Sitting all snuggly and warm with a lovely cup of coffee reflecting on yesterday and whether it was really that bad, and the official line is still, yes it was! This was going to be the easiest of my three challenges. I've done it 3 times before and although each time it has been challenging, I knew I could do it. But then the good old Scottish summer weather blew in! I was up bright and early to cycle to the start(I will be including the 7 miles I cycled to the start line in my total) it was pouring, so got completely soaked within a couple of minutes. Met Jane and Alistair at the start, that's commitment for you, up that early just to wave us off, thanks guys! My neighbour had given me some waterproof over shoes, they are kind of like really tight wellies, so I thought that at least my feet would be dry. Unfortunately I hadn't realised that the bottom of one shoe had cracked so the water seeped in anyway. Never mind I thought, it can't be this wet all day, it'll brighten up soon. I was cycling with my two friends Stephen and Twads, well, I say with them, but that means we start together and meet up at the end as they are way faster than me. Off we went. Looking at janes photos it looks like it's night time it's so overcast! I started well, and was making good time till the Forth Road Bridge, when I had to just switch to survival mode! It was so windy the rain was being blown upwards through the wee gaps in the road surface! From then onwards the wind was blowing directly into my face the whole way. At Kinross ( the lunch stop) I met Stephen and Twads again, that never happens, as they are usually so far ahead of me. The next bit after Kinross is usually my favourite bit, it's a lovely stretch over the countryside with gentle hills and great views, usually! A head wind and low mist put paid to all of that, it was hard and horrible! Freuchie is the next stop, for coffee and cakes for everyone except me, but by that stage I was so cold, wet soggy and miserable that even the thought that I had done most of it didn't cheer me up! A few more hilly bits and then I passed the sign for 10 miles left to go, a sight normally greeted with euphoria, but now with a nasty swear word and a grimace! I can't describe how hard that last 10 miles was. I was a broken woman! For the final 5 miles it's all downhill, but not on this occasion! I was in granny gear the whole way battling against the headwind, rain stinging my face . But I made it. My mum was waiting at St Andrews to give me a lift back. I usually have a celebratory pint, but I just got straight in the car, steamed up the windows and shivered all the way home! reflecting on it afterwards over a curry and beer with Stephen and Twads we were considering if we had actually enjoyed any of the day, and the consensus was, no! But it's over, and I have completed my three challenges. I have completed roughly 266.5km(165.5miles) of running, 954km (593miles) of cycling and have swum 22000m ( 13.6miles) Not too shabby!! Although this last challenge was not great, I have LOVED the others! Ventoux was epic, and I'd love to do it again. I've already signed up for another triathlon, and I will probably do St Andrews cycle again next year, but I will be checking the weather forecast next time!! Jane has been a great training partner, motivating me when Dr Dasterdly de Motivate reared his ugly head, and making me run in the first place. I also have to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped me during the last 6 months and to every one of you who has bothered to read this blog and donate money. If you havent done so yet, then get a move on! I need to give a special mention to Allister for his triathlon training support, to Twads for cycling with me during those long cold winter months and to everyone who has asked me how the training is going and giving me tips and advise. I couldn't have down any of this without Eilidh, my daughter, supporting me thoughout. She has hidden all the chocolate and biscuits in the house so that I'm not tempted, and has selflessly agreed to stay in bed or watch TV whilst I go out training and has come to support me when she can, Thanks Eil!!! One last thing......I did this to prove a point to the doctors who think I should have been on medication for my diabetes since Oct last year, to them I just want to say...."I told you I could do it my way!"

Full blog posting tomorrow, but just had to say , oh my god, that was HORRIBLE! It was wet cold and windy-in-your-facey! Can barely walk, but have managed to have a curry and a few beers to dull the pain!!

I don't think I've ever been this tired! Two days after the triathlon, and all I want to do is snooze! Is this normal? Had considered training this week, but I have to say it's not looking that likely! Might go to a tap class tonight as I haven't been for ages and I' m a bit of a dancer at heart, so have really missed it. It'll take my mind off the Edin to St Andrews cycle on Saturday, my last challenge. Well I say last, but Jane and I have only gone and entered the Haddington Triathlon in September!!!!

