Women's Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

the water was calm until about 200m from shore when it started getting really choppy as we got out of the shelter from the wind. Rounding the buoy was fun as it was bouncing about all over the place. Once parallel to the shore it was really hard to breathe as the water was just hitting me in the face. Didn't matter which side I tried to breathe on, I got a mouthful. Looked up and everybody in front of me was breast stroking. Luckily, this was the short part of the rectangular course and things improved around the next buoy. Could breathe fine but it was a really bizzare feeling being lifted by the waves. My arms would be stroking in the air as I ended up on the top of waves. Seemed a very long way back to shore but was able to freestyle the rest of the way in and even managed to overtake a few people.

I was thrilled with my swim after my disaster of a few weeks ago when a dark, dark lake had scared the willies out of me and I couldn't put my face in the water.

Nothing, swam as well as I was able in the circumstances

Was really chuffed to see how many bikes were still in the transition area. Smooth and easy transition.

Nothing

the bike leg was really really windy and the heat coming of the asphalt, even at 9am was a bit fierce. The gusty winds caught us on the downhills and I had to steer at about 30 degrees and couldn't get a decent speed up at all. Happily, there was a nice tailwind to help me up the hills but I was really fighting the bike at times. The wind was hot too but after the first lap of 3, I could relax a bit, knowing where the gusty spots were and really started to enjoy the ride. The first lap, I really felt my lack of cycling in the past few weeks with sore glutes and calves but that quickly eased. My u-turns at the turnarounds were spot-on every time.

Nothing

No problems, plenty of space on the rack

Nothing

It felt really hot by the time I was out on the run and the wind was blasting sand at my legs in spots. Was, as ever, after the bike ride, desperate for a pee so stopped off and soaked my hat under the tap to keep my head cool. It seemed like forever until the first aid station appeared and I was trying to magic up just the tiniest amout of moisture in my parched mouth for what felt like miles. I was determined not to walk at any point, even if I was just doing a very slow jog and was thrilled to manage it. I'm really surprised that I went as fast as I did because it felt as if I was plodding along. Managed to pass a few people and there were a gratifying number of women still coming towards me on the way back. It was a real case of gritted teeth to get through it, mainly because of the heat, but also because the course was mind-numbingly boring and I was ecstatic when I heard the PA and saw the park approaching. Mel and Gavin cheered me on the last little bit and it felt so wonderful to come through the finish chute and get me medal.

Nothing

Very bad girl, did no stretches, just drank loads and chatted to people. Stayed on for the presentations but didn't win the spot prize of the $2000 bike. The Women's tri always has a brilliant atomosphere; there's a mini tri and a short course too so there is an incredible range of ages, abilities, shapes and sizes. Some ladies sitting nearby were tucking into strawberries and Moet. This year's charity, the Esther Foundation, helps young women suffering addiction, family problems, domestic violence and self harm. They had fielded a large number of participants and a few of them told us their stories and how training for the tri had helped them. It was very moving and a great organisation for the event to support.


My head has been in the wrong place since my poor swim in my last tri and was undermining my psyche. Family stuff over the last few weeks didn't help. The heat and the wind were just energy-sapping.


The race really meant a lot to me; I did my first ever mini tri at this event in 2006 when it was still small enough to be held at the river near my house. I had only learned to freestyle six weeks before and I was 25lbs heavier than I am now. I remember looking at the women doing the sprint distance and thinking how amazing they were and that the distances involved seemed huge. The event is now much bigger but has retained the wonderfully suppportive atomosphere so it was a good place for my first sprint distance. The conditions were horrible but I got through it so I have come away with renewed enthusiasm and motivation for the future.

The feeling of achievement is awesome; I am not naturally athletic and spent a lot of my childhood being described as "you know, the middle Crawford girl, the short fat one with the wonky leg". I'm still vertically challenged and the left knee still bends awkwardly but no longer am I fat and I've left the feeling of being a nameless member of a family of girls far behind.

And to think I almost dropped out, shame on me.