South Manchester Triathlon

Well I managed to find some end of season form for this race, my last triathlon of 2014!

Having done this event twice before and placing 2nd then 3rd, I wondered whether I was going to carry on that pattern and slip off the podium, manage to podium again or dig out a final win. And I'm very happy to say (spoiler alert) that I achieved the latter. 

My start time was 14:05 on the Sunday afternoon, the penultimate wave since we're seeded on swim times. I was going into the race seeded the fastest female swimmer, but you never know how people will perform on the day. I was looking forward to the 400m pool swim since I'd been swimming consistently since Canada, I knew I wouldn't hit a new PB but it shouldn't be a shocker. Feeling strong  in the swim and putting my new-found tumble turns to practise I exited in second, a minute and a half up on the rest of the field. While running to transition my Mum shouted my time, "5.40," I was pleased with that. With just the two of us in transition I did one of my fastest T1's and headed out on the bike in the lead.

I was looking forward to the bike because it's been I've been on form with cycling for the season. For now I just needed to hold the lead. It was a little windy but not as bad as it's been for this race before and some of the roads had some lovely new tarmac. It turned out a rather lonely 24.4km, only passing one person from the previous wave and whenever I looked back there was no one behind me to scare me into working a bit more! On the other hand it did help keep me motivated because if I held this lead I'd be out onto the run with some kind of gap to ease the pressure.

I'd just snapped the elastic band...

Arriving back at the leisure centre I dismounted and managed to clatter my bike up the kerb even though I told myself, "there's a kerb there, pick up your bike." As my bike bounced up one of my shoes fell off so I had to go and fetch that, not the best dismount ever! Rack bike, helmet off, shoes on and run. As I turned from my spot in transition I saw the next woman just pushing her bike in, now it really was a case of keeping the lead. With some pressure on me now I set off at a faster pace to get myself going and to try and make a bigger gap. But as I was climbing the first hill I felt a stitch come on slightly, the last thing I wanted right now. Up and around the housing estate I kept my vision ahead and the stitch subsided somewhat, passing some people from earlier waves kept up my morale and I was feeling really good. However when climbing up the second hill the stitch came on again, and it came on in full-force. Safe-to-say I think it was the worst stitch I've ever had. Unfortunately there were some steps to climb over a main road and I was reduced to walking over the bridge to ease the pain, while shooting wary looks behind myself to check for any opposition. Thankfully there was none near the bridge so I allowed myself to walk down the stairs on the other side too, the finish was so close now. I picked it up into a run and spotted my parents on the turn before the finish chute, "I've got the worst stitch ever!" 

I was totally chuffed to have crossed the line in first place but I couldn't do much until the awful stitch went away, so I stood with my arms in the air, bent to one side for a bit... I really, really enjoyed the race and again I was really pleased to have won, especially as it was my last race of the season! Not to mention the fact that my coach, Hamish, won the men's race too. In addition my club, Knutsford, won the team prize again!

1st place, coach Hamish and myself

From the day I performed the third fastest swim (plus run to T1) overall (men and women), the fifth fastest bike split (women) and the third fastest run split (women). And also technically my race went very smoothly. 

So now it's off-season for triathlon and 'on-season' for cross country. I'm looking forward to training this winter and even more so to the 2015 season.

Stay motivated,

Lucy

ITU World Triathlon Championships, Edmonton, Canada 2014

Whenever anyone asks me, "how was Canada?" I literally repeat the same words over and over... "It was so cool, really really cool," "It was just amazing, so amazing." Still I find myself rather speechless when it comes to telling people about the experience. I have to say it was one of the best weeks of my life.

Bold statement, I know, but it comes down to so much. The long flight, travelling over the Atlantic, the straight streets and avenues, massive food portions, SUV's, a stupidly huge shopping mall, vast green parks in the middle of a high rise city... I could go on about Edmonton itself and that's what made the week super, super cool. Not only was I over in Canada for the World Triathlon Championships but I was in Canada - somewhere new, somewhere totally different to anywhere else I've been. 

