My First Standard Distance Triathlon - HOWSC 100

3:30am on Sunday 28th September and my alarm is going off, you really are a nutter Steph!! Ready to get up and out to travel down to the New Forest for the HOWSC 100 triathlon. It was only about 10 days earlier that I had received an email asking if I was excited for the event. Having totally forgotten that I had been given a free entry into the event I thought to myself ….Well I am now!!

The preparation of getting out the door was the same as always, although this triathlon was not like the rest. Today I was getting ready to compete in my 1st standard distance (or slightly longer!!) triathlon. I’m only really just settling into the world of triathlon, and am still learning every time I do a sprint triathlon. Yet today I was going to step a little further out of my comfort zone and see what I could achieve.

Arriving at the race venue after a couple of hours drive there was a really welcoming atmosphere, with all of the stalls/registration/transition in a reasonable small space, the excitement of competing really hit home. A quick trip to the porter loo and I was ready to get going!!!

I was back to my normal self today, very focused and walking around the venue I was visualising how I wanted to push myself. I didn’t really know what to expect having never done a 10k race before let alone at the end of a tri so I knew this would challenge me. I love a challenge……CHALLENGE accepted!! I knew I was just going to give it my all as see what happens.

I started to set up my transition area the same as always, I got my elastic bands on my shoes to keep them upright on the bike – I nailed the transition 1st time at big cow now to do it again!!There was just one difference today I knew that in a 2 hour race I would need some form of energy/nutrition. So having practiced with it in training I had chosen Cliff shot gel – Raspberry and taping it to my bike I hoped I had picked well. But with it being my first shot I will soon find out!

Before getting my wetsuit on I had a couple of minutes to have a quick look at the lake, as I wondered over I noticed a short steep climb – now that’s a bit mean to have on the run to transition! Good job hills are my speciality! Little did I know that it was also part of the run course that I would have to complete 4 times!

Another quick toilet stop and I was ready to suit up. Vaseline at the ready, although today again was slightly different. I’m a big fan of Vaseline when racing and today I decided to cover my feet in it too. I was starting the day with bad blisters and had heard a rumour. So as I always say – try anything twice! So shoes filled with Talcum Powder, feet covered in Vaseline I was ready to go!

Normally at the start of the swim it feels like a mass scrum and everyone is on top of each other to get the best spot. But here for some reason everyone was really polite, maybe it’s something to do with the New Forest?!!! There was quite a big area for us to line up in and I managed to get myself floating at the front a brilliant line for the 1st buoy. Then came the 20 second countdown – 20 seconds??!! 19,18 ,17…… This felt like it was going on forever, yet it soon came around ….2,1 and I was off.

One of the best starts I’ve ever had. Knowing that I was doing 1500m I wanted to settle into my rhythm as fast as possible, and by the time I hit the first buoy I was there! The swim seemed to fly by I felt really strong pushing through the water – not elegant looking I’m sure, but never the less I was 2nd out of the water. Again not an elegant exit fumbling around on the stones on the bottom, my legs didn’t seem to want to stand up – so I went for what I guess was a bit of a bear crawl as I rolled myself up the bank!

Heading into transition I saw the number 1 swimmer at his bike, out before him. I was leading this! Only one problem I must have knocked my cycling shoes when taking it off the rack and it was now dangling upside down. Jumping on the bike I flipped the shoe with my foot and it went in 1st time?!! Not even sure how I did that but I had nailed it again!! Awesome!!! I was of on the cycle…..

 The cycle was a very challenging course with a lot of steep uphill’s followed by narrow windy single track road descents. I was enjoying the challenge, pushing up each hill, it’s strange to look back now and think that one lap would be all I would normally do. Hitting the 2nd lap I now knew what to expect and wanted to push on even more. I had taken on my energy gel on lap 1 and now just wanted to focus on driving forward with every push/pull of the pedal. I was not going to be caught….

Arriving back to an empty transition was a great feeling, I headed towards the bright coloured towel and grabbed my shoes, I was off 4laps of the course to do. Another very challenging run with some on fields and the other on trails and filled with hills. The marshals were amazing and full of support; they seemed so excited every time I ran passed. Little did I know that I was half way round my 2nd lap of the run course before the next woman started the run.

