So I've had some time to contemplate my first foray into the world of multi-discipline sport. What have I learnt from this experience, specifically that I can use in The Main Event in Kendal?
Firstly, and most importantly. I love triathlon. If I ever become so obsessed with performance, stats or placings that I don't enjoy a race then I will recall this event and what good sport should really be about. Competition - Yes, Stretching oneself - Of course, but first and foremost good sport must be fun. How this sits with getting out on a 50 mile bike ride on a soggy Thursday evening in January we'll have to see, but the pain must always be outweighed by the pleasure.
Secondly and most obviously of all. ARRIVE EARLY. This is so obvious it really embarrasses me to have to remind myself. Given approaching 60 hours of training, that I was sat in bed, unable to sleep for an hour on the morning of the race and still managed to be rushed at the start was stupid.
Thirdly, Keep It Simple, Stupid. In my panic to leave on time I loaded all kinds of crap into the car, spare T-shirts, spare deoderant (???), etc. etc. Half of this rubbish I ended up taking with me to the transition area. Although it would have been easier if there were someone with me, this is due to my tendency to compensate for my lack of preparedness by over-complicating things. This contributed to a poor T1 and a lack of confidence which wasn't good either.
Nextly, and finally, go to the toliet before racing. If this were an Olympic distance triathlon I mind have ended up Paula Radcliffe-like on the run. Not clever. Crap, in fact.
2 comments:
It is amazing that no matter how much prep you do, you still scramble. However, you now have the benefit of having one under your belt. Your time was great, and you will see an even bigger improvement at Kendal.
Cheers, otter, really looking forward to Kendal now, have my eye on further improvements. Great to read about your quest also going well.
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