This will be a blog of 2 courses, to start will be a small summary of my Mallorcan training camp and for the main course: a race report from the European Duathlon Championships. Sorry to disappoint but there is no dessert.
Mallorca Training Camp
Over the Easter holidays I was fortunate enough to travel to Mallorca, for 10 days of eat, train, sleep, repeat. We swam every morning in the open air pool which was great on the few sunny days but for the majority of our sessions it was rather miserable weather. This resulted in me feeling somewhat hypothermic by the end of each session despite working very hard! as depicted below!
Mallorca Training Camp
Over the Easter holidays I was fortunate enough to travel to Mallorca, for 10 days of eat, train, sleep, repeat. We swam every morning in the open air pool which was great on the few sunny days but for the majority of our sessions it was rather miserable weather. This resulted in me feeling somewhat hypothermic by the end of each session despite working very hard! as depicted below!
trying out wetsuits
As this camp came right at the start of the season our focus was on race specific training. In my case this means lots of intensity, characterized by burning legs, breathlessness and an inability to feel your body the following morning. Fun right?
After each morning swim we would do a bike or run session or if Perry (My coach) was feeling particularly kind, both. which, now having had time to reflect, I realized happened most days!
Overall the camp was a huge success, evident from our final day's swimming time trial where some big PB's were hit. whilst we were recovering from these efforts Nicola Spirig (2012 Olympic Triathlon Champion) came down to the pool for a quick chat although I am not sure I made much sense due to a mixture of extreme oxygen debt and excitement. Regardless of this It was a pleasure to meet such a good-natured and down to earth athlete making for a satisfying end to a great 10 days training.
After each morning swim we would do a bike or run session or if Perry (My coach) was feeling particularly kind, both. which, now having had time to reflect, I realized happened most days!
Overall the camp was a huge success, evident from our final day's swimming time trial where some big PB's were hit. whilst we were recovering from these efforts Nicola Spirig (2012 Olympic Triathlon Champion) came down to the pool for a quick chat although I am not sure I made much sense due to a mixture of extreme oxygen debt and excitement. Regardless of this It was a pleasure to meet such a good-natured and down to earth athlete making for a satisfying end to a great 10 days training.
European Duathlon Championships
The European Duathlon Championships were taking place in Kalkar, Germany at a disused (thankfully) Nuclear power plant turned theme park called Wunderland. It was a rather odd place but transpired to be a good location for a very memorable day.
The race was on Friday evening and we arrived on Thursday following an overnight ferry and a long drive, made even longer thanks to standstill traffic. Despite this, we arrived in plenty of time to do a bike recce and all the normal pre-race checks such as deciphering the maze of barriers to find where the bike and run entrance and exits are. Transition was inside a large hanger like building; a welcome change from the cold, boggy transitions in the middle of a field which have become the norm in the UK. German efficiency for you.
The European Duathlon Championships were taking place in Kalkar, Germany at a disused (thankfully) Nuclear power plant turned theme park called Wunderland. It was a rather odd place but transpired to be a good location for a very memorable day.
The race was on Friday evening and we arrived on Thursday following an overnight ferry and a long drive, made even longer thanks to standstill traffic. Despite this, we arrived in plenty of time to do a bike recce and all the normal pre-race checks such as deciphering the maze of barriers to find where the bike and run entrance and exits are. Transition was inside a large hanger like building; a welcome change from the cold, boggy transitions in the middle of a field which have become the norm in the UK. German efficiency for you.
After feeling confident with the course we went to a nice Italian restaurant and then back to the hotel for an early night in preparation of a long day ahead.
RACE DAY
The training has been done, seemingly endless hours on the turbo, miles and miles of pounding the tarmac on dark and gloomy winter nights, overcoming Injuries and obstacles. It all comes down to 1 solitary hour later today.
This was my mentality in the morning, a mindset of knowing you have done all you can to be the best you can is a must to suppress any thoughts of self-doubt leaving genuine confidence in your own ability.
As my race was at 7pm I went for a small leg loosening jog before breakfast to get things moving following a day of travelling. I had my classic 4 course breakfast and then it was off to the event site to check in and rack my bike. This was all done before 2pm so we had lots of waiting around before the race, therefore after lunch we found a quite corner in a nearby hotel and relaxed for a couple of hours.