I don't really just want to give you a race report here because I feel I have so much more to share. So I will write about my race but then I'll blab on about everything else as well. I was racing the sprint distance in the 16-19 age group category, on Friday 29th August. Start time 09:33AM. I think one of the most important things for me was not to get overwhelmed. After all we did have wetsuit numbers, World Champs swim caps, a parade to the start and fenced off roads for the bike and run. It was just another race, just another sprint triathlon. Quite the anti-climax some may think but in order to keep my head before and during the race that's what it had to be. Sure you feel like you're on another level, given an imaginary boost, because you're racing in your country's colours in a different country. Like the slogan of the Championships said "this is going to be epic." 

Canada is awesome

Standing on the sand at the start I didn't feel too nervous, perhaps that was because I knew at the right hand side of the pontoon I wouldn't get bashed about. Silence descended as we waited for the siren. Two quick steps on the sand and a dive in - at least I think that's what I did... the swim started well and I had no unpleasant contact and got off at a good speed. In a field of competitors you know literally nothing about you can't really know who to draft. I just tried to find some feet a bit faster than me and stick there. About two-thirds of the way round I got boxed in and there was no way round that was going to save me much time or energy so I sat in for the last bit. My swim was alright, it certainly felt hard, yet now we had a 400m run to our bikes - that was knackering! 

I'm second from the right

Arriving pretty puffed out, I did the usual T1 routine except this time, and for the first time, my bike shoes were already clipped in. Probably not the best idea if you've never practised it but I thought, 'this is the World Champs, I can't turn up and put my shoes on in transition.' Thankfully with the wide, closed roads getting my feet in was super easy - don't know why I haven't done it before! The course was two 9.87km laps (=19.74km). On each lap was a shortish, steep climb and a long, dragging climb (or slope as I called it). It was challenging but still very fast, since what goes up (twice) must come down (twice and really fast). I really enjoyed the bike and we were quite lucky in the early waves as I believe the wind picked up a bit throughout the day. For the whole two laps a found myself chasing a girl on a Cervelo P5, overtaking her uphill then bombing it downhill to stay near her. It was a pretty exhilarating course. My favourite part had to be the hairpin back into the park because that's where all the crowds were and it was so loud, it felt amazing to cycle down and out along the barriers hearing people shout "go GB!"

19.74km done and time for a run. I was slightly concerned about the final leg because my running hadn't been up to standard due to my injury and being on crutches a few weeks before. But I knew I was only as good as I was on the day. Nothing I could do about it now, just run. Unfortunately my race belt decided to be a pain in the backside as my number came off on one side a couple of times, leading to me fiddling with a safety pin while trying to run and jamming back through the number and belt. I found the run pretty tough going, I could just feel my form wasn't how it should be and unfortunately let some negativity take over. Throwing a few cups of cold water over my head, I tried to feel more 'zingy' to get round the last half. The best part of the run was definitely running down the blue carpet to the finish - just like you see the pro's do, but not as pro in my case. It was most certainly a wicked end to a very special race.

Picture courtesy of the BTF Facebook page

The results... I placed 19th out 60 in my age group, a result I am mega pleased with and a race I will always remember. It was incredible, more incredible when I look back on the race because before it, like I said before, it was just another race. Afterwards it sunk in just how much I was enjoying myself when racing, I found it so exciting. It was so ordinary (just another sprint triathlon) yet so extraordinary (the World Championships in Canada).

Technically and from an 'on the day' perspective, I'd say my race was very successful. No big faults or mistakes and a performance I'm very happy with, and proud of too. Like all sports people, I found some negatives, some what-if's. However that's what hindsight is for and they're what I can take into every other race I do. 

So that was my race, my World Champs. I made sure to bring home some memorabilia; two programmes, bells, badges, clothes, blow-up clappy banger things and quite a bit of other stuff. 

Of course after my race we watched the elites at the weekend, they just become even more amazing when you see them in person! We also enjoyed some fine dining (I.e. pigging out on Edmonton's best breakfasts) and explored Edmonton a bit (namely the West Edmonton Mall which was the largest mall in the world until 2004).

