New to Tri: Week 8 – Gráinne

So after a great Easter week of cycling and running and no work it was back to reality this week as I started a new job. The nerves were at me way too much to be planning midweek sessions. ButTadhg and Elena had arranged a session in Phoenix Park for us newbies. This session was all about transitions. Well, to say I looked like some state is an understatement.

Read on for more…
 

In preparation, Tadhg had sent us a listof items to bring, some things are now on my shopping list as I still don’t have them and others needed explaining, e.g. talcum powder.

We all met at 7pm and started out with us newbies setting up our transition as we thought it should be done. We then had to lie on the ground about 100m away. When the key word was shouted we had to run up and get ready for the cycle. My head was spinning like mad when I jumped(ok attempted to jump) up from the ground. No shoes running up to the bike meant I’d had a tree stuck to my foot and it never crossed my mind to like brush the twigs off!!!

The same thing three more times and I could slowly see myself and my setup improving. Next time we had to run around the corner with the bike and change into the running. That went ok as I wasn’t on the bike, but I need to remember to remove the helmet before starting the run!!!

The last session of the evening was by far my worst and most scary. Who would have thought learning to get on and off a bike without looking like a clumsy elephant would be so difficult? I think I stood there for five minutes just looking at my bike. When I go cycling, I generally lean the bike over a little so I can throw my leg over the cross bar, just like an old biddy. I finally swung my leg over the back of the bike and saddle. The next step was to learn to place my right foot on one peddle and roll the bike and then throw the leg over. No chance of that happening. Again, I just stared at my bike hoping it would help me out.  But nothing, it just stayed there.

I’m going to have to set up a little transition area in the park near the house at the weekend to practice; sure it’ll give the neighbours something to laugh at.
The session was a really good idea and showed how much more complicated transition is than I had first thought. So abig thanks to the guys for organising. Now I’m off to watch “The Wedding” bestof luck tearing me away for a run this evening 🙂
 
Grá