40 minutes before race start I began my warm up, which took around 20 minutes to complete. It was then a case of staying warm and calm before lining up on the start line 10 minutes before run start. I found a prime place on the front row and was fired up to race.HARD.
Horn sounded, it was go time.
RACE DAY
The training has been done, seemingly endless hours on the turbo, miles and miles of pounding the tarmac on dark and gloomy winter nights, overcoming Injuries and obstacles. It all comes down to 1 solitary hour later today.
This was my mentality in the morning, a mindset of knowing you have done all you can to be the best you can is a must to suppress any thoughts of self-doubt leaving genuine confidence in your own ability.
As my race was at 7pm I went for a small leg loosening jog before breakfast to get things moving following a day of travelling. I had my classic 4 course breakfast and then it was off to the event site to check in and rack my bike. This was all done before 2pm so we had lots of waiting around before the race, therefore after lunch we found a quite corner in a nearby hotel and relaxed for a couple of hours.
40 minutes before race start I began my warm up, which took around 20 minutes to complete. It was then a case of staying warm and calm before lining up on the start line 10 minutes before run start. I found a prime place on the front row and was fired up to race.HARD.
Horn sounded, it was go time.
For the first kilometer I stayed with the main group not wanting to get overly excited and cook myself before the bike. I was feeling comfortable so as everyone started to settle down I went to the front and pushed the pace which gave me a small gap on the rest of the field. For the remainder of the 5k run I remained relaxed and in my rhythm. I came into T1 first in a time of 16:21 and with quick transition I was on the bike with no problems.
The 20k bike course was fast and flat but with a couple of technical sections at turn-around points. I maintained my lead (which was only a couple of seconds) for the first 10k lap, at which point I was overtaken round one of the hairpins by an Austrian who clearly wasn't in my age group. However due to my competitive nature I was not going to let anyone pass me without a fight, consequently I put my head down, tucking to get as small possible and charged onwards. Despite my best efforts I didn't close the gap but I held it steady at around 10 seconds, leaving him fully within my cross hairs for the last run whilst posting a decent bike split of 29:17.
Coming off the bike is always a pivotal moment in any race, sometimes your legs feel like 2 useless, disconnected, heavy objects dangling from your Pelvis and other times they simply feel like gelatinous masses (it is a feeling one must experience to appreciate) On this occasion it was the latter, but I had another slick transition and set off in pursuit of my Austrian target. Within minutes of beginning the short 2.5k run I had regained the lead and was winding it up to the finish. At this point I felt horrible but I truly did not care. All I could think about was the blue tape awaiting me around the corner. The next few minutes are a bit of a blur but in short I crossed the line, had a lie down for a few minutes and was European Champion.
Coming off the bike is always a pivotal moment in any race, sometimes your legs feel like 2 useless, disconnected, heavy objects dangling from your Pelvis and other times they simply feel like gelatinous masses (it is a feeling one must experience to appreciate) On this occasion it was the latter, but I had another slick transition and set off in pursuit of my Austrian target. Within minutes of beginning the short 2.5k run I had regained the lead and was winding it up to the finish. At this point I felt horrible but I truly did not care. All I could think about was the blue tape awaiting me around the corner. The next few minutes are a bit of a blur but in short I crossed the line, had a lie down for a few minutes and was European Champion.
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My first title, hopefully one of many more to come. I now must take the time to thank those who enabled me to do this. Firstly Perry Agass, my coach, who drove through the night immediately after coming off a flight from Mallorca just to support me, but more importantly is his training that has got me to the level of fitness I am at now.
Next to thank is Pedal Potential for their continuous support allowing me to compete around the world to achieve my dreams. This is a perfect example.
Finally I must also thank my parents for the constant help and assistance they provide, I truly couldn't do it without you guys.
Anyway for now it is back to the grindstone for a couple of weeks in build up to the big one. European Triathlon Championships.
Next to thank is Pedal Potential for their continuous support allowing me to compete around the world to achieve my dreams. This is a perfect example.
Finally I must also thank my parents for the constant help and assistance they provide, I truly couldn't do it without you guys.
Anyway for now it is back to the grindstone for a couple of weeks in build up to the big one. European Triathlon Championships.
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