Bella/Damien,

Thanks for your repsonses - apologies for my late "thank you" - since I last wrote I've managed to have a bike crash and then pneumonia which I picked up after my last open water swim race! I did my quickest time and then promptly fell very ill. I didn't realise I was so sick and did a bit of damage to my lungs. So frustrating! Feel like I'm starting over again....

One last question if you can bear it: when doing the lengths in the pool do you tumble turn or hand touch? We only have a 20m pool at hand and I think tumbles make the length even shorter?!

Thanks!

Emma

Stephen,

They don't sound convinced.

Hit 'em with a few more facts:

That Mc Donalds by the Whitgift was the biggest taking Mc D's in the UK for years...
Croydon has 6 KFCs! (too many fast food references for triathletes??)
Croydon has 3 mainline stations helpfully named...South, East and West.
Croydon had the busiest Woolworths in the UK (until they went bust)
Fiveways at Purley is the WORST junction in the world...

I lived in Wallington for 2 years just after I left uni. The day I moved into my flat the woman over the road murdered her husband. But that can happen anywhere, right?!

I'm from Leeds, Croydon with a different accent?

Emma

Thanks for your quick response

I wish I'd been on the wine - turns out my ability to drink has gone for a burton aswell! I'll definitely look up a triathlon squad, I currently train with my husband and best friend who are 2 very strong men so looking at their backs all the time is getting depressing!

I've tried swimming in the sea in Cornwall but haven't managed to find any water that replicates the waves I watched you plough through in PE. I am planning to go to SA for the 70.3 in January and then maybe to Lanzarote to a swim camp after that? Not sure if this is going to just freak me out or help at all?

As for the bike, I can push away yet sometimes lose my focus and end up cycling fine but not really pushing myself enough. When I finish a run I am usually exhausted yet sometimes even after a relatively long ride I feel like I haven't worked hard enough. Maybe it's just getting used to trainning a different way? Most things I read say to put hours in on the bike so I'm trying to do that but maybe I'll try some
 timed stuff aswell.

I hope your prep for Kona goes well. I'll be rooting for you! I got chatting to a girl at Heron Lake and mentioned this forum to her for tips and when she realised you actually respond to us mere mortals she nearly wet herself, said she saw you and Stephen  in Bolton and was completely star struck. You guys are genuinely appreciated- thank you!

EE

Bella,

I'm a couple of months on from my decision to do my first IM in Sourh Africa next year. Having been training with that in mind and on this forum for about the same amount of time my discoveries this far are as follows:

1. This forum thing is addictive. So helpful and informative but also very grounding...'I'm not the only one thinking that!'
2. I'm very competent at work yet this new level of training has me feeling like a complete imbecile: on long bike rides I lose concentration and look down for a sat nav that isn't there; on long runs I'm reaching for water bottles that aren't there.
3. I was worried about swimming, then about open water swimming, now about swimming in the sea!
4. I was so worried about losing my chest I never gave my toenails a seconds thought. They're going to be leaving me any day now!
5. Big crashes on the bike (it was a corker, ambulance and everything!) don't hurt as much as not being able to run as a result of it...

In short, I think I'm in love with this sport. And just so you know, I'm still holding you responsible! Thank you!

In order for me to get the most out of this relationship I'm having with triathlon I definitely need help with a few things:

1. My swim is weak. I could swim forever but not quickly. Any tips? I'm worried about the cut off, plus it's going to be in the sea- where best to practice?
2. The bike is looking like a strong point for me but I can easily lose concentration - any tips?

Thanks in advance!

Emma 

Bella,

Congratulations! Another IM victory - brilliant! Well done to Stephen too, another couple of miles and he would have caught him!

I didn't get to go and watch in Bolton, ended up doing my 2nd triathlon at the London Tri instead. Since I've decided to do IM SA next year I'm building up little bits of experience as I go. I really enjoyed it - although was glad to get out of the water! Total time for my first Olympic distance was 2.45 (32, 1.14, 50) I have no idea if that is any good or not but it felt ok. Just need to push myself on the run. I heard on my second lap that you had won and it did give me a bit of a kick. Very happy for you!

