After a decade of jet setting around the world with work I woke up in a distant airport realising that I was going to fat and forty within a month. The forty part I wasn't too worried about but where did my 30's go ? Probably left in lost property in some far flung hanger aircraft hanger.
i started running - it was accessible where ever I was. I was a swimmer in my teens and had a relatively unused mountain bike in the garage.
Progressing from 20second lung busting efforts that left me dizzy for days I crept through 5k, 10k and did my first half marathon within 7 months of starting out. I lost around 2 stone in weight and shared a world record time with Paula Radcliffe - OK she did the full marathon distance & I completed my first half !
The local sports centre was training an aquathon, so thought why not. Loads of novice mistakes my transition time actually slower than my swim time. Plus I went wrong so 5k ended up as a 7k run. I came dead last but loved it.
Next stop triathlon on the mountain bike, I had to wait until my next birthday for a road bike.
In the last 5 years I have run 3 marathons - slowly, running is my nemesis. Or maybe the beer stop at mile 22 of London doesnt help And competed in triathlons upto Olympic distance. Best finish 3rd in age group at Bristol last year I don't often trouble the podium but do enjoy myself and yet to see a race pic that I'm not smiling in.
So why my interest in the Pirates ? Well I have been watching and waiting in the sidelines not feeling ready to jump in until I've committed to the big one. I'm doing my first middle distance - Challenge Henley Half in Sept. I have already entered ironmanuk70.3 for next year and just waiting for ironmanuk Bolton to open. Booked accommodation already.
I am also a bit of a forum novice - this is the first one I have ever posted to. But I hope that alongside training I can gain some tips, take and give some banter and would be proud to wear the yellow pirate kit - my favourite colour.
Redstripe is my Runners World profile but some of you may know me as Zoe Forman in twitter worunder hoping I'll be accepted into the PSOF and look forward to meeting many of you in person at unit and small event over the next year before the bygone in Bolton.
I will head back to the kit page
Comments
Welcome aboard, I'll see you at Henely.
Zoe welcome aboard .. enjoy the ride !!
Yippee! Hello.
It's a slippery slope this tri stuff Welcome!!
Welcom aboard red stripe
Welcome Red Stripe - I'm relatively new to this game too, but finding it oh so addictive.
I've found the pirates to be a good bunch so far, with lots of support, encouragement, banter and even some gallavanting in jock straps.
Pudge - yep after my first aquathon and getting a road bike I too was hooked on tri.
Haven't got and unlikely to get a jock strap but maybe a sports bra will suffice !
Having completed nay biggest brick in torrential downpours yesterday - 4 hour ride with 45min run I know I'm a mad fool ! But secretly loved it when I was warm & dry, fed & watered after.
Youre in, passed the test with flying colours
There are a number of us doing Henley, some doing the full and a couple doing the half. I believe most are camping at Swiss Farm, there are also plans for a meet up on the Monday if youre still around, failing that youll no doubt bump into some of us so say hello.
Maybe pop along and say hi on the Henley thread?
If youre interested someone may be able to lend you some kit for the race? maybe start a thread or post on another thread e.g. ask on the kit thread if anyone has anything spare?
Welcome Red Stripe, you'll love IM at Bolton, I did it this year as my first and it was incredible, amazing organisation and support, and top pizza at the finish. It's all about the pizza.
Welcome Red Strip - there's a 'race debrief' the Monday after Henley which you are very welcome to gate crash and come and meet some other Pirates. there will also be a few around the Sat night before - pop into the Challenge Henley thread and say hi
Ay up and welcome.
Will def be looking out for you all at Henley. Not sure I'll be around Monday but who knows I may still be sleeping under the pizza table at the finish
welcome red strip !
I'm in the Big one at Bolton
ironmanUK let the training begin ..... Bring on the hills, it's all about the bike.
Fresh DNA. WOOHOO,
Hiya Red Stripe.
Welcome aboard
I'm in a similar situation to you RS, decided that the Outlaw 2014 will be my first iron distance race..
Nice to know there's others in my situation
Hoping to join the pirates one day as I think I'll need all the support and advice I can get my hands on!
How do go about becoming a pirate?!
See above
Its all about the attitude !!
Hi guys - thanks for the welcomes.
Schmucks has found some kit for me to borrow for Henley so I can find you and via versa.
I didn't menation in my intro but I'm also a little accident prone so look for the chaos. I've lost a tooth & shoe in a marathon, taken down a rack of bikes in Blenheim went on run with bike helmet until I threw it into the groin of a helpful marshal, got lost on an aquathon and did 8k instead of 5k & swam into a canoe and dislocated a finger in tri swim
Should be called Little Miss Calamity on profile
LOL.........
Priceless!
oops - buggered up the quote box! Stoopid poota/operator!
I wouldn't even know how to get a quote box. Probably crash the forum trying
Red stripe with chaos like that you will fit right in with some of this lot.