Saturday, 8 May 2010
Decision to Tri
00:32 | Posted by
Jacqui Malpass |
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This time last week I was discussing my bf's try a tri which he was doing the following day. We made plans to drive into Cardiff and go around the track so that he could get a visual picture of what would follow and allow him to mentally prepare.
Never in a month of Sundays would I imagine that after the event I would be agreeing to also take part.... Though not this year in 2011, the year that I am 50.
I stood outside in the cold and watched a whole bunch of brave men and women who bought with them an assortment of bikes and friends and wondered what made them even contemplate this. As the first people emerged from the swim I gazed in wonderment, flabby, fat, old, not any firm, fit young flesh anywhere. My mind started to wander.
I had always hated running it was something I did because I thought I had to. I was so pleased when my knees started to hurt and announced the end of my short lived running career.
Over the years I had been obsessed with exercise, weights, classes and swimming dominated my early 20's. I can remember using the multigym in Bridgend Rec which was locked away in a broom cupboard, in stark contrast to the gym that is there today, what a difference 30 years makes. Jeff's Gym in Aberkenfig was my home for many years before I ventured to Reading to live and then Kirtons Farm became my posh training haven.
Time flew by, my life changed and my exercise habits teetered between sporadic and non existent, I never seemed to recall the zest that I once had. As my last relationship bore down on me I found great solace in walking and so walked for hours nearly every day and turned to yoga to also calm my mind. There were small challenges but nothing that pulled me screaming out of my comfort zone.
And so last Sunday evening after some contemplation and a few too many wines I agreed that I could try a tri in 12 months time.
Inspired by Michelle Clarke a friend who often posted FB comments about her personal trainer, I surfed for my own PT considering that if she valued herself enough to pay for someone to help coach her so will I, and anyway isn't that what I ask my business clients to do?.
I start on Monday with the lovely Leandra Rizza http://leandrarizza.com/. When I met Leandra last week, she opened the door with a big smile on her face and warmly welcomed me in, I knew then that we would have a great relationship.
My training has already started. I told myself that when I was in Birmingham on business this week that I would go to the hotel gym come what may and run even if it was for only 5 minutes.
Arriving at the hotel at 6.30 I found all sorts of excuses about why I couldn't go to the gym, but found myself strangly pulling on my kit and admiring my brand new running shoes. Yes I had already been out and had some shoes fitted by Moti in Cardiff who video your running style to ensure that you get the right support.
Brand new shoes on I floated down to the gym, pleased to see that there were no running machines available I clambered onto the only available bike and cycled for 6k. It was BORING!!!! At the end I was even more pleased to see that there were no running machines available, but not wanting to look like a wimp I jumped onto the cross trainer and spent another boring 20 minutes, thank goodness for the One Show to keep me company. As I came to the end of my mind numbingly push and pull, there was a running machine free. Oh no!!!!! My legs wobbled as I strode over to the machine and pressed the start button. I told myself 5 minutes that's all you have to do.
5 minutes and .5k later, sweating I got off. Pleased as punch I wandered back to my hotel room to call my bf to proudly tell him, I've started.
Expectations of what my bf who has has always run and is fit and might say, careered between 'was that al?'l and 'you could try harder!'. You may ask why I thought this and what kind of man would be so mean? Past experiences are scratched in my mind like groves on a record, the songs all the same, useless girl (sung to the tune of Stupid Girl). He was wonderful and so encouraging. I am further inspired by his support.
My training continues. After my visit to Leandra who said keep it simple, run 3 minutes and walk for 7, I packed Ferdy (dog) into the car and headed to the Wetlands.
I was out for an hour and followed her advice, my mind rallied against me, I kept looking at my watch - what only 1 minute it screamed. Come on you, come on you, come on I cried to myself. Ferdy dog happily trotted by my side. At the half way mark I stopped and thought how can I challenge myself now? In the distance the lighthouse loomed, white, erect and waiting. 10 minutes of focused running(ish) later I was there. 3 and 7 all the way back to the car. Rejuvenated, alive!
Taking the first step towards your goals are the biggest, this week I took my first tentative steps. My mind is full of limiting self beliefs, however my life is full of inspiring loving people who will work with me and this time next year dear readers I will be telling the time I succeeded in for my first try a tri. Who knows what else I can do?
