Another bank holiday Monday, another Thames Turbo race...
Feeling decidedly nonchalant about this one (a lot of racing done this month).
Was just about to set off to register on Sunday with youngest child in tow, when I received a distress call from the BAT – Mustang had broken down, so I was called to retrieve eldest child while he waited for the recovery truck... 2 grumpy children to keep me company now...
Slightly concerned to come across roadworks and temporary traffic lights on the bike course on our way there...
Sure enough, later in the evening, got an e-mail outlining the plans to deal with the traffic lights – a compulsory dismount and walk (no running on pain of DQ) zone in the middle of the bike course. Feeling decidedly low on enthusiasm for the race now – that was the chance of a fast bike out of the window (and I am obviously a bit of a one trick pony when it comes to triathlon - if I can't do a fast bike, there isn't a lot else there).
Brief race summary:
It was tipping down with rain. Some idiot only realised half way there that she had forgotten to put in a bin liner to keep her transition area dry. Still, a cheap DHB rain jacket proved that it really is very waterproof – used it to improvise a small cover for my 2 pairs of shoes – tipped about a litre of water out of it that had gathered on top, but shoes remained perfectly dry.
Off at no 404 (of 413) – so a lot of sitting around waiting was required – spent most of it hiding in the ladies changing room to keep dry (underfloor heating sadly not turned on this time). Left knee was hurting a lot for some reason (though fine throughout the race and since... odd...)
Swim
Remained unusually undisturbed by other swimmers until the last lane – let 2 past, then shamelessly drafted them to the finish; overtook both in transition.
Thought I had finally got a smooth technique for ducking under the lane ropes (tested while I took youngest child swimming on Saturday) – but not a great time (though as ever, not too bothered, as marginal difference)
8:59 – 31 secs slower than last time
(AG stats not available yet – but 35/121W; 130/341 overall)
T1
Slippery and wet (muddy grass) – but shoes & socks still nice and dry.
A respectable-ish 1:07
Bike
Lots of faff on the bike mount – ever since my last bike fit, I am struggling to clip in automatically on the right side (cleat wedges and a slightly different position mean it just doesn’t come naturally) – finally in and off.
Roads very slippery, so took it a bit carefully on the roundabouts.Dismounted at the walk zone; wheeled the bike through; messed around with clipping in again (note to self – it does help to have at least one foot clipped in before setting off).
Actually, quite pleased with the bike – allowing for the interruption and grotty weather, pace actually looks comparable to last time out.
38:11
(2/121 W; 24/341 overall)
T2
Unremarkable
58 sec
Run
Interestingly – almost exactly the same as last time – I obviously have developed a new speed, but still one pace-itis.
25:30
(47/121 W; 199/341 overall) – quite pleased to finally be moving out of the bottom 20% of the field run performance-wise!
Total time: 1:14:43 (10/121W; 68/341 overall)
That puts me 10th overall amongst the women (very pleased with that); 3rd in W40+ AG (1min 15 separating the top 4); 68th overall.
Need to get back to some sort of proper training now - all this racing has rather dented any sort of useful schedule...
Fluffy is currently living indoors in the study, as when I got back, the BAT had managed to fix the Mustang sufficiently to get it back into the garage, but being Californian, and having spent a night outdoors in the rain, it apparently needs a lot of drying/tlc. My turbo fan has been stolen to help with air circulation, and there are numerous fan heaters and a dehumidifier in place too...