I am a triathlete!

 This is not my usual way to start a blog. I'm usually upbeat and pretty positive about everything I'm doing, particularly my food. When I started to write this blog I told myself that I was going to be 100% honest not only with what I write but with myself as this is my outlet to share my thoughts.
 I've ran into a feeling of sadness in the kitchen before. The kitchen holds many dark times for me; long hours, feeling undervalued, no time to socialise with friends. However, none of the above has me down about my job at present. I'm a very creative chef and need an outlet where I can express my years of hard work acquiring the knowledge that makes me good at what I do. I need to be constantly stimulated by positivity because that way I can feed off people's energy.
 Maybe it's the New Year lack of spending which has ceased demand for my Tasting Nights which I thoroughly enjoy but I've seen myself unable to express my talents in food much this year which has left me flipping (albeit very good) burgers. However, I was able to begin creating again at a Tabla (the street food and burger bar restaurant in Arrecife I have been based) last week. Here I worked alongside my boss and friend Zoe for the first time in a shocking 68 days! Our chemistry in the kitchen blossomed again and I got to treat my customers to a 10 course gourmet street food feast. I'll let the pictures (taken by my good friend James Mitchell) tell the story of not only the food but of the awesome atmosphere. I'm looking forward to doing more of these nights and getting my passion for creating my food back. 

 

 However, although food is my main passion I also have committed to triathlon, most notably the feared Ironman Lanzarote, which is a cool 57 days away now (not that I'm counting). This means my training volume is high and I need days off in order to fit in the 5hour+ rides which are essential in Ironman training. My job and understanding bosses have meant I am able to do this so although I am not producing Michelin star food everyday I am paying attention to my increasing passion in triathlon. So whilst I was prepping for my Tabla tasting menu I was also prepping myself for my first triathlon in the same week. This was not just a sprint, this was a half Ironman distance (2km swim, 90km ride, 21km run) so it was time to see if my training had paid off!

 Currently I feel fitter than most but I still didn't know if I could do the discipline that haunts me the most; the swim. A week prior to the race Hollie had me down at the pool pushing me with no let up. She made me swim a minimum of 2k without rest (a big feat for me considering I only learnt to swim a length 8 months previous and could only manage about 400m non stop to this point). If I even looked like I was going to stop she would zoom down her lane and shout "why are you dawdling?".  She said it in such a tone that I didn't want to disappoint her.
 After a few training days like this it all started to click in the pool. The techniques I've been taught by Bella Bayliss began to sink in and the motivational words were bouncing around my head. All of this was backed up by the fear of failure, something that was not an option. It's as much a mental game as a physical one so I pushed on. I don't quit - I might not be the quickest (not yet anyway) but as my dad would say, "Rome wasn't built in a day".
 My face was beaming when a few days before the race I hit the 2km distance in just under 40 minutes. I couldn't wait to show Hollie my watch declaring it was true. I felt as ready as I could have done.
 
 The weekend came around quickly. Even with a busy week of work I managed to sneak a game of golf in with Hollies' dad who came out to support her in the race but also to see just how her hard work and preparation towards Kona is going. I think he was impressed to see just how great she's doing. 

Spot of golf

  The day before the race I went to sign on and pick up my race number; 239, my first ever number. Here we caught up with some of the guys we train with which made it all the more exciting to know the support I would have on the course but it also added to the nerves. After a carb dinner with Hollie and her dad it was off to work which left the prep of all my kit to Hollie who is a expert in this now after the amount of races she's done!

With friends at registration

Tri kit ready

 On race morning I was up at 5.30am full of nerves. Getting the right fuel in me at that time was hard work as my appetite wasn't there and the nerves didn't help. As the sun started to rise I went through all my kit, made sure everything was sorted and then made my way down to check in which was helpfully just opposite my flat. I was greeted by some friendly faces which seemed to take the nerves away just a little. Time seemed to stand still for a moment whilst racking the bike and having a few pre race catch ups with friends. Then quick enough I was putting my wetsuit on and warming up without even thinking about it! I made it look like I'd been doing it for years but really was just copying the others (mainly Hollie) for whom this is second nature. This was then followed by a light walk down to sea to mentally prepare myself for the biggest battle I've ever had. My first triathlon and my first mass open water swim...and fuck the nerves were back.

Race morning in transition with Hollie

My biggest fear was over

 When the gun went off people ran down to the sea like nutters. I followed with a timid tiptoed jog of anxiety until I hit millpond sea. When I couldn't run anymore I got my head down and eased myself into my swim pace. I was being stalked by the safety kayaks when I neared the end but 55 minutes later I was out knowing that the one thing that I thought would've held me back on my quest of becoming a triathlete was done. I knew I was on my way to my first finishers medal.
 Going into transition I had kind words from everyone I passed. The support was incredible. This made it easier to get on my bike and push...and push I did. Just over 3hours on the bike for a tough Lanzarote style 90k - I was happy with that (even if I didn't catch Hollie).
 However, I may have suffered for my efforts on the bike as I had super tight legs on the run. With finishing being my main goal I settled into a steady pace that didn't hurt and meant I didn't walk. 6min km wasn't my idea at the start but this was all I could manage.

Always smiling

Still smiling :)

 The support throughtout the course was incredible and I loved the atmosphere. I saw friends on the course who were competing and spectating and that was amazing.  I even got to run through the finish with Hollie who was waiting for me having already finished. 6 hours 11 minutes later and I was a triathlete! I proved people wrong and was proud of what I achieved. Thank you for all who believed and supported me throughout. As for learning there was no better race for me than this. The Tri 122 will always be in my heart for that and I'm sure I'll be returning. 

I am a triathlete!

 A few days after my legs have started to ease and I'm ready to train harder and push deeper. I still have the same goal for Ironman this year which is to finish but I know eventually I want to take 30min out of my time half Ironman time. I've got my benchmark and set my next goal. I also know what is needed to do to achieve it. Can't wait to fill you in on the progression...Thank you for reading see you soon x