I am a week behind in posting my summary of my second triathlon race for 2012. 27th May saw Thames Turbo Triathlon Club - Club Champs race at Dorney Lake in Windsor. I really enjoyed the fact that we had our own wave (this meant all of the Thames Turbo Triathletes got to race together), this was very special for me, even though I was the last Turbo out of the water.
So I shall start my race report:
Sunday morning, down at Dorney Lake, Windsor. As soon as I arrive I see my coach, and fellow Turbos getting ready to walk down towards registration. This race started very late for us 11:45 as Humanrace event were running 30 mins behind schedule. Also as a triathlete most of our races if not all, start at 6am.
The wait for registration was exhausting simply because by this stage it was 27 degrees.....crazy hot for London and Windsor has no shade. Finally I got registered, got my bike and went down to rack up. Set up all my stuff, tri shoes, hat, glasses, helmet, running shoes etc etc. Decided due to the heat and also the lake being 19 degrees, I was swimming in my shorty wetsuit. (no arms, no legs and very thin).
The distance for this tri was 750m swim/21.2km bike/5.1km run
We got told by the Marshall it was time, I was ready or at least I thought I was. I had my wetsuit, swimming cap and goggles and then noticed, I didn't have my timing chip so before I started to panic I ran back to registration and got my timing belt and made it back into the lake in time to get acclimatised to the water! 19 degrees my butt but after 5 mins I was fine.
The horn went and so did the turbos. Swimming is not my strength, so I was last out of the water. The other turbos were all well out on the bloody bike. It was nice to see when I got out of the lake, a Turbo (not racing) waiting to make sure I was okay and to cheer me on. I did the swim in 22:15. Fastest 750m loop for me, so I was happy.
Got out of my wetsuit quick smart, got my tri shoes on, helmet, glasses and off I went. The bike is my strongest. 4 laps. Down the straight I was clocking close to 40kpm however on the back end the wind was powerful and I dropped back to 25kpm. 4 laps later and loads of cheer from fellow turbos I completed the bike leg in 44:56, again another PB and fastest time for me.
By this stage however the sun was bloody excruciating and the run was tough. I didn't stop but boy did I want to walk. Having the Turbos cheer me on the run and in the heat was what kept me going. I finished the run in 34:07. Not a great run time but hey I was happy to finish at this stage.
Overall time was 1:44:36. Two PB's so at the end of the day, I was happy.
Things to learn:
* more swimming is required in order to get better
* relax and breathe on run
* learn to lift my knees when run and flop my ankles
Next race is Thames Turbo Sprint Race 3 on 4th June
Till next time
Smooches
xx