I did it! I completed the Real Women's Duathlon at Millbrook yesterday.
I'm very proud of myself and really enjoyed the event.
After training for six weeks I was a lot fitter than I was before, but still felt really nervous and doubted whether I'd done enough training.
I woke up on event day early and tried to eat breakfast.
I managed some cereal but the butterflies in my tummy didn't help.
But I had a sports drink, so I figured I would be sustained throughout the event.
Briefing and warm-up began at 8.20am and calmed my nerves immensely.
It was so much fun with all the other women warming up with an instructor to some music.
It was good to be part of a group of women doing something together.
Everyone was so friendly and the atmosphere was high-energy and fun.
I was in the 11th group to start, about 9.15am.
The weather was perfect.
I was amazed at how well the start went.
I ran the whole 3.5km - a big step up from my first days of training six weeks ago when I was out of puff after 10 minutes.
I felt great.
The transition to the bike was a bit of a challenge.
At the beginning, my gears started slipping and when I took my water bottle out I couldn't get it back in.
So the start of my 10km bike ride was a bit shaky.
I got into it after a while and when I saw the "8km completed" sign I was so happy.
I was surprised that I found the running easier than the cycling because I only started jogging six weeks ago but have some cycling experience.
I think I concentrated on training for the jog over the bike ride, and it showed on the day.
But I made it to the end.
My legs felt wobbly once I got off the bike and I found the final 1.5km run quite tough.
I stopped and walked up some steeper sections.
But when the finish line was in sight I went for it.
The adrenaline and atmosphere of everyone cheering and clapping was amazing.
My time was 1hr 10min 15sec.
I was aiming for 1hr 20min, so was really happy with the result and relieved I didn't feel like collapsing at the finish.
It was well worth the effort and the sense of achievement and satisfaction gave me such a buzz.
I will definitely keep up jogging and am sure I'll complete another duathlon.
I'd encourage everyone to try regular exercise.
It gets easier and is actually quite addictive.
