Blithfield Sprint - 26th July

[Colin]

Trying to keep this short, but I've got a lot to say, so I might ramble a bit.

This was the third and final qualifier for the Age Group World Champs in Oz in September.

Having placed quite well (but not an automatic slot) in the first race (Grendon), and DNF'd at the second (MK), I was going into this race quietly confident, knowing that the form book predicted me to come 4th in my age group (and hence an automatic slot). As it happened, I came second overall in my AG and first of those who were trying to qualify, so got in automatically without having to rely on the roll-down.

When the hooter sounded the start of the race I started my stop watch. I deliberately made the decision not to take my splits, so all I have is my overall time which was 1:12:31. I came 2nd in my age group and 23rd overall (out of 160), in a strong field so am very happy with that

Swim: Swam in a straight line and caught a draft for the second part of the swim. Came out quite high up the field.

T1: Faultless, as you'd expect from the master of transitions! Top tip from Richard Stannard recently to cover feet and ankles with baby lotion worked a treat - wetsuit slided off with very little effort.

Bike: I was nervous about the bike, hoping to get through it without puncturing (having punctured twice out of my last four races). The rain started and the second part of the bike was quite slippery, so pulled back a bit in order just to finish. The course was quite flat with a couple of hills, so was well suited to my type of riding.

T2: Faultless again! Jumped off the bike, racked, shoes on, and off I went.

Run: Not my strength, and normally the part where I am overtaken, so the plan was to hang on. Sharkie Jaggard (eventual age group winner and previous qualifier from Grendon) passed me in the opposite direction and I calculated I was about 4 minutes behind him, so was well within the 115%. Unlike other qualifiers, nobody had their age group letter written on their leg so I didn't know who else of those passing me in the other direction were in my age group. Sprinted, on my own, past the finish line. Collapsed in a heap, not knowing where I had placed.

After a few minutes, I and a few others went over to see the age group manager (Jasmine Flatters) who was making a note of the finishers’ numbers and times. She said that number 78 was the first person in my AG to qualify - I looked down at my number and, to my astonishment, I was number 78. Big congratulations all round, then in the bar for a few beers.

Collected my bike and stuff from transition and guess what – flat back tyre! Must have happened on way back into transition, so the gods were looking down on me today.

Anne-Marie was there to see it all happen and took a few photos. I will be updating my blog and will upload my photos there.

Now back to the pub!

Cheers.

Colin
_________________
www.colinbradley.blogspot.com - Does it get any better than this?

[Mitten]

Perfect amount of ramble in your report

I’m just drinking a glass of wine so will drink a small toast to you. Now go and get smashed
_________________
Maybe if I put some effort in I might actually get somewhere!

[andy_ward47]

Well done Colin an excellent performance. I was thinking about the wonders of baby lotion, if the wetsuit "slid" off instead of "slided" then you might have saved another two seconds.

[Musty]

Great report and well done on your automatic qualification.

The guy who won your age group; is that really his name? Sounds as though he should be a member of our club
_________________
"Sweet moderation, heart of this nation, desert us not........." - Billy Bragg

[Colin]

Musty, yes that's his real name and I thought exactly the same thing as you!

C
_________________
www.colinbradley.blogspot.com - Does it get any better than this?