Bala Triathlon 2008
Before I get into the thick of my race report, I want to put a little perspective on my result on Sunday 14 September 2008. A few days before the race I went back to the results from 2003, when I last raced here as my then fourth ever Olympic distance race. After A LOT of scrolling down the result sheet, I found myself...86th overall!
Bala is a beautiful place to race, but Sunday morning we were all prevented from absorbing any of this when we woke at the pleasantly late (for triathlon races), time of day to be great by THICK fog! Race organiser Julian (thanks for the late entry), assured us all it would burn off and after a last minute re-arrangement of the swim buoys, the first wave got underway barely 25 mins late. The fog was still there but with it lifting, it only added to the drama of the scene as swimmers disappeared off into the white-ness. I polished off two High5 caffeine gels and got ready for the swim.
I felt like I started my swim well and was in touching distance of the leaders (including some fish like people), at the end turn buoy. The chilly 13.5 degree waters didn't seam to effect me thanks to my Orca Apex2 wetsuit. I then somehow managed to take the wrong line, staying too close to the buoys and not re-adjusting to go on an angle for the swim exit ramp. What seamed like a much longer return swim left me coming out the water having long lost the leaders and nearly 2mins 30 down by the time I was on my bike.
Again, with no power or HR data to ride by, I just cranked it and tried to stick to 80 RPM at what felt like the right effort for 40km. A HUGE congrats to Wrecsam Tri club for getting a non-drafting bike leg on closed roads. As the fog finally disappeared the picturesque surroundings came into view, I settled down on my Cervelo P3C (thanks Sigma), and focused on reeling back the time on James Third and Fraser Cartmell, who I knew were my biggest threats and a long way up the road. After the Vitruvian last week, my legs didn't "feel" great, but I could tell by my gearing and speed that I was still going OK.
At about 17km I caught and passed former Half Ironman UK winner, Richard Jones. As we turned having complete the "out" section of the super-fast, (but certainly not flat), bike leg my front mech cable started to fray and I lost the ability to get into the big ring! This was not good and Richard passed me again, with me trying desperately to pull the chain back up with my fingers. Thankfully, after what felt like ages, but was no doubt barely 10 seconds, I got it sorted and settle back onto my Oval TT bars. I'd seen James and Fraser before the turn and worked out they had roughly 2 mins and 1 min 20 on me respectively. Head down and once again the P3 began eating away at the road. I caught everyone bar James, Fraser and a relay cyclist (who'd set off 5 mins before my wave), and then with 5km to go saw Fraser was only 50m up the road. This was a big thing for me as he's had some fantastic results in the last year or so and is someone I hugely respect. I knew he had three-quarters of IMUK last weekend in his legs of course, but still took encouragement from this. As we approached the end of the bike I checked my time and saw 53 minutes on the clock...I was delighted with that for the 39km and saw James leaving transition about 1min30 in front of me and Fraser as we turned past the great supporters lining the bike run route and into transition.
Both Fraser and I messed up in T2 going up the wrong racking aisle, but a quick duck under the racking and we dumped our bikes, I slipped into my "so light I can't feel them" Saucony A2 trainers and headed out for the new "flatter" 10k. Fraser had about 10 seconds on me as we turned onto the road so I set my sights on him and by about 3/4 of a mile we were running side by side. We could see James about 200m up the road and as we chatted about the course and the now pleasantly warm sun shinning down, we began to chip away at James' lead. Passing by the great supporters and crew on the roadside and with the returning cyclist on the other side of the road, it made for a great atmosphere. The run was turning out to be far less "flat" than described, but it was great at keeping us focused on our pace. My legs felt surprisingly good and though I was running fairly hard I felt quite strong. Turning at the campsite I'd been sleeping in only hours earlier, I asked to borrow a girls bike as she stood cheering by the side...she looked confused at me - not quite getting the joke.
James was now in striking distance as we left the campsite and with a small incline to go up, I chose it to make my move. We exchange a few pleasantries as we passed, then I shut off and focused on the relay runner still "at the front". He wasn't important to our race, but it was good to have another target to aim at and try to distance James from. The run was now hotting up but again, the up and down nature meant that my legs continued to feel strong, allowing small "breaks" on the downs and harder pushes on the ups. I finally passed the relay runner at about mile four and then saw the lead women a bit further up the road. I forgotten about her as she'd had such a HUGE lead in her race I'd not seen her until now. She was clearly having a fantastic race and enjoying nearly 10 minutes of a cushion to second. Still, it was good to have another target and with only 1.5 miles left I dug in to try and ensure the win. Passing her with about 600m to go I turned the corner and ran past the mass of cheering supporters and down the hill to the finishers shoot. A HUGE PB for the 10k run rounded off a really satisfying day and helps to put a brighter view on such a tough, disappointing year. Fraser ran well to reel James in for second, with James having a great day for third.
Massive thanks to Wrecsam Tri, all the support crew and supporters. Bala is a fantastic race in a beautiful setting and a bike course with closed roads is fantastic for the athletes. It was also great to see cash prizes from a "prize purse" of £8000 spread across every category giving everyone a good prize to race for.
As ever a huge thanks to everyone who helps me - Sigma Sport, Orca, High5, Lanson Running, Oval, Roehampton Uni (and my coach Bridgitte Swales), and Putney Leisure Centre.