Back to blogging and cycle tour therapy

It has been a while since my last post – and I feel a little nervous getting back on the blogathon bandwagon. But here I am.

I am going to make this a short post. Since my last blog I have completed my first year of medical school, been for a short cycle tour in the Alps and spent a lot of time dreaming of getting back on the road. So in Summer 2012 myself and Simon are biting the bullet and heading off again to Nepal for two months. I got so much out of blogging for Peru – from peoples positive feedback to being forced to sit down, recount the amazing details of the trip and really thinking about why cycle touring is such good therapy. It’s good for the soul in fact. Not very medical but I am so excited already and need something to look forward to!

(Medical school = sore brain from cramming all the time)

Why Nepal? Well a few years ago I worked with a group of Nepalese people for the St Patrick’s Festival -trying to teach them how to dance for the parade on St Patricks Day! They were such a lovely group, so friendly and that experience has stayed with me. It also has the, ahem, Himalayas…I am drooling at the thought of being back in the mountains already. So planning starts now! Here is a very embarrassing youtube video explaining our work with the Nepalese group!

Snapshots from this time last year

1. This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Stayin Alive

Yesterday my friend Pauline persuaded me to go swimming in Lough Mac Nean with her. Yes, she is as daft as a brush as we had snow again last week and you can still see it on the mountains – see the photo I nicked from www.photosofblacklion.net as the proof! To be fair Glan is a couple of miles up the road from Blacklion but there was seven and a half feet of snow! And all that snow melted down and trickled it’s way to the lake where it was BLOODY FREEZING. Of course I am daft too so I tarred myself with the same brush - and us two half-wits got rubbered up putting on our tri-suits to make a splash. Toes are still intact, thank you. Having eventually got down in the water we managed to persuade ourselves to swim out around the island and back. The only way to keep warm was to keep going! Maybe it was the air of Boho and wizzing down the country lanes that had my mind half-baked - YES I had got my little trucker out again and have been cycling the hills of Boho. All I can say is thank God for disc brakes as I nearly went flying into a BMW yesterday on one of the downhills.

Today Pauline wants me to go running with her. The girl is like a march hare she did not walk, but RAN up Croagh Patrick a few weeks ago. So I told her to go easy on me. In other news the Revolution Boys will be back from the first Irish Circumnavigation of the Globe (a mouthful indeed) on the 15th May and will be doing a homecoming cycle from Blackrock to Greystones raising money for Aware. I am actively recruiting! It’s only about 25km and if you are worried about getting on a bike hear this: when they left in November 2008 I did the same cycle on a rusty bike, I hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning and was probably slightly hungover too. I only felt woozy once and the lovely marshals pushed me up Bray head! So get your old Raleigh or whatever serviced and get on your pushbike. There will be a bit of a shindig afterwards in the Rugby Club in Greystones so it will be well worth it for the craic. Or even to see the state of Simons big red beard and dodgier by the day hairstyle. I think he’s going for a beegees look at the moment and I will personally be presenting him with a very sharp pair of hedgeclippers when he comes home.

Spot the Difference

Sports Snobs

I know all about sports snobs – I used to be one. When I was a swimmer I won every bleep test in PE and thought the other girls were total wuss’s. I thought being the best made me better. I was wrong. Cycling in Peru last April certainly made me reflect on how I feel about sport and my relationship to it. Pre-Andean cycle I had to put the shoe on the other foot. Simon and Fearghal left in November 2008 and at that stage I was barely able to run the length of myself.  I hadn’t trained properly in years. I had taken up jogging the year before but it was one month on and three months off. I think a lot of people can relate to this. When you have broken the cycle of exercise and allowed yourself to become unfit and overweight it is really really really hard to get going again.

First there is the psychological struggle with the fear: The fear of looking like a big squidgy muffin in the gym. You think that everybody is looking at you and they know that you don’t belong. When I started jogging again I was embarrassed for about three months because I didn’t think I looked like I ‘belonged’ to the imaginary gang of fit people in my head. I was angry with myself because I knew how easy it had once been to roll out a 10k without even training as I had such good stamina from swimming. I was always picked for cross country in school even though I’m not gifted at running naturally. It was the swimmers stamina. The fear doesn’t disappear. When I went out the other day I thought to myself, here we go, everyone in Blacklion who passes me on the road is going to think I am an eejit. But the opposite happens. People say fair play to you and ask you how you’re getting along. So whatever it takes for a person to get up off the couch – be it a fitness Dvd or a walk in the park or a jog that only takes you halfway up the hill and back down again-there’s one thing guaranteed, you will feel all the better afterwards. And anybody who tells you that your efforts aren’t good enough or that fitness Dvd’s are no good, just remember that they are a sports snob. Tell them Emma said so.

And another thing about fear. You can overcome it. I taught my friend Ruth to swim last year. I won’t tell you her age but she was a mature adult learner. And she had a total fear of the water. Now she tells me she enjoys lying back and floating! You should have seen this girls face when I first mentioned floating! So go on, conquer your fear and show those Sports Snobs a thing or two! Don’t get afraid, get ANGRY!

