It's been 10 days since my last post and yet again have plodded along through my training plan and work. However, although this sounds dull I have recently had some amazing news which will make this blog an exciting one.
Just a quick follow up from my previous blog post first. I mentioned about painfully focussing on my cycle technique and euphorically the morning after I wrote that blog it seemed to just click. I did another one of Mark's Wattbike technique and sprint sessions and I didn't jar at the top of my stoke once throughout the 20 minute main set which involved many single leg spurts. That was another positive to add to my growing list of improvements.
Although I said I had been working a lot I had a whole weekend off which I spent at my parents (even though they were away). However, although I had the weekend off that did not mean I was doing nothing. On the Friday I had to take my car for its MOT and then cycle to Andover for a 2 hour bike fit with Behind the Bikeshed. It was great to cycle the route I used to cycle to work again back in 2012 and I was amazed at how much easier I found the first killer hill. Previously, I would be feel like I was about to collapse when I reached the top and it would take me ages to get my breath back. Although I was obviously breathing hard I got up with relative ease and managed to keep the legs going. I was at the bike shop in 21 minutes and it was a 6.4 mile ride. Considering I wasn't pushing it I was pretty happy with that.
The bike fit consisted of assessing my physical abilities such as flexibility, stance and leg length to name a few. It found that my flexibility was pretty good (one leg worse than the other) that I over-pronate (the arches in my feet fall inwards) which I knew, and that my left leg was slightly longer than the right. Interestingly this could actually have a profound effect on my efficiency. To resolve this I had an extra bit of plastic put between my cleat and shoe so that it can try and make my legs more equal in length. This aims to stop my shorter leg stretching and losing power. I had also been complaining about my pedals (also had done in a previous blog) and despite still not being completely happy with them I have had the cleats positioned correctly so that again I am hopefully more efficient. Other additional changes I had was my seat post was heightened, handle post shortened and my handle bar was lowered. All in all it made it a much more comfortable ride as well as more aerodynamic which is something I am gearing towards. Furthermore, I had been complaining a lot about not being happy with my saddle. The once 'comfortable' saddle my bike came with now felt like a razor blade and after trialing some of my own still wasn't overly keen on any of them. Based on mine and Mark's ideas of trying tri bars with my bike I decided to go for a saddle which will make me more aero. Along with my new positioning and saddle there shouldn't be too much of a leap to getting down on the aerobars so hopefully that transition can happen easily. What is also brilliant is if I try the saddle out after some rides and am not happy I am able to change it. I cannot wait to get out on the road and give my new changes a go!
On the Saturday it was another early start as I was getting my hair dyed (and yes of course the pink in memory of Rose is back). When I got back 4 hours later Dan asked, "When is this rebellious stage of yours going to go?", to which I replied when I cross that Kona finish line! That way I know Rose has been with me the whole way. Today was a day of relaxation and beauty as I was then off to get a spa to get a facial with my sister, Emma. The facial was lovely - it was nice to have some guilt free relaxation time and pampering as well as spending the day with my sister.
Just a quick follow up from my previous blog post first. I mentioned about painfully focussing on my cycle technique and euphorically the morning after I wrote that blog it seemed to just click. I did another one of Mark's Wattbike technique and sprint sessions and I didn't jar at the top of my stoke once throughout the 20 minute main set which involved many single leg spurts. That was another positive to add to my growing list of improvements.
Although I said I had been working a lot I had a whole weekend off which I spent at my parents (even though they were away). However, although I had the weekend off that did not mean I was doing nothing. On the Friday I had to take my car for its MOT and then cycle to Andover for a 2 hour bike fit with Behind the Bikeshed. It was great to cycle the route I used to cycle to work again back in 2012 and I was amazed at how much easier I found the first killer hill. Previously, I would be feel like I was about to collapse when I reached the top and it would take me ages to get my breath back. Although I was obviously breathing hard I got up with relative ease and managed to keep the legs going. I was at the bike shop in 21 minutes and it was a 6.4 mile ride. Considering I wasn't pushing it I was pretty happy with that.
The bike fit consisted of assessing my physical abilities such as flexibility, stance and leg length to name a few. It found that my flexibility was pretty good (one leg worse than the other) that I over-pronate (the arches in my feet fall inwards) which I knew, and that my left leg was slightly longer than the right. Interestingly this could actually have a profound effect on my efficiency. To resolve this I had an extra bit of plastic put between my cleat and shoe so that it can try and make my legs more equal in length. This aims to stop my shorter leg stretching and losing power. I had also been complaining about my pedals (also had done in a previous blog) and despite still not being completely happy with them I have had the cleats positioned correctly so that again I am hopefully more efficient. Other additional changes I had was my seat post was heightened, handle post shortened and my handle bar was lowered. All in all it made it a much more comfortable ride as well as more aerodynamic which is something I am gearing towards. Furthermore, I had been complaining a lot about not being happy with my saddle. The once 'comfortable' saddle my bike came with now felt like a razor blade and after trialing some of my own still wasn't overly keen on any of them. Based on mine and Mark's ideas of trying tri bars with my bike I decided to go for a saddle which will make me more aero. Along with my new positioning and saddle there shouldn't be too much of a leap to getting down on the aerobars so hopefully that transition can happen easily. What is also brilliant is if I try the saddle out after some rides and am not happy I am able to change it. I cannot wait to get out on the road and give my new changes a go!
On the Saturday it was another early start as I was getting my hair dyed (and yes of course the pink in memory of Rose is back). When I got back 4 hours later Dan asked, "When is this rebellious stage of yours going to go?", to which I replied when I cross that Kona finish line! That way I know Rose has been with me the whole way. Today was a day of relaxation and beauty as I was then off to get a spa to get a facial with my sister, Emma. The facial was lovely - it was nice to have some guilt free relaxation time and pampering as well as spending the day with my sister.