A wise man had told me to negative split my run – good plan I thought, let’s do it! Well my nutrition plan had not gone quite as well as hoped and on lap 1 I saw my gel again. Well at least that should be over and done with now, and there is no excuse not to run faster on lap 2 now! So I pushed on and lap 2 felt great. Although on lap 3 disaster – not again I thought, this must be the lot this time! So again I pushed on. By the time lap 4 came I was working really hard, picking off different trees, tables, corners and hills as I made my way round the course. I dug in deep and powered up the steep incline taking me back to the transition area one last time. Every step hurt more than the last but this drove me forward, and made me want to push even harder. In my head I felt like a cheetah speeding towards the line, not quite the case I’m sure! Crossing the line there really was nothing left, yet I instantly felt great. Even with a few minor issues within the race I had loved every second!

The results were amazing too; I was 3rd overall and 1st out of the women but 13 minutes, with 2nd place having qualified to do standard distance in Geneva. Standard race No.1 – Smashed it!!!

Am I a standard distance convert? I’m not sure yet I guess only time will tell! I think with the right training I could be better suited to the standard distance as more of an endurance event! Although my main aim is to keep pushing my limits and see just how far I can go. Where the next few years will take me I don’t know, but I will work hard and push myself to be the best I possibly can be.

Big Cow Sprint - European Qualifier September 2014

Arriving in Milton Keynes at the Big Cow event after an early start and hours’ drive to the race venue, I knew my preparation had not been as structured as normal, in fact at points it felt like I had just been trying to push the puzzle pieces in anywhere.

I had only returned from Canada 10 days earlier and having already qualified for the Europeans next year I didn’t have to race, but I could not resist the draw of the competition as others around me entered. Normally walking to a race I would be in my own zone, visualising my race and in all honesty being anti-social. Yet arriving here the excitement from Edmonton came flooding back, and sharing stories with competitors around me seemed to be the theme of the morning.

Walking into transition was strange everything seemed so much smaller, not surprising really but it was another step back into reality. Racking my bike I continued to chat away, I knew I was in a totally different place to normal, I was still buzzing from the weeks before it was as if nothing was going to knock me off my perch.

I had decided that I would try with my shoes already on the bike today so filling them with endless amounts of talcum powder. I attached the elastic bands – yellow of course so Carlos was matching. Looking at them at this point I was visualising how I would do this. I knew that today was the perfect opportunity to practice – what was the worst that could happen?! The mixture of trying a new process and not having my normal structure meant that I totally missed out giving my bike a finial once over something which I would later come to regret!

I put my running shoes down ready on top of my bright towel anything to make recognising my area easier! I knew my feet were going to suffer today; I had been suffering with bad blisters ever since I got home, yet once in the zone of racing I knew I would get through without a second thought.

Getting my wetsuit on I covered myself in Vaseline, something I maybe should not announce to the world but anything to make it easier to get it off though T1 and to prevent Chaffing. A wetsuit rash on the neck is like being 14 again with the endless amount of love bite jokes!

I wondered down to the start feeling very relaxed and listening to the brief for the wave before mine, I felt myself start to slip back into my normal focused self. I was able to see the whole swim course and visualise where it was that I need to go, it seems quite straight forward with only a couple of turns – Great! At this point I was excited and looking forward to being able to push my body to its limits again.

Watching the wave before mine go off I realised just how much a scrum it was so knew it would be important to pick my starting spot well. So getting into the water I swam out about 100m, I wanted to be one of the last back to the start so I could be at the front and pick my line. I’ve only had one other experience of a start like this before and that was at qualifiers – what a disaster!! I was not expecting the mass scrum which you get and found myself goggle less within the first 200m, feeling so disorientated by the end of the swim I went to stand up but my legs were not expecting this and I was straight back down again – SPLASH!! Rolling around on the exit ramp like a fish out of water, great for spectators or you’ve been framed!!

