Kipwil, encouraged by Mermaid Mel and another friend Ruby, signed up for a triathlon, a baby one that consisted of a 100m swim, 3km bike ride and 1km run. It seemed so easy when Kipwil signed up but as time drew near, her anxiety would fill her mind with deep grey choking clouds. She'd push the clouds out and deliberately not think about the upcoming triathlon. Mermaid Mel had invited Kipwil and her family to her holiday home about 3 hours upriver and they all enjoyed the most relaxing, calm and serene few days on the banks of the river. But then....the day came, as days do, creeping up stealthily and arriving with a fanfare whether you are ready or not.
Kipwil slept badly. Around her in the dark, the What If fairies turned nasty, leaving stains on her half asleep mind. What if I can't swim? What if I'm last by miles out of the pool? What if I fall off my bike? What if I go the wrong way? What if ....what if....what if........
Kipwil was woken by the alarm at 5 am and rolled out of bed, her insides flittery and yet oddly heavy. Nanny Nutrition had a yoghurt and berry compote for both Hubba Hubba and Kipwil and Kipwil ate in silence. Hubba Hubba helped Randy the bike into the car and waited for Kipwil.
Sergeant JFDI and Nanny Nutrition, both early risers, stood at the door.
"Bye Dearie, you will be fine! Good luck!" said Nanny Nutrition cheerily.
" Remember Kipwil, Never give Up. You can do this, you have trained and you are capable. Make us proud." said Sergeant JFDI in a parade ground whisper.
Kipwil smiled weakly and got in the car. She was silent for most of the trip and the closer she got to the triathlon course, the harder she found it to breathe. Hubba Hubba noticed the heavy sighs and put a comforting hand on Kipwil.
" You'll be fine Babe" he said smiling.
" Woohoo!!!!! I can't wait!!!! LET"S GO!" squeaked Randy excitedly.
When they arrived, Hubba Hubba helped Randy down and Kipwil walked him over to the registraion desk and transition area. She was given her pack with her bib number 445 and timing chip. She lodged Randy at the transition bar, together with her towel, helmet, shoes and socks and cycle pants.
" Hurry back! I can't wait...LET'S RACE!" Randy jiggled. Kipwil laughed. Well I guess its now or never. she thought.
Hubba Hubba walked with Kipwil over to the pool where they watched the Long course and the Medium course swimmers start. Kipwil felt a HUGE wave of relief when she saw several swimmers swimming with their heads above the water! She felt instantly more relaxed at seeing those swimmers with her swimming style.
And then in no time at all, it was Kipwil's turn to enter the water. Shaking with nerves, she hopped in and started her 100 m swim. She found it difficult to get a good rhythm going at first but managed the last 50 metres in a better fashion. When she climbed out of the pool, Hubba Hubba took her cap and goggles and gave Kipwil her glasses as she ran to the transition bar and Randy.
Kipwil was coming 20th and swam her 100m in 3 mins 38 seconds.
She jogged over the uneven ground to Randy who was positively quivering. She pulled on her clothes and shoes in lightning speed, buckled her helmet and Randy bolted out of the gate.
The officials waved them through along the course, Kipwil had no time to register much, Randy was screaming down the road, Kipwil didn't think she'd EVER been this fast before! She was passing people left, right and centre. She was breathing heavily as she reached the turning point to go back to the transition area. Randy sped along faster and faster and Kipwil's legs were screaming at them both.
"Randy! Slow down! I can't do it!" Kipwil cried, panting and gasping.
" One more person to overtake! Just one more!" Randy begged and they did it. They rolled into the transition area and Kipwil unbuckled her helmet and gave Randy a quick pat.
" Thanks my friend" she whispered and turned to run the final kilometre.
Kipwil and Randy completed the 3km bike race in 11 minutes and 50 secs and she was now in second place!
Kipwil ran the first 50 metres on pure adrenaline and then she noticed how weak her legs were feeling. They wobbled like sticks of jelly and Kipwil, although willing herself to go faster, found she physically could not pump those legs any faster. She pressed on regardless, breahing heavily, trying to find her rhythm, which she normally fell into so easily while running. Today, it eluded her however and at the turn around point she was concerned and a little ashamed she wasn't going to be able to run it all.
Diamond Doll shone in her mind. Keep putting one foot in front of the other Kipwil. You can and you WILL do this! Never Give Up! You are nearly there, just keep running. think about something else, think about Hubba Hubba's face when you cross that line. Think about how far you have come, 6 months ago would you have signed up for a triathlon? Think about that long cool drink of water you will have at the end.....look! There's the finish line...NOW SPRINT.
Kipwil pumped her arms and legs as hard as they would go and crossed the line. She had run 1 km in 6 mins and 1 second and came 4th overall!!!!! The whole triathlon had taken her 21 mins and 30 secs.
Kipwil smiled at Hubba Hubba as a medal was slipped over her head.
" I did it!" she said happily!
" You sure did! what happened in the run? You looked like you were half dead!" Hubba Hubba asked.
" Oh man, I think I was...I have a new respect for triathletes, sprinting all those different disciplines is a lot harder work than anything else I've done!" Kipwil replied, flopping down in the shade of a tree to rest a while before collect Randy.
Randy was beside himself....he practically leaped upon Kipwil when she walked back to retrieve him.
" Let's do it again!!! AGAIN!!!!" he hummed crazily.
' Let me think about it!" laughed Kipwil and they turned to find the car to go home.
Kipwil has achieved another one of her goals!!!! What will happen next week for our heroine? Stay tuned!
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