CANADA!

Crescendo – “a progressive increase in intensity.”

The sum of the last few weeks in one word. Ever since Liverpool Triathlon this has been the theme. Perhaps even before.  Liverpool was always my main goal for the season. Nonetheless I decided in late June and early July to go to the World Triathlon Championships. This Crescendo started with Gateshead 5km (previously mentioned ‘Onwards and EverUpwards’); followed by Club Relays, culminating in my last race of the season. The World Championships in Canada.

The Journey

So after the club relays it was a quick good bye and rush. Drive to Sheffield, train to London, flight to Edmonton.

I don’t envy folk who have to travel with luggage; even more so than those travelling through London. I had a bike box, suitcase and back pack. All of which had to be trawled through London’s underground system. Horrific; but I made it.

After a few hours shut eye at Gatwick it was up early; check in and board.

A nine hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean and covering the majority of Canada on route. Landing safely in Edmonton it was time to see if our bikes had flown too. You do hear horror stories. Far too often for my liking. So you can imagine my fear when my bike was last off. At least it was here. On to the coach and straight to the hotel.

The Journey - Gatwick to Edmonton

I couldn’t tell if I was tired; hungry or ready to go. Nine hours flying and plane food does that too me. I’d actively decided to stay awake on the plane thinking it would be easier to adjust when I arrived. Anyone who knows me will know how big a deal that is. I sleep; a lot; everywhere.

It was mid-afternoon. First challenge; food. It was surprisingly hard to find somewhere to eat, even for me. Re-fuelled and full, I explored a little and got an early jump on the next day and chose to sleep.

Triathletes wake up early to train, but that wasn’t the plan this week. No matter what time I went to bed. No matter how tired I was, I always managed to wake up pre-alarm at 5am. This was to become a theme.

Dotting the I’s and Crossing the T’s – Box Ticking

The next few days were spent polishing of last minute taper sessions (taper is a word we triathletes, and others, use that refers to the practice of reducing exercise in the days just before an important competition) as well as eating and essentially taking things easy.

A new friend - Mutley the Pug

Viewing the transition area, cycling the bike course and a quick scout over the run route. Familiarity. It was to be nothing less than hectic on race day. On top of this there were team briefings and registration that had to be done.

Edmonton City Hall - Registration

Race Day

The bike was pre-racked on the previous day to save time in the morning. I had my breakfast at a ridiculously unsociable hour (part and parcel of triathlete life), and headed down to Hawrelak Park on the supplied public transport. It was surprisingly flawless. Nerves had set in. Transition set up; checked and each item laid out as always.

I walked out of transition and towards the lake; still to get suited up; taking in the atmosphere and trying to remember all the details.

Pre-Race - Almost time.

Game Face

It was time. Great Britain Tri-suit on followed shortly by my wetsuit. It was snug; as ever. I made my way in to the holding pen with my fellow 20-24 age group competitors all clad with the same lime green ITU swim cap. Each ready for ‘battle’.

Swim

A different style of start at this race. As the water was shallow they had imposed a beach start, meaning there were a few steps prior to entering the water. The boom sounded and we were off. Left at the first buoy, right at the next two and return via the far side of the island. Simple enough. After a good start, I settled into the swim. Something wasn’t quite right but I carried on working. It was warm too. The lake had been treated with chlorine, cleaned prior to and specifically for this occasion. It was almost as clear as swimming in a pool.

I exited the swim feeling out of sorts. The ground was sandy for the first section. A leg drainer. I continued to make the long run up into transition whilst freeing my torso and arms from my wetsuit as was customary. I eventually made it to the transition area; stripped of my wet suit; helmet on and heading for the transition exit.

Bike

On to the fresh tarmac to begin the first of two 10km laps of Edmonton. Straight out of the park and directly up hill. It was intense. Down through a fast twist and turn and back towards the park and under the bridge we had crossed straight out of transition. The course was almost a figure of eight. One lap down and after a mediocre first lap I found rhythm on the second. After ascending both inclines on the course for a second time it was back in through the park entrance; shoes off ready to rock in to the transition for a second and final time.

Run

I racked quickly; helmet off; run shoes on; number belt facing forward. I was off. I exited transition with a few guys. I hit the road with the intention of leaving nothing out there. I ran well into the first kilometre of the run. Slight decline into a forested off-road trail; unpredictable underfoot; with gravel strewn everywhere. I worked as hard as possible over the remaining 4km, aiming to pick of as many as possible. I managed to take two more places in the last 800m, coming into the finishing funnel holding on to a respectable 26^th position. I was shattered. I had raced to my best on the day, I was pleased with that.

Post-Race Recuperation

Reflection

Another season done. I found my way through the recuperation tents behind the finish area and started to unwind. It was time to enjoy the rest of my time in Canada. Celebrations.

I spent the night re-fuelling, enjoying the highlights of the day’s race with fellow British competitors as well as the local atmosphere. Still to come were the elite races over the weekend so there was a lot to do. 

I have put together a short video to sum it all up. My experience. Enjoy.

Thank You

I can’t possibly name everyone who I owe gratitude towards. It would be a long list and I would undoubtedly miss someone. I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone for the support. It is wholeheartedly appreciated. Without this support I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this all.

Special thanks have to go to Cu Plas for the backing and support. On the same note; to Gardiner & Theobald LLP, where I have spent my last 15 months on placement. Without their kind contributions this wouldn’t have been possible.

Review

It was a long season with my first competitive race of the season all the way back in March. I planned my season around Liverpool Triathlon (British Championships). This was to be my first standard distance race. I raced well and gained the experience I was looking for, as well as a 2015 Island Games qualification time. I then had little time to focus on the World Championships but I went; I raced; I enjoyed and competed to the best of my ability.

