First race of my tri-life, May 2012

My first race was Llanelli Sprint in May, with an outdoor swim in the dock there, so having practised in it a few times i knew the worst it would be is choppy, but no current, or real waves. The only wave i had to be concerned about was my swim start wave - the women! So a bright and early start and i had read from Chrissie Wellington that having a shower when you first wake on race morning wakes the body up, so early doors there i was taking a shower. I like to eat 3 hours before a swim start so 5am i was eating breakfast, my warm bowl of porridge. You couldn't complain about the weather, dry, not too cold, calm, as my main concern was my parents who insist on coming to watch all my races (unless my dad is working or they are away), and whether they would be cold. Plus, my mother has a double knee replacement so she can't stand for very long without pain setting it so that is motivation to get my arse around each race as quick as possible! I was also super touched that a close friend of mine, who i met through my climbing days (that's another blog in itself), came down to watch and even got his pals to make a little plaque for me. In all i got 2 plaques across the course of the season from him and they have pride of place in my living room, as that was such as special touch. Thanks Joe!

I wasn't as nervous as i had been in the lead up to the race. Being a psychologist, and having my experience of competition nerves as a kid, i am now pretty good at using self-talk and imagery to quieten my mind, prior, but also during racing. I was also determined to put all the months of training into place to be able to call myself a "triathlete", rather than just "in-training". The water was a balmy 13 degrees C, and about 100 women were in wave 1. I started out right at the back, in line with the first buoy, and i had no-one around me so i felt comfortable. Then we were off...i started off comfortably and was just concerned with getting into a rhythm. I was able to overtake people and got round the first 2 buoys without worry. The 3rd buoy was when you had a diagonal in the race route meaning if people were off course they were swimming directly at you, so i did get a hand push my leg down which made my heart skip a beat, but i didn't let it phase me and off i went on the final length. In T1 my legs were like absolute jelly, even though i had practised this a number of times and the slight slope of the transition area meant i was like bambi on ice! Off out of T1 and i heard cheers from celtic tri peeps and also my mother was right there snapping photos, plus i saw Joe as i was out onto the first roundabout. With the swim done i'm happy, the race can start now! even though i had practised brick sessions and ridden the route before i didn't know how my legs would be running off the bike so i didn't get out of my middle chainring, lol! I have a triple on my first bike, a Trek Pilot 1.0, so i span those legs fast but probably could have placed higher if i had gone into the big ring. Lessons learnt! Anyway, on the bike it was out and back so i could see women in front of me, but not too many. I negotiated the bike well enough and Rob Govier ringing his cowbells as i came into T2 made me think there was something suddenly wrong with me bike! Back into T2 and quick out on the run. The first kilometre or 2 were about getting into my stride and i certainly wasn't pushing flat out. Turn point came and then i knew exactly how far was left to go. Coming back to the start and i could see a few women in front of me, so let's see if i could pick them off. Got to about 100 metres to go and i start overtaking them, having sped up but then i hear a shout that one is kicking back at me, so that's it "sprint!!!!!" to be fair, i always have a final kick of speed in me and i'm pleased to say i left her for dust! the photos after were awesome, every sinew was being strained :) as it was i placed 8th female, so was super happy with my first effort and the smile going to see my parents and being able to say i am a "triathlete" was amazing. the buzz i had for the rest of the day was amazing, although the adrenaline rush did result in an afternoon nap when i got back!

It was my first race experience where i knew people and seeing new friends from the club, and putting faces to names from facebook was brilliant. It was a perfect first race, and my parents thoroughly enjoyed. One race down, 5 to go...