Okay so, a lot has happened since my last post. Most importantly that I am now competing as a Junior athlete in the British Super series and hope to race in the junior World Cup races over the following years!
With my training on course thought the winter I felt confident that I would have a solid start to the season this year but sadly a stupid accident that was pretty much my fault caused a broken elbow in January and training kind of stopped for a couple of weeks.
Nevertheless, I got back to almost full fitness and was due to race at the National Duathlon Champs in Corby but last minute notices of ITU regulations meant that my wheels were not allowed to be ridden in the race and with little time to borrow I decided to miss this one!
Next was the 'call up' back to Hetton Lyons Country Park- the venue of my first IRC Nationals event when I was 14!
I say 'the call up' because the race was a qualifier for the European Youth Relays somewhere in Russia!?
Obviously I was excited to race but a shocking swim getting well and truly battered resulted in a pretty terrible race!
Following this was the National Aquathlon Champs in Hyde park only last week and the first time racing with the 'big boys' of the Junior category!
Nerves and excitement levels were running high but poor nutrition leading up to the race resulted in another terrible swim and a run which I almost blacked out in:/
So I had a lot of work to do to build my confidence and energy levels back up for my most recent race (Blenheim Triathlon).
Blenheim has always been an enjoyable race for me but the hills are often what makes or breaks you. Racing with the elite seniors was awe inspiring as i was used to seeing them on TV so racing alongside was amazing.
The swim start was much cleaner than the previous two races and I emerged around mid pack.
Running into transition with this many guys was pretty hectic but I got in and out onto the bike well. The pace was relentless despite the hills but I managed to hold into the bike group and got onto the run feeling fresh whilst leaving my bike group behind and also catching some from the group ahead!
Final position was 24th which I am pretty pleased with against all of the older junior guys but as always there are areas of improvement!
My next race isn't for a few months so I will be posting pictures from races and filling you in on the training until then!
Ellz
Here's a few pics from Hyde park :)
