I have just entered the Specsavers 70.3 Ironman in East London on the 22nd of January 2012. I should be committed to an institution.

After 4 weeks away on an amazing tour of Germany, eating far too much and exercising far too little, I am officially shaking in my shoes at the idea of starting this training. I have joined a group called Embark and training officially starts on the 1st of August. I really really hope that there is at least one other person there as slow as I am.

I’m enjoying doing the spinning sessions at gym. It’s a start although I realise is not quite the same as getting proper bike time. I will be hopefully buying my bike next weekend (my birthday present from  my wonderful husband) along with a proper swimming costume and all the paraphernalia that is needed for the training to start properly.

The goal is to finish the race, not to win it, but at the same time I want to be comfortable throughout. I know that this is something that I can do with the right training and I just need to get my mind straight. I’m going to track my progress here and hope to write rave reviews on increased fitness, decreased weight and training highs although I’m sure that there will be some lows and tough times too. The mental challenge has begun and that is the biggest obstacle. So, as of now, I am being positive and excited whether I am the fastest of slowest in the group or have to sleep an extra 20 hours on the weekend and end up going to bed at 7pm. This is something that I really want to accomplish. I think I need a mantra….