Within the season I met some great new people. People with similar goals. TriPackRT was able to compete and more than hold our own within a strong field at the National Club Relays.

The season was, on a whole, great. Ups and downs as with anything but more than enough ups to keep me coming back for more. Now time to reflect further and to decide the 2015 season plan, achievements and objectives. Watch this space!

Thank you for the continued support. I would be grateful for any ideas you think would make this better. Even an idea for a post during the off season, get in touch. I will keep you all up to date as ever. Feel free to contact. Feedback is welcome, as always, and is actively encouraged.

Cheers,

Sam


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Onward and Ever Upward!

I know right? Back already.

I have a lot to catch up and tell you about.

After the British Championships in Liverpool, I was able to travel home for the first time in eight months. This allowed me to take advantage of some home comforts. I was in heaven. Someone to cook for me, wash my kit and in general look after me. Essentially getting my parents to spoon feed me for a week. It was magical.

I was fully aware of the intensity of the next few weeks and this period at home allowed me to take stock and recover from a tough race whilst continue to push on for the big crescendo to my season; The World Championships.

Whilst at home, I continued to train. Different sights, routes and terrain from the rest of my year, proved a great way to alleviate potential boredom in my training.

Gateshead 5km

A nice midweek race. In theory, a flat and fast course. I had decided relatively last minute to enter although it had been on the cards for a while. With my parents up in Newcastle for the week, it was great to know I’d have at least two people cheering me on.

As the day wore on it became increasingly apparent that the fast course was to have a headwind for the first two and a half kilometres. Great! I had seen this as an opportunity to lay down a fast time. Was the course as quick as it seemed on paper? Only one way to find out.

We gathered at the start; introductions by the race official and go. The first stretch of the race was an almost perfect straight from the start at the Millennium Bridge (Newcastle side), to the industrial estate. Approximately 2.3km. Head wind.

I settled in near the front, slightly behind a fellow competitor. Trying to conserve and hide from the strong gusts. It was tough. Made even harder by the training and races I’d done over the past two weeks. At the turn I found myself sitting just inside the top 15. I realised that the wind had a significant impact and for any chance of a PB I would need to push on throughout the return section.

I started to work harder, pulling back runners in front. It was going to be a tough few kilometres. I picked off a few people and steadily increased my speed for one last push. I knew the end was up and over the Millennium Bridge. It was to be a leg drainer. Finished.

Last Effort - Millennium Bridge, Newcastle - Gateshead 5km

I crossed the line in a time of 16:07 and took 10^th place. I was extremely happy. A good race, in tough conditions, after a hard few weeks and some big races. The big sub 16:00 however, still remains elusive.

Full Results

National Club Relay Triathlon Championships

TriPackRT’s first race! National Club Relays. I had never raced this one before but the rest of the team had. The format; four members each taking part in each discipline as follows. Using a tagging system, everyone swims, everyone bikes then everyone runs, all individually, with each leg passed on via a rubber band.

Different to all other races as you have a chance to rest and regroup after each discipline, whilst the next team member is out on the course competing.

I was to go last. The race started. After a good swim section from the rest of the team in turn, I was handed the band and ran to start the swim. After a reasonable swim, I exited up the ramp and passed the band on to Neil for the first bike leg.

The thought I had was after each stage I could rest. This made me feel as though I could give that little bit more.

I moved back to our meeting point, where we had decided to base ourselves for the race. The finishing chute. My bike was all packed away for the World Championships so Dan lent me his. After his leg, I took his bike and made my way to the transition. I had a decent chance to re-fuel and re-hydrate. Soon enough Dean was back and had passed back the band to me.

On to the bike course I went. Three laps of 5km lay ahead. I pushed as hard as I could with the aim to overtake as many people as possible.

The race had now become well and truly strung out. It seemed impossible to tell where you were within the race. I picked a few people off and after what felt like a fast, albeit painful 15km on the bike, I tagged back to Neil to start the run.

Individually we had strong athletes. The race announcer read out the current top 10 and we were in it. Comfortably. The aim was simple; same as before; pick off as many ahead as possible; empty the tank.

Toward the end of the three legs we had made up significant ground, we had all but sealed a top six finish with a decent lead in hand. The target lay ahead. The lads had set up a race. Chase down fifth. They were less than a minute in front. Concerned with going too fast and fading, I settled into a rhythm. There were lots of people on the run course. A mixture of first to fourth leg runners.

The course was an out and back; pan flat and a straight line with the turn exactly half way. Soul destroying if you’re having an off day. Settled in, I set about my goal. Catch fifth. I felt in decent shape, but knew with a return head wind and weeks of heavy racing as well as a tough bike and swim; I would have to be 100% on the ball.

Within the first two kilometres I had made great in roads. I moved up into fifth place, unaware of where fourth was. After the turn, the wind hit. It was tough. I refocused and pushed on. One of the hardest runs I had done.

Finished!

 

National Club Relays 2014 - 5th Place, TriPackRT - Neil, Dean, Dan & Myself

Our first team race as TriPackRT. National Relay Championships. 5^th Place. Unbelievable. The calibre of athletes within the race was unreal. We were all elated.

Full Results

 

Thank you all, once again, for reading. I really appreciate it. Please comment; please share; do get in touch (Use 'Contact Me' on the right of the page). Any ideas and/or suggestions are welcome. Feedback is great.

No rest yet. It was go go go. Train to London to start the journey to Edmonton, Canada for the World Triathlon Champions.

Next stop Canada. Taper time!

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