If there's one thing I learnt from this race it's to check my equipment well in advance - not on the day just because my race wasn't till 2:40...
Race morning was a bit of a nightmare due to a bike mechanical that had come on over time. For the more interested of you, my rear brake block had come loose from the frame so was rubbing really badly on the wheel rim, being so far over that releasing the brakes didn't get it off. Due to the design of my bike, fixing it required taking the block off the frame through means I didn't have the time or patience to figure out.
So after dissembling, lots of fiddling and reassembling I gave up and just swapped my TT wheels onto my Mum's road bike. (Yes my Mum's - it's better than mine). This all happened when we should have been leaving, therefore I ended up arriving about 40 minutes before my start time. You may be thinking well you should've had hours that morning to sort this out but being all too relaxed I didn't start getting my things together until midday. Big lesson learnt there.
Having finally arrived I registered, racked and wandered poolside - trying to keep as calm as possible. I had big expectations for myself ahead of this race since I won the South Manchester edition at the end of the season last year. With my ill-preparedness and bike swapping however I felt unsure about how it would all turn out.
Starting with a 400 meter pool swim I felt alright, keeping my eye on the person leading and gaining on her in the second half. Coming into T1 in close second and leaving in first I was hoping the different bike and a normal weeks' training wouldn't have a negative effect.
I rode out front on my own for about 19/20km out of the 24km until I was passed. It's hard to stay focused when riding solo but having someone to keep my eye on for the last few kilometers got my head properly back into the race. Coming into transition about 10/15 seconds off the leader, I ran out just behind her most certainly not looking forward to the 6.3 kilometers ahead.
It was a few hundred meters until I overtook into first and all I knew was that I needed to keep up the pace to try and hold it. It wasn't too warm a day which I always appreciate when it comes to the run leg and having some people from earlier waves to pick off helped keep me pushing. With 400 meters to go and feeling motivated I picked it up and actually smiled when crossing the finish line. Still at this point because this race is done in waves based on swim time I couldn't be sure of my position overall. It was only until the results presentation that I knew I'd taken the win and I was really, really happy to have done so. In addition I got a 10 second course PB which is always nice for comparing results.
The biggest memory from this race however may just be remembering to check my equipment, especially my bike, well in advance to save the panic and stress on race day because I definitely don't want to feel like that again!!
A race report from my first draft-legal triathlon last weekend up in Scotland should appear soon, but I'm racing at Nottingham this Saturday which is a World and European qualifier. So there'll be a little write up from that one as well!
Until next time, stay motivated,
Lucy
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