The Blenheim triathlon was my first triathlon of the year, a sprint triathlon in a stunning location of the grounds of Blenheim Palace.
The distances were 750m swim, 19.8km bike then a 5.4km run. Training and tapering done it was race day. My kids were also racing in children's duathlon events. My start time was 11:20 with theirs at 10:00. In the days up to the race the weather was absolutely appalling, we had had nothing but rain for days and the weekend forecast was no better.
I was up early on Sunday with Luca and checking and re-checking the forecast. It was pouring with rain but forecast to clear. Amelie got up and wanted to stretch to get ready! We had breakfast first then i helped her stretch. With the kids agreeing that racing in the rain was fine we loaded up and set off.
An hour drive to Blenheim saw the weather improve and some blue sky. By the time we arrived it was relatively fine although the ground was like a ploughed field. The Shurdington Tri Club had 3 entrants in the race and we all hooked up on arrival. My dad had also come to watch - actually he had come to take photo's but that's neither here nor there!
The children's races were first up - we cut it fine for the briefing and as they lined up the older kids (9-11) Luca had a wobble, an attack of nerves. He held it together to start the race. An 800m run then 1200m cycle and a further 400m run. They started and he quickly had a lead on the run. Into transition and he was on his bike which suddenly looked small compared to the other kids. He held his lead but on the 3rd corner of the second lap - disaster he crashed in the wet and hurt his leg with the pedal. He couldn't continue and ended upset with a DNF. To his credit he refused a medal and also wouldn't put on his t-shirt as he had not completed the race.
He would later rectify this position.
Amelie was up next, she lined up with the other 6/7 year olds. Their race was a 400m run with an 800m cycle and then a 200m run. After the first run she was in the lead by a head. She jumped on her bike which much like her brothers suddenly seemed too small. On rough ground and with long grass she could not turn the pedals enough to keep the wheels turning. she then took a tumbel and took a chunk out of her heel. I ran over to her and calmed her down, i then persuaded her that finishing was all that mattered. Not winning just finishing. To her absolute credit she continued. I ran beside her and talked her to the finish. She did not come last and her face on finishing was fantastic. A very proud moment.
After the emotions of the children's races it was my turn. As the oldest tri club competitor at the race i had an earlier start time. I made my way to transition and racked my bike etc - it was miles to anywhere and i have to say that a criticism of the race was that it was a long way between stages and to the course.
With the wetsuit on i walked down to the swim start. A beautiful lake in front of me the sun broke through. It was going to be a good day!
The swim was brilliant - I took a kick in the face and had to stop to sort out my goggles. That cost me a few seconds but nothing major. Emerging from the water there was then a 400m run up the hill to T1.
Into the bike shoes and out, the bike course was a 3 lap route around the grounds. It was a compact course which was pretty challenging. I am not a particularly strong cyclist and so my performance on bike is all about hanging on for the run. I had a couple of good tussles with some other competitors - some guy in a trek that went flying past me on any downhill and then collapsed on any uphill section. He was really getting on my nerves and so i worked hard on a down to hold him off then left him at the next uphill. There were, as usual, some awesome bikes on display but i can't help thinking that there are some very wealthy and very average triathletes out there!!
Overall I felt I did pretty well on the bike and although I am a cautious cyclist tried to keep my pace going and the cadence high!
Back to transition and into T2. Running shoes and cap on it was out for the run. A wrong turn leaving transition cost me a further few seconds. The run was a 2-lap course with a couple of hills that while not massive were enough to slow you down. I got into a pace and felt comfortable without being quick . I have definitely been faster off the bike and into the run in training but that was without a swim which probably makes more of a difference that I remember. I took it steady, focusing on the person in front of me and trying to catch them without really changing pace.
Of course you save the best to last and with the finish in sight put the hammer down and power through to the line! That's how it felt anyway!! I crossed the line took some water and Gatorade, got my medal and had my photo taken.
Sue and the kids were waiting as was dad which was great. Lots of congratulations all round. Next it was clock watch to see when Stoddy would cross the line. He has a year more competition in his legs than me and on a tri course i have never beaten him. It is a healthy rivalry that started on our first tri when he beat me by something like 19seconds.
I knew his start was 20minutes after me and so watched the clock and kept looking down the track for his little legs. 20minutes passed and i could not see him, confident that i had finally beaten him i still needed it confirming. He came in and a time check showed i had beaten him by 3 minutes - result!!
It was then a further wait for Mr Booy to complete the course. His galloping gait came into view and he crossed the line.
That was to be the end of the day - but in between the children's races and me finishing the organisers of the children's races had seen Luca and told him there was another race at 3pm if he wanted another go. He resolved himself to try again. The picnic that we had packed for the 4 of us somehow went around 7 of us while we waited for 3pm to come around.
3pm, race briefing over and 5 boys lined up on the start. They set off on the 2laps (800m) run. Close at the start Luca pulled away with a boy close behind him. They had half a lap on the other lads. Into T1 with Luca in the lead. Three laps on the bike was tough, Luca held the lead despite the other boys much bigger wheels eating up the ground. On the third lap Luca was caught as the other lad came round on the outside. He was in front for seconds as Luca regained the advantage.
Into T2 and Luca dropped his bike and was off. The quick transition paid off and he had a quarter lap advantage. The other boy tried and made some ground but Luca dug deep and crossed the line in first place! His demons vanquished and a well deserved medal around his neck.
