Team PRA Triathlon Blog, Entry 4: Pre-race day

Right, so it's pre race day today. I've got all the gear, you know the rest…although suffice to say I haven't been out and had a bike specially made, or had underwater camera performance analysis swimming lesssons, like certain unnamed colleagues…

Due to circumstances beyond my control I somehow have ended up doing the bike leg of the triathlon in a relay with Laura and Caroline. First initial thoughts? Thank God its only one bit, not the whole lot. Second thought: I need a bike…

Herewith lay the first hurdle. My bike was still in a shed in Cardiff (150miles down the M4) but I managed to organise myself enough to go and pick it up - the fact that the tyres were flat might give you a small indication of how often it saw the light of day…in fact since April it's been in the shed here…. So, last weekend it got serviced, the tyres were pumped up, the dust dusted off, it's so shiny it actually looks like a brand new bike - again another indication of how often it has been used…

I also managed to borrow a helmet, I've actually been inside - yes, inside a triathlon shop to buy some of the advised "padded" spandex sensations that apparently help with cushioning (I have plenty of my own) and would you believe some toe clips. I'm more concerned that I won't actually be able to get my feet out of said toe clips should my bike slip and I'll do something I've not done for a very long time - fall off my bike! Oh god! Why am I doing this again? Oh, that's it, we're raising money for the Benevolent Fund…

I have been informed that this week is both a tapering week and a loading week, my interpretation has been: load - do some training, taper the excuses not to train…

So I have to get through 20km around the roads of London tomorrow. The weather forecast is against us but I have no doubt that my competitive streak will surface tomorrow. I imagine myself getting the triathlon bug and wanted to purchase the bungee laces, the clip on belts for your race number. I'll drag myself through 20km kicking and screaming if I have to…and for those of you who know me well I have no doubt my clumsy injury prone self will fall off my bike…

Wish me luck, and please sponsor me - even if you just think it's hilarious that on Sunday I'll look like a five year old with scrapes on my elbows and knees…

Signing off xx

If you would like to sponsor the PRA Triathlon team, who are raising funds for the PRA Benevolent Fund, the Players' Charity, please visit www.justgiving.com/pratriathlon

To read previous PRA Triathlon blogs go to www.prarugby.com/triathlon