One of the many highlights of the trip was definitely the food, it's pretty good over there. Especially breakfast (pancakes and the like) and any form of pasta. I actually got excited at every meal time. Talking about meals, the opening and closing ceremony dinners were pretty amazing. A massive hall with hundreds of tables where you mix and mingle with other triathletes. The closing ceremony, medals and dinner was a very fitting end to the championships. Hundreds and hundreds were treated to a sit-down dinner and the opportunity to watch the medal ceremonies, the passing of the ITU flag to Chicago for next year's World Championships and a video of all the action in Edmonton from that week - a sure-fire way to make everyone sad about leaving. 

Breakfast (this was after my race of course)

If I don't stop typing soon you will be here forever! I just have to say again how incredible the whole experience was, from racing to exploring to run-ins with elites! I felt so proud to race in my GB kit and really, really look forward to the next time I can represent my country (which will hopefully be the 2015 European championships as qualification came through today!). It was a week I will remember for ever and ever. I'll put photos after this paragraph that will show you some other things rather than me telling you to save you from reading any more! 

Team GB Sprint athletes!! Too many to fit in the photo...

The opening ceremony, team GB had the 3rd largest team of athletes only beaten by USA and Canada!

Top floor pool, jacuzzi and gym in the hotel - beautifulllll

The West Edmonton Mall's water park, yes a water park in a shopping centre

The West Edmonton Mall's pirate ship, complete with water and seal shows

The amazing closing ceremony and dinner, a lovely end to and amazing week

Until next time, stay motivated,

Lucy

Nottingham Triathlon, World Champs Qualifier

Nottingham triathlon, the 'Big Triathlon' and World and Euro qualifier was the largest, most competitive triathlon I've competed in so far. Considering this I felt unusually calm on race day - not a bad thing as I'd have hated nerves to get the better of me. Setting up at transition I couldn't help but observe the girls around me (and their bikes) as they were who I'd be racing for qualifying places. With both transition spots set up it was time to listen to the briefing, put on my wetsuit and accept the army of butterflies in my stomach...

Into the water, which wasn't too cold, for a short warm-up then a jostle for front positions on the line. I took to floating on my front with legs sticking out the back to make some room. The wave was huge and the start a little scary but once we were off I just tried to find some feet to drag me along. I had some feet for a bit, then lost them but found some more for the last half. Feeling a little sluggish in the water I was worried I'd had a rubbish swim but my time and position weren't too bad. As I arrived at my bike there were still bikes left around it, this was a good sign as I'd swum faster than a few girls in my age-group. Transition completed and almost speaking out loud what I had to do, it was time to see how good my bike legs were.

Surprised I didn't lose the hat.......

I was looking forward to the bike course as it was the flattest and closest to 20km of any triathlons I've done. Feeling good up the first straight I was aware I didn't want to push too hard too early, especially since the back straight was into a headwind. Four 5km laps were ahead of me and I was focused on keeping up my average speed and cadence, plus trying to spot any age-group competitors. With more people filling up the bike course from the swim as laps went by I kept pushing on to overtake, mainly to avoid any drafting suspicions. Four laps passed and I was pleased with my performance on the bike,  I probably could have pushed a little more towards the final laps but I've learnt from that and can implement it next time.

Unfortunately from the dismount line my T2 spot was almost at the end of the long stretch, so I was in for a painful 60m or so barefoot run. Bike racked, shoes on, helmet off and run. I felt pretty rough, my legs felt like bricks. However my time was very similar to previous times, therefore, and reinforcing my feelings of the bike, I can bike a bit harder and really feel it on the run but still run a time I'm happy with. This run felt like a long slog round one lap of the lake, it wasn't so motivating looking ahead at the long stretch ahead of you...Instead of focusing on the ground ahead I focused on the people trying to close or maintain gaps. I was pretty certain no one in my age-group overtook me so I just had to hope my position was good enough.

With the finish finally in sight I put in a sort-of sprint, crossed the line with a sort-of smile, had a breather with hands on knees and then hunted down an Erdinger Alkoholfrei beer. After close inspection of the live timings on my Mum's phone we unofficially confirmed I came 5th in age-group, well that's enough for a roll down I thought. Yet with a little more investigation, looking at who was registered for what Championship, I was in for a Q for the Worlds and a roll down for the Euros. When the British Triathlon website was finally updated I was over the moon the see a Q2 by my name for the Worlds. This was followed by a 104.61% for the Euros, the lowest percentage pretty much guaranteeing a spot for the 2015 Europeans.

