The day I booked into this Bewl Triathlon I was super excited for it so when it was the evening before it, I was sure to be filling up with lots of fuel. My dinner was a rather large portion of carbonara pasta, followed by a glass of strawberry milk and an energy bar. I packed my bag the night before as it was a 5:15am wake up in the morning. That night it took me a while to get to sleep as I found myself going through my transitions in my head. Soon enough I found myself on my way to Bewl water for the triathlon, I had had a light breakfast of some porridge and a bit of an energy bar at 5:20 but I did't want to eat much more as I didn't have that long to digest before the race. When I got there, I quickly picked up my race pack including my new Bewl top and it also came with a bright pink swimming cap, which I was rather pleased with. I then went down to the water for a warm up and the officials also announced wetsuits were optional but I decided to wear mine in the end and so did most people, because the water was pretty cold. Once I had got over the fact that the water was pretty murky, I worked out a good technic on swimming fast but also seeing were I am going, as open water in slightly different to lane swimming. After a quick last announcement, I walked up to the waters edge with the rest of the sprint tri women. We were soon told to get into the water and get to the start and before I knew it we were off. After swimming for what did feel like a long time in the water, I made it back to the shore and I was pretty happy with how the swim went. I aimed to get off fast to try and avoid the barging at the beginning. This was the first time I've swam open water and it was definitely a great experience, and I loved it! The run up from the reservoir to the transition was definitely longer than expected and one part was across a car park, which was just a little bit painful on my feet and not to mention that it was uphill... my favourite! I was really pleased with my first transition and I was quickly off on my bike. It wasn't far into my bike ride that I knew something wasn't right. Apart from the fact that everyone on their pro road race bikes were flying past me but something wasn't right, it felt like I was cycling really hard but moving no where. I couldn't work it out... then thats when my chain fell off. So, I quickly jumped off and sorted it out but I hadn't cycled far until it fell off again, so this time I walked it up to the marshals and they said they had sorted it out, so off I went again. At this point I had lost a considerable amount of places, but that didn't really bother me at this point, I wanted to get around this course. but when my chain fell off for the forth time, I knew something was wrong with my bike. I got off my bike and knew it was the end of my race and I would be lying if I said I didn't shed a tear. In the end me and my bike were put in a van and taken back to Bewl at this point I thought that I wouldn't be aloud to do the run and I was gutted and yes very emotional again. Suddenly I realised that I could go and do my run but at this point I was mentally in a bad place and the first 1km of my run was pretty bad because I was pretty upset but soon I told myself to get on with it. At half way I was in a much better place and even though I still look a little shaken in these photos, I felt good and I was in my rhythm and over taking people, even though it didn't matter at this point whether I over took people, but I still wanted to run my hardest and give it my best shot. The views across the reservoir when running along the dam were amazing and definitely helped me! The finish was definitely was a happy sight because it felt like I had been on an emotional rollercoaster but at the end I was sad but happy! Sad because I wanted to have completed each section of it but happy because I loved it and found it so much fun (excluding the fact I had to run with my bike for 5km to the man who took me back in the van, but I now think of it as I ran nearly 10km, so just some extra training). I have so much to take away from my first triathlon, things which went well and things which didn't go so well. I am so excited for my next triathlon as I think I have really found what I love and what I really want to be good at and train for! I really inspire to be like Gwen Jorgensen, not to mention because she is the favourite at winning the women's triathlon in Rio but because her strongest part is the run and she just chases down the field in her run and often goes on to win and this really truly inspires me because obviously running is my favourite part of the triathlon. I hope you have all had a great weekend, Love G x
2 Comments
Emily Harding
8/8/2016 07:26:25 am
This is such a great post, It almost made me cry. At least your first triathlon is out the way, it will only get better! Xx
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RaceWithGrace
8/9/2016 03:49:07 am
Thank you Em, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Yes hopefully they will get better from here xx
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HelloI'm Grace, a 18 year old runner, and fitness fanatic. Join me on my crazy journey through life, squeezing in an adventure in every second of spare time I have. Archives
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