English
Since my longer-than-planned training camp in Barcelona (due to the Icelandic Ash Cloud ) the warmer weather training seems to be paying off. Winning the SW Biathlon Championships a fortnight back and then giving some payback for good times on the track to my local Athletic Club (Poole AC) as you may have seen in the weekly round-up were a fitting return to form I felt! Last weekend in a less than Spanish climate I competed in the Young Athletics League in Guilford where I did a 6 second pb in the 1500m, my 4x300m relay team also won (Not too bad considering I’m not a sprinter!) The team was placed second overall . I always have to be careful not to over-compete, staying focused on productive training… Oh and did I mention that I am in the middle of my GCSEs ?
This weekend was the Tri Team Gloucester Youth Triathlon. This is my last year of being able to compete in the top (Youth) category here. This event is really well organised: a great intro to Triathlon for young competitors, but I won’t miss the rutted grass cycle course! With glorious weather and 30 degree heat, by the time I started it was a great spectator event: But by the time I’d done 8 laps of the field on the bike circuit it felt like I’d been using a pneumatic drill all morning! For me the swim was 500m in a very short 18 metre pool, 8k on the bike and finally 3k run made up of 600m loops. The swim was set-off in waves, mine was the second. When I finished the swim I felt good and came into T1 in the lead. My transition was tricky as I had a little hiccup with my shoe and elastic bands as we had to walk to the mounting line!! I was soon out on the bike course though – the first competitive outing for my new bike, and picking off the back of the first wave!
The bike course was a 1km loop in an ‘M’ shaped: with ‘technical’ twisty bends in the middle. Last year these were a problem as the grass was still wet – no chance of that this year! When I finally got into my rhythm I felt strong, passing riders from the 1st wave improved my psyche! Off of the bike and into T2 went smoothly. I decided to run in my sunglasses as the sun was so bright and stupidly my new shoes, which were very comfy until I finished. OK, OK ! Mum knows best: “don’t run in brand new shoes!” However I escaped with only a small blister on my ankle and it was Tropical!! My run felt really good, after the first loop I got into my stride and was gradually gaining on the leader but there was not quite enough ground to finish the job off and I ended with a comfortable second place. First Triathlon of the season under my belt and looking forward to the rest! Let’s hope the weather is here to stay ! ;-)
