25

London – Manchester – Gold!

As I looked along the transition area in the Excel Centre it finally dawned on me that it really was time for the London Triathlon! I was disappointed last year as I had a priority fixture for the Talent Programme that meant although the boys were able to take part in this event on the Saturday the girls had a clash on the Sunday and had to be elsewhere. I remembered just two years ago watching the elite athletes doing the same as I was about to on TV… it was a little overwhelming!

The Centre was buzzing with people: supporters and athletes. Bikes were being racked and preparatory rituals taking place all around. As I walked down to the racking area – at the extreme end of the hall I realised how vast the place was. I also realised that with the help of all the marshals and signage I wasn’t going to get lost either! It is an extremely well organised, and deservedly World Class event.

I was prepared for the swim after Eaton and Blenheim: resolved to attack more at the start. As we were the first race of the day we didn’t have much of a hype-up by the crew, but we were all raring to go as we walked out to the announcer’s plaudits and the cheer of the assembled crowd out on the riverside. Boys and Girls assembled together at the start – bobbing about in the Thames – all with the same colour hats which I think lead the spectators not to notice that it was a mixed race at first.

The swim went well and I was soon climbing the pontoon. Although the derelict South Bank had seemed quite forbidding when I got in the water, conversely the ramp out seemed just as welcoming. I soon had my Aquasphere W-Racer wetsuit peeled off and into a plastic bag as I ran down the bank. T1 went well as I had my number belt under my wetsuit ready to go and I was soon out on my bike: getting down nice and low on the bars.

The bike phase was pretty flat with a few inclines and a technical first section, all went smoothly and I felt the benefit of a bit more air in my tyres! Into T2 I overtook one person and then passed another two on the run. My mum said that I was easy to spot in my Blue and White Pearl Izumi Tri Suit: as practically everyone else was a sea of black! I finished 6th girl home, but I have to say there was no one close in front or behind, so I was pleased that I did as well as I could, and even more pleased that I had a really good position: up from 9th last time!

Then it was everything back into the car and off to Manchester – Salford Quays to be precise for the National Biathle Champs. I think my mum and dad had been worried that I wouldn’t have the legs for the two events but after the buzz of the London Tri and a few hours sleep in transit I was raring to go again.

Biathle is part of the Modern Pentathlon programme and is what initially got me interested in Triathlon: its a run swim run – continuous. It appeals to all ages and some of the ‘Masters’ age group are in their 70’s. I was aware that I had some extra competition this year so I was wary of predicting an outright victory – I needn’t have worried! Despite swimming an extra 5 metres (I went a bit off-course – oops!) and nearly getting passed on the exit ramp from the Dock I had a storming transition and lead the run out by about 10 metres. I had a comfortable win and relaxed in to the finish.

Collecting my Gold medal I realised I was at last National Biathle Champion, though I may not be able to defend my title at the World Champs in Dubai later in the year. On the long journey home I reflected on a fantastic weekend – what it’s all about: competing and winning ! Just a few days to pack now before I’m off to Berlin for ten days training with the German Pentathletes: I’ll have to try and look out on TV while I’m away for some of my mates who are up at Crystal Palace for the Athletics Grand Prix: Then I have the IRC prep, Aquathlon and Europeans in Bulgaria: It’s that time of year again – “Have passport will travel!”

24

Top Ten at Baking SuSo Triathlon.

A year later and another sunny day for the Suso Eton Youth Super Sprint Triathlon at Dorney Lake: this was my first ‘proper’ Triathlon last year and I came in 26th! The high water temperature meant that wetsuits were out of the question unlike last year and I could not wait to get in the lake as the heat continued to soar. The swim was a 400m loop around the lake, I powered out in the swim but it was a bit of a mêlée and looking back I do think I could have done with a bit more attack at the start.

After the swim heading into T1 I was in the middle of the group and once safely out on the bike circuit soon found myself in a small drafting group of four. I really should have been ahead in the larger group but I took the long way round out of transition not realising that a group had cut through the middle of the racking. This lost me more than a few seconds and meant I needed to really work hard on the bike, but I settled back into the smaller pack rather than making a break into the bigger pack ahead – that was a mistake! I can only put it down to the heat – I felt that I didn’t want to overdo things and leave myself short for the run. T2 went smoothly – unlike last year when I was fortunately caught by a marshal – avoiding a nasty crash on the way in, it shows how far my bike skills have come-on.

My run continues to be my strength this year. But it was hard work in the midday heat. Although I was disappointed with my result: it felt bad after the ‘high’ of Blenheim the week before, I was the first South West girl home and still in the top ten for my age group!

