First wave start I have done and it was brilliant. Everyone advised starting at the back for my first swim so I started right in the front line and went for it! My thought was I wanted to experience this fully. Best way to describe it is a Western bar brawl under water! Started off frantic and about 100m in I asked myself what I was doing swimming like an idiot. I then slowed down, glided and picked up loads of places. Got trapped at the first boy a bit but made up a few more places. Actually exited the swim @ 7:30 min but timing mat is half way up hill and I didn't realise. So lost swim time as I jogged slowly taking wetsuit top off. If I had sprinted a bit first, swim time would have been better but T1 probably worse.

Calm down a bit at the beggining and swim my own race. Sight better.

500m up a very steep hill while removing wetsuit.

Pushed very hard throughout and made up about a lot of places especially second lap. Had a really good race second lap against a guy on a Felt B12. I finished about 100yds ahead but he blitzed me on the run. Course is very hilly with twists and turns. This stops you getting up to full speed for much of the way round. Climbs are very long (about 3/4 of the lap) with fierce decents usually with a sharp bend at the bottom. Main problem I had was the hills. I did okay on them but really fatigued my legs. I live in the flattest part of the UK so can't train properly for hills. Need to ride more I guess for next year.

Hill train. Drink more energy drink.

Slow transion as got caught in next wave coming opposite way. Bikes and people in wet suits all over. I actually got knocked over by one guy de-racking his bike. I was 160 ranked for T2 because of this and general fatigue.

Practice getting off bike.

Started off badly as we had to run about 200m around the entire transion to exit to run. Had to dodge people all the way and this really affected my rythm. We then climbed over a steep bridge that crosses the bike route. I was aware already that my legs felt heavier than they do after a 50K training ride and after about 100m I got cramp in both calves. This took about half a mile to subside by which time I had been passed by most of the guys I took on the bike. The rest of the run was steady but I was frustrated that I couldn't go harder or catch those just ahead. I really thought this would be my strongest part of the tri as I tend run faster in brick sessions than stand alone runs, but I really had nothing left is the tank.

Drink more on the bike. More bricks.

Drank loads of water and Gatorade and watched the other races.


Fatigue from bike.


Really good event for my first race. With 4000 competitors it is the second largest in the UK. I found the swim exhilerating and can't wait for my next one. The bike I did okay but the hills killed my run. Overall I am pleased with my placing for my first race but disapointed in the run.