Woo hooo! We did it! all those months of training for the moment below...crossing the finish line.

Pretty Impressive ( we think!!) The swim was weird, we were both quite nervous before the start, but the hardest part was getting the swim caps on. I never wear one and it felt strange, couldnt hear a thing and my head got really hot! Jane and I were both in the same lane, her in front as she is faster, and off we went! the annoying thing was a guy who had put down 25mins for his swim, but was much faster, so kept on overtaking.  the other guy in the lane went off way too fast then slowed down lots, so we overtook him, that felt good! I lost count agin and was convinced I had only done about 25 when the lap counter told me that I only had 2 left. I questioned her judgement, but accepted her decision! Thats when Jane was getting out.  Both of us were complete girls and swam to the side to get out using the steps rather than beach ourselves trying to lift ourselves out of the water! Then quite a long run across the wet grass to the bikes. I couldnt get mine off the rack and all I could see was Eilidh (official photographer) laughing at me, as I nearly knocked the whole rail down. I felt quite good on the bike, this is the easy bit for me as I get a nice rest on the downhill bits, kept forgetting it was a race and had to remind myself to go faster, but made it back with only one near death experience for a family of pheasants who decided to cross the road in front of my bike. I didnt have a bell so I had to shout "out of the way baby pheasants!" just as I was enetering Peebles! The run started and the sun came out...see it NEVER rains when I run, and I took it easy on the first lap, but tried to pick it up a bit for the second. and then it was over...wooo hooo, that feels good. Official time for me 1 hour 52 mins and 23 secs....much better than I thought, might even do it agin!!

Aaaargh! This time tomorrow we'll be doing the triathlon! I don't feel ready, but it's too late now! We are hoping the weather won't be too bad, but it is Scotland in summer, so will probably rain. I keep thinking, 'as long as it's not too windy'.I know that I've one as much training as I could, apart from a couple of skiving off days, I have pretty much stuck to my plan of running 2 -3 times a week, swimming 2 -3 times a week and cycling one day a week since January. I know I can do the distances, not so sure I can do all of them one after the other though, but will find out tomorrow! Today I will be getting ready, taking everything I can off the bike to make it as light as possible ( I don't think I'll need my pannier rack and my bell). Am now relying on Eilidh to keep me right about what I need, she has endured getting up early and watching her dad compete in triathlons, too many to mention, since she was wee, so is an old hand at this! I feel somehow this one will be different!

I love a day off! Get up when I like, think about what to do over a cup of coffee that I actually finish! I had many options my garden is so overgrown I've lost both cats several times, my house is such a mess I can't find Eilidh and I still need to so some training. So I cut the grass in the morning in that beautiful sunshine, and did a bit,( but not all! )housework, by which time Eilidh had got out of bed and said she wanted to go swimming! Then quickly changed her mind when she realised that if I went by myself she could just sit and watch crap on TV all day instead! So I cycled to the Commie ( car has a HUGE nail in the tyre so is flat, a tyre I only got replaced 2 weeks ago..grrrrrr!). Unfortunately when I got there I realised I had forgotten my goggles, how annoying, I wanted to do 750 m and see how I got on. I did try to do the crawl, but couldn't see a blooming thing! I couldnt stay in a straight line, so switched to breast stroke. This doesn't tire me out so much so instead of doing 15 lengths of the 50 m, I kept going for 20 lengths instead. I did attempt crawl , but only when there was no one coming in the opposite direction in the lane. Then back on the bike, round Arthurs Seat before heading home ( prob about 10k) then, and I hope you'll be impressed with this, a 3 k ish run! My own wee mini triathlon!

Doing sod all today!!! Not being lazy, I have a concert rehearsal followed swiftly by the concert, so no time at all. hopefully will do a wee bit tomorrow, but Commie shut, so will have to be a cycle or a run, will see what I fancy......probably coffee!

