Battle of Bosworth 2021

The first weekend of September 2021 was my first and at that point only triathlon of the 2021 season.

I am not exaggerating when I say that I had not had the preparation or lead up that I would have wanted.

I had a bit of a melt down in the van after I had collected my race pack. I'm tempted to insert some footage into a YouTube video to show just how much the nerves had got the better of me.

Having raced this event before I wasn't nervous of the actual triathlon just my lack of preparation. Especially as a coach, I feel that my work as a coach is judged on my own performance.

When I previously raced at Bosworth I had the worst swim, I had my goggles punched of in the first 500 meters. And didn't the remainder of the swim being of course because I couldn't see where I was going.

The bike had just been a headwind hell and by the time I had gotten out onto the run I was having do much foot pain that my right foot was numb.

The run route is a gravel/ tarmac single track road that is undulating. Because I could no longer feel my feet, I ended up falling and having gravel rash all down my shin.

With ask of this in mind, I decided that no matter what happens, if I keep my goggles on my face and don't fall over this race will already be more successful than in 2019.

I started the swim out to one side to avoid the washing machine, and kept my goggles firmly on my face. While my swim was slightly slower than in 2019, it felt 100 times better.

Out on the bike after a fairly quick transition (it's a good run from the lake). I was going really well. The well known windy route provided the expected headwind but I was feeling good.

After the second transition I was out onto the run, the only thing I was thinking about was not falling over. I started at a pace which I thought I could maintain for the entire 10k. It felt slow, but I reminded myself that pacing now means I could possibly pick it up in the second half.

At this point I couldn't stop smiling, all the anxiety pre race had disappeared and I remember why I love this sport. Having not raced for so long with all the cancelled races and postponements I had forgotten how much I love teaching, competing and pushing myself.

I'd headed out on to the pace I set out at and with the undulating run route I was very happy with this. I was starting to notice that there didn't seem to many women around me, but twice round the out and back loop it was hard to tell who was in front of you out behind you. I was also concerned as one of my team mates hadn't been spotted and would have almost certainly come past me on the run.

Turning the corner to head to the finish, the commentator calling athletes across the line, called me in asking what my party trick was, confused and thinking there is no way I can do the splits right now! I just ran in sheepishly grinning.

Three men from my club has already finished so I had a quick catch up with them and ensures with a technical official where it missing team mates was. It was unclear but it seemed she had not continued after the swim.

Waiting for the other club members to finish I un-racked my bike and packed up the van and headed back to the finish line.

They had just started the award presentation, first was the Vets category for over 50s and then the open. Not wanting to walk off while they were calling the podium I plonked myself down with an Erdinger (the best non-alcoholic beer there is).

When the 3rd female was called they also announced her time. Hearing this I thought hang on I'm sure I beat that... but having used a mix if my watch to record the swim and run and my bike computer to record the bike I was trying to do the maths in my head when suddenly my name was called.

I'd got 2nd place!!

A bit bewildered I stumbled to my feet and headed over. I was in so much disbelief and still wearing my race number I had them confirm it was me they meant to call.

It was me, number 305! I took my place on the second step and was presented with the wooden crown trophy. I couldn't stop grinning!

In hindsight my time was not amazing, I was a couple of minutes slower than when I raced there in 2019, the field was smaller. But with all that said you can only race who is there on the day. And I was chuffed to bits.

The crown trophy has to be one of the coolest I've seen let alone won! Thanks Bosworth it was a blast.