This result has secured my place in the SW Team for the Inter-counties (IRCs) at Parc Bryn Bach in September. I am now doing more bike work and have added a set of ‘fancy’ Elite Ghibli parabolic rollers to my Kit list to get me warmed up / down from the bike. There’s certainly a knack to it and at first it’s a bit like riding on ice until you get confident – I found a wheelie bin really useful (wheelie useful ?) as a support in helping me to start up.

I will take the lessons learnt in preparation for the London Tri next weekend, I then have to hot-foot it up to Salford for the UK Biathle Champs on the following day: with a bit of luck I’ll have a few slow days after that! It’s a pity that the Biathle World Champs later this year are in Dubai – and as much as I’d like to compete I don’t think I can justify the expense, so I’ll just have to make do with a GB placing this year.

This weekend I am doing the final selection event for the GB Team for Modern Pentathlon, so I will regrettably have to miss out on the National Aquathlon Championships at Hyde Park – though I’ll only be a few miles away at Medway. It will be a very intense day and I need to finish in top 3 to qualify for Europeans in Bulgaria. I am well prepared and quietly confident.

23

Nationals Everywhere I Look!

It’s been a busy summer so far for me! Luckily finishing school now having done my GCSEs means that I can go back to bed after 5am swim training and get some decent sleep |-)

I’ve recently been away most weekends with lots of Athletics events up and down the country Including County schools, at which I came 1st and then South West Champs at which I came 3rd. I have been competing mainly in the 3k event and have improved my time by 20 seconds in the last 3 weeks which I’m really chuffed with! I’m starting to enjoy the longer track distances, even though winter cross country’s are still so much more fun! Last Wednesday I had my first 16k cycling time trial and qualified for the GHS time trial National Finals! It was a great experience, something completely new.

The day was glorious and the course was very demanding and technical, I have now been on a couple of rides with the guys who ran it at Poole Wheelers, they are all very friendly and helpful and its useful to get some work riding in larger groups. It has taken me a long time to sort this out and make a regular commitment – hopefully I’ll start to see the benefits in the coming months now.

Most recently last weekend I competed in the National Biathlon Champs in Liverpool. (Thanks mum for driving me all the way there!) The Biathlon is made up of my strongest events (separate running and swimming.) Last year I came 3rd, and as always the competition was looking tough again this year, with a few new faces. My run was early morning so it was not too hot or humid as it was the previous weekends, however the wind was gusting down the home straight! Throughout the 2k run the wind was a real challenge, it was a tactical race but I ended up taking most of the wind with people sheltering behind me… this was a very sticky situation and one I need to take some advice on! I didn’t want to slow up so I just got on with the race and took the wind as the leader was about 10m ahead and I couldn’t afford to drop back.

When I crossed the finish line after the 2k I felt I had given everything and was exhausted, I didn’t think the race had gone to plan, yet surprisingly I did a 2 second PB – must have been all those 3k’s the weeks before!
After my run I put on my 2XU Compression socks and warmed down, then it was time for lunch. The next part of the Biathlon is a 200m pool swim. The swim was in a 50m pool and although I was the fastest in my heat I wasn’t in the fastest heat! – So I knew I would have to win my heat, to have a chance of coming in the top 3 over all. From the start I took it out fast and just had to kick like mad with what energy was left in my legs towards the end. After a long day I finished first in my heat with a season PB :-))

The top 5 places were going to be close and when the results came out I expected to have come 3rd/4th as I wasn’t sure if I had done enough on the points, however I came 2nd which is a one place improvement from last year. After that it was a long 5 hour journey home…Lovely: but at least I didn’t have to drive!
I’ve just had a cheeky ‘extra’ mid week training session with the National Coaches down at Bath Uni yesterday –then spent the evening out with Poole Wheelers again:

I am very much looking forward to racing at Eton in the SUSO Triathlon this weekend, which is also our South West team selection for the IRCs – bring it on!

22

Blenheim Youth SS

At the weekend I competed at the Blenheim Triathlon for the first time. I had been away in London for a few days training beforehand, my bike had accompanied me –safe and snug in my new dhb bag. We had put in quite a few’ technical’ miles and I felt very confident when I got my head down early the night before. This was the first serious outing for my 2010 Focus Cayo 105, and I wanted to do it justice by being ready!