Your Health is your Wealth

I write this blog with sweat running down my back and a rosy complexion to prove my exertion. And I didn’t even run very far…I went halfway up Canabo which is a little wee bitty of a hill in comparison to the Peruvian Andes. My chest was sore and I had to walk bits of it. But I did it. I can’t believe I’m back to square one in terms of my fitness or should I say square zero as that’s what it feels like – zero fitness. This past two weeks I’ve been reminded of how important exercise is as I’ve been doing work experience in the Blacklion Health Centre shadowing our local doctor – in September I will be starting a Graduate entry course in Medicine. Yes that’s with a capital M. It’s true what they say – your health is your wealth and looking after it is so so important. And another cliche that was said to me when I first decided to do medicine and barely knew what an electron was – Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

So next time instead of getting to the gate past Mc Hugh’s house, I might make it as far Jim Nolans. Then I might make it to the other Mc Hugh’s house. And then it’s only halfway up a mountain to Gowlan chapel and Claire Mickey Franks House. I might get a cuppa tea and digestive biscuit off Eileen! How about that for incentive. Oh yes, and seeing the view to Lough Macnean and across Glenfarne plateau as the sun stretches its lazy arms out across to the sharp tips of Ben Bulben and beyond.

Ash Wednesday and The Beast of the East

Well it’s been a little while since my last post! Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Dunh dunh dunh. Which is the Mc Govern household means restraint and sobriety. I began the New Year with my Davina Fit DVD in full swing and a New Years Resolution to buy myself a Racer! So…it is now mid-February and I look back to last year when I was out running 10k about 3 night a week, swimming and cycling 100km a week and think, how can I have regressed so far?! However, now is not the time for excuses. I’ve just spent an hour working out my race schedule for the next four or five months, and found the ultimate challenge to work towards: The Beast of the East.

The Beast of the East is a full-length triathlon at Lough Dan in Wicklow, with a gruelling 1,500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run. It sounds like Heaven and Lough Dan is so beautiful. So the goal is set. As part of the build up I want to do at least two sprint triathlons and a couple of Duathlons so my timetable is shaping up well. Wish me luck!

Aquathon

750m swim and 5K run later

 

 

I dawned my wetsuit last night and became an amphibian completing my first ever Aquathon! And I have to say I really enjoyed it. The ladies began the first wave at 7.30pm. I was so freakin nervous man!!! It was really good fun though. I went to the Martello Bar and registered early – sat watching more and more very fit looking sporty people arrive. So I got changed into my wetsuit around 6.30pm. Eek! It was really well organised and everybody got a little box for changing into their running gear for transition.

You can't see but I was very nervous just at this moment!

So we started the swim down towards Bray head – there were two large yellow buoys to swim around. I got into the water and it was fecking freezing! I was actually glad of the wetsuit. So the race began and I was up near the top of the pack at the beginning. But I’ll tell you sea swimming is seriously different to the pool! With the cold it is a lot harder to feel comfortable breathing. I had done loads of stretching, running on the spot etc to get warmed up but I didn’t really have a proper warm up. We rounded the first buoy and I was throttled by another amphibian! She wacked me over the head and it was not just that we were in each others space. Not being one to lie down I decided to move away from her, was tempting to give her a good whack back - but I am very strong and wouldn’t want to be responsible for drowning a fellow aquathonian! So I kept up fairly well but just tried to pace it because my worst fear was keeling over halfway through!! We rounded the 2nd buoy and I then on the way in I got off course a little bit which lost me a few seconds. I left the water struggling to run up the beach! They put a mat down to run over the stones which was good. Got to transition and ripped off the wetsuit, put on my shorts and top and had to lace up runners which definitely lost me time – I need a pair of toggled runners.

 

The best supporter in Wicklow!

You can’t see but I was very nervous just at this moment!

That’s me in the pink shorty wetsuit

750m swim and 5K run later

Number 221 didn’t keel over, hurrah!

 

I rounded from the transition area and there was Simon’s mother Anne! It was so nice to see a friendly face cheering me on! I tried to pace the run as I wasn’t sure how far up Bray Head we had to go and how much the sea swim had taken out of me – I didn’t want to bust it completely as I had bit of a stitch coming out of the swim. There were a good few girls who passed me on the run – but as I was definitely one of the first ten to leave the water I was happy enough. Overall I am really glad I competed yesterday - it was exactly the kick up the proverbial I needed!

 

Overall out of 47 women competing, I came 36th with a time of  42 minutes 40 seconds. Not too bad for my first time out – there must have been a few more who passed me in the run than I had thought!

The next Aquathon is Wednesday 19th August so I have a month to train hard and hopefully come up in the rankings!

Good Omens

Ems little trucker has been all the way to Peru and back!

Good Omens is the name of one of my favourite Terry Pratchett novels. Last night the Space Shuttle Endeavour could be seen breaking off from its fuel tank as it raced across the sky. We saw it in Blacklion it was amazing. Good Omens.

Yesterday – I found my bike in Dublin!! GOOD OMENS ALL ROUND!!!!

How on Earth did this happen?

