I could just be happy with perhaps the fastest bike leg, after all as a national level TTer I shouldn't really struggle with the bike leg, but that was I suppose a bit of a cop out. I thought OK what about winning your AG (Age Group), that was a more suitable goal, though also a total unknown as I really didn't have a clue who was in my AG. But it would give me a benchmark so I stuck with that.
The weeks leading up to the event was a bit of a mish mash in all honesty, I was doing the Buxton MTT which lead to no running in the build up for this, and with the Easter holidays it meant trying to cram in a fair size volume of biking and running, and swimming got left off the training menu. After the Buxton MTT I struggled a bit with the biking as I had felt I let myself down, well that was until I spoke with my coach, and this picked me up a bit. The big volume weekend did have some consequence as I struggled a little for a few days after with tired and achy legs, it had been a while since I had ramped up the volume so much in one go.
I did get one nice surprise leading up to the 7Oaks Triathlon though, and that was the triathlon team kit arrived so at least I would be able to wear team kit at the triathlon, this was a bit of a bonus as I always prefer to wear team kit when competing. It got a good testing on one of my longer rides so I knew I was going to be comfortable in it.
The night before the race I actually didn't get too bad a night's sleep, and although still feeling very nervous as I ate my breakfast and travelled to Sevenoaks. Watching earlier starters and how everything worked was a bit of a godsend really and as the morning wore on I felt a lot more settled. I picked up my race numbers at registration and proceeded to get all my equipment sorted, watching what others did with transition was good and any nerves I still had left seem to disappear. It was good talking to some friends who were racing as well.
As my start time approached I made my way to the pool, and got my timing chip. It wasn't long before I was in the pool, oh shit this is for real now. Then I hear the "GO" and I'm off. Now I never feel that comfortable swimming until I have done a few lengths, no chance here, it is just swim for 400m as quick as you can from cold. I seemed OK at first and then started to struggle a little, I probably went off too fast (though I would never know as I cocked up starting my Garmin D'oh), at 200m I felt like I was dying, so I tried to calm it down a bit and just swim as quick as I thought I could manage. I finally see the 2 lengths to go board, and I swim this as hard as I dare. Once finished it is out of the pool and a run to the transition area set up in the car park.
No worries here I know where the bike is, and a lovely team issue orange towel makes it very easy to spot the bike, though my number belt had started to depart the area so I have to pick that up first. Number belt on, shoes on, and then remember helmet on first before unracking the bike. Running to the bike mount line was OK on the car park (might not be so good when going over grass however), and I mounted and got on my way. Luckily I had my bike Garmin working so I was able to get power data and the like on the bike. Up through Sevenoaks High Street and luckily not held up at all with the pedestrian crossings. Settled down on the bike, it felt pretty cold coming out of the pool soaking wet and then riding at speed on the bike, but soon there was the hill out of Sevenoaks to warm you up nicely. Once at the top there is a fun descent of Riverhill, now normally I would just blast down this as fast as possible, but with the morning rain and a bit of a headwind I decided not to be too much of a nutter and keep it sensible.
The run down to Hildenborough was fast and I got into a good rhythm passing plenty of riders, on turning left out of Hildenborough the road starts to get a bit more lumpy and again I just settled into a good pace. I had decided before the race just to hammer the bike leg as hard as possible, but I think sub consciously I knew there was a hard run after the bike because although I didn't pace with power, I ended up riding below my optimal pace, though still giving it maximum effort where it was needed. The worst hill felt pretty good on the day, and a good measured effort saw me up it pretty quickly, it was nice to be helped with a tailwind as well.
The run back to Sevenoaks is mainly downhill, but with a few sharp kickups and dodgy bends to destroy and decent rhythm. I took it easy on the bends as with them being wet as well and rough and potholed it was better to keep upright and slightly slower than hit the deck. The last bit into Sevenoaks and back to transition is a nice hill, again I paced this pretty well and when I saw a 400m to go board I just went as hard as I could knowing that I was close to going under 40 mins for the bike. I got to the dismount line and across into transition with a sub 40 min bike split, I was pretty happy with that, but there was still a 8.4km run around Knole Park to complete, no point being happy yet.
Again remembering to rack the bike first before removing helmet, swapping cycling shoes for running shoes. I had a gel ready, now do I take it or not, no, but I'll have a swig of drink though. A little bit of faffing getting the bottle out of the cage, but once done I am on my way. Now for a run I am not looking forward to mainly uphill to the halfway point, I settle down to what I think is a decent pace, again with no Garmin I am completely going by feel, though I am not sure what it should feel like, I have never done this before. It wasn't long before another guy came past me, he looked more of a runner than I did, and I thought why not try pacing off him. I followed until the halfway mark and then he started slowly easing away. Could I run harder, should I run harder, I know it is virtually all downhill, but there is a nice 25%+ hill to run up at the finish, how much do I need to save for that. I ran as hard as I thought was sensible, and I probably did pace it right, the last hill was a slow painful slog, and I thought it was never going to end, but there was the entrance to the leisure centre and the finish line.
Rounding the corner and over the line I was exhausted, much like the end of a TT, it took a little while longer to feel normal again though. Surprisingly my legs didn't really hurt at the finish (they saved that for Monday morning), and after a quick recovery drink I was chatting with friends. I was announced as the current leader when I crossed the line, but with the faster guys starting after me I knew it wouldn't be long before someone went faster, though my total time of 1:24:46 was a pretty good time, and in all honesty about what I was hoping for.
After everyone had finished I saw I was in 4th place overall and winning my AG, job done, I had actually won my AG, a bit in shock, but very pleased. I did see that one of the guys in front of me had a penalty and eventually that put him down to 5th, so I ended up on the podium in my first triathlon. Over moon doesn't really quite cover it, to be able to start from scratch with swimming and running on October last year and not disgrace myself is something I think I will treasure. I got the fastest bike split as well, though the winner Mark Westlake wasn't too far behind.
There are things that need working on, first of all my swimming, especially from cold. With a lot of time away from home in hotels with no pools, this is something that is currently a bit hit and miss. I may need to sort out some more coaching and regular sessions to improve here, though progress since October has been great. Running isn't too bad, this again has taken a bit of a back seat, and I haven't done any speed work at all, so although I need to get better I don't think it is as bad as I once thought. Transition time is OK I suppose for a first time, no doubt this will improve as I get more experience.
I suppose the main question must be "Did I enjoy triathlon?" Well the answer has to be yes, I really enjoyed the big event atmosphere, the encouragement from everyone, those signing you on, the organisor, other competitors, marshalls, spectators etc, it is so much better than what I am used to at a TT and I am really looking forward to my next one in a couple of weeks time. The bug certainly has bitten me. I can now also call myself a "Triathlete". Thanks for a great event 7Oaks Tri Club and to DB Max for the timing.
There are a lot of people to thank for helping turn me from a TT cyclist into a triathlete, and in no particular order they are, my coach Ruth Eyles, Liz and Ali from the TriSpirit Team, Liz Scott from thetrilife.com, Zipp Wheels, SRAM, Quarq, Powerbar, Tacx.
I will make a special mention to Jess from The Running School who has helped massively with my running, it was quite nice for her to present my 3rd place trophy, though looking at some of my run photos she might not be that impressed with my style on occasions LOL
All photos courtesy of Sussex Sports Photography
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