We had a very early start from home, so early that when we arrived the gates to the Palace were still locked. Once we were inside there wasn’t much time to hang around as I was off in the second wave – there was certainly not much of a chance to ride the course beforehand. I had a look over the course and it looked really exciting, I felt slightly anxious but I couldn’t wait to get started! Had I seen the competitor list earlier I think I’d have been even more nervous – it certainly was a classy field. I was competing in the Youth Super Sprint which was a 400m swim, 13km bike and 3km run. I watched the Youth boys go off in the first wave and made my way down to the lakeside to get my hat. Behind me I could hear the flurry of activity from the elite women, some of whom had just found out that their swim was to be wetsuit free! We had been told to expect a starting delay of up to fifteen minutes in the water, but we were spared virtually any delay at all.

When the rope was dropped and the start horn blown fists started flying everywhere and I just had to get my head down and stick with the main group. After the 300m buoy we headed for the pontoon. Then it was out of the swim and up a cheeky little hill to T1 which was very tough on the legs after the swim. I had a long 400m run into transition and plenty of time to zip the top part of my wetsuit down and off my arms. Transition on to the bike went the best I’ve ever done it, I was really pleased.

I was then out on my bike on my own but I soon caught up a couple of girls and we worked off each other and I pushed myself on. This was the first time I have drafted properly in such a large field of competition.
After the bike my legs were full of lactic acid and I could feel that this run was going to be tough. Fortunately through T2, my last transition was really quick and I managed to gain yet another place. To my surprise my run felt great after I got into my stride. I think the cross-country season really prepared me for any hills, this course was perfect for me and the setting was spectacular. For most of my run I had to push myself hard as I was alone, then eventually with 1km to go I overtook another runner and found a sudden burst of will power which allowed me to kick and really go for it, sprinting in to finish in 10th position.
Would I recommend this event ? – Emphatically Yes, indeed. It is a great day out.

The setting is spectacular and the camaraderie of Triathlon at the venue is all embracing: even if you’re not in the elite race! Once I had cooled down I enjoyed a picnic in the grounds overlooking the lake and watching the elite athletes with my family who came to support me. As the sun went down over Woodstock and we retraced our route south. I realised that I was leaving my birthplace: Yes, I was born just down the road, no wonder I felt at home !

21

Anyone For Seconds?

Since my longer-than-planned training camp in Barcelona (due to the Icelandic Ash Cloud ) the warmer weather training seems to be paying off. Winning the SW Biathlon Championships a fortnight back and then giving some payback for good times on the track to my local Athletic Club (Poole AC) as you may have seen in the weekly round-up were a fitting return to form I felt! Last weekend in a less than Spanish climate I competed in the Young Athletics League in Guilford where I did a 6 second pb in the 1500m, my 4×300m relay team also won (Not too bad considering I’m not a sprinter!) The team was placed second overall . I always have to be careful not to over-compete, staying focused on productive training… Oh and did I mention that I am in the middle of my GCSEs ?

This weekend was the Tri Team Gloucester Youth Triathlon. This is my last year of being able to compete in the top (Youth) category here. This event is really well organised: a great intro to Triathlon for young competitors, but I won’t miss the rutted grass cycle course! With glorious weather and 30 degree heat, by the time I started it was a great spectator event: But by the time I’d done 8 laps of the field on the bike circuit it felt like I’d been using a pneumatic drill all morning! For me the swim was 500m in a very short 18 metre pool, 8k on the bike and finally 3k run made up of 600m loops. The swim was set-off in waves, mine was the second. When I finished the swim I felt good and came into T1 in the lead. My transition was tricky as I had a little hiccup with my shoe and elastic bands as we had to walk to the mounting line!! I was soon out on the bike course though – the first competitive outing for my new bike, and picking off the back of the first wave!

The bike course was a 1km loop in an ‘M’ shaped: with ‘technical’ twisty bends in the middle. Last year these were a problem as the grass was still wet – no chance of that this year! When I finally got into my rhythm I felt strong, passing riders from the 1st wave improved my psyche! Off of the bike and into T2 went smoothly. I decided to run in my sunglasses as the sun was so bright and stupidly my new shoes, which were very comfy until I finished. OK, OK ! Mum knows best: “don’t run in brand new shoes!” However I escaped with only a small blister on my ankle and it was Tropical!! My run felt really good, after the first loop I got into my stride and was gradually gaining on the leader but there was not quite enough ground to finish the job off and I ended with a comfortable second place. First Triathlon of the season under my belt and looking forward to the rest! Let’s hope the weather is here to stay ! ;-)

20

Extended Training!