Anyway lessons learnt! I have my new goggles on nice and tight and am aiming for the front, so I don’t end up with my face as a kick bag! I lined myself up with the first buoy and could see where my swim would take me, and the countdown started. 5, 4, 3, 2………. Everyone was already starting to move but never the less we were off.

Another round of fisty cuffs as I tried to get some clear water around me. I have found that even though the beginning strokes are not as good as you would like, leave it behind and look for the next one. My focus is always what I need to do next not what I’ve just done, you can’t change the past but you can improve upon it. Moving around the first buoy was a tight squeeze though once past this the race seemed to spread out. I had not managed to get myself into the lead group amongst the initial scrum but I still had my goggles and was focusing on pushing on with every stroke, being at the front of the second group I could concentrate on me!

Exiting the water and heading into T1, I got my wetsuit off with ease and putting on my helmet I was ready to try getting my shoes on while on the bike. I ran out totally focused and as I crossed the mount line jumped on, and then pause. I took a split second to think about what I needed to do next line both my feet up with the shoes and right foot, left foot..... I had nailed it both feet were in! I was ready to smash the bike; this was my chance to get some distance between me and the rest of the field. The aim was not just to get in front but to overtake as many of the men from the wave in front as possible. The bike was not a bad ride, my legs felt like they were working hard but I was keeping the cadence high. I was just not flying; normally I would feel unstoppable on the bike as if no one has a chance. And after the race I would find out why……… I had ridden the whole course with my front brake on! Lesson learnt! We all make mistakes but I believe as long as you can learn from these and move forward you will become a stronger, faster more knowledgeable person, and long term this will help make me the champion I am driven to become.

On the positive side I had learnt from my dismount in Canada, and coming into transition I composed myself Velcro undone, one foot at a time ….. Smashed it both feet on top of the shoes, I can see the dismount line and bring my leg over the saddle. I hit the ground running, counting the rows intransition I headed for my shoes. The transition was even one of the fastest I’ve ever done at 38 seconds, I did feel in control with my shoes off and on the bike. I was very composed.

Running out of transition I could see the water station not able to drink while running I see it as a great opportunity to throw it over my head! Cool down a bit and I was away. Running round the lake was very scenic, and as before I was very focused on my own race and pushing forward with every step. At the half way point on the run I was feeling good, knowing that I was on the second half I upped the pace, but then I could hear someone coming behind me, it sounded like a train moving at speed. I kept pushing but didn’t seem to have any more speed in my legs. Past they came. Trying to hold onto her was a whole world of pain the way she moved was effortless. As much as I kept pushing we were with the last 1000m and I didn’t have the legs to get back up with her.

Still crossing the finish line I knew that I had given my all, and then it hit me as I tried to step forward the pain in my feet left me hobbling like as if I was trying to walk across hot coals.

I stayed and waited for everyone to finish, knowing that I had come 2^nd female overall and 1^st in my Age Group I felt that was a good result 10 days after worlds and with my crazy preparation. Although disappointed to have been caught so close to the end I knew that I would be able to learn from this race and move forward. Plus I had worked hard and given it my all!

Alice, Kirsty and Andy congratulations on qualifying for Geneva next year – I will see you there! Congratulations also to Lindsey for winning his age group and to Paul for taking a minute off your time in just 6 weeks, I shall keep my fingers crossed for you!

Competing here was good place to end my sprint triathlon season. I now need 2 hands to count the number of triathlons have done! And would never have imagined I could achieve so much in such a short space of time. I will still be racing at standard distance triathlon and a duathlon over the next few weeks before disappearing off into winter training, to become stronger, faster and fitter (plus learn to swim and run!!) ready for next year………

                            

AGE GROUP WORLDS EDMONTON CANADA - 2014

So it’s Monday 25th August and having battled to work out the Rubik’s cube otherwise known as a bike box, I was now stood at in Gatwick waiting to travel to Edmonton Canada for the World Championships. I was finding it hard to believe that 12 months ago I was just going to the gym 4 times a week with the odd spin class and mainly looking forward to being able to eat cake as my reward! Even stranger to think that in 2007 I found out that I had a slip disc and was told that I would never compete in sport at a high level again. Yet looking at the sea of GBR tracksuits I found the excitement kick in knowing I had already proved everyone wrong.

