Ulverston Pool Triathlon

Last Sunday was the Ulverston Pool Triathlon, which Andy had crazily signed up for (nothing to do with me!). This involved a 400m swim (16 lengths of the pool), 28k cycle, and 5.8k run. This was the first of a few 'bigger' challenges that Andy had set himself for the year.

When he registered he'd put down the slowest time for swimming which meant he got put in the first wave of solo participants at 8.45am, in fact being the first one to set off! We arrived at a very foggy Ulverston Leisure Centre early so he could pick up his timing chip, t-shirt, numbers for running and cycling and get his bike racked up with all his gear ready for transition. Andy got to be lucky number 13!

He headed into the changing rooms to get ready for his swim just as the relay teams began theirs. There were 5 Walney Wind Cheetah relay teams this year, so it was good to be there early to watch them set off swimming. Once they'd all finished, the first wave of swimmers, including Andy, dropped into the water. He'd not had too much practice swimming so was probably the most nervous for this bit. He did really well and managed to get finished in 13 minutes.

As soon as we realised he was finished the boys and I dashed out to see him off on his bike. We watched him cycle off and disappear into the thick fog toward the coast road. Sam wasn't overly happy during this period, I think he was confused about why we were at the pool and thought he was also going for a swim! Once he'd calmed down and started to watch the cyclists leaving and returning he had a great time.

I spotted Andy cycling back towards us through the fog and he headed back into the transition area to re-rack his bike and change shoes for running. I saw a glimmer of electric yellow and the WWC logo as he headed off in the other direction for his run.

Half an hour later he was back and headed for the finish. Andy was really pleased with his run time as his usual pace didn't seem to change even with all the activity he'd just completed. His total finish time was 2.01.16 and he was 220th overall out of 251 taking part. Very tired, but very happy to have completed his first triathlon! I say first because he was already discussing signing up to next year's triathlon in the car on the way home!

Tour de Furness and Other Milestones

It was a beautiful day today and Andy crept out of the house at a very early 6.45am to get to the start of the Tour de Furness, a 50 mile annual local cycle ride (although there were shorter alternatives). He arrived at the start for 7am and met up with a friend who was also taking part and offered to cycle the course with him.

At the start, looking a bit grumpy. Cheer up Andy, you're about to cycle 50 miles, yay! 

Andy took part in this ride last year too and it took him 4.5 hours to get round it back then. It begins at Roose Conservative Club in Barrow and takes in the coast road round to Ulverston, A590 to Greenodd, then a loop all the way round Coniston Water before heading back to Barrow. It would probably be described as undulating to say the least!

At the halfway point. 

They both did fantastically well, finishing in 3.16.35, so Andy knocked an amazing amount of time off from last year's attempt. All the training he has been putting in cycling partway to work and back definitely paid off! Huge thank you to his friend Tom who provided tips and support the whole way round too.

Back home showing off his new mug!

As the Tour de Furness is a charity fundraiser, Andy cycled in aid of the Furness Branch of the National Autistic Society who have been a brilliant support to our family and this year he's raised just under £150 so is very pleased.

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In other news, we've hit another couple of weight loss milestones this week. Both Andy and I got on the scales yesterday and found we'd both lost a few more pounds each. Since Andy started running and cycling he's lost one and a half stone and gone from 14 stone down to 12st 7lbs.  I weigh in now at just under 10 stone and I started off at 12 stone before starting running in 2013. Considering very little has changed to our diet it's a terrific result. We definitely feel fitter than before (although we desperately need to do some clothes shopping)!

I watched the Great North Run on the television today, knowing many of my running friends were there taking part. They all did brilliantly and I'm so proud of them (even spotted a few on the telly!). I have found myself quite envious once again of those able to run longer distances. Trying not to be immediately swept up in the post-half marathon frenzy, I have decided to try and lose another stone in weight and get my 10k personal best time to closer to the one hour mark before considering signing up for something longer. I will get there eventually, it just might take me awhile! Andy on the other hand wants to choose a half marathon to do in 2015 and has signed himself up to take part in the Ulverston Triathlon next year too!

Silverdale Sling and Andy's parkrun Solo!

Andy took part in the Silverdale Sling last Sunday, his first cycle race since last year's Tour de Furness. Organised by the Rotary Club of Lancaster as a charity fundraiser, it comprised of 37 miles starting and finishing near Lancaster and taking in Silverdale, Milnthorpe and Arnside. On an overcast and windy day, he managed to complete the course in a respectable 3:10:18 and then tucked into a complimentary Lancashire hot pot. Andy said he'd definitely recommend the race to anyone starting cycling and will probably do it again next year!

Today we joined in with parkrun as usual but this time Andy was able to run solo for the first time as a lovely Cheetah friend had offered to run with William. I then ran with Sam to let Andy experience parkrun child free! He did it in a fab 31.02 which is pretty good going I think (and a new PB of course)! After finishing he looped back and rejoined Sam and I on our last lap to give me a hand so I think he got quite a good workout this morning.