A virtual triathlon for Covid lockdown times!

Trying to do my very first triathlon as a socially distanced virtual event using different parts of Brighton and Hove is a challenge of many dimensions. I've chosen to do a sea swim then cycle to the velodrome for the bike and run. I want to feel safe as I'm doing it alone so this is my plan. Recording all the data to qualify for a medal from the Leeds Virtual Triathlon as this is the only one I can find in the country to enable me to fulfil my swim bike run dream this year. Let's do this!

My First Ever Triathlon

750m sea swim 20km bike 5km run...solo...

Carrying all my gear with me on the bike I headed off to Lighthouse Beach in Southwick to start my challenge. No squad of support, or safety crew, or feed stations or mechanics. Just me and my tenacity. Leeds Virtual Triathlon...I'm on the case!

SWIM

The weather was totally on my side hurrah making the sea swim smooth. Well apart from the man who decided to swim directly underneath me as I repeated my triangle route of the water. I literally thought it was a shark and freaked out. We were the only 2 people in the water so why he felt the need to swim in my space I do not know. But hey. I survived and got changed on the beach into my bike kit to head to the velodrome at Preston Park.

BIKE

I settled in a spot at the far side of the velodrome and began my laps of the track. Nice and steady. Music in my ears. Nobody else about. Well apart from the man running laps barefoot that is.

RUN

Getting off the bike and into my pink trainers my legs did that weird bike to run thing where they go super fast for the first kilometre. It was quite hot by then so my pace slowed but as I crossed my virtual finish line after 5km I checked the distance to confirm it was complete and stopped the timer.

Strava links immediately uploaded to the Leeds Virtual Triathlon site I got confirmation I had completed the challenge and earned my medal. Head in my hands I had a little cry. I couldn't swim for fear of the deep. Couldn't even paddle to my ankles. Didn't own a road bike when I signed up. Runs were more shuffle dances than 5km paced efforts.

Signing up to a challenge that is beyond you is THE best way to see how far you can push your limits, learn new things and be proud of yourself. And my daughter was pretty proud too when I got home and said...I AM A TRIATHLETE PICKLE!!!!!!!

WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!

Pink power love to you for reading this, Leonie x x