Bala Standard Distance Triathlon 2011

Bala is a qualifying event for the 2012 ETU Triathlon European Championships and draws a serious crowd. With my times getting quick and after having spoken to a few friends I thought it worth a punt to register to qualify.

Having done Bala last year I knew the course and formed a plan in my head. It’s a fast course with a couple of hills, depending on how you view them, that can sap energy or serve as a good place to eat.

What I wasn’t ready for was the wind. It was whipping down the valley and stirring up a swell on the lake. Getting into the water I felt like I was getting ready for a sea swim. It was the most testing conditions I’d raced in and I got panicked at the start.

Looking back I think there were too many people in the initial wave as I got caught in a mass of bodies all fighting each other and the waves. I couldn’t settle and occasionally had to breast stroke to catch my breath. I knew this would runin my time but consoled myself to completing the swim and putting in a good bike let.

Transition 1 was hard, my hands were frozen and I felt shaken. Getting on the bike I got a sense of purpose and put my head down as I drove into the wind. It wasn’t until the near the turn that I got caught by another group of riders. They were drafting and slipped passed me. I don’t like being over taken so on the return leg worked hard to regain my place and push on. I’m pleased with the bike time considering how windy it was.

Setting off on the run I was determined to give it my all. I find it hard to get into the same frame of mind on the run as the bike so took the Garmin again to monitor the time. Making the turn in under 20 minutes I knew I could break the 40 for the first time in a triathlon. It wasn’t easy and I felt like I was going to blow up but encouragement from the oncoming Mark and Sandy kept me going.

I might not have qualified for the European Championships but I came close and got a personal best on the run. I’m now resolved to buy an expensive bike, train harder and qualify next year!