 I was dead happy with this race, not only since I managed to qualify but also because I had a really smooth race and was pleased with my performance. It was amazing to have eight family members there to support me and it really lifted me on the day. It was superbly organised and I'd love to do it again next year as the course is perfect and the competition very high.

So that was my World qualifier, now for the Worlds themselves....

Until next time, stay motivated,

Lucy

It's the final countdown...

Just one sleep till I fly out to Canada for the World Champs! It feels like time has flown by since I qualified, yet in that time I've had two more triathlons, a two week family holiday (with a mix of relaxing and training, the latter taking up more of my time - I think) and collection of my AS results (which I received during said holiday and which went very well thankfully!).

I'm feeling fit and ready and I'm really, really looking forward to the trip as I've never been over the Atlantic.  After my race my Mum and myself have three days still over there, in that time we'll watch the elite men and women and hopefully be tourists the rest of the time. As for the build up to the race, my coach and I have talked through what I'm to do on each day over there in order to fit in registrations, briefings, recces, transition set-up and training. Then it'll be time to race!

Plenty of pictures will be taken and I'm sure I'll be eager to write about the race and rest of trip once I return.

Good luck to anyone else racing in Edmonton at World Championships!

Stay motivated,

Lucy

Wilmslow Triathlon

11-05-14

Waking to the sound of rain hammering the window I just thought "please stop, I've got a triathlon to do." I'm not particularly fussed about wet weather, not that I would want it all year round, but having done my first bike TT a couple of weeks before in wet conditions, I didn't freak out. Also I'm very accustomed to running it pretty much any weather due to training and racing all year round no matter what the weather gods are hurling at us.

I had a late start for this triathlon, around 2pm, so could chill and take my time in the morning. My wave was called 'Elite Women.' How very exciting, never thought my name would be under the title of elite, not that I'm ready to jump into the ITU world series or anything... My club KTC also had 2 more ladies in this wave, so watch out, Knutsford has some elite triathletes.

Arriving at the leisure centre with sort of enough time, yeah I still managed to make myself kind of late, I registered, tattooed, racked in the mud bath that was transition and breathed... The rain had stopped and it was brightening up a little now. 15 minutes before the start I hung about poolside swinging my arms about and adjusting my swim cap so it didn't look like I'd had an extreme eyebrow lift. I felt nervous because I still hadn't regained my swim mojo so my registered swim time, fastest out of the women that day, was looking optimistic. Oh well, time to race. Thinking that I should just try and hold onto the competitor in the lane next to me, so the second fastest swimmer, I should hopefully be one of the first out of the pool. This worked, although it hurt, and we (3 or 4 of us) ran into transition. Without even glancing at who was around me I dumped the swim stuff, fastened on the bike stuff grabbed my bike and ran, very closely followed by the next competitor. Coming out of T1 in first, I jumped on my bike and set off for a hopefully more successful time.

Once on the open road, settling into the aerobars, I glanced down at my Garmin surprised by the speed I was travelling with how much effort I was putting in. TT bikes are fab. Although the rain had ceased there was still another weather god that wasn't happy. Wind. Headwind, sidewind and seemingly no tailwind. This made the going tough in places but if it was affecting me, it was affecting everyone else too. Remain calm and don't push too hard. I was in a position I've never been in before on a bike leg. First. It felt great, 'woah I'm actually leading this.' Previously I've been desperately trying to keep in contact with people as they pedal past and into the distance, but not this time. I was actually creating and holding a gap. My Starley TT felt ace to ride, I could really feel the difference between how much effort I put in and how fast I could go by being more aero and having a stiffer, lighter bike. Particularly when the headwinds struck, I just tucked in smaller and kept my cadence up.

I should say I was holding a gap on all bar one. At around 11km, I was overtaken by a particularly speedy cyclist who rode into the distance rather quickly. Okay, just hold 2nd now.

Returning to the leisure in 2nd, feeling very content with my bike leg, I went into T2, took off the bike stuff, put on the run stuff and set off on a 6.3km run. My mum shouted to me that I was 40 seconds down on first place, easy to make up if she can't run I thought. But I doubt she's a slow runner. After a few minutes with no contact from my wave in front or behind I knew I had to keep the pace up in case there were times to beat from previous waves. It was getting rather warm now and I kept picking off a couple of people from the waves before mine. Soon enough I passed a marshal who said "400 to go" so I picked it up and crossed the line never knowing what expression to pull at the cameraman, so I just ignored him...

