1st Tri for 2012 - Thames Turbo Race 2 - Sprint distance

7th May Bank holiday and 2 days after my 35th bday shindig I raced my first triathlon for 2012. The last time I had raced this exact same course was in August 2011.

Since January I have said that I am married to my triathlon season this year. I have had my running analysed, been taken under the wing of one of the Thames Turbos Elite Triathletes for guidance and coaching, had my bike professionally fitted allowing me to be more aggressive and use my strength to increase the power on the bike and I have chosen my 'A' race (Indian Ocean Triathlon, Mauritius, November 2012). All of this is so I can become a better, stronger and faster traithlete.

I spoke to my coach as to what my goal was for this race, and that was to come in 1:40 over the distance and not to screw up the swim. The swimming component of the triathlon is my weakest leg and I tend to get anxious which then cocks up my breathing and rhythm etc..................so my coach gave me good advice............don't be too concerned with the time, just remember to RELAX during the swim, POWER on the bike and BREATHE on the run. Plan my race and then stick to the plan.

For the first time in 5 years of completing in triathlons I did exactly what my coach suggested to do and you know what it bloody paid off!

The swim felt good, I continued with my mantra of relax. I did it in 11:47. Now that is quite slow for 426m so an area that I definitely have to improve on; I then spent far too long piss farting around in T1....to be honest goodness knows what I was doing but I was in there for 2:22; as soon as I was ready I got on to the bike and continue with my mantra POWER....now the bike is my strongest leg so I really wanted to put in a good time, did the 21km course in 49:25, to be honest it was faster than the previous year but I was a little disappointed. On the Wednesday before the race I did the course in 43:44 so I know I can go faster. Got back into transition and someone had taken my spot for my bike so wasn't too happy about that, after getting my shoes on, I got out there and again remembered my mantra BREATHE, I always tend to get a stitch when I run. I was feeling good. I simply kept a good pace and tried to remember what my running coach had stated, midfoot strike and keep the stride under my hip so that I don't brake on my stride. I did the run in 31:59, again too slow for my liking but much faster than the previous year where I had done it in 36:40. Overall I was stoked with my time as I wanted to come in under 1:40 and I DID IT!

I did a PB 1:37:17, I was also 7 mins 24 sec faster on this same course from the previous year. I believe the approach, continuous improvement, focus on my training and my commitment this year really allowed me to put in a good time.  At my triathlon club I am surrounded by very very good triathletes. So self belief is also very important.





Happy days. Next race is 27th May, Club Champs Sprint Race down at Dorney Lake, Eton, Windsor.
Distance 750m/20km/5km

So far the season of races look like this, no doubt I will add more:
Races 2012  
Date Name of Race
18/02/2012 Race your Pace Half Marathon
11/03/2012 Silverstone Half Marathon
07/05/2012 Thames Turbo Race 2 Sprint 426m/21km/5km
27/05/2012 Nuffield Health Standard Distance Triathlon 750m/20km/5km Club Champs
04/06/2012 Thames Turbo Race 3 Sprint 426m/21km/5km
09/06/2012 Richmond 10km Run
21/06/2012 Thames Turbo Aquathon Sprint
23/06/2012 OWS Aquathon - Club Champs
30/06/2012 - 1/07/2012 Dunwich Dynamo 200km night ride
12/08/2012 Worthing Standard Triathlon 1.5km/40km/10km - Club Champs
27/08/2012 Thames Turbo Race 4 Sprint 426m/21km/5km
21/10/2012 Cabbage Patch 10 milers 
28/10/2012 Run to the Beat Half Marathon
13/11/2012 Indian Ocean Triathlon
December Thames Turbo Aquathon Sprint


Till next time
Smooches
xx

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