English
This weekend was always going to be a tough one, I was not feeling too great on the day of the Poole Biathle however the gorgeous weather brightened up my spirits! This race was in preparation for the World Championships in Dubai at the end of next month though so I had plenty to work for. It also happened to be just down the road from home, so I didnt have far to go.
My race was mixed-in with the men’s, being a for a more competitive race which was good practice for the crowded start I will be expecting in Dubai. After the first 1k I went into the water in first position, however it was a bit of a shock when diving into the freezing sea! It was a generous swim course but the gentle waves were kind. I think the hardest aspect of the race was to control the breathing on the second run after the temperature had taken my breath away. I finished the race in 1st place and afterwards it was nice to just chill on the beach for a little while after as the next morning I had an early start for Bryn Bach and the IRCs.
What a contrast to the Poole biathle! The Welsh weather was at its best, there was a bitter wind and lashings of horizontal rain. When we arrived discussions were being held as to whether the Triathlon was going to be changed to a Duathlon – as it was for the Tri-Star races, due to the water temperature being so low. Although I was feeling as sick as a dog I didnt want to let the South West team down and the IRC’s at Bryn Bach is a great event. In previous years I have gone home with sun-burn: it wasnt to happen today though!
When I dived off the pontoon I realised how cold the water really was, but I kept telling myself I was fine, and just to get through the race. Feeling as full of cold as I did it was difficult to breathe in the cold of the lake. As I came out onto the ramp I was very slow to get my wetsuit off – I think the rotten weather was telling me to stay in the warm! I had a slow transition , and were it not for the prospect of the final run in and the crowd willing me on I dont think I would have made it through the bike stage.
I had a hard ride: the cold was starting to get to me. Normally I wouldnt have weakened but I think the bug that I had was starting to play havoc with my breathing and that was really getting in my way. The run home was a hard slog – finishing just behind one of my team mates – I did not have a great experience of the IRC’s this year but I think I did learn that sometimes it is best to just rest sometimes and know when is the right time to push yourself and when to recover. All in all the south team achieved a fantastic 3rd place ! A great improvement from last year.
It was great to see Wiggle at the event, chat to the team and to watch the Elite Men and Women making it look so easy in the afternoon. I was stood watching Stuart Hayes when he picked up his 15 second penalty that cost him his top place on the podium and Jonnie Brownlee even offered to autograph my dog! (I think the dog is still drying out from the trip.)
At the moment I am currently out of swimming for 2 weeks as I took a nasty fall off a horse and landed on my shoulder, after 3 hours in A&E I found out that I had been lucky and there were no breaks – but torn muscle fibres mean lots of rest and rehabilitation. I am managing to still so some gym work and some bike work on my trainer but fingers crossed I will be back in the pool soon and ready for the world championships in Dubai!
Photos