I placed 3rd overall in the end, well and truly beaten by first place and roughly a minute down on second. Also securing 1st in age-group and 1st team, I was very chuffed with the results of the day. Our other two elite Knutsford ladies placed 4th and 5th, making us believe we'd scooped the team prize but in fact it was a mixed gender prize so myself, Paul Hawkins and Jon Metcalf claimed that one. I was very pleased with my race here, no major mistakes or problems and good result for my second race this season. I look forward to my next one, Nottingham sprint (World and European qualifier) which will be competitive to say the least, on 31 May.

3rd, 5th and 4th Knutsford Elites

1st Team

Until next time, stay motivated,

Lucy

Holmfirth is hilly!

It's been a while since my last post, mainly due to the lack of racing or exciting stuff, but I now need to report on two races, the second to follow this in quick succession!

My first race of the 2014 season was in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. First of the Summer Tri (along with Last of the Summer Tri) is a sprint triathlon series run by a Knutsford tri club member, Dave Armitage. It consists of a 400m pool swim, 24km bike and 5.7km run. That latter two stages consisting of many ups and downs!

10 days before this race I returned home from Portugal after a 10 day training camp with my running club. Unfortunately I neither swam nor biked in Portugal, just ran - a lot. So coming into the triathlon, if I didn't have my bike legs or swim arms at least I had my running legs and a tan!

Mum and I drove to Holmfirth the day before to have a little course recce and to avoid the need to wake up at an ungodly hour the day of the race. Driving through the town to the leisure centre I could see cars parked at crazy angles, roads that seemed to go straight up and sheep that appeared to be defying gravity. The idea of racing on my Starley TT bike was slipping out of my mind and I was pretty sure I'd be using my roadie, good job I took both just in case! Upon driving round the course we encountered hills that even the car groaned to get up, but hey, all the more interesting and challenging right?!

The gradient profile of the bike route

After a drive, a cycle and a short run we made our way to the hotel just a short drive from the race location. What we didn't know was that it was Huddersfield's last football game of the season (a sport which I do not follow closely) and so everywhere was pretty packed. Brilliant, I thought. I better not get woken up in the night by loud football fans. Following dinner tucked away on a table for two in a restaurant full of lager drinking football fans, Mum and I went back to the room to chill out and try to watch WTS Cape Town - which failed miserably due to some very awful WiFi. Oh and Huddersfield lost 2-0...

Race day! After a not-too-early alarm, some breakfast and squeezing two bikes into one elevator we made our way to the leisure centre. After registering and racking I hung about in the changing rooms ready for the start. I was the second wave into the water, just 20 seconds after the first...

Having only had one swim session since being home from Portugal I was slightly nervous about being able to perform in the swim. Usually I can tell from the first two lengths whether I'm really with it, and I really wasn't. Nevertheless I completed the 400m and tried to forget about the below-par performance. Getting out of the pool was extremely difficult on my tired shoulders and I then proceeded to slip on the grass into T1 and knock my head on a pole. What a fabulous start!

Out of T1 and onto the bike which consisted of 3 loops of 8km. This worked quite well as my mum was shouting the time gap until the next female competitor behind me, this kept me working to try and hold a gap. I thoroughly enjoyed the bike leg, even with it's short and sharp and long and steady hills, because the downhills were great! Throughout the bike leg I kept my eyes on a guy in front of me and then passed him just before coming into T2.

Jelly legs to the max, I racked, swapped and unclipped various items and headed out for the 5.7km run. Yet upon exiting T2 I passed the second place female just coming in. 'I've got to get a move on'. Up the first long hill I passed a few men and felt to be making good ground however when the gradient switched and I began to stride out downhill my ankle absolutely killed! Not this injury again!? I was forced to slow it up a bit because it hurt too much to maintain the pace. About halfway through I was passed by the 2nd woman who said 'well done' upon overtaking. Even though I was being overtaken I enjoy the sportsmanship we get in this sport. The best thing I could do now was to hold a decent pace and try to place a good time since the race was done in heats, so you're not always racing next to those you're up against. With the end in sight I picked it up for the last 400m and my ankle calmed down a bit after the gradient levelled out.

