The weekend that Hurricane Katia blew over to the UK, this was not a good weekend for swimming in the sea.
All the speed I'd gained in the last couple of months, all the work I'd put into honing my Open Water Swim technique, all the miles on the bike, all the transitions I'd practised...instead of getting me round the course in a super speedy time, it all turned into a survival contest!
The swimming conditions were choppy, to say the least, with the breakwater providing little shelter. With the men going off in the first 2 waves I had the pleasure of watching some men give up and be lifeboated ashore. Reminding myself I'd survived surfing in the Atlantic with bigger waves than this, I decided now was the time to MAN UP and give it everything I had! I can't find a photo which does justice to just how bad the conditions were, the waves look positively small here:
My warm up swim achieved exactly the opposite of the desired effects as the North Sea was FREEZING. Local triathletes were saying the strength of the current would drag us inland when we were on the way out, but once we'd reached the turn around buoy we'd be pushed in by the wind. Beforehand I thought, stick to the right and aim to swim more to the right than the direct route, to make up for the current.
Great pre-race plan, however, the current and the wind were so strong that everyone was getting pulled off course and people were swimming on top of each other in different directions. The waves were so big it was impossible to spot accurately so I kept losing sight of the buoy and heading off course with most of the field! I was also struggling to breathe in the choppy conditions and couldn't get my arms up over the waves enough for an effective front crawl. Given the horrific conditions and the lack of progress I was making through the water, I switched between crawl and breaststroke as the whole outward swim became a case of survival. This was by far and away one of the least pleasant sporting experiences of my life! Conditions improved dramatically when I finally reached the turnaround buoy, and I was blown inland a bit. Getting out of the sea I stumbled up the beach as a huge wave of relief washed over me!
Pulling off my wetsuit in transition I almost fainted and stumbled backwards with dizziness. I'm not sure if it was the effort involved in the swim or the change from choppy conditions to dryland, but it wasn't the best start to the bike ride. I'm surprised I was only in transition for 1.46 - it felt much longer.
Heading out on the bike for the 3 lap course it was starting to rain and quite windy, but nothing compared to the swim! The first section was through town before going out onto country roads and a long slightly uphill drag before heading back down towards the down. The long uphill drag felt a lot tougher than on the warm up lap and I tried to get some fluids down to ease my stomach cramps from swallowing far too much salty sea water. My bike leg wasn't as powerful and fast as Desford, but given the conditions and the effort I'd put into surviving the swim, I can't complain. I overtook a few people and tried not to let any women come past me - one did and she pulled away quite rapidly but I managed to overtook a few myself.
Coming into the run my hands were numb trying to change my shoes in transition - I'll definitely be getting elastic laces next season! The run was a 2 lap course along the seafront, in the wind. I started off steadily and picked a few people off on the first out section, at the turnaround I picked it up and reminded myself that a good run could be the difference between making the GB Team, and nothing, so I put everything I had into it. On the 2nd lap I put my foot down and kept moving through, going past as many people as I could, always focusing on the next person once I'd overtaken one. My legs were feeling pretty heavy and it felt more of a slog than I'd hoped. At Desford I felt in control and as if I was flying round - today every step was a battle, especially into the wind.
Swim: 22.07
T1: 1.46
Bike: 50.34
T2: 0.57
Run: 23.33 (99th overall)
When I crossed the line, I really didn't care if I'd qualified or not - I knew I'd done absolutely everything I could on the day and given it my all. I was exhausted & too tired to even warm down.
There's a great race report on Tri247.com
And an excellent video:
When the results came up online later that evening I found I'd come 6th, within 120% of the winner's time - hopefully enough to qualify for the GB Age-Group Team for the 2012 European Sprint Triathlon Championships, as one of the girls ahead of me had already qualified from another race. A few days later I had confirmation of my place!! Absolutely overjoyed to have achieved my aim, and achieved this in my first season as a triathlete!
Following the race I couldn't sit or lie down without my back hurting - I think I strained some muscles swimming! I decided to take 2 weeks rest/easy running as when I felt like it so I could recover properly, go on holiday, and feel mentally refreshed before winter training.
An excellent first triathlon season, though I may think twice before swimming in the North Sea again.
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