British Triathlon Champs 2009
May 17th, 2009 by Gavin
The air freshner hanging from the rear view mirror paints a picture of how British Champs went today…
Although today didn’t go well I am glad/happy to have 1 race under my belt for 2009 – having not raced since hobbling around injured in the London Tri last August I was rusty to say the least.
I had prepared for a cold swim but as anyone who has trained with me will know I really suffer when the water temperature is low. I had a good start however and was in 3rd or 4th around the first turn bouy at 600m …. but then I began to drift backwards as my blood decided to redistribute itself away from my arms ! I just had to ‘rev’ my arms over and hold on. I was still well in contention in T1, leaving the water with the lead group.
My numb hands weren’t the best tools for getting my helmet on and that coupled with having to avoid a crash straight out of T1 meant I lost the ‘Will Clarke train’ (mind you everyone else had there tickets stamped and were forced to disembark too at various points along the course ! bitofafeckinweaponthatboy). Actually, the closest I got to the boy was before the race when the TV presenter asked me twice in 2 days for an interview, but twice I had to tell him I wasn’t who he thought I was !!!!
I was with another athlete at the turn around point and I actually thought we would make it onto the pack but for some reason I didn’t show enough urgency – maybe the swim had taken it out of me ? maybe the ‘cold’ ? maybe its just my lack of racing ? I just didn’t get going – and if you don’t get going straight away in this type of racing its curtains. That is what I am most annoyed about.
Again in T2 I had some trouble – this time getting my feet into my shoes – numb feet and hands – I almost sat down and also fought off a bit of cramp in my hip before gingerly heading out for the 10k with a bloody head ( ?? not sure about that one) and a massive ‘gob’ on my cheek (don’t spit into the wind !).
It took me about 3k to warm up on the run and when I did I actually didn’t feel too bad. It was a lonely trek though. I got some encouragment from a group of ‘lads’ (1 of them had a Celtic top on so I guess he felt we had a bond with me wearing my Champion system kit) but about 800m later another group of ‘lads’ (1 of them in a Rangers shirt) didn’t share their enthusiasm - “your pish big man!”.
So thats that.
A lot of improvements to be made. Improvements which will be made.
I have to say that Will looked very impressive – he is also part of the best virtual team in the land triathlon team and will have his new site up and running soon.
4 Responses to “British Triathlon Champs 2009”
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May 17th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
It’s okay – we don’t think you’re pish big man. Interesting ‘live’ coverage on BTF website – at least unlike Ironman it stayed up for the whole race but needs a bit of work I feel.
Good to see you back racing even if it didn’t feel like the best day at the office.
Cheers
K.
May 18th, 2009 at 12:55 am
That’s a good look Fav, a good look.
May 21st, 2009 at 8:58 am
Hey Gav
Well done, good result for your first race back for a while, I’m doing Windsor but won’t be spitting into the wind! Chuck knows better!
June 11th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Pic. Did you get it?