After rupturing his ACL at the end of last season, James Turner’s first tri of this season was approached with a  relaxed attitude:

‘I just rolled up on the night at Dorney and signed up for the 3rd and final wave of the evening. Into the wetsuit and waiting for the briefing a flash of pink passes me shouting at all in front of him to clear the way… Viceroy Rory Spicer flew through the transition area and out onto the bike course.About 30 seconds before the briefing start I spot another viceroy Simon hurriedly racking his bike and getting into his wetsuit.

It was a square swim course that was easy to see. Deciding there was no point in getting race practice from the back I bustled my way to just off the front of the swim pack and like coach has taught us went on “2” and went hard for the first 150m. After feeling like I had gone too hard out the gate I thought there were loads of people going past me. I found a hip that felt like it was a struggle to keep with and tucked up nice and close. The rest of the swim was much more relaxing with only a couple of changes of hip/feet when they did not feel right or swam in the wrong direction!

The bike course was a bit like a small motor racing circuit in both layout and width; plenty of room to overtake and see where you were going. There was one slightly nasty corner that was deceptively tight late apex and off camber which wanted to suck you in to a gatepost. I got passed by 4 or 5 other riders on the bike leg, however they were on full on tri setups so I was not too upset by this. (I did not even have my clip on tri bars). A great boost awaited me at the end of the first lap as a big cheer greeted me from loveable Irish Viceroy Conor. I made sure to count my laps carefully (1 rider did 5) and it was soon time to peel of into the pits formula 1 style.

Into running shoes and I head for the run exit only to realise a large number of people are pointing and shouting at me. I am quickly told that I have forgotten to remove my bike helmet! I hand it to the marshal who kindly takes it from me rather than sending me back to my bike. I get out and start the 5k run which is 2 laps out and back. Surprisingly my legs feel like my own! I had not done a single brick session this year so started to ponder on just why I feel ok. I hate the time on the run it seems to go on forever, however 1 lap is dispatched with and I’m soon heading for the final 250m. Time to wind up for the sprint finish! I manage to haul in the last to annoying runner types that overtook me quickly but am then left with open road between me and the finish line.

I am struck with disappointment as I realise there will be no crowd raising,  line dipping finish to end my first tri of the year.’