The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

The sun was coming up on the horizon of the 'out' part. That and the number of people in the wave made the swim really hard. I pretty much picked the A line to the first buoy but it was such a massive bun fight the whole way! There seemed to be arms, legs, heads and torsos everywhere and people swimming in all directions. It slowed me down and cost a lot of energy. I couldn't see the buoy for the sun. For some reason I was breathing every stroke which didn't help my navigation, there was just no opportunity to get my head down and into a rhythm. At the buoy I intended to go wide but found myself sucked into the scrum and I reckon I could have pulled myself up and walked round it on other peoples bodies if I'd have tried! Made another mistake swimming on the 'back' part which was to stick to the A line to the exit. So did everyone else and the last 500m was fighting, avoiding and hacking my way past and over people. I took a couple of big elbows in the face and thought I'd broken my fingers when I copped a foot from someone doing breaststroke but all well in the end. Would have expected to swim 3 minutes quicker.

Take a route of less resistance. Be more 'positive' (that should probably say 'aggressive' when in a crowd. Be prepared to change plans if things don't do as expected.

Was quite happy with this. The transition area is massive. Nothing short of an aircraft hanger with room for 8,000 bikes! But I got my wetsuit off quick and felt like I was running pretty fast to the bike, got all my gear on and run off pretty swift too. Took a slug of red bull energy drink.

Running was perhaps hindered by having my shoes on so I might try and give the old 'shoes on pedals' routine a go.

My legs didn't feel A1 from the start here and I wonder if that's not to do with too much walking the day before. That said, my average speed is up where I'd expect it to be but this is a flat course so I think it should be faster. Not much to say here - the course, dare I say, was a little dull and I think my concentration might have wandered a bit. I need to work on my technique of climbing slopes and hills - I seem to lose ground on lots of people whenever an incline is involved - not because there's nothing in my legs to give - I think it's gear selection.

Saw lots of punctures and a two wipes outs at thinner parts of the course

Took on and energy gel at 15 minutes and two caffeine based energy gels at 30 mins and 1hr. In between I sipped some water.

For next time: get aero bars and work on aero position. Improve technique on slopes / hills. Maintain concentration.

Pretty happy with this.

For next time I might look into this 'riding with feet on shoes' and 'jumping off moving bike' lark but.

The run was tough. Straight off the bike people started to stream past me which was pretty disconcerting but I just tried to ignore it and run my race. I know I'm not a good runner. After about 15 minutes I saw Graycats brother who started in the wave before me and I managed to get up level to him and hang on to his pace until the last half a mile. I walked briefly to take on water and pour it over my head and run through the showers. Given the calf problems I've been having I couldn't have done anymore than grit my teeth and give it all I had which I did - there was nothing left for a sprint finish

Not much I could have done on the day but I'm confident my run will improve dramatically with consistent training and the incorporation of more brick work.

Was on the brink of collapse at the finish. Had a bottle of gatorade, wandered out to the atrium and sat down with my family. Managed to get some food down, don't remember what it was and then went to collect my stuff from transition. Went for a massage.

Stayed around for the rest of the day watching the elites (awesome athletes), saw Hannah finish and then my mate who went round 2mins 54secs quick than I did (grrr). Although we're both chuffed with our overall times.


Swim: picking the wrong line

Bike: losing concentration and poor hill technique

Run: not enough brick practice and consistent run training.


A better race for athletes than spectators. Not sure this'll be on the calender for next year but I'm glad I took part in the biggest triathlon in the world!