Standing in Edmonton airport waiting for Carlos (my bike!) to be delivered I met Alice, the first of many new friends I would make throughout the week, all of whom would help make the next week the most amazing experience.

A first impression of Canada was just how big it was! Everything was huge, the roads, buildings, trucks… …. The people were all welcoming and friendly and whether near the hotel or moving around the city there was constant reminders of the Triathlon World Grand Finial…..This will be EPIC!

The days leading up were full of registration, recces and a lot of smoothies (they were huge yet so very tasty!!) Completing the recces were a strange feeling I had been at a big event before when rowing but never had to recce the course before. When rowing you only have to go backwards in a straight line so these things don’t matter! Saying that the bike recce filled me with confidence seeing the steep climb almost straight out of transition I could visualise myself pushing up there dropping the competition, couple that with a 2nd longer yet not as steep hill I knew the course would be good for me. I enjoy the challenge of sprinting up hills as fast as possible and knew the hours spent cycling up and down the hill behind where I live would pay off here. It was while on this recce I was reminded just how welcoming the local people were, with a women winding down her window as I reached the top of the hill I thought ‘here we go’ expecting similar comments to what I would get at home. Yet she leant out the window and wished us good luck –

Amazing!

The running recce didn’t go quite as well still confused as to where the course went, yet I view the run section as more like the rowing race, it will be 5k, full of signs so you know where to go and it’s all about pacing yourself to ensure you don’t blow up (run out of energy!) yet leave nothing behind. I wanted to get to the line knowing that I could not have given anymore.

As the day approached I felt ready to give it my all, the build-up had felt so much longer than normal and the nerves were really kicking in as I racked my bike, leaving Carlos on the rack for the night I knew that the next time I would be in transition I would only have a couple of hours left till the race,

I could not wait!!

Taking myself from transition to the swim familiarisation I was so excited, I didn’t want to waste any energy but did want to practice the start, having never done a dive before I was looking forward to the new challenge. Standing on the starting pontoon with all the numbers lined up I imagined myself as some sort of graceful dolphin diving in the fact was I was more like a whale, but watching Alice and Rosie I picked up a few tips, knowing that once in the water I would just give it my all any ways.

 I did go to the opening ceremony later that evening, although it was more of a case of photo bombing the other nations! Which started with wanting a photo with the inflatable kangaroo. Yet as time went on I was more interested in getting some food (good old Craft – they had some good business of us over the week!) and getting back to bed I wanted to ensure I was the best I could possibly be.

Race day came and as I got up to have my coffee and porridge Trains album played through my headphones. As I headed to the race

I was running through what I expected from my body that day. Not necessarily what I would do at what point on the course but more what I expected from my body and how I wanted to push myself throughout the race! The transition area was huge and I walked round it several times trying to familiarise myself with which row I would find my bike in – only to stand in the pen later on and have to ask Alice which row our bikes were in – Sorry Alice!!

The time between leaving transition and walking to the race went really fast mostly spent visualising the race and zoning myself out with my headphones in. The preparation had worked though, despite feeling like I was going to see my porridge again as I stood on the start line filled with nerves, I felt strong and knew that my body was ready to perform.

The swim went well, I’m not a natural swimmer apparently my swimming style is known as the swinger - Typical!! So the aim was to get into a rhythm as quick as possible and to get round in a good position ready to hit the bike. It later turned out that I came out the water 3rd! What a brilliant start I was aiming for between 10th and 20th knowing I could make time on the bike.

I ran straight to my bike in transition the yellow helmet really helping to spot my bike from a distance, put my shoes (I didn’t not have the confidence that I could get my shoes on fast enough if they were on the bike and didn’t want to lose the chance to attack the hill) running to the mount line I knew I was away. Lap one seemed to be over in no time but I was feeling really strong and with the nerves settled I was able to push forwards into lap two I was flying. The dismount was interesting though, I was neither elegant nor controlled as my shoes bounced along the road surface I could only have compared it to an elephant trying to do ballet in a china shop! But I could not dwell on this there was a run to do and I was very focused!

