You Didn't Believe Me Did You!!!???
Well here I am, updating my blog within seven days of the Triathlon!!! Yeah!!!! Wooooooo!!!! Check my excrement!!!!
To cut to the chase, I completed the course in 1hour 12min & 55sec. See here for the full table of results:
There's no denying it, I was terrified at the beginning of the race! My words were jumbled as I spoke to Marshals and I couldn't even open my Powerade without feebly dropping the top. Wouldn't you be terrified if you were this guy?:
Look at them all! Everyone one weighs two stone nothin' and are wearing those special triathlete swim suits. Everyone but me that is, stocky in stature and no kit other than the tiny speedos I bought with my 10% discount in the DW store. You wouldn't believe it to look at me here, but the swim was my strongest leg of the race. Despite my bad shoulder I completed the 400m in 7min 24sec placing 46th. Look at me go!:
(I'm the blurry green cap in the water)
So from there it was a sprint into the car park for a smooth transition:
HEY! It's really hard to get a polo shirt on when you're fresh out the pool! I gangsta wrapped my helmet on and made my way to the 'mount' line and I was off! The cycling proved to be my downfall, I made a good personal time, but it was nothing in comparison to most other competitors. The route left the leisure centre and immediately turned left up the MASSIVE HILL!!! The route continued as it began, hill after hill after hill. Check the change in pain factor between lap 1 and lap 2: Lap 1, It's not too bad...
Lap 2, I don't wanna be on the bike anymore!
At the end of the bike leg I did manage a smooth transition into the run and left at an over enthusiastic pace. With Good Reason I Hasten To Add!!! As I approached the turning into the leisure centre I spotted the first person who had over taken me on the bike (yes the FIRST person!) and was determined to finish before her. It was a hard mile and a half before taking my place back became a real possibility. She was no more than 10m away as we rounded a corner onto a downhill and she made an all too common mistake. Determined to maintain her pace she shortened her stride and fought the pull of gravity! Noticing this I widened my stride, pushed my hips forward and allowed gravity to do the rest. I sped passed and never looked back.
Not that I could, I maintained my increased pace for the remainder of the race. Toward the end I couldn't breath in sync with my steps only gasp noisily and occasionally scream at myself to keep going.
I turned a corner and was informed by a very enthusiastic marshal that this was the sprint finish. I took one final gasp, closed my eyes and pushed, I pushed so hard I wanted to cry, my legs and chest screamed from exhaustion, my shoulder sent shooting pains down my spine:
Then it was over. I stumbled to the side and allowed the warmth of pain to fill my body. My wife quickly approached and handed me the sweetest tasting bottle of water I have ever had the pleasure to drink!
I loved every second of it, and intend on keeping up my new found sport of 'Sprint Triathlon'.
A big THANK YOU to everyone that has supported me along the way and special thanks to all at the Cardiff Triathlon Club who hosted this excellent event and made it one of the most friendly competitions I have had the pleasure to take part in.
Thanks to everyone that has sponsored me so far, we have already raised over £140 and am now pushing to make it to the £200 which will pay for the accommodation at the Worlds in 5 weeks time.
If you can afford any pennies please donate below or send me a text:
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Check out the incredible determination on display in the 1997 Iron Man World Championships! Next time you don't think you can go any further, think of these ladies:
