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| Formentor waiting for the runners |
The final day of TriCamp Mallorca was the mini Triathlon. At last I was going to do the 3 activities yes you've guessed it "consecutively and sequentially". Yippee. And the big question for any girl, what to wear ? - you are going to swim, cycle then run. I didn't have a Tri-Suit because that seemed way too professional whilst I was browsing in Sigma Sport and quite frankly very expensive. So Tri-shorts over swimming costume it was. Shoes already clipped to your bike. Goggles in the pool not on the bike. Ooooo how exciting.
We did some swimming drills to start. More hyperventilating. So in my defence I was already knackered before we'd even started and perhaps Rioja the night before was not an ideal nutritional starting point.
We were to do 12 lengths of the pool, run out the fire exit onto the bike to cycle through Puerto Pollenca up to the Formentor car park and then run up to the lighthouse. Bring it on......
Great - I swam 4 lengths and then thought phycologically I need to get up to the car park first. I just didn't want to be the last person coughing and spluttering in the pool. Lets get this over and done with was my philosophy. So after 4 lengths I got out of the pool (there does seem to be a theme with my swimming - getting out quickly) - I really hate the swimming - I ran out the fire exit and got onto the bike dripping wet and cycled for all I was worth.
The road up to the car park is steep, Bradley Wiggins goes up there I've seen him once. Anyway....no-one had caught me up yet. Why would they? They were all doing 12 lengths! And then I spied Andrew over my left shoulder trying to catch me up. Well I hadn't quite forgiven Andrew for abandoning me going down Sa Calobra, and so something within me made me step up the pace. I was not letting him get to the car park first. So I found some energy from somewhere to power up to the car park. His heart monitor on his bike was probably going ballistic at this point, that would serve him right!. When he reached the car park he seemed bemused - "What just happened there?" Me innocently:- "What?" Andrew:-"You were within my sights and then suddenly you were gone and I couldn't catch you" Me:- "Well I wasn't going to let you beat me and I knew you'd be talking to yourself about your heart rate saying bring it back bring it back !". Don't mess with me downhill boy with all your gadgets.
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| Bikes ditched ready for the run |
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| Look of madness after a week of exertions |
I had a coffee and took some photo's with Claire who'd hurt her back as all the others ditched their bikes and ran up to the lighthouse. They were all superstars. I was still a Triathlon Virgin. So I will let you know when I lose my virginity!
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| Another type of chicken |
HOME
On the second week home I tried a run, I got 2k down the road and my calf was in agony again, so that was running out the window for a while. The weather was wet and rainy so cycling was a limited option too. There's nothing for it my only option was swimming. Back to Tri Club
TRICLUB - a night of dogging and tranvestites - yes really!
Monday night 9pm to 10pm is swimming drills night. This time it's an indoor pool which means there really is no excuse not to go. I can't find the car park so park in a back street alongside the recreational park. Now I understand that I have an irrational fear about the dark underbelly of municipal pools as discussed in previous chapters. But as I pull up I realise that this probably isn't the nicest place to park. But the man in the car opposite seems quite friendly as he keeps flashing his lights at me. I've since been told that this is the international sign for dogging. Who knew ? Anyway I haven't got time for that I've got swimming to do. Let's hope he's gone by the time I return to the car at 10pm.
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| Eddie wears waterproof mascara |
So I safely reach the pool where my fellow club mates are in the pool. I look around at these like minded people, bit difficult to assess them when they're all wearing goggles and swimming hats. One chap arrives with eye make-up on. I take another look - yep definitely got eye make-up on. Don't stare Catherine and don't be so narrow minded, Eddie Izzard does marathons so why shouldn't transvestites do Ironmen ? Takes all sorts. See you can't assume stereotypes about Triathletes they are a mixed bunch - knitters and all!
Drills went fine - breathing came together and I actually felt like I had made some progress. I am in the slowest lane - but the only way is up I guess - yeah baby!
So all good..........not really. The communal shower (with swimsuits on) was a bit disconcerting, not used to showering with strangers. But I guess I'm going to be changing in fields from now on with other athletes so probably all part of the triathletes world.
Rather disappointingly the transvestite admitted that he had the eye make-up on for charity and that he'd completely forgotten he had it on - I turned to him and said " Phew - I did wonder, but when I saw you hadn't shaved your legs I thought I must be seeing things". Bit gutted that he wasn't a transvestite really as I was looking forward to seeing his other Tri-sports outfits.
Shower done, I got changed. Ooops seem to have forgotten dry underwear in my anxiousness about swimming drills. Going back to the dogging area with no pants on was going to give entirely the wrong impression - let's hope the chap in the car had moved on.
NEXT CHAPTER....
In chapter 10 I appear to have joined a tag rugby team, concentrating on operation BAFCO and another trip to Mallorca to swim in the sea, ride the lovely bike and run to the lighthouse. Busy eh ? Not just cups of tea after all, and sometimes there's even cake if I'm lucky.
All content strictly copyright Catherine Jevans 2014.
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