May 18, 2011
I had planned this race as race practice as I build up to the ETU European age group championships in Spain at the end of June. As a result, I always planned to train through, but its always nice to feel good before a race anyway, but that just wasn’t going to happen for this one! I had strained my arm rowing in the gig champs in Scilly a fortnight before, and had what felt like the start of a cold, I decided that it would still be useful to have race practice and I know that I am unlikely to hang back once someone says ‘go’.
It was a cracking location for a race, the lake swim was somewhat murky but tasted fine. There was a steep run up to transition was followed by an undulating two laps of roads around the reservoir. Compared to the, head down, no holding back approach that was necessary the week before when I had done the H25/17 TT, the cycle felt relaxed. I knew that I wasn’t on top form and wanted to save something for the run.
The run was off road and contained a fair amount of climbing. Apart from the midges, it was a great, challenging course. I led the female race out of the swim, extended the lead on the bike and maintained it through the run. Overall, I came in 16th. For a day when I hadn’t felt on form at any point it was a fantastic result and I was really pleased. I also came away with a list of minor adjustments to make that only a race can show.
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