So Here We Go

Firstly, Welcome. I don’t know how this will go but I hope to keep you entertained. So this shouldn’t be too long.

I decided to start a blog to keep family members and friends up to date with my goings on in Triathlon. Living away from home at University it’s tough to tell everyone and keep them all up to date. So if you have a few minutes and fancy casting your eyes here then you are more than welcome.

My journey to the World Championships. My 2013 Round up.

2013 was my first committed and competitive year in triathlon, after making the decision to train alongside my University education. I raced a couple of races early on in the season to see how I would fair. I didn’t have a clue what to expect. What I did know is that my first year at University had been a great start to training and that entering second year (2012/2013) I had a great base to start from for what I class as my first competitive season.

My first race was BUCS Sprint triathlon. I finished in 53rd place, an improvement on 126th the year before. I was chuffed. I’d gone in hoping to finish better than I had the previous year, and I did. The extra year of stepping up training and taking things slightly more serious seemed to be paying off.

BUCS Sprint Triathlon Championships 2013 - That's me, on the right.

At this time I had already entered two World Sprint Triathlon Championships Qualifying races. This was due to my coach, who races himself, had mentioned that Worlds was in fact in Hyde Park, London. What better motivation could I hope for?

I’d registered to qualify and turned up to my first of the two qualifiers. The Nottingham Triathlon. This was held at the National Water Sports Centre. I arrived and was awestruck at the magnitude of the event. Did I mention it was the British Sprint Triathlon Championships also? What had I let myself in for? In hindsight not knowing the standard of the field was probably for the best. I raced to the best of my ability and was shocked and extremely pleased to find I had finished inside the top 10. Once I had recovered my breath and checked out my times, I found out that I had finished in 9th. It’s safe to say that I was very happy with both my performance and position.

The second of the two qualifiers was in a seaside town in Northern Wales. The Llandudno Sea Triathlon. It was, as the phrase goes, “Exactly what it says on the tin”. A sea swim. Something I didn’t have much experience with. My thoughts were that if it took a pool swimmer out of there comfort zone then it could only help. If you couldn’t tell, I am far from a swimmer. Imagine Bambi on Ice. You get the picture anyway. After a slightly disappointing swim, the great Orme beckoned. Twice! I survived that and finished with a very pleasing run. I had finished 4th in my age category and was elated to find that performance was enough to seal a World Championship spot.

I know, I know. Boring right? I’m nearly there.

The next step was the World Sprint Triathlon Championships.

First though, just a quick jump back. When I was at BUCS Sprint championships, I’d been preparing to enter the pool and started speaking to a lad from Bangor University, to keep it short, he turned out being a friend of one of my best friends who happened to go to his University. This was the beginning, for me at least, of the TriPack. A few other triathletes he would meet in the forthcoming weeks at the European Triathlon Championships decided to create a new Race Team. A team of dedicated young triathletes who wanted to take on the Triathlon scene, with a bang.

Another race day arrived pre-Worlds. I decided to get into the swing with a race at Carlisle. The Carlisle Sprint Triathlon. After another good performance, I was shocked to find out I had finished in 2nd place overall. I was made up.

Carlisle Triathlon 2013 - 2nd Place Overall

After this my final race, before the big one, was a Super-Sprint. A new concept called Go-Tri. The last chance to make sure everything was ok. Wetsuit and transition practice if you will. With strong competition against older friends and coach, I managed to finish in 4th place. It was a great evening in late August, relaxed atmosphere and overall well organised race in Northumberland to get the legs moving.

World Sprint Triathlon Championships

In a flash the September was upon us and it was the morning of the World Sprint Triathlon Championships. Friday 13th September. Was that an omen?

I hadn’t really had much time to think about how I had arrived at this point. With the chance to look back now, I’m thinking that if you had told me at the start of the year, pre BUCS, I would have qualified to race for Great Britain at Age Group level, I would most likely have laughed.

Nonetheless I was here, and after racking my bike the night before, thought I was ready to race. How wrong was I? After doing my pre-race checks I noticed a puncture in my front wheel. A shard of glass from the path in Hyde Park had given me a flat. Panic ensued! Five minutes before transition closed and twenty minutes before my race. Thankfully my Dad was there, and after my panicking and him calmly changing my inner tube I was ready to go within five minutes. It was fantastic work; something I am hugely grateful for. I would like to state that I couldn’t have done it without him, and whilst I am in a thankful mood, my mum either. It was fantastic that they came to support.

World Triathlon Championships 2013 - Quick repair! Very quick.

Into the holding pen we went. I was alongside three fellow members of the TriPack. This helped a lot to settle the nerves I had been carrying for the past two days since arriving in London.

World Triathlon Championships 2013 - Holding Pen (with the TriPack)

After a steady swim, (slow; as always!) I found myself once again chasing, catching and overtaking as many people on the bike as was possible. Having finished the bike leg, I made as quick a transition as was humanly possible to get out onto the run. I felt at my most relaxed during the run, trying to hunt down as many as possible. Once I was settled in the run, and onto the second lap, I found it surreal seeing competitors from all over the world. Sounds stupid, I was at the World Championships, but for someone who had only raced local and a couple of national races it was new. Entering the last kilometre of five, I found myself feeling stronger. Don’t get me wrong, I was tired; very tired. It was the feeling of; don’t give up now, one last push. I entered the blue matted finishing area with only a 180 degree turn and 80m straight to go. The last push took me through a few more positions. I was finished. Done.

There was no better feeling than completing the race and finding out my position and then through the crowd to my parents. I had finished in 33rd place. Well inside the top half. I was elated. This was my greatest achievement and something I will and do take pride in. From the moment I made this race my goal, from inception to reality, I wasn’t sure if it was even achievable. Through some high points and a few lows I had made it. I can honestly say, for the first time I reached and surpassed a goal I had set out to achieve.

World Triathlon Championships 2013 - Post Race with the Folks

A big thank you must go to my parents for all the support, they have been a fantastic help. To Hannah’s parents for all of their support throughout the year and finally big congratulations to Hannah who also competed. She helped an awful lot throughout the year and especially so on race day. I couldn't possibly thank everyone, there are too many, but you all know who you are. So thank you all very much!!

World Triathlon Championships 2013 - Hannah's Family

I told you I was nearly there! Joking aside, if you're still reading this, Thank you. It is very much appreciated. I tried to keep it brief. It was tough.

I will be posting more "interesting" updates here soon. I hope you'll find the time to pop back. Keep your eyes peeled.

Thank you.

Sam.