Having been inundated with requests for a report since the race yesterday (I have had 2!!), I reluctantly agree to oblige.
Up at 03:50, porridge and coffee then down to the venue and bike racked first out of 1100!!
Usual last minute panic about something, this time I couldn't get my rear disc wheel inflated properly, then into the water at 06:20 for a half six start for my wave.
Stinking water for the first 200m, lots of fighting and clubbing and a panic attack later and my swim was the usual crappy, doggy paddle excuse coming out the water for a 38:55 - rubbish, but not much more rubbish than usual.
Into T1 and terrible dizziness, I think I may have found a cure for this with ear plugs for next time. The guy racked next to me was an angel from Liverpool, he helped me off with my wet suit as I couldn't stand up then gave me the too afterwards to use ear plugs to stop this recessing nightmare I get in T1!!
T1 over in 3:15 then onto the bike (the good bit) and I was flying for the first 30 mins, slowed down a little after that, mostly due to the usual back pain, left side on the TT bike, but 2:43 on the bike for 56 miles and 20.6mph average was pretty good if a little slower than last year.
It was getting hotter by the minute and I got off the bike about 10.00am for the run and sun cream was needed!!
From the outset my relative lack of running over the last 2 months was obvious and from 4 miles out my pace just dropped like a stone. From 4:38/km for the first split to about 5:20 for the last!!
Delighted, though, crossing the in 5:13:59, felt really elated even though I was 12 mins down on last year.
About 4% worse than the race last year but on reflection and taking into account all the crap that has been thrown at me since december including, but not exclusively -
- Noro virus
- being kicked by a horse!! (Not my wives or daughters)
- Falling off my bike (twice)
- Busting my ankle 3 weeks before the race
- Enormous work stress (less said the better)
I am really pleased with that!
I owe people money some money for not making 4:45 but the amazing thing is that after all that I may even have qualified for GB age group again by about 30 secs!!
(No way Im ever doing GB but that is another story)
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