The first Multisport race of the season!

As the first ever 'proper' triathlon I did, the Dambuster Triathlon will forever have a special place in my heart (aaaw). However I have never done the duathlon. This was definitely a race of firsts for me, as someone who is still relatively new to the tri/duathlon scene. I had not attempted a standard distance duathlon before, and I had not done a race quite so early in the season

Early March is pretty early and I was expecting it to be very cold! It also crept up on me, and I hadn't been prepared enough to ride my TT bike, I thought the first time on it this year in a race, probably wasn't going to be wise, and it was blooming windy! Hats off to those who braved it! 

As always its a nice early start, register and get everything set up in transition. Duathlon always confuses me a little, as you start with your trainers and race belt on already...sounds simple, but with race brain engaged, anything can happen! 
 The fact it was the beginning of march made me a bit paranoid about the cold, and possibly the addition of a jacket on the bike was too much, but better too hot than so cold you are delirious (which I have experienced before, and it was not pretty) The race itself went OK ish. Unfortunately I was a little worse for wear, which I just thought was general tiredness after a busy week at work, but on Sunday I discovered it was a full blown virus. So after being a little disappointed with my performance on Saturday, and pretty horrified about the standard of my bike effort. When reflecting on Sunday in between vomiting and sleeping, it didn’t seem half bad! 


It was great to see the other RAF athletes out too and as always there was loads of support from the spectators and general public pottering about. One man even shouted Royal RAF Air Force, which made me smile at least! J This was also the first outing for my birthday present to myself, my Garmin 920XT. Since user error and me thinking about racing, rather than my watch, meant I didn’t get any splits or anything, the event is now logged as one giant 55km run, until I can work out how to edit it on Garmin connect….cant be that hard surely! Things I can say about it though are it is beautifully slim compared to the 210 I was using before, which means sleeves on and off are no drama (I can see this being a massive plus when it comes to a wetsuit). The display is beautifully clear too.
 

More rest for me until I'm 100% better, and hopefully a good run in a few weeks!

My First Triathlon

I thought I would reflect on my first encounter with 'proper triathlon' (this I classify as one with an open water swim) was the Dambuster standard distance triathlon in June 2013.

This was also the first EVER time I had swum in open water, more of that later.

Pre race kit checking and packing
N.B headphones are for warm up
not for using during any part of the race

The day began horrendously early, 05someting I got up. I was at registration by 0630 and collected my hat, number and found my space in transition. There was a sticker on the racking with my number and name on, this made me strangely excited. I made numerous newbie errors here, the biggest being - no track pump! Therefore I just guessed what pressure my tyres should have been with a hand pump - oops. After getting everything in transition sorted (sort of) it was time to have about 10 nervous toilet trips and wait for the start!


Swim

The various waves of men were off first, with a beach start and frantic run into the reservoir. We lined up on the beach at around 0830, the klaxon went and we were off into the water. About 300m into the swim I thought "oh dear god, will this ever end?!" I thought about paddling my way over to the canoe, but then reminded myself of how much I had paid to enter, and how I would have to sit about for the rest of the day with a quitting cloud of shame over my head! Not an option. I did a few strokes of breast stroke and remembered some wise words which were given to me - breathe, relax, and stay calm. And I was off again in my finest front crawl (not very fine by the standards of other humans with the gift of sight). 

All ready in transition

I struggled out of the water in just over 30 mins, which wasn't too bad, then I remembered the swim had been shortened by 100m due to it being so rough. However there was not time to dwell on what had just happened. It was into transition.

I had practiced this a few times (on dry land) so I thought I knew what I was doing. However I had not expected to be quite so disorientated after the swim and SO out of breath. I remembered all the important points, kit off and INSIDE my own transition area, helmet on BEFORE touching the bike, number on, glasses on - and away!...Or not, after the dismount line my chain fell off! (Of course it would choose now to have unexplained mechanical issues) and now I am facing slightly uphill, trying to get my chain on, then get my frozen feet to start pedaling! Eventually all parts of body and bike were functioning as best they could and I was away. 


Bike

The bike route is beautiful, undulating and really interesting. At one point I forgot I was supposed to be racing and was just really enjoying being out on my bike. That was short lived though and before I knew it I was back in transition - now to the favorite part...

Run
The day had heated up considerably and the sun was raining down gloriously. The run route goes across the dam, out to a turn around and back to the finish. This provides a good opportunity to see how far ahead the competition are, which in some cases was very far! 

Coming back to the finish was amazing, there was a fantastic buzz and it was amazing to finish. 

The Aftermath I kept grinning to myself all the way home in the car (despite some agonising stomach cramp). I felt elated that I had conquered an OW swim, and the rest of the standard distance tri. 

The first but not the last!

P.S when I later checked my tires they were at 80psi!

T3 - Run --> home --> washing machine