In the end I managed to hold onto 2nd, only by 6 seconds and claim 1st in the open age-group category. It was hard, it was hilly but I really enjoyed this race because of the challenge and I'd love to do it again.

Stay motivated,

Lucy

New year, new goals, new challenges

In my last post I looked back on 2013; now it's time to look onto 2014. New year, new goals, new challenges.

One of my biggest goals for this year is to qualify for the Great Britain age group team for the 2014 World Championships (Edmonton, Canada) and the 2015 European Championships (Geneva, Switzerland). If this goal were to be fulfilled the next would be on how I want to perform at both events. But I'll just take matters one at a time. Another goal, or a few little goals, is to beat last years performances in a couple of events I'll be doing again. I find that this will be a great source of not only motivation but evidence showing improvements over a year.

Here is my current 2014 race schedule:

• First of the Summer Tri (27 April)
• Wilmslow sprint (11 May)
• Nottingham sprint - World and Europeans qualifier (31 May)
• Rother Valley - World and Europeans qualifier (14/15 June)
• Boundary Breeze (13 July)
• Chester Deva Divas (27 July)
• ITU World Championship Grand Final, Edmonton - pending qualification (26 Aug - 1 Sept)
• South Manchester sprint (28 September)

The number of triathlons I have planned for this year has been helped by the three free race entries I've picked up allowing me to try out a couple of new events (First of the Summer Tri & Chester Deva Divas) and also have the Wilmslow and South Manchester sprints (same race) at the start and end of the season (aiding a comparison of performance over the winter and the season, indicating improvement).

With the way my training is going at the moment, I'm really looking forward to this season and seeing improvements upon last year. Also, I'm excited about the prospect of trying to qualify for Great Britain and where that can take me.

Working with Starley bikes has given me the opportunity to be in possession of an amazing TT bike which I can't wait to race on this year. Coupled with my bike training at the moment I'm hoping to see vast improvements in my performance from last year on the bike leg.

Swim training with Knutsford tri club is going as good as ever, proved with my new PBs over 400m and 200m from the last time trials. Also I have now been moved into lane 1, swimming with (I use that term loosely) the likes of Paul Hawkins - Pro Ironman and fellow Starley rider. As for running, I think I have shaken off the ankle injury for now. Hopefully it won't hinder this cross-country season, not to mention the triathlon season! I'm currently working to bring myself back up to full run fitness.

So with a lot to look forward to this season and the training going positively I'm excited about kicking off the triathlon season in April and striving for some good performances, especially when it really counts!

I wish you all the best of luck and success for your year ahead and all the goals and challenges you have set out to fulfil.

Until next time, stay motivated,

Lucy

Looking back on 2013

Happy New Year! I hope you had a great festive period and new year, and also that you got right back to training on January 1st to clear any fuzzy heads.

On Boxing Day myself and my family drove up to Scotland to visit family and I had the chance to get a couple of steady runs in. Even though it was extremely windy (as in blow you sideways) and rainy, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed getting out and taking in the lovely surroundings. I wouldn't find it hard to go running or cycling in a place like that.

Also in the last couple of days I have finished the Brownlee brother's book (a Christmas present): Swim Bike Run, our triathlon story. I must say, if you haven't read it then you are really missing out. For one, I must admit, I rarely read. And two, never have I finished a proper book in 5 days. Not only is it an amazing insight into the lives of two of the best in the sport but I found it very inspiring and motivating. So if you haven't got a copy, you know what to do.

In this post I'm going to look back on 2013 (briefly hopefully) and later I shall post about my plans for 2014. We're going to go right back to the very start...

January-March

I started the year, just like the year before, with lots on cross country races. However an ankle injury (still undiagnosed) decided to stick with me for all of them, yes every single one. This ruined races like the Northern championships, the Inter Counties and the English Schools. After all the cross countries finished I took a fortnight off running and hey presto, the injury disappeared. For now....

