I did it! I ran around Lake Hayes ... well, almost.
It was the first time I had attempted to run the whole thing.
I made it three-quarters of the way around in 35 minutes. I would say it was about 80% running, 20% walking but I was pleased with my effort. By this stage I had a massive blister on the arch of my foot and made the executive decision to stop running.
The blister was one thing, the pain in my left ankle post-running was something else - it hurt to walk, let alone run.
The next morning I was tucked up in bed having a wonderful sleep when, at 5.45am, the voice of the devil woke me.
MJ informed me she had packed the two kayaks on the roof of the car and it was time for my behind to get out of bed.
Five minutes later, wide awake, freezing and limping I headed to the car.
We headed out on the lake and enjoyed my 50-minute paddle.
I'm still learning the basics - like how to achieve a fast take-off and paddle correctly - but I'm loving it.
I made it to work and was still trying to come to grips with the lack of sleep and my now throbbing ankle when my devil coach walks in with a professional cycling top from the Outside Sports team. Team, thank you!
I was supposed to be going to boxing at Lakes Leisure for the most intense cardio session of my life but I couldn't put weight on my foot.
To my surprise, I was wide awake the next morning and ready for the kayak session. It's cold at 5.30am ... but an amazing start to the day - which finished with me heading to One on One to see if they could rid me of my hobble.
Thanks to Dr Simon Bourke, who managed - very quickly - to make me feel better.
I have learned very quickly you have to look after your body and the professionals are the way to go.
For example, the good folk at Outside Sports told me if you are not a runner, maybe it's not the best idea to run Lake Hayes right off the bat. Start instead with 20-minute runs and add an extra 10 minutes when you start feeling fitter.
I had big training plans for the weekend, which included mixing up my routine by attending the Queenstown Boxing Gym's women-only class.
Then I headed to Lake Hayes, where MJ made me kayak the circumference of the lake.
On Sunday she made me do the triathlon, timed me and then analysed which areas needed improvement. Getting out of the kayak is on the list of areas for improvement.
Next it was on to the bike and I was going fairly well - my legs began to burn, but I just pictured fat melting away.
Instead of running, I walked and imagined I should be able to cut 10 minutes from my time when I'm back to full fitness.
It's been a wonderful week of training and I am looking forward to the event. The support I've received so far is amazing.
If any ladies training for the triathlon want to join the devil trainer and me on our early-morning kayak sessions, just send me an email - justine.mccall@odt.co.nz - we'd love to see you there and if you haven't done so yet, book your space for the triathlon at www.southerntraverse.com/womenstri.
