Here's what Zandie had to say about about her epic triathlon fundraiser:
"On
signing up to join the Quest Overseas Bolivia Gap team for 2014, I made the
decision to fundraise by setting myself a challenge of doing something that I
had never done. Little did I know that four months later, this very thought
would be being announced to the spectators who watched as I ran over the finish
line which marked the end of the Edinburgh’s New Year’s Day Triathlon. As they stood, cold, wet and, dare I say it,
pretty hungover from the night before, I think it is fair to say they were
struggling to understand why I would want to do a triathlon, let alone in
Edinburgh (where the weather is notoriously bad), and without mentioning on New
Year’s Day (which by their calendars is a day that is good for nothing unless
it involves sleeping in front of the TV)."
"Nevertheless,
I can’t say I wasn't pleased to see their faces as I came into the finishing
straight. Though I had done my best to stick to my training regime, in
hindsight, my bike rides around the parks of Madrid (where I had been in the
months prior to the race) on my rented bike didn't really help to prepare for
Scottish climate and relief. Furthermore, the real trial of a triathlon comes
when you put all the events together and add in the transitions, which, despite
numerous run-throughs, always end up being different on the day. As a result, I
had arrived at the venue pretty anxious and this had only been made worse the
day before, when the Facebook page had announced that two of the four hundred
odd competitors were going to be ex-Olympians (Keri-Ann Payne and David Carry). It was around about at this point
that I really began to question what on earth I had got myself into!"
"However, true to my original idea, I was determined to
not only complete my first triathlon of 2014, but the first in my lifetime –
even if I was going to be in a race of my own! Indeed,
it was this that made me enter the pool and as I began to swim, I soon found
the pace that I had become accustomed to in training. I even didn’t mind the
bit when I had to run the 100m from the swimming pool with no shoes on in order
to find my bike! Unfortunately though, I did encounter a bit a problem as I came
to first transition when the clip of my cycle helmet came flying off. This
could have potentially been a large problem as, true to triathlon rules, you
are not allowed to mount your bike until your helmet is securely on.
However, I luckily managed to scavenge it back and tie the thing
together, and before I knew it I was heading out for my first of
three biking laps of Arthur’s Seat. As I free wheeled down the first part of
the course, which was largely downhill, I began to think the whole thing wasn't
all that bad. Yet again, unfortunately, this too turned out to be quite short
lived, as I soon reached the rather large hill on the course. This posed a bit more of a struggle -
particularly first time around as it seemed never-ending due to the nature of
its twists and turns, and indeed as it was only made worse by the knowledge
that I would have to ascend twice more by bike and once more running given
the event’s route."
"Despite this, luckily with no
more further dramas and weather that managed to more or less hold of
the rain, I am glad to report that I did eventually finish the event in a time
of 1:50:11, which I was very happy with as all I wanted was to get under 2
hours. With 432 competitors overall, this put me in 288th place, but 32nd
in terms of those who were doing it for the first time as well as 4th in my category
(though there weren't many youths in the race!). In total, I covered nearly 20
miles between the three disciplines and yes, just so you know, I did also go
out the night before!"
Well done Zandie! We can't wait to hear all about how your trip goes and the amazing experiences had at Inti Wara Yassi.
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