Oh yeah almost forgot I have a training long don't I!!
2 weeks fairly steady leading up to:
SaturdayBeaver Half IronmanPreparation went well, felt sluggish at start of "mini" taper and then the strength came through.
5 Hours 40 min - Not great considering the bike leg was short.
Had a major problem with T1 - 800m run from lake to T1 BAREFOOT
Barefoot running is the one thing I can't do. I've worn orthotics for 15 years & I know better.
I did ask if I could put my running shoes down at the lake, but was not allowed.
So sense would have told me to walk to T1 considering the distance across a rough sun baked field.
But no I ran and that just ruined my whole race. What a muppet!!
Still there were lots of positives:
+ Got the nutrition and electrolytes spot on
+ Got the hydration spot on - coped really well with the sudden 27 degrees that we got
+ felt VERY strong throughout the bike and at the end of the bike felt great
+ New bike went well, half the course was like pure time trialling - long flat straight road - top gear the whole way. The other half of the course was rolling with one 14% climb and super fast sweeping decent. We did 3 laps of this. A very enjoyable hard ride.
+ OK swim, despite the fact that I was slightly winging it on the amount of swimming I've been doing
+ I have a super new Pop-Up tent which flew up and got pegged down in about 2 minutes despite arriving in the pitch black at 10pm on Friday night.
So I'm flying back into the Castle Grounds at the end of the bike and possibly letting out a little Woop Woop because thats how I felt. I'd spun the legs for the last 5 minutes and I was ready for the run. I'd done it in training and I was going to get off and hit that first Km hard and set the pace for the whole run - then push it and hang in there no matter what.
So here comes the NEGATIVE
The barefoot running had inflammed the outside of both of my feet. Something I didn't even know that I had until Saturday called a proneous Brevis tendon. Apparantly barefoot running can damage this further up at the ankle, but can also cause problems mid way along the foot. OMG is all I can say, it was a mix of pain and cramp like sensation.
I didn't realise or know what it was in fact till I got home and googled it all so I carried on thinking it was something that was going to ease off.
So it's 27 degrees, no suncream, feet that don't work, 4 laps UP a hill and back to get through. Suddenly a relatively short race can seem like a long way. Not what I signed up for. I walked, hobbled and jogged in pain for 13.1 miles and said ouch a fair few times.
Anyhow I've beaten myself up over it for 2 days now, so it has to stop. It was my fault and mine alone. I'm just frustrated and disappointed.
Have been RICEing the feet, massaging and had a few anti-inflammatories. Also kept my running shoes (with orthotics) on for 2 days for support. Will be back on the bike tomorrow and running the day after. Actually jogged up our field tonight to see if the feet were OK now the inflammation has gone down and they were. No lasting damage.
The race organisers did an awesome job and put on a superb race at a stunning venue. I will go back and do the race again to set the record straight. I will walk to transition and I will make up the time elsewhere.
by IronGirl » Mon May 07, 2012 8:40 pm 
At least your head and back side will be tough if nothing else.
) That's crazy that they wouldn't let you put shoes there. I've been to many races that allow that.
Fingers crossed there!