As I got into transition for the 2nd time I didn’t even notice that there was no other bikes back, nor that my handlebars had come loose while on the course and were pointing towards the floor! I knew I would be doing well of the bike – but winning?! I was able to settle into my run quite fast, it’s not my strong point but on this day I was in my own zone and just pushed forward with every step. It hurt and I knew I was pushing myself but I kept going picking of other runners in front of me one at a time. I was trying to work out if there was anyone in my age group around me but as I forgot my number I knew I just had to focus on me and run my own race. It worked coming across the line I had nothing left, struggling to walk with my leg shaking as I put weight on them I knew I had given my all, I was happy and filled with a massive sense of pride!

I know that to watch my race you would see many areas for improvement, but for me that was the best race I have done to date, I will take all the areas which were weaker and turn them into a strength for next year. I believe that no matter how many races I do or how much coaching I have there will always be areas for improvement and by working on these that’s how you become the best.

It was not till about half an hour later when the results were put up that I found out just how well I had done. As Jess came over telling me that I had a medal I found myself leaving a pile of clothes in the middle of the Age Group area and doing some form of jelly fish run over to the results board – I had a medal, me?! I know I had worked hard but 5months ago I had not even done a tri. It did not seem real; it’s the sort of thing you dream of. All of the pain disappeared and I was just filled with excitement.

Watching the rest of the races finish I felt a bit like a meerkat sat tall, massive grin and on the best high! I didn’t know what to do with myself. I felt like I just wanted to get up and dance but my head and body were not talking to each other as my legs were like led and struggled to walk up the steps into the grandstand!!

My friends were all amazing too, coming with some away with some brilliant results Alice, Rosie, Fiona, Dave, Lindsey, Paul, Hugh and Andy. I learnt so much from all of you while we were away and I’m sure it won’t stop there. They are all such incredible sportspeople.

The next few days were all about enjoying the atmosphere, and making the most of being out in such a brilliant country at an amazing event. I did celebrate with prosecco, chocolate and cupcakes which I feel were well deserved and I’m not sure I could have enjoyed it anymore! It was great to share the celebrations with my new friends; we had all achieved so much over that week and that could really be felt around the dinner table that night.

Following this we watched the elite women and men over the weekend they are amazing. All I need to do is learn to run like Gwen and I would be laughing! You can see that they are working hard, yet it all seems so effort less, the way they glide through the water, or fly through transition or make the hills on both the bike and run look like a flat. Watching from the grandstand I even got my best side on the TV would have done my hair though had I known!

 

The last part of the week was going to the closing ceremony and collecting my medal, waiting outside the hall where the closing ceremony was being held I was getting very excited. Walking in and seeing the podium for the first time the excitement hit an all-time high it was like being that child in the sweetshop working my way through the pick n mix again! The next half hour seemed like forever waiting to be called over for the presentation, I could only image that’s how a dog feels when you tell them to leave their favourite toy. Yet when the time came I was filled with a sense of pride and achievement, before we went onto the stage I was given a Mountie hat to wear – JUST BRILLIANT!!

As I stepped onto the podium in my GB polo I didn’t quite know what to do with myself hearing my name announced I could feel myself grinning from ear to ear, thinking at that very moment things could not get any better. But they did as they placed the medal round my neck and got my photo taken with a Mountie, that photo for me says it all! This is the photo which will drive me forward to make sure that next year I’m the one stood in the middle wearing the gold medal. Talking photos – a massive thank you to my camera man for the night Paul you defiantly got my best side!!!! I shall return the favour when you make the podium next year!

I’m now getting back to reality train, work, and study! My drive and determination to achieve is even greater than before, following what was the most incredible experience. I have made some great friends and enjoyed sharing this experience with some truly amazing likeminded people. I know that with the hard work and the right support I will be World Champion this time next year ……………… Onwards and upwards!!! .