Never in a month of Sundays would I imagine that after the event I would be agreeing to also take part.... Though not this year in 2011, the year that I am 50.
I stood outside in the cold and watched a whole bunch of brave men and women who bought with them an assortment of bikes and friends and wondered what made them even contemplate this. As the first people emerged from the swim I gazed in wonderment, flabby, fat, old, not any firm, fit young flesh anywhere. My mind started to wander.
I had always hated running it was something I did because I thought I had to. I was so pleased when my knees started to hurt and announced the end of my short lived running career.
Over the years I had been obsessed with exercise, weights, classes and swimming dominated my early 20's. I can remember using the multigym in Bridgend Rec which was locked away in a broom cupboard, in stark contrast to the gym that is there today, what a difference 30 years makes. Jeff's Gym in Aberkenfig was my home for many years before I ventured to Reading to live and then Kirtons Farm became my posh training haven.
Time flew by, my life changed and my exercise habits teetered between sporadic and non existent, I never seemed to recall the zest that I once had. As my last relationship bore down on me I found great solace in walking and so walked for hours nearly every day and turned to yoga to also calm my mind. There were small challenges but nothing that pulled me screaming out of my comfort zone.
And so last Sunday evening after some contemplation and a few too many wines I agreed that I could try a tri in 12 months time.
Inspired by Michelle Clarke a friend who often posted FB comments about her personal trainer, I surfed for my own PT considering that if she valued herself enough to pay for someone to help coach her so will I, and anyway isn't that what I ask my business clients to do?.
I start on Monday with the lovely Leandra Rizza http://leandrarizza.com/. When I met Leandra last week, she opened the door with a big smile on her face and warmly welcomed me in, I knew then that we would have a great relationship.
My training has already started. I told myself that when I was in Birmingham on business this week that I would go to the hotel gym come what may and run even if it was for only 5 minutes.
Arriving at the hotel at 6.30 I found all sorts of excuses about why I couldn't go to the gym, but found myself strangly pulling on my kit and admiring my brand new running shoes. Yes I had already been out and had some shoes fitted by Moti in Cardiff who video your running style to ensure that you get the right support.
Brand new shoes on I floated down to the gym, pleased to see that there were no running machines available I clambered onto the only available bike and cycled for 6k. It was BORING!!!! At the end I was even more pleased to see that there were no running machines available, but not wanting to look like a wimp I jumped onto the cross trainer and spent another boring 20 minutes, thank goodness for the One Show to keep me company. As I came to the end of my mind numbingly push and pull, there was a running machine free. Oh no!!!!! My legs wobbled as I strode over to the machine and pressed the start button. I told myself 5 minutes that's all you have to do.
5 minutes and .5k later, sweating I got off. Pleased as punch I wandered back to my hotel room to call my bf to proudly tell him, I've started.
Expectations of what my bf who has has always run and is fit and might say, careered between 'was that al?'l and 'you could try harder!'. You may ask why I thought this and what kind of man would be so mean? Past experiences are scratched in my mind like groves on a record, the songs all the same, useless girl (sung to the tune of Stupid Girl). He was wonderful and so encouraging. I am further inspired by his support.
My training continues. After my visit to Leandra who said keep it simple, run 3 minutes and walk for 7, I packed Ferdy (dog) into the car and headed to the Wetlands.
I was out for an hour and followed her advice, my mind rallied against me, I kept looking at my watch - what only 1 minute it screamed. Come on you, come on you, come on I cried to myself. Ferdy dog happily trotted by my side. At the half way mark I stopped and thought how can I challenge myself now? In the distance the lighthouse loomed, white, erect and waiting. 10 minutes of focused running(ish) later I was there. 3 and 7 all the way back to the car. Rejuvenated, alive!
Taking the first step towards your goals are the biggest, this week I took my first tentative steps. My mind is full of limiting self beliefs, however my life is full of inspiring loving people who will work with me and this time next year dear readers I will be telling the time I succeeded in for my first try a tri. Who knows what else I can do?
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About Me
- Jacqui Malpass
- Love life and live it with energy and passion, life is too short to waste it on bad wine and rubbish times. Every day when I wake up I wonder what life will bring and I see the best in all situations, you can learn something from everything / everyone you encounter.
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