Run Tri Sup

I've had a couple of weeks to reflect on the experience and what have I learnt? Better preparation and get there a little earlier next time.  Pack transition bags ahead of time and include options for all weather. I should have included overshoes for the bike, especially considering how wet it was. Socks, talc and vaseline.  Just these alone would have meant knocking minutes off the run time.  The sore feet meant i was soooooo slow.  Taking the first few miles as an indicator I could have gone at least 20 minutes quicker. Being better organised in transition. Anne-Marie's flapjacks will be my standard fuel going forward.  So much nicer than energy gels and much more palatable. I thought before hand it would be hard but to be honest i really enjoyed it.  The atmosphere and support were fantastic and taking these learnings i could make big improvements. I intend to do some more of these middle distance triathlons and get the technique right bef...

Wednesday was the start of the Aviva womens tour.  I was given the opportunity to volunteer to help out on the Aviva stand in the finish area fan zone, handing out flags, talking with the public and getting passers by to don the yellow jersey and stand on the podium. The actual podium Was a really good fun chatting with spectators and the kids, getting people onto the podium. They had a kids race to entertain the crowd as a warm up. On the plus side managed to bag a great spot with a view down the finsihing straight.  All the offical photographers were seated right in front of me as well. The winner and Marianne Vos Lizzie Arminstead (overall winner) The motorcycle police support: Even managed to bag a selfie with Olympic hopeful Dani King

Didn't get a huge amount of sleep the night before the race.  Was awake at 3:45 and could her my sister snoring away in the tent next to me.  So sleep for the night was definitely over.  Rain from overnight had stopped and it was a clear morning although a little misty.  This would soon burn off though.   Breakfast was porridge before a 4:30 start to get to Shugborough to get the shuttle bus to the start.  This whole process was really well organised and it was clear what and where you needed to be.  Athletes first followed by spectators once all the athletes had made the journey.  The raids were closed so it may have been tricky for spectators to drive to Chasewater easily.  Once on site I had a quick check of my bike and tried to add the socks to the transition bag.  No luck though. Bumped into Norwich based pro Joe Skipper.  Total gent.  He was happy to stop for pics with everyone and was happily chatting to...

We had a week away in the Yorkshire Dales from the 28th May and I had intended to do no training. We had a great week with great weather which I'll detail in a later post.  Anyway the week before the race I cycled to work one day and was in York for work on one day as well so was a good week if a little tiring.  I tried to book onsite camping for the Saturday night but they wanted £30 per person per night which I though was way too high.  Fortunately my sister (Sniff) managed to book a site for two tents for the night for £10.  Bargain and the site when we arrived was better than expected. Anyway the trip up was uneventful apart from listening to the last 20 mins of the England v Australia win in Brisbane.  We arrived at the Shugborough estate at 1:15pm and made our way to registration. The process was pretty easy and slick to do and the staff on hand were all really friendly. In your registration pack you get a nice rucksack and your race...