I was due to run for my Athletics Club this weekend, and back to school on Monday but the Iclelandic Volcano put paid to that!

I am currently stranded with the Youth B Modern Pentathlon Team and Coaching staff at Spanish Training Facility near Barcelona (there could be worse places I hear you cry!)

On the plus side its not snowing and I have some mates with me – on the minus side: I’m running out of clothes and it’s been a relentless week’s training. I have long exhausted my magazine that I bought at the airport on the way out and the boredom is starting to creep through: along with the uncertainty of just how long am I going to be stuck here! GCSEs are just around the corner for me – and the new Triathlon Season ! Added to that I should have a selection event next weekend (also my birthday ‘Wooh!’) for the European Champs: as half of the organisation is stuck here with me, it will be interesting to see what happens.

If flights are cleared later this week we should be on our way on Thursday – if not I may be doing the Barcelona Marathon!

The French team arrived for training today, so we have some friendly competitive training scheduled. The coaches are doing their best to try and keep us motivated but the worst thing is just not knowing what’s going to happen – its worse than waiting for a race enquiry.

Our World Class talent Pathway Manager has posted a
Stranded Blog! and some pictures here

19

Mud, Sweat & Chocolate!

Well it’s been another hectic few weeks for me; with a gruelling non-stop end to the Cross Country season. I competed in the Inter counties cross country in Birmingham, Mc Cain X Challenge National cross country in Leeds, where I bumped into an Alistair Brownlee! It would seem from other athletes’ Blogs that they too are keeping up their training in this way out of season. I finally finished with the English schools competition last weekend at Heaton Park in Manchester.

All the courses were a challenge – but in different ways attracting huge numbers of competitors in my age group, and essentially a lot of mud! However, last weekend’s run felt really good for me; I think maybe my favourite run of the season I felt strong all the way round as I have been ‘racing-up’ in under 17’s and under 20’s. This was a shorter race at only 4k.

The course was pure mud the whole way round as it had been raining all day but there’s nothing like a bit of good old cross country spirit! I started off 2nd out of the pen, but finished first Dorset girl home! Then it was a long slog back home to Bournemouth down the motorways and time for a breather before the Dorset Biathlon the next day. Biathlon is one of my main events I target throughout the year; this was my qualifier for the nationals. It’s a 2k run and 200m swim in a pool for me this year, but next year I will be moving onto 3k.

It was a gorgeous day for the competition and the run was by the new Olympic sailing facility at Portland right by the water. I was put in with the men for my race which set a good pace for me. Throughout the race it was very windy and after my run I doubted very much that I had broken any records, but it turned out that I had actually done a 12 second PB so I was really chuffed! My swim hadn’t suffered either – considering I had run both days previous. It was a great day out and I won my Age group, now it’s on to Nationals ;-))

My new Wiggle kit and my bike (a Focus Cayo 105 Compact) arrived unexpectedly this week…it’s just gorgeous, so gorgeous I had to get it set-up and get out straight away. We took in about a 25 Km circuit just to check everything was OK – it was for me, but I accidentally wiped out my dad on the way when he got too close giving me directions (Whoops!) As I said – its a nice stable (gorgeous!) bike…

My bike is nearly as gorgeous as my Exposure bike lights – My Toro lights have seen a fair bit of use in the past month – especially getting down to the gym: they are stunningly bright – and really built to last: I’m almost wishing the evenings weren’t getting lighter! Maybe I’ll just have to get out later now!

Next weekend I have a one day International event at Bath Sports Training Village, then I’m off to Barcelona in the holidays for 5 days training with the MPAGB Team – Just before my GCSE exams, aaarghh! I better get packing!

Happy Easter Wigglers Go easy on the Easter Eggs x

18

No Rest For The Wicked!.

Not that I’ve been wicked this week… I’ve just returned back from a hard weeks training camp in the (very snowy!) Gloucester countryside. Training with the German team was great! They gave the British team some great competition, although we kicked ass in the swimming and running events. I enjoyed a great track session running in the freezing snow, I felt really strong throughout, must be all the tough winter training! Then it was back to the hotel for a nice hot shower, ahh heaven!

It’s been a tough few weeks getting over a fluey-bug but I’m healthy at the moment, lets hope it stays that way. I had a couple of days off but I am continuing to train hard despite this, and looking forward to my updated Focus bike arriving any day now, and a training trip on the horizon to a Spanish training centre near Barcelona!

