Never race on your 18th birthday! Saturday 10th September My birthday, but more importantly…race day. Events Logic hosted a small team relay event where teams of four would swim, bike and run in an attempt to be the fastest. Athlete 1 would swim 250m, cycle 8km and then run 1500m, pass over the timer chip and athlete 2 would do the same followed by athlete 3 and then 4. I was to compete as the last member of our team ….… no pressure! 6:30am get up and it’s pouring with rain, perfect. So now the 1km walk from the car park to the lake left me soaking wet and I wouldn’t even be racing for another 2 ½ hours. It was a relatively small event with roughly 20 teams which meant the grassy 1 lap run course would have 80 pairs of feet trekking over it (luckily Mum saved the day and brought my trail shoes, phew). Bang! The first guys are off from a deep water mass start, our first member being an ex-national swimmer was bound to be first out the water. And he was, by close to 10 seconds; perfect start. The cycle and the run were keenly contested by the first 3 athletes. Positions were very close at hand over although our team’s chip changeover left us in 3rd position (the timer chip fell off the Velcro strap). Our second athlete pulls out a brilliant performance throughout the race just placing us in a deserved 1st position. By now confidence is flowing through me, telling myself this was all going to be easy…me and my big mouth. Our 3rd team member fought strongly against an experienced cyclist and runner and by now I was desperate to get going. The final athlete in the opposing team is my neighbour and GB age group athlete Amy Bentley who often finds herself in first position. I knew Amy would use every second to her advantage so I did not want her to have too much of a lead. Finally the moment came, chip on and I sprinted down the starter pontoon and dived straight into the lake, I had something around 3 minutes 40 seconds to make up. My sighting wasn’t perfect but the short distance meant this part was over in little time. Straight out the water and on my way to transition and I had gained 50 seconds throughout the swim, now to keep the fast pace up. Upon reaching transition I carelessly threw my swim cap and goggles onto the floor, strapped up my shoes and helmet and headed off with the bike. “You’ve forgotten your race belt” the event referee called. Oh crap. I grabbed it with the intention of putting it on during the cycle but was stopped before the dismount line and forced to put it on. Valuable seconds lost. Cycle started and I was flying despite the very wet conditions I knew I had to average over 40kmph to have any hope of catching Amy. The wind and rain were battering my face, it was relentless but I had to keep pushing. The kilometres were shooting by and the pain was continuous. Usually I’m used to feeling sick while racing, it proves to myself that I’m pushing as hard as I can. Maybe this time I was trying too hard, which resulted in me partly throwing up whilst cycling on. Oh well, work has still got to be done. I came off the bike and sprinted down into transition. “Hmm where’s my racking spot?” I asked myself. “Oh well, I’ll just rack it here.” Throwing it into the wrong spot meant the bike actually fell over and I was left looking for my shoes. I slipped them on and set off onto the run. “You’re 2:30 behind!” Dad called. Now time to really put the burners on and claim this victory. I was burning. Every inch of me was screaming in pain and I was only 400m into the run. I just couldn’t cope, my lung were burning, I couldn’t breathe and my muscles were cramping. But I still had a job to do. The sick feeling was overwhelming again but as I rarely learn from my mistakes I kept going and threw up for the second time during the race. Less than 1km to go and suddenly everything clicked, I could breathe better and I was feeling good. Now is the time to really go for it. I was drained but every step was pulling me closer to the finish - unlimited water, oxygen and (because it was my birthday) presents! Second place. Somewhere no athlete wants to finish. I fell over the line and collapsed in a heap, my body was completely shattered, begging for air and rest. Although finished my heart rate was pumping through the roof and my head was bursting with pain. Second place………grrrrrrrr. “Luke, can you come here for a minute?” the race referee demanded. I trundled over and was informed that I, in fact, had a 4 minute time penalty as a result of my carelessness throughout both transitions. What a way to make the day better. Our team position was unchanged and I was pleased to have a good all round performance- despite the time penalty. Results are at: http://www.eventslogicsw.co.uk/results/2016 Photos: http://www.charleswhittonphotography.com/cotswold-team-relay-tri-10916 Sunday 11th September I headed over to the same lake again to help marshal and set down the Cotswold Standard end of season triathlon. The day started at 830am on a kayak where I was supervising the 300+ swimmers during the first discipline of the race. This role was a first for me and I really enjoyed it, there were no problems and it gave me different responsibility. By the time the last swimmers were out of the water, the first runners were starting the 6 laps equalling 10km all together. I then staffed a water station which was great fun as you can see all of the individual athletes, get a feel for their pain and also encourage them. Once the final athlete crossed the line, it was time to start the set down the whole of the start, finish, transition and car park. This was the first time I have worked from start to end of a race and although tiring, it was great to play such a part in the event and give something back to this great sport. Tuesday 13th September Now that I am back at college regularly, I can start to consistently attend the Cirencester Athletic Club training on a Tuesday night. I have found that training with them has helped me endlessly and improved on my 5km time by over a minute in less than year. Training with athletes that can run 32 minute 10km has forced me to push myself harder very week in an attempt to run with them. My aim before January the 1st is to run a sub17 minute 5km and then sub 16:30 before Dusseldorf in June 2017. Wednesday 14th September Cirencester college have started a running club from 3-4pm on a Wednesday afternoon. This week we ran out to the Bathurst estate and familiarised ourselves with a route and paces. If you're a student and enjoy/want to start running then come along, everyone is welcome.
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April 2019
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