Lucy Collins- The First Viceroy to Suggest that striving for GBR qualification is a mid-life crisis?? but better than a fast car or running off with the milkman!

I decided to give qualification a go last winter as a push to get me back to proper fitness after three or so years of sporadic training after having Emma, our daughter.  I also turned 40 this year so never a better time as I’d be the youngest in my age group.  I would need all the help I could get!  I didn’t tell anybody I was going to attempt it as was convinced it would never happen, but at least I might get faster and better anyway.   I did tell the other half who blabbed to his best friend from school- Garry Palmer- who just happens to have a PhD in physiology and sport science and is a coach.  One very generous Christmas present from Garry and I have done great coaching in place to help me work training around work, Emma and occasionally seeing Nick! I started getting faster, but was still a fair bit off the gains I needed.  So, my 40th birthday party was a beautiful TT bike- the times started tumbling!  I have been accused of a mid life crisis, but I reckon it’s better than a fast car or running off with the milkman.

My first qualifier was Bevoir castle.  It was awful in every sense of the word- starting off with a horrendous swim.  I crossed the line pretty dejected to the guest words from my daughter of: ‘Mummy you were so slow’.  Lovely.  Didn’t even pick up my results as I was so convinced I was down the pack.  However, when I checked the results on line it seemed my bike and run weren’t so shoddy and I had come 4th in age group to qualify!  A glass of red wine was definitely enjoyed that evening.

Since then training has been pretty full on – lucky to have qualified early, and I’ve had some great results in local races since, so gaining some confidence.  I’m swimming as much as possible as it’s my worst bit and I can get freaked out in the free for all at the start, and that’s really paying off.  I’m looking forward to Chicago so much, especially as so many of the club are there.  I am however also terrified I’ll come last, so I just need to enjoy it. Goals are- not last, then not last GB woman- anything above that is a bonus.

Seriously- to anybody considering it- give it a go and get some coaching from Mark or another great coach.  If I can do it anybody, anybody can and it does feel pretty amazing, if not a bit over whelming at times!

And finally- hopefully they’ll be a picture of me on 19th September face down in a bowl of chips with the largest beer in the world half drunk. I miss food and booze!