I entered this event as more of a tune up race for Helvellyn Triathlon the week after, than for a goal race in itself. Don’t get me wrong, I was planning to give the race 100% as I knew I should fully recover given its short duration- a 750m open water swim, 21km bike and 5km run.
Onto race day and for the UK it’s hot, forecast temps of around 26°C. Luckily the event has a nice early start of 8 a.m (Alpe d'Huez take note).
The swim was one counter-clockwise lap of the Marine lake; so horrible, salt water. The gun goes off and the washing machine starts. Luckily for me I’m fast enough to get out in front and settle into 5th place by the first buoy. Over the rest of the swim- two swimmers pull ahead- but I remain in 5th position making use of the two swimmers in the front- to take it slightly easier. Onto dry land and into T1; a smooth transition gets me another place.
After mounting the bike and clipping in, the first port of call is a big gulp of energy drink to wash the taste of salt away. I haven't done any course recon before the race but to my surprise and joy- I’m fortunate and it’s hilly. Within the first 10km I’m able to get up to 2nd place then maintain this for most the ride, even with the slight detour on one of the roundabouts costing me around 30 seconds. Back into the town of West Kirby and the traffic is starting to build. Annoyingly while stuck behind a slow-moving car I lose my 2nd position to a rider flying down the wrong side of the road.
Entering T2 right on his heels, it’s going to come down to a running race to decide the podium positions. Something I have never had before. Luckily for me my legs feel great. I retake 2nd within 2k and work on opening the gap. Not allowing my self to look back, I push all the way to the line, managing close to my all-time 5km PB pace and gapping 3rd by 30s. That will definitely go down as my best run in a triathlon so far.
Yessss a great result- 2nd place in a 355 strong field! Probably my best ever result when comparing my position to the field size.
Fingers crossed the form and fitness carries over to next weekend......
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