My European Adventure
The 2016 European triathlon championships was my first time wearing Team GB colours and ever since I received the qualification email this event had always been in my mind. The month leading up had been a mixed bag with training patterns being disrupted with work commitments preventing me from getting in as many hours as I would have liked. When I managed to make the training sessions I made sure my focus was on putting out maximum effort whilst not affecting form, as picking up an injury in this period would have caused further disruption. This required me to be diligent with my recovery routine to keep my muscles running well and Better You were a big part of that, recovery magnesium spray post shower and stretching sessions as well as keeping vitamin intake at the required levels too.
Day one My European adventure began with an uncomfortable delayed flight in a sardine can piloted by Ryanair from Stansted to Lisbon on Wednesday evening. If I have learnt anything from this trip then budget airlines are not designed for anyone taller than about 6 foot, I'm 6"5 and despite being partially distracted by the setting sun as we flew down to Portugal I could not get over the dull ache in my lower spine caused by the cramped conditions. Flight over around 8.45pm and it was now beginning to get very dark outside. I had booked to stay in a room in a small town house just outside Lisbon via Airbnb and had informed the host I was likely to be there for about 10pm. A quick link up to the airport wifi later and I knew where I needed to go, now to find a taxi. I left the airport to find a queue for the taxi rank as far as the eye could see, ah... I am not sure I gave the next bit much thought but about 10 minutes later I was bowling along down the side of a dual carriageway following a blue dot on my phone hoping that I was going in the right direction. Around 6km a few dicey carriageway crossings and at one point worrying the police were going to arrest me when they drove past, I arrived just in time. Booked in, showered, and then hit the pillow. Day two A relatively early start with a rumbling belly I headed out to register, hopefully pick up my bike that had come via Nirvana Europe truck and then ride the bike route with the other athletes. Well I got two thirds done. My bike was very kindly dropped off by my friend whilst I was racing in the middle distance champs the weekend prior and he had moved the seat post to ride it to the pickup location. The problem was it was now jammed, carbon post in carbon frame. I put no blame on anyone for this happening it was just one of those things and I am very very grateful for him getting my bike to where it needed to be. Half an hour later of hitting and wiggling the sections and the post was free, I'd missed the bike reece but I'd never done one before and it had never hindered me up to now. The rest of the day was pretty chilled. I went to the opening ceremony which sounds far grander than it was. Just a chance for the teams to meet up get some pictures and then a free bit of food. Day three Early bike ride around Lisbon to check the bike was running smoothly. All went well until I got caught in a tram line and almost came off, got my foot down just in time. Met my parents who had made the journey out to Lisbon to watch me and it was good to see them. My first swim familiarisation in the evening was a bit of a nightmare. We were allowed in the water following the paratriathletes race and found out quickly no one really knew the course. It was not helped by the buoys being setup for the paratriathletes course so we were left to guess a little, but nice to get a chance to go for a swim. Day four Started the day with a team brief for the standard distance athletes from team manager Nick. An informative brief that covered many of my queries but also left me fearing time penalties and disqualification as the number of rules and the application of them seemed far stricter than previous events. Maybe I was just a tad blasé and naive when competing before... 4pm was bike racking time and I collected all my kit and headed to transition for the officials to look over my equipment and hand over my timing chip. Now it began to feel serious. Walking on the hallowed blue carpet of grand triathlon events, and among some phenomenal looking bikes, it suddenly dawned on me how far I'd come in a year and a bit of competing. A quick bite to eat then off to bed for an early start. Day five - race day Alarm off at 4am, out and down to finish transition set-up before donning my wetsuit and join my wave in the waiting pen. It was very quiet and still, the calm before the storm. Seriousness and focus etched on many competitors faces. Deep breaths as we were allowed in the water. Cold seeped into my wetsuit through a hole I now realise I have just below my right buttock, all I could think of was well that's one way to ensure acclimatisation. Athletes spread out across the imaginary start line I positioned myself in the middle hoping the fast swimmers were just in front and the pack would spearhead once we got going and I would be in prime position to draft the quick swimmers. This was a mistake. The faster swimmers positioned themselves to the outside ensuring clear water to get into their stroke without being through the spin cycle. Needless to say it was the most competitive swim start I've been in. A mass of arms legs and elbows. I must have got to the first buoy, some 350m into the course before not taking a stroke which resulted in me bumping into someone else. A few kicks to my face later and I found a gap settling down to get through the rest of the swim as quick as possible. Out into T1 and wetsuit came off easily. A quick sip of drink to wash the salty water taste away and out onto the bike. For once I felt confident about the bike leg. I was in the mood to get down and to push hard from the word go and with my Accutek wheels upto speed I was actually passing people. This is a first for me, I am not the fastest rider but this time I was holding a good pace and closing the gaps. Upto the turn point and feeling fresh. The two laps passed quickly, only notable incident was a minor heart stopper when a referee on a bike asked me to move in as I was cycling a little wide. Momentarily I thought I'd been penalised but nope just a request to move in. Into to T2 and I missed my bike racking spot. Mainly because someone had taken a liking to my bright red Speedo towel I'd placed with my trainers. Quickly racked and out on to the four lap run. My team mate from my home club TriLondon Graeme Acheson had passed me moments before during my transition confusion and he was my aim, keep him close if I could, and try to pass him later on if possible. Out and through the stadium for the first time, great support from Graeme's fiancé Holly but still about 25m down on where I wanted to be. I chose to go with the go down trying attitude and chose to kick on to close the gap. Mid way through the stadium for the second time and Graeme looked closer, no longer was he matching my cheers of support at every turn point when we were near. I kicked again catching him and GB athlete Fearnhead at the furthest point on the course. I thought now or never don't leave it til later as Graeme will beat you in a sprint finish. I pressed on taking Fearnhead with me and catching Hudson. The gap grew from Graeme, his Ironman distance training clearly had taken its toll on his body and the pace at the start of the run had been too fast too soon. The trio of Hudson, Fearnhead and myself continued round until the final entry to the stadium, Fearnhead kicked and I tried to go with him, I finished eventually 4 seconds down on him but crossing the line in a new personal best time of 2:06:19 was a great feeling. Finishers medal collected I headed for the free food, before meeting my parents and celebrating with a McDonald's, not the healthiest choice but a damn tasty one. Back to my room for a quick shower, stretch, spray and sleep before my 6.30am flight back to the UK.
Overall 2:06:19 Swim 20:46 Bike 1:08:00 Run 34:34 T1+T2 - whatever's missing. Big thank you to Better You, Accutek wheels UK, Go Godalming and all who made this possible, I'm always grateful for whatever support you offer. Super big thank you to my parents who came out to support and helped with logistics whilst in Portugal.
