Now I am a triathlete

Today was a good day. After all the nerves and uncertainty earlier I went out, worked hard, suffered and had a good result coming in 4th.

The swim was not to plan. Most of the athletes wore wetsuits and some got away from me. With 70 people in the water I soon lost the people I wanted to try and stick with. The water was a beautiful 26 degrees. I actually felt pretty happy and comfortable swimming in it.

The bike leg felt great. I relived some good memories from 3 years ago in the Paralympic road race. I went hard and overtook 3 of my competitors. I was a bit worried about my pacing but in the end was near the limit and got a little recovery time on the way down the hill into transition.

The run was hard. I was confused as to what lap my compeitors were on and then started to doubt myself with what lap I was on. The canadian who was slowly closing in on me and was pushing me pretty hard to hold him off for the finish was actually a lap behind me. I was very happy with my pacing on the run as I thought I kept a good even pace the whole way and I was very excited to run under 30 minutes in the end.

My time was a 1:30.45. Not quite what I was hoping for but given the hilly bike course that was nearly 3km longer than it is supposed to be I was happy.

I am looking forward to the next 12 months in this new sport. I think there is plenty of potential for me to go faster in all 4 disciplines and if I put together a good race then a podium could be possible next year.

Thanks for all your support and I will let you know how I am going for the next race in Noosa. Double the distance this time.

Full results at http://www.triathlon.org/results/results/2011_dextro_energy_triathlon_-_itu_world_championship_grand_final_beijing/6210/

Also thanks to all those supporting me through this journey. Especially

Penni for her eternal patience with me when I put training above cleaning the house and for taking care of me when I try to do too much and fall in a heap

Matilda for coming on my running sessions and keeping me company, even if she does ask too many questions when all I want to do is run.

Julbo glasses for the great sunnies

Hoka One One for the shoes that helped me get a big pb in the run leg

Look bikes and Mavic shoes for keeping the gear junkie in me happy

My Major sponsor for the last 8 years Toyota