Event: World Triathlon Championship Finals – Sprint
Date: 17th October 2024

Wow, what a few days in Torremolinos for the World Triathlon Sprint Age Group race! This was my second year of racing in GB Age Group events.

So I first started to take note of event communications once a significant number of competitors had booked their accommodation and the race venue was subsequently changed from Malaga to Torremolinos – this didn’t present the best start to the event. Some competitors managed to move bookings while others didn’t or couldn’t. A little bit more thought and planning was required for some to get between the event village, pre-race briefings and obviously the race itself!

I was late in booking my accommodation as I wasn’t too sure I was going to race. I was given a hotel recommendation which turned out to be very close to transition and, by chance, where the GB and USA Elite teams were staying. I did see Alex Yee tucking into his breakfast and Beth Potter head out for a run.

The weather in the couple of days leading up to the race was wet! There were plenty of competitors trying to keep dry while registering and a few who had umbrellas to huddle under. The rain fell heavily on Wednesday morning with full drains overflowing into the sea. The races were due to start on Thursday morning. I decided not to swim in the sea on Wednesday for fear of getting ill. However, some did venture in later in the day and I waded in to check how quickly the shelf dropped so I knew what to expect for my race on Thursday afternoon.

During our race briefing, we were made aware of a large puddle on the bike course which needed to be handled with care! Needless to say, quite a few went to check said puddle after the briefing. Fortunately, no further rain fell so it had dried out in time.

Race day arrived and the sun was shining. We were able to rack bikes the morning of the race. My race started just before 4pm. Having watched a few earlier waves go, the wind had picked up, the sea was very choppy with a slight current, and the distance looked more than 750m. We were held in the holding pen for longer than we were expecting – nerves running high and sweating in wetsuits all round! I lined up on the beach ready for the horn and then the sprint into the water with all my age group.

The swim was tough! At some points the waves were so big you couldn’t see the shore and it made sighting hard work. Competitors were definitely struggling with this, with some clocking a 1km swim. There was a 30 minute cut off which some weaker swimmers and older age groupers didn’t meet. Allowances weren’t made for the conditions.

T1 involved a run up the beach, up a ramp, over a bridge and down the ramp into the transition to find your bike somewhere near the many palm trees! The bridge was required as the run route was below it on the coast road next to the beach.

The 20km bike course was two laps and fairly technical with some inclines, two dead turns and road ramps on and off a main road. There was a headwind on the inclines. I managed to get into a pack with Mexicans, Canadians, a USA and GB lady. The Mexicans were very vocal. I actually quite enjoyed this bit!

T2 was another case of trying to get through it as quickly as possible while navigating bikes and competitors and also spotting your rack/trainers.

On to the 5km run. It felt hot – something like 23/24 degrees. Chucked some water over myself at an aid station and got through it. There were many supporters all along the run course which made for a great atmosphere.

A sense of relief once I’d crossed the finish line and not being entirely sure of where I’d placed.

I came 4th out of 55 in my age group which I was pleased with, especially being at the oldest end of my age group and finishing 24th last year (my first year of taking part in GB age group). My target was to place better than last year which I had achieved!

Sadly not long after I’d finished my race I‘d heard that tragically there were two fatalities in the men’s race earlier. A Mexican man had died in the swim and a GB man on the run. This was devastating news for all of us to hear and our thoughts are with their families and friends.

Other VTC competitors I saw there were Sam Holloway, sprinting out of T2 onto the run course, and Andy Hoseason – we had a nice chat while standing under a shop awning while the rain fell! Congratulations to Sam, Andy and Lucy!

Next year’s World Championships are in Wollongong, Australia. I’m not planning on going that far yet…

Hope you’ve all had a great triathlon season – enjoyed it and achieved whatever goals you set yourselves 😊

Event: The ROC Scotland
Date: 5th October 2024

Out of the 3 races, this was the unknown, the adventure one and boy did it deliver! Below is a recap of the 3 musketeer’s (Lara, Lance and Marit) adventure in Scotland.

Day before the race: None of us are mountain bikers so those heavy beasts and unfamiliar terrain can be daunting so we decided to go and check out part of the course. 15 minutes in, Lara came off the bike, smacking the handlebar in her face and bending the rear derailleur. Off to the bike shop we went to get things sorted (thank you Nevis Cycles for being amazing!) while trying to convince Lara not to pull out of the race. Bike fixed, we went for a little spin and spent the evening putting together a game plan for the race.

Race day: Announcement comes “water temp is 12C and the swim is on”, 1000m cold water swim, here we come! Lance had his game face on, Lara looked a bit more terrified and I was ready to get this show on the road. No turning back now!

We get in the water and it is cold, like really cold. A few calming breaths, a few more “wise” words to Lara and we are off. Dark, cold but stunning views, sum up the swim. As I got out of the water Lance’s trainers were gone, he clearly had a great swim, and as I was putting mine on Lara came out, off for our run to T1 we went.

First bike leg was tough, it starts with a long road climb and then takes you on to the West Highlands Way. Lara and I planned to ride together and we managed to catch Lance on the climb but then as we hit the gravel section he was gone, flying! Mountain biking West Highlands Way is tricky for a road cyclist and way more undulating than expected but no way as tricky as people who were on gravel bikes! I was looking forward to the road section but that was hilly, I was not expecting that.

We got to T2, laughing and joking because we already knew we were not going to make the Ben Nevis cut-off but planned to tackle it regardless and in a positive mood. I might have said Ben Nevis is the easiest climb, out of 3, but mistakenly I forgot the zigzag and never-ending steps. Sorry Lara and Lance! Lara and I high fived Lance on the way up and after an hour + a few Percy Pigs for us, he cheered us on as he passed us on the way down. We were told cut-off was moved to 12:30 while on the mountain, slightly annoyed as we missed it only by a few minutes and maybe if we had known earlier we would have pushed harder but oh well! Doesn’t matter, the climb was a great chance to chat with some amazing people (@EmmaWhysall you are an inspiration!) and gave us a chance to take in what we were doing and how amazing the views were!

T3, legs didn’t want to get on the bike again and we knew it was going to be tough but there’s no other way back, 2nd bike leg here we go. Best part was the feed station where we had peppers, carrots and cucumbers… yes that was amazing! With more confidence on the bike, powered by peppers and with a massive mood boost, we hit the offroad section. As we navigated the gravel section and eventually waved bye to the stunning views, it was all downhill to T4.

We had the biggest grins on our faces, we had done it! Well almost, just the final 1.5km run to go. Trainers on, let’s see what those legs have left. Not much was the answer but knowing the end was near we somehow had smiles on our faces! I can see the finish line, quick check that we do not have snot on our faces, Lara and I crossed the finish line together, teamwork! Not long after Lance came in and was welcomed across the finish line with massive cheers and huge hugs. We did it!

So proud of all of us and happy we all managed to push through the tough parts and get to the end in one piece (well almost!) Glad we are all as nuts as each other and support one another by signing up to races together. What’s next team?

Catch up on all The ROC Race Reports:
– The ROC Wales
– The ROC England
– The ROC Scotland