YES! Back racing!
Eton Sprints ITU qualifier - “let’s see what you’re got”
Photos thanks to @thatcameraman
mindset preparation
I go into every race with a mantra (that’s the yoga teacher in me) and 3 goals.
A mantra is a phrase that shows my intention for the race. Something that I can come back to during the race to motivate me. For Eton Dorney, the first tri of the season and against a sterling field of talented athletes it was “Lets see what you’re got”, a benchmark to see where I’m at. Sprint isn’t my favourite distance as I don’t seem to go any faster in a sprint than a standard, but there is no better way to see how training is going than to get out there and race.
I give myself 3 goals for each race, dream goal, realistic goal, and intrinsic goal i.e. one that is not dependent on time or competition. For Eton they were.
Dream goal – 2nd fastest bike split in my AG.
I was 5th in AG, missing 2nd by 24 seconds so goal not achieved. But I’m getting closer and I know where I’m at.
Realistic goal - podium in AG
Finished 2nd in AG in 1.14.14. Big tick.
Intrinsic goal – give 100%
I had no sprint for the finish, a sure sign I’ve done 100% so goal 3 tick!
Photo thank to @thatcameraman
race report - how did I do….
I know it’s a bit boring my I love reading other people’s race reports so here’s a bit on every part of the race including transitions, well they are the 4th discipline of triathlon. Overall though, I got 2 out of 3 of my goals and even though I didn’t excel in anything (4th or 5th across the disciplines) that was enough to take 2nd in AG.
Swim – A bit chilly
This was my first open water swim for the year! I’m rubbish in cold water and don’t get into the lakes until it’s at least 15 degrees. I’ve been back swimming 3 to 4 times a week since the 30 March, mostly in my wetsuit in Wycombe Lido, a balmy 20C so, I wasn’t looking forward to the 13.8C at Dorney Lake. They started us off social distanced 10 seconds apart. Unsure of my swim fitness I started mid-pack, I should have been more bullish and started nearer the faster swimmers. The cold water was a shock, but I used my yogi mind skills to put the temperature to one side and concentrate on swimming hard and sighting well. I passed loads in the first half and was in clear water for most of the swim. During the second half I could feel myself slowing as my swim fitness isn’t where I’d like it to be and I exited in 13.03, 4th in AG.
T1 - uneventful as we like it
1.28, 5th in AG. One of my main competitors and friend, Lena Poulton a fantastic swimmer, was trapped in her wetsuit and I wanted to help her out, but rules are rules. I’m sure that if she’d been able to get her suit off and not lost 3 minute in T1 she would have kicked my arse overall.
Bike – getting better
In the past the bike has been my nemesis. I don’t enjoy cycling that much after a couple of bad crashes years ago. However, over the past year I’ve become a Zwift convert and have been sweating it out on my turbo and together with Dave Knight’s coaching from Do3 I’m getting closer to the FTP of my dreams. The first lap was sluggish, suffering from the swim but by the start of the second lap when AG legend and fellow T-clubber Jacqui Phillips tried to go past me I put the hammer down and powered away. Although I’m not the fastest round the corners or the most aero I put in a decent bike split, 36.42 and 5th in AG. I think if I improve that first 5-10 minutes, my cornering confidence and work on upping my cadence I can be faster.
Photo thanks to @thatcameraman
t2 - i love t2
Jump off, ditch your bike, whack your shoes on, and off you go. 1.06,4th in AG and off I went with top age grouper Emma Fisher and one of my yoga for sports students hot on my heels.
run - Time for the excuses…
Over the lockdowns I’ve suffered with a foot niggle. I find to keep me injury free I must do my yoga; my physio’s recommend S&C and get regular sports massages. If one of those is missing, I get niggles. Without regular sports massages my foot has flared up and I haven’t been able to do the volume of speed and endurance running I’d like. Although I’d managed a decent 5k at Dorney last week, 21.12, with only a dull ache I can’t yet find that 5th gear with my running in terms of legs or lungs and my heart rate wasn’t as maxed out as it should be. I did pick up the pace when I saw Lena looking super strong behind me, but once I realized I had enough of a gap to keep away I relaxed. Maybe I’m a lazy athlete after all. To complete the run in 21.58 with only a dull ache and close to my recent solo 5k time off a hard bike is extremely encouraging.
A decent start to 2021 race season, onwards to Eastbourne triathlon, ETU standard distance qualifier on 6th June my next race.