Summary
Sprint: 750 Swim 21:46 (seemed like 2 hours)
T1 1:38
20k Bike 41:11
T2 0:49
5K Run 22ish
Overall 1:27:34
Well the first race, I thought I’d be a little more nervous than I was but the kind words and advice really helped.
The lovely June weather was a real treat looking out of the window and seeing the rain come down sideways could only help my anxiety!
Bags and car packed, picked Lynn, my long-suffering girlfriend up from work and off to Dorney. Of course we were early, but the surroundings were fabulous and that stretch of water seemed to go on for miles…..
Registered, met lots of people and tried to soak up the atmosphere, just pleased to know that I wasn’t the only person doing this for the first time.
However, it was slightly daunting to see the odd ex Olympic athlete getting ready as well.
I thought I had loads of time, in fact I did, but messing around talking to people meant that I found myself in a rush to get my bike racked. I looked around to see what I should be doing, took Olivia’s advice and got my bearings and then got ready.
I was in the second wave at 6:30, listened to the race brief next to the water with about 50 – 60 other people and got ready to enter the water; still not overly nervous. The water was warm at 18 degrees and the horn went, we were off. I made sure I stayed at the back for my first race out of trouble.
My swim was terrible, really really terrible!!
I just couldn’t get it together, I even had thoughts about stopping but then had a strong word with myself to get on with it. I eventually dragged myself round with no rhythm at all and a combination of some freestyle and ashamed to say some breaststroke; I know I’m not a great swimmer but I’m certainly better than that – lots of work needed before July 29th.
I wasn’t the last out but very close.
21:46 (seemed like 2 hours!)
Jelly legs into T1, I’m sure someone played a trick and moved my bike or maybe that was me. Changed and onto the bike needing to make up a bit of time, really enjoyed this section it’s the first time I’d been in that environment but the 6.00am sessions in Regents Park have definitely helped.
With the words “Spin don’t mash!” going through my mind to save my legs on the run – thanks once again Olivia!
It was 6 laps and taking me about 7 mins a lap, I knew I needed to be off the bike by 7:40. The time I was aiming for was around the 1:40 mark.
Bike 41:00
So into T2, bike racked eventually, off on the run.
Grabbed a banana, not a good idea, threw that away and had some water instead. Took the run easy for the first bit to get my legs use to the change and then enjoyed the final push knowing that I was about to complete my first event in preparation for the longer one shortly!
Run 22:00.
It was a brilliant experience and I’m so glad swimming is first, I need to work hard on this to make it to bike and run in one piece.
Coming across the line made me proud, of course, nearly being sick but smiling at the same time in 1:27 yippee!!