I was at Bus Aras in Dublin and about to hop onto to the Donegal bus home which drops you in Enniskillen. Now every single bike I have seen in Dublin I was checking out in case it was mine. I saw a guy walking along with two bikes in the area between the baggage hold of the bus and the silver specialized jumped at me – it was small enough to be mine! I hesitated for about half a second and followed the bike. It was my bike!!! With a very tall and built looking fella who I later found out is from Zimbabwe. Well…now…this would not deter a heartbroken Emma from getting her little trucker back! So I told him it was my bike – a stolen bike and that I had reported it stolen and was all a fluster not wanting to let go of the bike. Robert was absolutely lovely. His girlfriend Gosia who is about to pop (have a baby) in three weeks came over and we had a chat. Turns out they were sold the bike for €50 – WTF!!!

A fella living in an apartment above their place – or at least always hanging around had sold Robert the bike because Robert fixes bikes. Obviously the fella had no idea of the real value of that kind of bike. And it turns out that Robert has a really interesting history. He used to take people cycle touring all over Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and other countries in the southern part of the continent. Amazing. Sometimes they would be away for an entire year with different groups.

So we all walked up to Fitzgibbon Street Garda station where Daddy had reported the bike stolen last Friday night and spoke to the Gardai. Robert gave a statement and I am hoping that is the last he hears from them. They only have the first name of the fella who sold him the bike but the danger is the Gardai will decide to prosecute Robert for handling stolen goods. Which poses a question of ethics. If you were offered an almost brand new bike worth in the region of €800 for €50 – you know that it probably has been stolen. You know that you could report it to the Guardai. But do they have any system in place to check whether the bike has been reported stolen? Even if they did there is no incentive to do this. I would probably buy the bike. Most people would probably buy the bike anyway.

Emma descending towards Nazca after four weeks at altitude

It turns out Robert had his brand new Trek stolen about three weeks before my bike came along. Funny enough he suspects the guy who sold him my bike as it was stolen from his home or garage. He didn’t report it stolen because he didn’t see the point. Usually when a bike is gone it is gone. Therein lies a message – always report the bike stolen, you never know where you might spot it.

And now for my cynical side. I am worried for Robert. He was one of the loveliest people I have met in quite a while – open and honest. His girlfriend is about to have a baby. But the Gards will probably try to prosecute him for handling stolen goods unless they get the other fella. I am in touch with Robert and sending an email to the Garda handling the case to emphasise how lucky I am and how co-operative and straight Robert was with me. Just before we left Fitzgibbon Street a BanGarda who had been on duty Friday asked us about the bike. I told her how great Robert was but she was naturally suspicious and said “He knew he shouldn’t be handling stolen goods”. Robert has now become an easy target for the Garda to prosecute - should I have asked him to give a statement? Well it was the straightest thing to do, I couldn’t exactly say I found the bike parked along a wall.

So – we shall see what happens. But once again I ask the question – knowing a bike was probably stolen, would you buy it anyway?

I probably would.

WICKLOW TRI AMPHIBIAN KING AQUATHON SERIES

Pre Nazca heights - making a splash at 4500m in Peru

 

Well I bit the bullet and have entered for another race. No cycling this time. The Aquathon is basically a 750m swim followed by a 5km run which starts at 7.30pm on next Wednesday the 22nd July. Thanks Pete for having an eye for detail – I thought it was 7.30am start…again the mind boggles.

I am also considering going to see the TRI-ATHLONE this Saturday as an exercise in fear. Talking about doing sprint triathlons and actually doing sprint triathlons are two very different things so I figured I would start by taking inspiration by watching triathletes in action. Interestingly enough an old family friend and former swimming buddy, Gavin Noble Ireland’s foremost triathlete is racing. I’m hoping to pick up a few tips in transitioning from the swim to bike.

Which leads me onto the next question – What kind of new bike should I be getting? I want something fast – unfortunately my budget won’t be stretching to the extent of a carbon frame but suggestions are welcome and I am tempted to go second hand.

Why this sudden surge of action you ask? Well, my Daddy once said to me “I’m not fat Emma, I’m curvy!” – and getting curvier every day I told him. I felt amazingly fit when I came back from Peru, and I have decided I want to feel like that every day! Between weddings, catching up with friends and Blacklion’s Fair Day weekend I have been neglecting my training and don’t feel any better or wiser for it. And it’s the best way to beat the Bicycle Blues!

Bicycle Highs and Bicycle Blues

 

Well I did complete the Wicklow 100! Although Pete beat me by a couple of hours due to his lovely Giant racer bike. The Wicklow 1oo was really well organised with excellent tea and sambos halfway through!

 

Unfortunately my little trucker has since been stolen in Dublin…how could I let this happen I ask? Well it was supposed to be en route to Blacklion and unfortunately it was left on its own unlocked for a few minutes and got nabbed. I am hopeful to recover it though as there aren’t too many 13″ Specialized Rockhopper Comps in silver floating around so please keep your eyes peeled!

 

In saying that my next bike will definitely be a racer…and next year I am doing the Wicklow 200. Challenge set. In the meantime I am looking into starting Sprint Triathlons – any advice welcome!