Not wanting to detract from running, I am
writing this following Joanna’s
write up in the last magazine when she debuted and did superbly well in the St Anne’s Tri. Having ventured a little further afield and
with Brenda encouraging me to share
my story here it is….
I entered back in January 2007 when I was still suffering from a hamstring injury and,
not wanting to tempt fate, I only entered myself for the sprint distance, (750m
swim, 20K bike, 5K run), as opposed to the Olympic
distance, (500m swim, 40K bike and 10K run). Despite having dabbled a little bit last year
in the tri events, this was to prove quite a wise 
decision based upon the fact
this was to be my first open water swim!
My training up to the tri was very focused
on the bike, (given the LEJOG experience!),
although I was making a little comeback on my running, and swimming was just
fitted in as a relaxing activity! The
big worry came though when I purchased the wetsuit…..first fitting and I felt
like I could hardly breathe in it let alone swim! Convinced the guy who 
was selling it to me was
trying to make me look as ridiculous as possible, I then compounded this by
taking part in a practice swim session in the
Three weeks, later I returned to
I racked my bike in transition, had a wander round and went to
watch the super sprint event! Looking
around, everyone looked really professional and like they knew what they were
doing – and then there was me! My event
wasn’t until 2pm and as the day wore on the temperature increased, 32 degrees
and the bright sunshine had even warmed the water up to 20 degrees – although
it hadn’t made the water any cleaner! In
transition and briefing there were 440 
other ladies in my wave, and, at this stage, all were really
encouraging and wishing each other luck!
This soon changed as soon as the swim leg started – it was every woman
for themselves – and what a vicious bunch they were! There seemed to be some sort of underwater
wrestling match going on as everyone vied for their position and to get a head
start! There was nothing dignified about
this; my only thought was of survival – let alone technique! The swim over and out you get – my main worry
on the whole event was being able to get out of my wetsuit – which, thankfully,
I managed – before entering first transition!
The London Tri is quite
unique in that you exit the water, have two flights of stairs to ascend and
then quite a long run to the bike racking!
At this stage you feel you are all fingers and thumbs as you try and
remember to get dressed, shoes, helmet, number, bike etc…..then it’s off on the
bike ride.
The bike was to prove the best bit as you
were able to dry off and enjoy the
Racking the bike again, trainers on and then it’s the run leg! This is where it went horribly wrong! Stepping out of the second transition the
heat hit me and having obviously not taken on enough fluid before and during
the race I was to now suffer! I felt
like I was getting a stitch and having missed the first water station, I made
sure to pull over at the next one, and drink one full cup full of water before
carrying on! It was a two lap course and
only a 5K run so, hoping that would be sufficient to get me round, I set off
again. The run was along the
The finish sees you enter the Excel centre for the final time and the
crowds were absolutely fantastic! I
tried my hardest to do a sprint finish and smile for the cameras – but not sure
I succeeded on either, but I had completed it and was still in one
piece – even if I did feel physically sick!
I collected my medal and bottle of Micolhob Ultra beer and sat down and
swapped notes with a couple of fellow contestants coming in over the line. We were all in agreement it had been a great
experience and we were glad we had done it!
I limped back to transition and collected my
bike, wetsuit and belongings, sort of pleased with myself for having taken
part, but quite disappointed that I had suffered so badly on the run – but hey,
at least I’d done it, and, on a positive, survived my first open water swim
event and managed to get myself in and out of my wetsuit without too much
hassle! So trying not being too disappointed,
I headed home, content that I was going to have an extra, extra, large glass of
wine to celebrate regardless! After all
my main aim was to complete it and with a bit of luck finish in the top 50% -
at least I knew I had finished it!
The following day the results were sent by text
to my mobile and were available online.
I was convinced there had been some sort of mistake or, at the very
least, there was another competitor with the same name, because instead of
starting at the bottom of the results and working up the page to find my name –
my name was on the front sheet……8th
out of my heat, (440 entrants), and 17th
overall, (600 finishers)! This can only
be explained as a bit of beginner’s luck….not too sure how it happened that I
managed to crawl my way round and finish ahead of some of those who had tried
to drown me, but I had now decided I was glad I hadn’t stopped to consume the
bottle of Sol..!
The organisation for an event the size of London Tri, (some 10,000 entrants), was
superb, the atmosphere was excellent, and the set up was fab! The only downside is it is quite an expensive
event to take part in, given all you get is a medal, (you have to buy a T-shirt),
– but it is quite easy to see where all the expense is incurred and therefore
justified. Would I do it again – I
certainly would - maybe next year I might be a bit braver and take part with
the big girls and do the full distance event….!
In the meantime,
its back to running….!!!?? J
Written by: Yvonne
Russell
Submitted: 25th
August 2007
Edited by: Brenda J
Earnshaw WRR Editor