Sunday, May 31, 2015

I survived

It would have been easy to focus this column purely on my debut triathlon experience if there hadn't been some significantly more important sporting events taking place. First off was the finale of an exciting premiership rugby season. A couple of weeks ago it was disappointment for Exeter Chiefs as they got within touching distance of the play offs finishing tied with third and fourth but losing out on points difference. Another impressive season for the home grown Devon club and one they will take many positives from.

Westcountry hopes then lay with Bath who made it comfortably into the final positioning themselves as marginal favourites to take the title. The final clashed with my triathlon registration so I resorted to finding a sports bar in Nottingham. Sadly it was hardly worth the effort as Bath had a disappointing performance that resulted in a painful loss to Saracens. Meanwhile on the international sporting scene Great Britain won medals in triathlon and rowing whilst Jess Ennis-Hill made a her comeback ahead of Rio.

On a significantly more amateur level I completed and even enjoyed my first ever triathlon. Waking up in the wee small hours on a Sunday morning, listening to the wind and the rain beating against the window I was starting to seriously question what I was doing. Things didn't improve when I had to jump into a cold murky lake and tread water for ten minutes before we were allowed to start. I suddenly realised this challenge was larger than I first anticipated. Coming from a swimming background and being brought up on the wet hills of Dartmoor actually meant I was better prepared than most; combined with safe pacing and a strategic nutrition plan I surprised myself by winning my age group and finishing fourth woman overall.