I still can't decide which distance I like more Olympic or Middle?

Race report – Grafman middle distance British championships

Short report

Swim 28.01

T1 2.16

Bike 2.38.14

T2 1.26

Run 1.31.47

Total time – 4.41.46

Overall 60th

25-29 Age group 17th

Long report – I seem to have rambled somewhat...

Week 2 out of 7. I had entered numerous events over the black Friday deal period in an attempt to make some savings and as a result I have 7 consecutive weekends of events, not perhaps my brightest move..

Whilst you guys were all smashing the hell out of Crystal Palace, well done for some top performances by the way, photographer included, I made decision to start 2016 in the Cotswolds. This was a poor choice and I was disappointed with my performance despite a slight improvement on last years time. But enough of that, so I shelved that day as an experience and moved on, new weekend new race.

On the way over to Andy Betton's house at 4am to get a lift to the race (much appreciated Andy) I began to get nervous about the race. Nerves are nothing new but this time it was nerves about getting injured and not being able to race in Lisbon the weekend following. With this thought in mind throughout the drive I made the conscious decision to try look at the event as one big training event. I was not there to win, but I could get a solid ride and run as well as another open water swim practice in. (In hindsight I started but didn't finish with that mindset).

Transition setup and it was down to the waters edge for a rolling start. As I listened to the race brief whilst held in an expected swim time pen, the sun rose higher, this weather was far from the rain predicted by the Apple weather app earlier in the week. Small flies buzzed around the neoprene clad army and we would all get well used to meeting small pockets of buzzing insects throughout the day. As the brief carried on, my thoughts wandered and I watched the race event camera drone that was circling over the nearby supporters. And then it fell dropping from its high viewpoint down to just above head height. Completely unplanned I guess on account of the gasps. Fortunately the drone did not decapitate anyone but in my distraction I had missed the swim course information. I thought oh well just follow the muppet I front then swim over them and find someone else to swim with if they weren't fast enough.

The horn sounded and we were off, around 800 athletes being funnelled through a 4m wide gap, all vying for a place in the water, it was relatively smooth for me, but a little further back and I imagine it would have been carnage. Into the water and first thought was this has got to be a relatively easy swim save energy for later. End of lap 1 and I was keeping the stroke smooth and keeping a good speed in the water, following a male in a Blue Seventy suit. As we neared the shore I could see swimmers exiting. I thought we couldn't be done yet surely? Nope turns out there was an Australian style exit and a second lap. For all those, including myself, an Australian exit is where you exit the water, run a bit then re-enter. On re-entering the water Mr Blue Seventy began to slow but he had served his purpose. I pushed on, migrating to the next group sitting near the front. On the final turn for home the small group of five of us began to pick the pace up all wanting to get a clean exit. At this point we were coming across back markers still on their first lap. We didn't take prisoners swimming through and over anyone in the way.

Out of the water and into T1 I was feeling fresh and found my bike drying my feet thoroughly, I vaguely remember even sitting down on the grass momentarily, clearly I was in no rush. Left T1 ready to enjoy the bike leg. Unfortunately due to transportation arrangements I was back on my Cube road bike with TT bars and not my new Giant TT bike, so I was expecting a long day in the saddle. On to the road and instantly passed by three guys on TT bikes, this set the tone for the day. I kept aero as possible and settled in. 3Km later I was going back past the three TT riders, one had got a puncture and had totally given up and a substantial climb into Ellington had slowed the others to walking pace. I gleefully passed both, loving being back on the underdog road bike setup. They and many others would dutifully pass me over the next 90km but every climb brought great satisfaction as I reeled the nearest TT riders in with ease. My nutrition is always a bit hit an miss but this time I got it pretty spot on – Hobnob biscuits it turns out make good bike food. A good mix of carbs, and sugars whilst not being too sweet. Plus they dry the mouth a little reminding you to take on fluid too. I naively had no plan when to eat so it became complete a hill have a bit of Hobnob, worked like a dream.

The Km's ticked by with few mentionable moments apart from misjudging a bend at 32km and almost leaving the road (I must admit I was descending following a climb and was searching in my top tube bag for a Hobnob treat rather than paying attention to the road), getting a fly in my eye at 40km, resulting in cycling the next 3-4km virtually with only one eye, and then at 82km witnessing an almost collision between rider 360 and a car in Kimbolton. This resulted in the driver angrily getting out the car and getting very irate. Needless to say the triathletes stuck together, even if their man was in the wrong, and no uncertain terms the driver was told to get back in his car.

Onto the run having finished the bike in a surprisingly quick time I just thought about getting this finished as soon as possible. It was getting very warm by now and I had a feeling my back was burning (turns out I was right). Garmin watch on and counting the Kms for me I settled in to get it done and at all cost trying to avoid walking. A scenic out and back beginning along the top of the dam I was into a good pace and the times looked ok. Upto kilometre 10 and holding steady, seeing Andy out on the course and getting a high five gave me a little kick as I started lap 2, soon the wheels felt like they were going to fall off. Up to around 16km mark and seeing Olivia spurred me on again, I checked my pace and held again, all the time feeling ever more tired. One final high five from Andy and I knew the end was in sight. Kilometre 19,20,21 were a blur, so much pain and tiredness caught up with me and my run form dropped, but I was proud that I didn't walk. The pace dropped I just wanted to finish now. I gritted my teeth and dug in willing the finish closer.

As I crossed the line, my first thought was food. Hunger satisfied I reflect on this race with fondness. I came here with 2 goals, 1. don't get injured and 2. place in the top 20 of my age group if possible. I achieved both and have no regrets about the way I approached the race. Only improvement that could have been made – a bigger top tube bag for more Hobnobs and a sponsorship deal with Mcvities...