I travelled down with my good friend Dean Yeoman who was also racing in the 25-29 AG. Both of us are relative Duathlete novices, but still agree that they are generally (in our opinions) my more painful throughout the race, than triathlons.
We got there on Friday so we'd have all day Saturday to get things done and also get the journey out of our legs. I'm always very keen to ride a course at least once before a race and also ride or run the run course too if possible. Multiple laps made both these possible on Saturday. (I always take a day off 2 days before a race and then do some training the day before so this fitted in well to course riding). Both were VERY FLAT. The 1st run was a slightly complex initial loop followed by 3 big laps and 1 small lap to make the 10k (the final 5k was 2 big laps). It seamed fine and I like multi lap runs. The only thing we noted was that as it was run round the mariner, which had very narrow paths and NO barriers between the water, there was going to be the opportunity to take an early bath if things got crowded on the run ha ha!!! The bike course was essentially a long out and back with 2 small-ish loops splitting the return leg. This was to be done 5 times. I was a touch disappointed at the lack of hills on the bike as I tend to like these, but it all looked fairly fast, good roads and the chance of a small head wind might make up for the lack of hills.
Saturday also equalled the most pasta I’ve ever eaten, ever I think ha ha. I tend to avoid anything processed in my diet, inc pasta but when travelling I make best of what I can. Plus still being very in-experienced I’m also keen to play about with small things to see what results (not too clever for an ‘A’ race I know – like I say, in-experienced ha ha.)
Sunday started as a nice, very mild, calm morning. Everything was ready in transition and the under 30’s men all lined up at 8:40.
The hooter went and to my surprise no manic – PAINFUL – 1st 10k Duathlon pace ensued. I’d already decided after testing in my training and thinking about tactics ala Kelly Holmes, to ride my own race and not get caught up in 2:30 k’s early on… I always suffer later on if I do.
I settled into a really nice comfortable pace and was pleased to see this put me in 3rd. this is how it stayed right the way through to T2. The guy in 1st appeared to be about 45 seconds up the road but I was happy to let this go. There’s still a bike and a run OFF THE BIKE to go.
On the bike and …… head wind… great!!! Hopefully it will slow everyone else down more than me… we’ll see. By the first turn I was pleased to see I’d caught both the guys in front and was now in 1st… ah, I’ve not been here before so early on (or held onto it for that matter!!!) I just put my head down dropped into my favoured high gear and ground the pedals. Then some light drizzle began… even better; hopefully this might make everyone else feel bad too… however… it did proceed to steam up my glasses a bit…. Leading to some painful bumps being hit as I struggled to see the road surface clearly. I watched closely at each turn to see if I was pulling away. Things seamed to be going well and I was really enjoying the bike. It was one of those nice days I guess when you feel fast (not that that means I’m going fast, but feeling that way is always positive I think). It soon became hard to tell where my competitors were. A combination of steamed glasses and LOADS of GB on the road made it too confusing. I decided I’d forget them and just ride as hard as I could (within reason) and see what happened. I don’t know if the wind died down or if I just loosened up, but the speed seamed to be getting quicker – maybe it was more to do with my drink of coke and red bull, not good for the teeth but good for the bike ha ha.
Heading into transition was a weird feeling too… 1st bike back. I made the mistake of thinking about how far I might be in front… or not… and proceeded to completely forget to take my feet out my shoes in time. Angry with my self for such a silly mistake and something I have practised a lot (I only got one out in time) I limped on bare foot and one shoe into transition… The only one there for people to watch I go and mess it up… what a muppet ha ha!
Trainers on and out of T2. Still no one else had arrived but I had no idea how far behind they were so I just went. 5k at the end of a race I like, you can go all out and even when you’re hanging on, you know you’ve only got about 16 minutes left (course distance accuracy/ layout allowing… don’t worry that’s not a moan). Halfway through the 1st big lap I had chance to look over to the other side of the mariner to see if anyone was there. Glance…. No one…another glance… no one… could easily have missed someone though…. Just keep running!!!!
As I came round for my 2nd and last lap the guy who was 2nd on the 1st run was just leaving for his 1st lap. I knew he’d run fairly fast so I focussed on his back and told myself to hang onto him. I counted about 8 other bikes in T2……. 8 people out there somewhere on the course, but where I didn’t have a clue.
I managed to hang onto the guy in front (who I now know was a guy called Nick Hatchard) all the way round. Once I could see the bridge and the finish about 400m away I decided I’d try and kick and just hang on. I had no idea if I needed to or not. I didn’t care, I don’t like looking behind whilst running so I just figured I had nothing to loose anyhow. I had to almost barge my way through the helpers by the finish who tried to usher me onto another lap… “I’ve finished” I gasped dodging a couple of them…. Lead or no lead I wasn’t doing any more running past that line.
Crossing the line, I bent over, completely spent, but elated at my first big race win. My first international medal and title and most satisfyingly, a result that justified to me, the commitment I’d made earlier this year in quitting work.
Looking at the race now, I’m a little disappointed with 2 things. My running has slowed, but I’ve been swimming so much its understandable and I’m not too worried about it I guess. The only other thing was that there was such a lack of non-GB there. It would have been nice to see more competitors from the continent in the race.
As for the race itself; Very impressed. A good course, though I’m still not sure about more than 3 laps on a bike course for AG races, it just becomes too hard for a lot of people to not draft. I feel sorry for some of those who were penalised for this. Well-organised and very well supported with helpers (thanks to them all!!!!).
A nice way to finish the season for me. Also kind of justifies pulling out of Vatruvian earlier this month. Now pass the ice cream and put away the polar…. I’m resting!!! Ha ha.