Antwerp race report - Race Day

I woke up after a bad nights sleep to find a very wet day. The day before it was 29C, race day morning it had dropped to 17C! This didn't actually worry me too much. Having trained in Scotland in all weather conditions meant this was normal for me.

We arrived at the start and I put my bike together and checked the tyres. I had planned to do this the day before but it didn't happen. I wasn't happy that the pump was working properly but I had to make do.

I was nice and early at T1 so had lots of time to set up. The pouring rain made it all the more pleasant for my support team. I wasn't too bothered as I was going to get wet anyway!


Chatting to Mum and Dad before the race, looking and feeling quite relaxed.

I looked silly whilst I was lining up at the start. I like to stop talking to people in the few minutes before the start. I close my eyes, breath deeply and run through the race in my head. I got as far as the end of T1 but I just couldn't picture the bike ride.

Lining up in the water.

And we're off!

Mum and Dad looking on, desperately trying to work out which yellow hat was mine. Years of seeing me compete at swim meets was no help in 800m of open water and 100 matching swimmers.

I took every one by surprise by the speed I was out of the water. I was the 13th women and the 1st in my age group!

T1

I have a big grin on my face as I leave T1 but it hides the nerves. I didn't feel as prepared as I could have been. In training I had focused so much on improving my run that I had let my bike slip. I wasn't sure that I could 'race' the distance, though I was fairly sure I would finish. I was also very concerned about eating and drinking enough. Hunger during the run would really make me feel bad and yet I can't run of a full stomach, it is a really fine balance.

The bike ride was a challenge. All was going well until about 1/3 of the way round when I felt my back tyre was sluggish. I stopped to have a look and sure enough, it had lost quite a bit of air. I took the wheel off to try and get a closer look at the tube but I couldn't get the tyre off. In desperation I decided to try to re inflate the tyre. I also thought that maybe I should have practiced with my CO2 gas inflater before the race! Luck was on my side and the tyre inflated. How long it would last I didn't know. An on looker came to help and I tried to say no but he wasn't having any of it. I only had to put my bike back together but when a referee drove past I thought that would be the end of the race.

In trepidation, I got back on my bike. I was so pleased to get to the turn around point but every set of tracks I crossed I flinched. Would my tyre handle it? I made it round lap 2 and was heading back into town, tired, when I made a bad gear change and lost my chain. Wearily, I got off my bike again, sorted myself out and headed off again. I just wanted to get the bike finished. My back was hurting and I was only just holding it together.

I was so pleased to see T2. As I said in the last blog, I wished I had spent more time checking out T2. I was pointed to my rack and the change went well but then I couldn't see the exit. I had to head towards the entrance to ask where the exit was.

Another smile for the cameras. I was so glad to start the run, but I was aware of how far I still had to go. Having the friendly faces of my friend and family really helped. I was smiling for them, I didn't want them to worry. But my smile picked my spirits up too. That first lap was uncomfortable. I ran along the promenade and round to the first aid station where I allowed my self to walk through the station. There were 3 aid stations per lap where I took a wet sponge and some water each time but I only allowed myself the run through that 1st aid station each lap. On my number belt I had four Honey Stinger gels that I would have every 30 min, religiously starting with leaving T2 (I had a fist of malt loaf, 1.5 energy bars and 1500ml of water and energy drink on the bike).

Starting my final lap, still smiling! During the run I kept an eye on the clock on the cathedral that I would pass 4 times. As I passed the clock on my final lap, I realised I had the chance of finish in under 6 hours. I still walked the first aid station but put my head down to maintain my pace. The next aid station I walked to drink some flat Coke, wary that I didn't want to get a stitch at this late stage. I past my friend and family at a different point, still on target. I shouted at them that I was aiming for sub 6hrs. I put my head and upped the pace. Passing through the final aid station I upped the pace again. I turned the corner into the cathedral square and the finishing line and started sprinting. The crowd started cheering and I gave every thing I had.

Finishing was the greatest feeling I have ever had. I had totally blown my expectations out of the water. I had done the training, I had put in the hard work and I had reaped the rewards.

An emotional hug with Mum.

An emotional hug with Dad.

In shock. I kept repeating that I couldn't believe how well I had done. I had my post race plan that I had told my family was just as important as the race plan. They took off my shoes and helped my into my compression tights, helped me on with my down jacket, put a hat on my head and feed me my recovery drink. I looked daft all wrapped up on what had turned into a beautiful afternoon but I didn't care. I know that I would start shaking with cold if I didn't.

We slowly made our way back to T2 to pick up my bike and T1 stuff that had been moved there. The back tyre was totally flat. How lucky had I been!

My amazing support team and me.

Thanks Guy's, I don't think I would have done so well if you hadn't been there. Your cheers and smiles seemed to be everywhere. Thanks to Mum and Dad for driving me there and back and around, for sorting our great accommodation and putting up with my moods. Thanks Suzanne for coming over from Frankfurt and taking such amazing photo's. It has taken me longer than the race to upload them all!

Final results...

108 women took part, I was 70th

I was 13th out of the swim, 1st in my age group

78th on the Bike, 18th in my age group

78th on the Run, 19th in my age group (though this also includes T2)

738th out of 855 completer's, 70th women out of 108, 17th in my age group out of 19.

Final word..

On walking back to T2 after the race I pointed some thing out to Dad.

"Dad" I said, "there is something I haven't said yet"

"What is that?" Asked my Dad

"I've not said I'm never doing it again"

"Yes, I had noticed that"

Watch this space!