Really had to talk myself into my swim this morning. Woke up with the alarm at 7.15 as usual, but was so sleepy, and I didn't really have to get up, Eilidh was at her dads and I had already told work that I'd be later in, so snooze on I did! Just lay there for a good half hour convincing myself I'd go tomorrow. Then Sir Smuggleton had a few stern words. So I did eventually get up and made sure I got straight into my swim gear so I couldn't talk myself out of it again. By now I only had 20 mins to swim, so I thought I'd just try to do 22 lengths like last week, but lo! I did 24. Am convinced that I must have lost count as it's inconceivable that I have improved that much!

I'vebeen a bit lazy recently, not in terms of training I must say, just in terms of writing the blog. I didn't write on Sunday as that was Janes day, and what a day. I don't know how she did it in that heat. She just kept on running! I had cycled from my house to Longniddry to cheer her on, a journey which I thought would be about 12 miles so should only be about an hour, hmmm. Think it's a wee bit longer as it took about 1 hr 45! This was due in part to being held up by the police stoping traffic, but is also an indication of just how slow I am on a bike! So a total of about 30ish miles on the bike on Sunday, then a wee walk with hobbildy Jane on Monday, which doesn't really count, then off for my last swim training session before the triathlon at the Commie. Tonights lesson? Open water starts!!! I excused myself from these with the very valid excuse that I will NEVER swim anywhere where there might be fish or seaweed, but did continue to do the lengths. I didn't do too many wheezy gulpy panicky breaths, so maybe I am getting better at breathing? Was really tired by Tues, and was glad of a day off! But back at it today with a slightly longer than normal run along the shore. I went passed the tea shop, adding a good 500 m to my run!! I was the slowest person in the world today though!

What a beautiful day! I had the Commie pool to myself this afternoon, which only served to slow me down as I had no one to harass me to go faster. Still 30 lengths done in just over 25 mins. Then it was off for a 5k ish run. Despite having my go faster sunglasses on, I didn't manage to break any records, but at last I was running in sun. I have been complaining for months about the weather and at last it has changed for the better. Hurrah! It's going to be another hot one tomorrow for Jane, but hopefully won't be too bad in the morning. Good luck Jane!!!

Whilst Jane is relaxing and doing nothing, I am freaking about the triathlon. She can't even think about it till after Sunday, but for me it's looming large! I know that I have been training regularly since Jan for this, but right now I still don't feel ready, and it's too late to do anything about it! This weekend is crucial to try to improve my confidence as it's the last proper training weekend I'll get.so plan a swim then run on Sat then a cycle and run on Sunday. Jane says she still wants to go for a run on Monday lunchtime, after her marathon! I'll be impressed if she can still walk after that. Went for a swim this morning, but could only stay for 20 mins as I needed to take my car to the garage, then get a bus to work.I managed 22 lengths in that time. I did stop a few times as I don't really do mornings!

I am tired today! Lunch time run was hard work and a slog, calves tight and complaining especially up the buggery hill! Picked my bike up from the shop where it was having a service, and the bloke said everything was just a bit slack...."how rude" I replied before admitting that's what happens when you get older, then I realised he meant the bike. I could have then just sat on the sofa and had an early night, easily, but Sir Smuggleton came riding on his white steed and whisked me off to the Commie. Tonights focus was all about trying to get me to breathe! Don't lift your head out of the water, just turn it to the side and only one goggle should be out of the water, were the instructions. Well, I don't know how much water I swallowed this evening, but the Commie was 2 m deep when I got in, but looked decidedly shallower when I got out!

What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours! From yesterday's teeth chattering run in the wind and cold to todays cycle and run in the sun and a t shirt ( at last). Went down to Peebles agin and did a 14 mile cycle then a quick transition involving putting the bike back on the car rack ( will I need to do that in the triathlon?). Then off for a 5 k run. I say run, but it's more of a shuffle really. The cycle took just over an hour and the run about 35, all timed by the trusty town hall clock! All of this done in bright sunshine with my 'go faster' shades on, and, best of all, NO WIND! Let's hope it's like this next Sunday Jane!