April

This month was much more enjoyable than the previous three. Firstly my running club (Vale Royal AC) headed off to Portugal for a two week training camp. Although rather brutal with two sessions a day, including a sweltering track or XC course set, I had such an amazing time out there. A big plus was wearing a crop top and shorts or a bikini most of the time = an extensive tan!

Two days after returning from Portugal I had the Lancaster duathlon to race in, my first ever duathlon. A 5km run, 20km bike (hilly and windy!), and 5km were to be covered in glum and drizzly British weather. I managed 2nd place female, which did surprise me but made me very happy indeed!

Finishing straight of the Lancaster duathlon (do I look tanned?)

May-June

Dreaded exam time at high school. With nine exams to nail, it was certainly a stressful period. Some I felt more confident in than others, but that's like triathlon disciplines right? You've just got to try harder.

When exams had finally passed we had our high school prom and then a very long summer holiday to enjoy! But before you could relax, results day came around. I was extremely nervous when collecting my envelope and my reaction to seeing my grades was to burst into tears. A bit dramatic but I got 10 A*s which put me in a good mood for days.

Final high school concert in prom gear and playing the drums (not my normal instrument!)

July

My first ever sprint triathlon: Boundary Breeze. Excited? Yes. Nervous? Too right. I remember racking my aluminium road bike near top end carbon TTs with deep section wheels. All of which I was familiar with because I've read about them and looked at them and wanted them.

The swim was non-wetsuit, I was happy with that. I came out of the water in second place, 'how did I do that?!' I thought, and then out of T1 in first place. 'Okay lets see how this goes.' Two women passed me fairly quickly, the sound of carbon wheels thumping past. I came into T2 in 5th then out in 4th. I had 3rd place in my sights straight away, 1st and 2nd were too far ahead to catch now. Catching 3rd at about half way I held the position to come in 3rd in my first sprint triathlon. This race also won me the titles of Northwest Sprint female and female junior champion. Something of a triple whammy there. From this event I knew, I really liked this sport.

On the bike at Boundary Breeze

August-September

Surprise surprise another injury. My knee this time. Thankfully this one was easily diagnosed and easy to treat yet not so easy to recover from. In my case of "runner's knee" I had to strengthen the VMO muscle of my right quadricep specifically. Unfortunately due to the high impact of running it required a lot of strengthening (and some kinesiology tape). After 4-5 weeks the injury had gone yet I had a triathlon to do, South Manchester sprint. After 4 weeks of no run training, I was a little anxious. In the race I clocked a 400m pool PB (5min 52sec), an average bike, and a run that was 5 minutes slower than what I could've got if I was run fit. Still the former two disciplines helped me come home in second place, a promising performance for my second sprint distance. This was my last triathlon for the year.

Also in September me and Mum went down to London to watch the World Triathlon Grand Final. It was amazing, enough said!!

 Meeting Jodie Stimpson!

Me and Mum meeting Lisa Norden!

October

My 17th birthday!

November-December

This month saw the Grafham Water duathlon end badly with a puncture (from glass I found upon inspection of the tyre). So no GB team for now.

The Northwest regional triathlon awards were held at the end of November where I picked up my trophies for my result at Boundary Breeze in July.

Now remember I said my ankle had disappeared? Well it's reappeared. Two physiotherapists and a doctor haven't been able to reveal this weird injury, hopefully a recent MRI scan will shed some light of the subject. I have an appointment soon to look at the images.

On a more positive note, in December my tri club held it's annual swim gala (the first for myself) and awards party. What I learnt from the gala is that I cannot do breaststroke, I cannot sprint but I can certainly do 200m freestyle. It was great fun all the same.

Finally we have of course: Chirstmas and New Year, and both were wonderful, happy celebrations.

This picture makes it look like I'm half decent at butterfly

The Northwest awards night

Well that's my year, rather briefly outlined. It's definitely had ups and downs; injuries came and went yet my triathlon performances kept my motivation high. I'd say 2013 was the year I started to take triathlon seriously, stepping up to sprint distance and trying out duathlons too. Now with my coach Hamish from Oxygen Addict tri coaching, my tri team and my running club, I hope to make 2014 very successful and I'm ready for the challenges. 

I will post again soon about what I have planned for the 2014 season but until then keep that winter training going and read the Brownlee's book.

Stay motivated,

Lucy