WINDSOR TRIATHLON

First race of 2012 let's gooooo!!!

6 months of adrenalin, training and excitement stored up, this was going to be a good one whatever the end result!

The Bath Uni Tri Squad of 16 athletes travelled to Dorney Lake (Olympic 2012 rowing venue) the night before the race. We were put up for the night by a travel lodge, and did Pizza Hut great business the night before.

There had been emails going back and forth all week between organisers and athletes as to whether the race would be a triathlon (which was what it was meant to be) or a duathlon, due to the water temperature of the lake being so cold. For a BTF race to go ahead the water has to be a minimum of 11degrees Celsius. The day before the race the water had dropped below this, which forced the organisers to question the triathlon going ahead. However we hit lucky (some may call it mad), and the water temperature was 11 degrees on race morning. This was to the delight of the swimmers (and proper triathletes may I add!) of the club, while the duathletes looked most disgruntled.

Into the wetsuits for the 400m swim and off we went, well, we tried. It was crazy, your breathing went, your head spun, body went numb and vision became blurred. The effect the icy water had on the body and mind was quite frightening. I realised the extent of the effect it had had when I a) tried to exit the water and fell over and b) couldn't for the life of me remember where I had racked by bike then c) fell over putting on my left shoe in T1.

Not my most poised and graceful moment to date. 

But onwards and upwards eh?! At least I had a long list of 'areas of improvement' for Coach. 

The 20km bike was great, nice and flat just how we like it though a little more wind than ideal, then out onto an out and back 5km run. 

Sweets and more sweets at the end for all competitors (first sign of an excellently organised race) while the team stood and cheered on the rest of the athletes. Everyone looked slightly disorientated from the swim still, most of us with numb toes and pins and needles throughout our bodies. But at least we all knew it could only get better and warmer through 2012!

Here's a lovely team snap :)

Great venue! Can see why its a popular one for beginners and pro's alike! Recommended! Despite spending alot of time on the floor, I managed to grab a victory which was a great start to the season. Boyfriend Matt Everest also won the men's race, while fellow team mate Rob Abraham got pipped by just 30seconds and took 2nd. Good Job Team!