Official time of 31.43 for the parkrun this morning, no PB, but am happy with that as it was windy on the way out, and I got a stitch on the way back! It was really cold though, and I spent the run trying to convince Jane that it'll be lovely next week for the marathon, not too hot, not windy at all, until the way back when a gentle breeze will help guide her home, and definitely no rain....honest! Completed another 30 lengths at the Commie whilst Eilidh was in her dance class. Well I think it was 30,I lost count again!! here's how my swim goes....first 10 lengths " oh my god, I hate swimming, I can't breath, this is not natural, if we were meant to do this we'd have gills, help I can't make it" etc, then the next 10 calm down a bit, and I start to think" ok, this is getting better, I can breath and actually have a rhythm going on here" the last 10 " there's no way I can make this, I'm going to die, gulp, choke, help" My time today was 24.30, which is faster than last week, so a bit of an improvement.

Forgot to update blog yesterday, but thought I' d just do it after my run today instead, except I didn't run today! I did think about it as I was " working from home" this morning, but it was just too horrible out there! I know it's getting near to the triathlon, too near, but I just couldn't make myself get out there. I did swim yesterday morning as planned though. Forced myself into the fast lane and although I had to stop after every 2 lengths to get my breath back, I did try to go for speed over endurance....just hope it's having the desired effect, cos it's really hard! Will go to the parkrun tomorrow with Jane, but not expecting to be fast as my old hip spasm has returned! It's ok when I run, but my leg kinda collapses randomly from the hip after....I'm sure that's not supposed to happen!!

Can't type...arms too tired.....big fast swim last night!!

Do you know what I've done today?..... Absolutely hee haw!! I woke this morning at 4am with the wind battering my window and quickly made up my mind not to go out cycling in that! So I spent the day doing normal things that normal people do on a Sunday.I honestly don't remember the last time Eilidh and I spent a whole day together without dancing or training....so I don't feel bad about not doing anything, it's actually been rather nice!

Set off to take Eilidh to dancing this morning and who should we pass on Liberton Brae, powering her way up, but Jane! I think she was relieved to have a wee rest as it was the steepest bit and she had already done 16 miles, with 6 left...complete madness! Dropped Eilidh off the went to the Commie for a swim. Was determined to complete 750 m of crawl, and in a small moment of personal triumph, I made it! I did it in 25 mins, which will do me nicely, as 6 months ago I couldn't even do one length. I think I can now confidently put my target time for the triathlon to 23:30 for the swim. Not quite the 20 I was aiming for at the start, but it's more realistic. This now means that there is no more skiving for me, it's 30 lengths of crawl every time I get in a pool between now and June, no excuses! Then, just for fun I went for a 5k! After a speedy transition time of 9 mins (think there's room for improvement there) I did a slow plod for 40 mins. All I need to do now is fit the 20k bike ride in between the two!!!

Just read Janes blog post and I got totally soaking today aswell!! I was soaked from heat to soggy feet and ALL my clothes were wringing wet....but I was in the pool in my swim suit not outside in the horribleness! It is all my fault for saying the "S" word yesterday.....sorry about that. I thought the swim was going Ok this morning till a wee old lady who was swimming breast stroke with dry hair over took me!! It wouldn't have been so bad if I wasn't gasping for breath at the end of a strenuous 4 lengths( they were done without stopping, does that count?) she just said, " mind if I go in front?" grrrrrr! I did manage to do 4 lengths of legs only again, which I'm hoping will help, as it's when I add the legs in it all goes wonky! I really must attempt a timed 30 lengths soon, but I just think it'll be too embarrassing.

A bit of interval training at lunchtime today. It's really hard to motivate myself to do this, and my intervals of slow running are probably a bit too long, but hopefully it all helps! It was actually warm running along the shore, that's the first time this year! Hurrah! Summer must be on it's way!!