The swim is always a bit of a fight, but this was the first time in over 15years of racing that I had my lights punched out!
Road-Trip:
Having made the mammoth road trip out from the UK as part of team GB for these Championships, I was totally fired up to make sure that I didn't go home empty handed. Arriving three days before the race gives you a great advantage when it comes to learning the course inside out, and stnads you the best chances come race day.
By Saturday lunch time, I knew the following:
- The swim section measured 100m long (good given my form)
- The bike was fast with some big power climbs (again, great news)
- The paddle was short but flat (shouldn’t lose too much time there?)
- The run was 10.5km and had a few short sharp climbs in it (nice one Steinberg)
- Rain was forecast (just like being at home then)
Race day:
The rain held off, but the winds picked up and the real paddlers began to smile, as the lake now had a foot of surf, and white horses were beginning to form! The Quadrathlon and Triathlon swim started together, so with 200+ swimmers now gunning for the first turn, the inevitable happened and I got my lights punched out! This meant missing out on the lead group, and I exited still dazed in 6th place and 55seconds down. I rode my ass off on the bike, recording the fastest split of the day for both the Quad and the Tri (57.40 inc transition), and more importantly had moved into 2nd. Now in a medal position and with a tough run to come, things were looking good! Sadly by the time we hit the water for the kayak, the waves were crashing over our boats and into our cockpits, it wasn’t long before I took a swim and lost contact with the leaders! I took a further three more swims, and so my race to becoming European Champion had effectively ended due to capsizing. In true British style though I hadn’t driven 1000miles to not finish. Exiting the lake in 18th I began my run in anger, pulling back athlete after athlete, to eventually cross the line a very wet and disappointed 10th (recording the fastest run of the day in the process).
Sliver lining:
Just before leaving for the monster 20hr drive home, I did have some good news. They had sub-divided the medals into 10year age bands, as well as the overall Bronze / Silver / Gold, and so had won Silver in the 30-40 category.
I didn’t come home empty handed after all. . .
