A full six days have passed since my announcement — almost a week, but it was just overflowing with preparations and new acquaintances. There were also trainings of course.

It all started with a bicycle. It should be a road bike or a cutting bike (for attacking independent riding, which is allowed in the Ironman series, riding behind an opponent end—to-end in a discharged stream is prohibited). Special aerodynamic requirements are put forward for it, and therefore such bicycles cost exorbitant money. I had to ask my coach, by the way, his name is Andrey Yastrebov (multiple winner and prize-winner of Ironman races!), to help me and we found an "almost like a new" bike that I instantly fell in love with. A lot of water has flowed since my riding on my grandfather's "UKRAINE"! When I took the course of a young fighter on this bike, I realized that this is not a Kalashnikov assault rifle for you — it's cooler, more beautiful and more intelligent. My bike is called Kuota Kharma 2011 and here it is:

Kuota Kharma 2011

And this is my coach, Andrey Yastrebov:

Special clothes with "diapers" are attached to the bike — such soft pads under the ass, which help to sit out many hours of training on a hard and narrow seat. A rider can't ride this bike just like that — he needs special sneakers, which are called bicycle masks here. They have a completely unbending sole and special hooks with which you tightly fasten to the pedals and twist-twist-twist.

And then the pump, the wheel chamber, gloves and much more ...

And my coach also introduced me to the ten—time Ironman champion - a true legend of these races, Viktor Zemtsev. Getting advice from these two grandees is a real happiness for me! I listened and didn't believe that this was happening to me.

And I also got a starting form :) If you compare these two photos, you will understand why I consider it a real artifact, the miracle of Frodo's chain mail from The Lord of the Rings :)

As for training, we mostly have to work out the technique of running on the toe (there will be a separate post about this soon), which allows us to completely eliminate injuries and joint pain during long workouts. Many of you complain about such pains in our comments — be patient quite a bit, it's ONLY because your technique is wrong and we will tell you where to look for the answer. I also sit on the machine and get used to my two-wheeled friend. I will have a training program soon, it is still impossible to make it because I am testing my strength, getting into a rhythm.

I also forgot to tell you how I took part in the Sunday race together with Vova Degtyarev and a special group of runners from Facebook*.

For the first time in my life I overcame 18+ km over hills, mud, but in the beautiful landscape of the autumn forest! The organizer of this Sunday's race is László Varga, who became the Hungarian Olympic triathlon champion many years ago. I could barely keep up with them :) I thought I was going to die and all the time I was thinking about Thailand, where I would have to train on the same landscape, but at a temperature 30C higher than the current one. OMG! But this time that's what I got and I will continue.

By the way, I invite the people of Kiev to join. We run every Sunday.

During the week I managed to read a book about Chrissy Wellington (which is in the photo above next to Andrey) and from day to day I will write a review for you. I have started another wonderful book, wait for news.

And my favorite belt began to lose holes :) Just a couple of weeks ago I used the most recent hole in my belt, today I'm already on the third. Little joys...

Until next week and I'm waiting for your questions, if you have any!

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