Hot racing over the weekend!

Unlike the last post where it was cold, wet and windy, this weeks story of racing was very different! The summer has finally arrived, and the Goalspecific athletes went into it prepped and ready to race! We had athletes at 70.3 Staffs, Challenging Events, Ironbourne and Mallory Park, all achieving their goals, and more. More to follow on these performances, however  I  have to mention Jess and Louise as well, who came to me last year, no experience of riding, in fact Jess actually had to learn to ride a bike, and this Sunday they went out at the crack of dawn and rode the Weymouth 70.3 bike course. That is some achievement! Both also racing next weekend at Cotswold Standard, so good luck!

Becky G, Salam were racing at Staffs, only 2 weeks after Holkham for Becky and Cotswolds sprint for Salam. First half for a while for Salam, with some specific goals focused on fuelling, gaining more experience on the TT, pacing and just enjoying racing that distance again. Becky, well it was all about the process, not about the outcome, reigning it in a bit, fuelling well, and enjoying the atmosphere,  as I can still count on one hand how many 70.3 races Becky has completed!  They certainly didn’t disappoint either! Becky finished with more in the tank, 5th female overall, and 2nd in her AG and Salam came in 6th AG position. Massive thankyou to Becky U who kept us posted and took top photos throughout the day. 

Also racing middle distance were Liam and Izzy in the triathlon event and Helene in the aquabike at Eastbourne! Liam seems to be just getting faster and faster each time he races, and was clearly enjoying the sunshine this time as opposed to the driving rain and swell at Weymouth a few weeks back and posted his fastest middle distance time to date. Izzy, made up for the DQ at Swanage Middle by storming this race (despite falling off her bike) and finished first female overall in 4.55. Also, just getting faster and faster. Helene, who sustained a nasty hip injury just a few weeks ago by falling off her bike, transferred to the aquabike, and totally raced on feel for this with absolutely no outcome goals except to finish pain free and enjoy the experience. Well she did that, and more, and won the female race outright as well! Brilliant.

Eric stayed more local and raced the standard distance at the New Forest, and put in a great swim (much nicer in the river as opposed to the rough sea of Weymouth!) a solid bike and a great run in that heat, winning his AG.

Finally, we had Julie and Joe racing at Mallory Park. Joe went into the race on no food and an upset stomach, (maybe with hindsight watching might have been better!) however, still put in a good performance, despite feeling pretty dehydrated on the run, and the aid stations running out of water! Julie also put in a solid race finishing 5th in the 70-74 category which in their infinite wisdom the organisers left to the final start time at 13.15 – so fairly hot!!

More racing is happening next week at the Cotswold classic, Dorney standard, London 10k  and Torbay Sprint, lets hope the sun continues to shine!