Would really love to hear how your race went - I have heard from others that it was a really tough event. Can't wait for your blog!

Well done again - brilliant stuff.

Emma

Hi guys,

In fairness to brother Bayliss he was beaten by Maarten Van Der Weljden the Olympic 10km champion. No shame in finishing behind him! The guy that was 3rd works in my local tri shop though. Drafted the whole way! Your brother swam 3k all by himself.

Good luck with your IM UK prep!

Best wishes

Emma 

Bella and Amanda,

Thank you so much for your advice and insight. No more spin or pump for me! I noticed no one commented on my chest issue; just going to have to see how that goes!

I did a BlueSeventy Open water swim today at Dorney Lake (again!) and saw another Bayliss in action; he must be a brother? Suffice to say he did really well and came in 4th in the 3km swim. Is he married? I'm wondering if I could be a better swimmer if I had that surname?!

I did the 1km; 17mins and no drowning. Actually quite enjoyed it and now I have a benchmark. I have decided I'm definitely doing IM SA next year so everything from here counts towards that. I met a guy at a party tonight who did Austria and spoke about just how amazing it was to watch an athlete like Bella.  Which other sport lets amateurs and pros mix like this?

Given I think the forum and blogs will be a source of info and comfort for the next 10 months I just need to get a couple of questions straight in my mind:

1. Is "Doc" Brett Sutton the big daddy coach man?
2. Is the "Boss" Brett (again) or Alex, the team manager?

Thank you ladies, you have already helped more than you know!

Emma x

Amanda,

Thanks so much for your comments. If you could bear to help a little more...?!

What did your training look like at its peak (I run a company and can be flexible with my time to a certain extent) e.g. how many long runs in the week, long bike sessions etc?
I currently do a few classes at the gym in my trainng- spin, body pump and circuits. Could the pump and circuits be counter productive in anyway? Most people I read about just seem to swim bike and run?
Swimming is my weakest area - I can do the 3.8k distance no problem but its currently taking me 1.40 in the pool! Any tips to get quicker? I would die if I missed the cut off!
I watched IM SA beginning to end - I saw very few women with a chest and I am a 34E. Is this going to be a major problem or can I kiss them goodbye?!
Finally, and this is my biggest fear, how the heck can anyone run 26 miles without an ipod?!

I don't know any woman that has ever done this so if you had time to answer my q's I'd be really grateful.

Thanks

Emma

Absolutely brilliant - true grit. As you say, "Enjoy and appreciate". Well done!

Hi Bella,

I began reading about you before IM South Africa and quickly got up to speed with what you've been up to. Very impressive! I was heading to SA to support my friend who was doing IM for the first time. Sadly it wasn't to be; he hyperventilated on the swim and couldn't get going. His race ended after the first lap.

We were all devastated for him but him being the true athlete he is he opted for staying and cheering on the rest. We shouted for you and Stephen for the next 7 hours on bike and run. I know you had problems on the run and I was gutted for you; Stephen did really well, the heat was unbelievable.

We sat on the wall outside that hotel by the finish for hours cheering people on and I made a promise to myself I would do it one day. On returning I signed up for the Timex Women Only Sprint at Dorney Lake and set about training for my first triathlon. I couldn't even swim crawl in April!

I finished my Sprint(!) 400/20/5 in 1.15 and I am chuffed to bits! My friend has already signed me up for IM South Africa next year; he has some demons to exorcise. My question to you is; can it be done? Can I get fit enough (I am prepared to put in the effort) in 9/10 months from whre I am now? I currently train 14 hours a week. Or should I plan for later next year and do some 70.3 beforehand? I know there is a massive gap to bridge from where I am to where I need to be but I am really up for it! As someone who knows what they are doing, I'd be glad of some advice!

I'll see you in Bolton at the beginning of August. I hope you both do the double.


Good luck with the rest of the season -  I hope you get your wish in Kona,

Best wishes

Emma