One step at a time...

Earlier this year, a friend asked whether I'd like to swim the Great North Swim - a mile in Windermere - with her.  Having asked the previous year and recieved a wimpy 'no' she, being an optimist, asked again.  And this year, based around my saying yes to what comes along and seeing where it leads - it was a resolute YES!  (Although I do admit, somewhat wimpily followed by worrying about the amount of kit I'd need, costs etc for wetsuit, training and race entries.)

So very glad it was a yes now looking back on it.  Dutifully I trotted along and purchased the most expensive piece of clothing in my wardrobe, a full body suit made out of rubber (which coming to the end of the season I'm considering trading in for an upgrade - more rubber in the wardrobe!).  At the time I was convinced it would be a one hit wonder and would wear it, sell it on eBay then be onto the next challenge.  Little did I know!

As yet I haven't swum in Windermere as the swim was cancelled with extreme weather making it impossible for the safety crew to be, well safe in their cayaks (that challenge will be next year in June, followed by the Winderemere Olympic distance Triathlon in July), but have swum several other miles in Open Water settings and race environments.  I am absolutely in love with being outside in the water in a way that I never quite expected to experience.  I feel very fortunate and grateful to everyone who's been a part of my journey so far whether that been to have given tips and support, laid on the water in a star shape at the side of me, or the ones who recommended the sexy rubber swimming hats for the really good look out on the water.

Inspired by other members of Craven Energy our local Triathlon club (having joined to be able to get open water swimming experience before the big day - yes the one that never came due to bad stormy weather), I decided probably in mid June that I'd take part in a Triathlon or two.  Well that would be sensible, I think I actually decided that I'd like to take part in an Ironman competition...  Researching more, that goal has been put to one side for now whilst I work on shorter distance competitons (and once time for training allows - who knows!)

I've started to run and been building up distances running barefoot using Vibram Five Fingers which is a great experience.  To really feel the surface beneath you, feel your foot moving and without the restriction of conventional footwear has been brilliant.  I do spend most of my time barefoot when I can but these bridge the gap for me til I'm brave enough to go running entirely barefoot....  I would recommend reading around barefoot running before taking the plunge and have particularly enjoyed Chris McDougall's Born To Run as a goog place to start.

Cycling is the next big hurdle but... one step at a time!