Emma is training for the London Marathon in memory of Rosie and as the date looms I was getting worried she hadn't done enough mileage. With only 7 weeks to go Emma was only at 12miles. I believed at that stage she should be upto 16-18 miles. So that's exactly what I suggested we do on the Sunday. (I apologise to Mark, I know this wasn't part of my plan but had to get this in for Emma's confidence). As well as being a confidence boost for Emma I thought it would be a good tester for me. I got a route from my mum who knows the village and it's mileage like the back of her hand from her running days and early on the Sunday morning me, Emma, Lee (Emma's running buddy and another entrant to the London Marathon in memory of Rose) and Dan who was on his bike and our support crew, headed off on our 16mile run (the longest run Emma had ever done). We were going strong, having gels when needed and making the pace steady and achievable. Lee had to leave us at mile 11 to pick up his son but Emma and I carried on. When we got to the half marathon stage at 2h07 Emma's relief was evident.
Emma has been harbouring an injury (suspected ITB like me) for a while probably due to going too fast too quick in training but although getting niggles was pushing on. So it was now just 3 more miles till we would finish. I knew now that Emma would be going out of her comfort zone having only done 12 miles before but knew I had to push her through it. I reminded her what she was doing this for and told her when we were doing our last tough uphill. We pushed up the hill and it was a 3 miles downhill to the finish. By the point I was struggling too - my running may have come on but I was finding picking the distance up again tough (as anyone would). We ran/hobbled through some floods and finished in excatly 3 hours. I told Emma we had done 18 miles and she was overjoyed. For a very hilly course I was pleased with that time. That was the exact confidence boost she needed, hopefully now she would get some sleep as the marathon had been a further worry ontop of her constant grief. I hobbled back home with my aching legs and attempted to have a hot bath until the hot water went so travelled home. I knew I was going to feel that run in the days to come in my muscles and in my knee as I began to feel the pain come back throughout the run. I couldn't however, see it swelling up like it has done before which was a good sign.
Well that get's me up to today, but I seem to have missed a very important announcement that although gave me a lot of excitement over the weekend, also gave me a lot of stress. On the Friday after my bike fit I returned to find I had an email congratulaing me on becoming a winner of the Abu Dhabi Triathlon Inspire Competition. This was something I entered months ago. To enter you had to send an inspiring story that would be judged and if successful win entry to the Abu Dhabi Triathlon as well as flights and 4 nights in 5* accommodation. Receiving this email made me shake. I was so unbelivably shocked, excited and humbled. However, my excitement quickly turned to worry as I wondered how I was going to get it covered at work due t staff shortages. The weekend of the event for some reason seemed to be the most popular few days of the year. I had a sleepless night worrying about whether I would even be able to go - sending an email to give up my place would've been heartbreaking. I spent most of my 'rexlaxing' Saturday pleading with my colleagues, remaining glued to my phone for any news. Although I relaxed as much as possible when at the spa I couldn't completely let go (despite turning my phone off). So when I put my phone on after my facial and saw a text from my colleague saying he would cover me as I couldn't miss out I could've screamed out loud! I'M GOING TO ABU DHABI! This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can't wait to take it. On that Saturday I also couldn't wait to announce it! Once I had confirmation I could be covered I went straight to Twitter to announce the good news. The support I received there was absolutely amazing and I had 95 responses by the end of the day! I wish I could thank you all more than what I can on here and on Twitter but the responses meant a lot to me. I am just going to mention a few that really struck me;
"I'm so pleased for you Hol. You know this is a sign that you are doing the right thing. You're on the right path. You're doing yourself proud - this is a life changing moment, grab it and squeeze everything you can out of it"
"Good work. Couldn't happen to a nicer person"
"Congratulations. The cause is a very worthy one and you deserved to win"
"Many congratulations such a worthy winner for all the right reasons too. Very best of luck with it all"
I have since announced my good news on Facebook and these were some of the replies;
"Nobody deserves it more than you"
"OMG Hollie that's amazing. I'm sure Rose is looking down with pride. So go kick some ass if anyone deserves this, you do"
"Hollie I'm so proud of you! You deserve it girl! Enjoy the journey darling"
"Wow! Amazing Hollie, you deserve it and Rosie will be with you all the way!"
My story is a personal tragedy that still feels raw to this day. To win this amazing prize and opportunity in honour and memory of Rose really cannot be expressed in words. This will be my first triathlon since losing Rose and it will be one I dedicate directly to her. I have know doubt it'll be an emotional one but I will race my heart out for her. This really does feel like a turning point and as someone said, is a sign that I'm on the right path. I may not come close to any medals, even if I do hopefully see Alistair Brownlee regain his title, but I will certainly do the best I can as well as enjoy the event and location. It also has to be said I am gutted for Twitter friend Michael Barnett (@SmokertoIronman) who has yet to hear anything, but his attitude remains positive that he will do it one day and that he can always try again next year.
Not only is competing in Abu Dhabi close to my heart it will also be invaluable training and a fantastic way for me to raise my profile and goal of getting to Kona. There will be press releases on my story and will be looked after when out there. I will get to meet pro's at a welcome meal on the Wednesday where I will be in my triathlon element - an amateur triathletes dream! Furthermore, I hope to be wearing my trisuit for the event as the company producing it are trying their utmost to get it to me in time. I will finish with the whole collection of my Hollie4Kona kit (trisuit, cycling jersey and run top). Some may notice that the design of my trisuit has changed slightly from what I posted originally on Twitter and Facebook as I have had a disagreement with a selected number of triathletes within a group (all I am going to say on the matter is I'm bloody glad it happened before it went to print!). All that's left to say is, let's just hope I 'chick' some blokes!
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