My First Triathlon. Ripon Black Sheep 20111

Saturday ( July 2011 started with a lie in for me, 7 am, then at 9 am I headed for the racecourse to register for the Triathlon. I was issued a yellow swimcap for wave 5 and someone marked my number 830 on in black marker, next someone else with a black marker drew my number on my right arm and calf, carefully avoiding my tattoo. Then it was home for final carbing, porridge and bacon and mushroom sarnie on Bergen bread, but not all in one bowl. I repacked my bag into the race bag I'd been given. at 12 O'clock I got on my bike, which was stickered up with my numbers,donning my NYP Tri suit. the sky was a bit grey as I arrived. I had my bike and helmet checked as I entered Transition, then I went to set up. I unpacked my bag as a few fat raindrops fell.I turned over my shoes, and suddenly it was hailing, big hailstones, I ran for shelter with everyone else. Oh boy they were stingy on the ears. Within a few minutes the hail turned to rain and gradually slowed to a stop. Everyone tentatively emerged from their shelter. I went back to my bike to find everything soaked with a layer or little ice balls coating everything. I decided to don my wetsuit to stay warm even though it was an hour and three quarters before the first wave was due into the water.

I put on my wet suit and realised that I had forgotten my flip flops and set off out of transition in my bare feet, brrr!! suddenly the clouds burst again and I squeezed under a gazebo for shelter. When the rain passed again I headed into race headquarters to wait for Billy. On the way it was announced that the race would be delayed because of the weather for 30 mins. All to soon it was time for the race briefing then a final goodbye to Billy i headed off for the start gingerly walking over the rough ground around the lake. I chatted to other Yellow hatted competitors as we watched the orange hats work their way into the lake and swim to the start line, and the whites followed them. the klaxon went and off swam orange as white lined up and blue entered the lake, and again as the klaxon went and white swam, blue lined up and green entered the lake, there were only yellows left on the bank now. I was glad I was on familiar territory I knew the lake and had practiced a deep water start last week, I jumped as the Klaxon went again and blues swam, green lined up and us yellows worked our way into the lake. There was no gasp as I entered the water it was 19.5 degrees lovely and warm, I splashed my face and swam gently to the start area as the Klaxon went and off swam the green hats. There was no rush for the front, it was quite funny really as everyone tried to be at the back and the sides,

I suspended myself amongst the weeds and decided just to stay where I was and deal with possition later. The klaxon went and I was off swimming, I remembered to put my face in the water and relax. I got to the 1st island quite quickly there were still people behind me so I was reasonably happy, I just wanted to get the swim over and get on the bike. As I rounded the 2nd island (half way) I looked down and saw a good sized perch swimming in line with me under my belly, I tried not to be distracted but the fish stayed with me for quite a while, I laughed and then had to tell myself off. If I wanted to be a triathlete I needed to focus on the race. I focused on the bouys and aimed for the exit. I wobbled as I exited the water Kind hands steadied me as I ran (staggered) to my bike which was one of the closest.

I got out of my suit pretty quick and sat down to put on my wet socks and bike shoes, helmet on and bike unracked and off I ran with calls of "come on Lena" from what seemed like all directions. I waved at Tracey and Julie. I ran to the mount line. So glad I changed my shoes for MTB ones so much easier to run in. I mounted my bike and headed out of the racecourse following a fellow Tri/Running club mate. If I could keep up with him I was likely to get a good time. The first stretch of the bike route is a bit uphill, so I used this section to fuel up then as the course leveled out I picked up the pace. At Copgrove the route did not go the route that I had practiced, it was going a much platter route, I found myself laughing like a crazy woman as i realised the route was easier than I had practiced. I kept having bouts of crazy laughter I was having so much fun, john was still in sight as I hit the bypass, this is a horrid stretch so I just concentrated on John and kept on pedaling. As I approached Dishforth roundabout the wind increased and the distance between John and I was decreasing. As I rounded the roundabout I was nearly blown off by a gust of wind. I steaded myself and overtook John, a few yards on he overtook me but I stayed close and overtook him again as we entered Kirkby Hill. A few yards on and he overtook me again, I stuck to him like glue as we raced back towards Ripon, I was carbing and hydrating in preparation for the run. John and I entered dismount together and walked chatting towards transition.

As john went to rack his bike I ran again , to more shouts of "Go Lena", Iracked my bike changed into soaking trainers and set off on the run. Surprisingly my legs felt not too bad, a bit like mule 20 in a marathon, tired but nearly there. I ran past Stephen (nimblerunner) who had come to marshal and support me, He offered jelly babies and Kendal mint cake, I risked offence as I declined as I had just fueled up, then there was Billy taking a pick as I headed for the exit. I was a bit pressured I knew John was somewhere behind me. As I reached the bridge over the canal there was Ellie and Mike marshaling and cheering me on, it kept me going as i passed a couple of runners, I wasn't running fast but it was steady. As I approached the point where there were runners both directions I saw Bruce, he was looking great and well and truly on his way home, "looking strong" he shouted, " dont feel it" I replied. I was tired and would have walked if I didnt have John behind me. I ran on to the turn point and water stop, There was Chris she cheered me on and I walked through the water stop to make sure I got plenty on board and there was John, I'd better get a move on, I felt a bit better and found a nice pace but everytime I heard someone on my shoulder I thought it was John I kept me going. At the 2nd water stop, there iwasd Emma cheering me on, a faster NYP Tri bloke was close, I let him cross the stile first. then it was the canal path, I laughed as I realised that I was nearly home, 2 km to go I was nearly a triathlete. that thought kept me going as I approached the marina and then the racecourse. I ran past people who had finished and were leaving, i kept on going, it wasnt fast but I was running it all. It felt great as I turned through the narrow gate in the hedge, between the railings that I had helped put out on Wednesday night, around the trees and over the lumpy bumpy bit. I picked up my pace for my trademark sprint finish, it was there the blue inflatable finish line and the Blue mats, people were shouting my name, Vicky and Helen, who had driven back from London after watching Take That, Hilary, Julie and their friend, and Billy. As I hit the Blue timing mat my name was announced and I was greeted by Chris Mercer (cmmercer). It was over, a year of planning and training. I AM A TRIATHLETE 1500M SWIM, 42 KM CYCLE AND 10KM RUN 3:12:34 Way faster than my estimated 4 hours. A triathlon to mark 3 years since Dad died.

I would like to thank all of my supporters on the course and on the Internet (FB, DM and Twitter) You helped me achieve this goal.