European Long Distance Triathlon Championship (26/06/10)

Last weekend I competed in the European Long Distance Triathlon Championship in Vitoria Gasteiz Spain. It was an incredible experience and something I will never forget. As part of the event there was an opening ceremony where all of the nations paraded down the main square. It was a very surreal moment but it gave me the chance to meet the rest of the GB team and I'm glad to say that everyone was extremely freindly and just as nervous as me. The reason I was nervous was due to the heat. Last time I raced in hot conditions at Alpe d'Huez I collapsed and was carted off in an ambulance. This time I was much more prepared but there is always a doubt in the back of your mind that you will not finish.

Swim (4km)

The 4km swim started on the shore of the lake at Landa. I had never swam close to 4km before but I was confident that I could coplete the distance. I went out hard to keep up with the others in my category and managed to hold a steady pace for the whole distance. I finished the swim in just under 1hr 20mins so there is still improvement to be made before the Ironman in August. As I exited the water I felt the usual dizzyness but ignored it and ran through transition in just a few minutes.

Cycle (122km)

In the early stages the cycle leg felt good, although the flat profile was slightly misleading as there was a surprising number of hills. I tucked down on the aerobars and settled into a rythm, making sure that I kept drinking and eating to avoid cramping and tireing. The support on the cycle leg was amazing. There were lots of groups of cyclist and supporters out on the course cheering us on. The organisers had even closed all of the roads on the route so it really felt everyone was there for the race, something you don't really get at longer races in England. I started to slow down towards the end of the cycle as the heat intensified but reached transition 2 in a respectable time of just uder 4hrs 20mins.

Run (30km)

The run didn't get off to the best of starts. For some reason still unknown to me I received a penalty going through T2 so had to wait in the penalty box. If I hadn't spent a few minutes looking confused and trying to undertsand Spanish I would have got in there sooner but when I was eventually forced into the penalty box they let me go after a few seconds, very confusing and not thebest of starts. As I ran through the Buesa Arena and out onto the course I noticed a lot of suffering on peoples faces. I soon found out why... the bloody heat. I couldn't handle that kind of heat and having made a promise to my girlfriend that I wouldn't end up in an ambulance this time I was forced to slow down somewhat. So much so that by the second lap I was walking. I drank probably too much water in an attempt to coll myslef down and I really played havoc with my stomach. Whenever I started running I was sick. Not so great for someone trying to go as fast as they can but in the end I just settled for finishing and I was mighty relieved to do that
after the slowest 30km of my life, getting close to 3hrs45mins in the end. The only thing I enjoyed about the run was the fantastic support of the marshals and the spectators. I really appreciated it. The finish was in the Buesa Arena Stadium and was a great place to finish the race. Not exactly the time I had hoped for but I was absolutely delighted to finish. What a day!