I have been increasing the amount of endurance runs I do and as I live near the beach I run a lot on the sand and along the sea front. It’s great to get out in the fresh sea air! Some Thursdays my club do a great session running up and down the zig-zag slopes on the seafront cliffs – which is a killer. The new puppy is also proving to be a fantastic new training partner apart from when he cuts me up!

Lately I’ve had a non stop schedule with the National cross country in Leeds and Birmingham and soon the Biathle and Triathlon season will start too. I’m really looking forward to getting back into some open water training again. It’s up to Leeds for XC this weekend, bound to be cold and muddy – my favourite: come on Team Dorset!

17

New Year’s Revelation…

Happy New Year everyone – I hope you have been keeping to your New Year’s Resolutions ! Its been pretty difficult through January with all this snow and ice to get out on the road, but I have made a few bike excursions (without incident) as I resolved: however my mileage on my trainer has more than quadrupled as a result, along with my trips to the gym! Several competitions were cancelled – notably our regional Cross Country Champs, and some of my National training camps have been cancelled or moved due to the snow, and the flooding that has followed on.

I started my new year with the customary Boxing Day run in Poole park – this will be my last year in the junior competition, and it was a little frustrating not to be running the adult race with my friends! I was the first girl home, but I think everyone appreciated getting out and having the Christmas cobwebs blown off!
Swimming training has been a bit patchy so far this year as we have had early start problems with the weather and the state of access to our training pool: the car park was like glass the other morning and cars were sliding everywhere! One of my friends has been out in Lanzarote training – I’m not jealous: just thinking about it warms you up doesn’t it!

This weekend saw the first step back into the normal routine with a South West Tri Academy training day in Newport, followed by the Cardiff X-Challenge cross country for Poole AC. The Newport sessions were run by coaches Will Newton and Andy Bullock (also to be seen starring in this months 20:20 Triathlon magazine) from British Triathlon with run, core stability and velodrome track sessions. The weather was relatively kind and we just got slightly damp outside, but it was nice to be back in the warm again. We were a large group this time but fortunately we had a couple of hours on the track: Which I used to my advantage – working hard all the way.

After the track session we had a presentation and I was awarded the South West series trophy. The parents also had a discussion about which races the academy will be targeting in the coming year: with a few more sessions like this one we should be going well in 2010. On reflection, I probably should have thought ahead a little, because when I arrived at the X-Challenge Event in Cardiff the following day my legs were like lead towards the end of the race!

I tried to stretch off and did a full warm, but I knew from the outset it was going to be hard work. The course was pretty flat, but I had heard reports of it being very boggy in parts last year. This year the organisers had laid plenty of bark chippings, and the course was so well taped-off so that you couldn’t possibly get lost, so it was looking good. As my race was the last-but-one I was expecting it to be pretty churned-up and went for long spikes, but it wasn’t abnormally muddy. Beforehand I was wearing my bright fluorescent pink Ron Hill Vizion windlite jacket around the race venue – I had loads of people ask me where I had got it from: hope the Wiggle stocks are OK !

I got off to a good start, but at the end of the first lap I was having to work hard. I pushed on – taking another two places on the last lap, coming home 16th out of 72 entrants. Two of my friends came in first and second with excellent runs, although I wasn’t disappointed with my result I think easing off on the training session the day before probably could have lifted me into the top ten. My coach agreed – but I am only bottom of the age group at the moment so I’m pleased.

It was a very full weekend; I enjoyed a well earned doze in the nice warm car on the way home.

Photos

End of Season Lowdown with Team Wiggle

Our Team Wiggle athletes have had a cracking year, standing atop rostrums the world over in road racing, mountain biking and triathlon. Before they put their feet up for the festive break, we caught up with them all as they reflect on 2009 and look ahead to 2010. Youngster Africa Mason proved she has a bright future in multisport with some excellent results…

16

Team Wiggle 2009 Team Highlights

Q. What was the highlight of your year?

A. Oh, I have a few! A training camp in Berlin; a team silver at the modern pentathlon tri in Hungary; the National Aquathon and competing in the IRCs (Inter Regional Championships) at Bryn Bach.

Q. What was the funniest moment?

A. Altitude training in France was so fun – running up the mountains covered in snow. I’ve never fallen over on my bum so many times!

Q. What was the biggest lesson you learnt?

A. How to conquer bike transitions and dismounts with cleats.

Q. What are your plans for winter training? How’s it going so far?

A. Training is going pretty well at the moment, I’m so much more confident on my bike, mounting and dismounting and my transition. I am upping my running mileage, running three times a week – four when I can – and I’m doing more endurance runs and very tough hill sessions. My new year’s resolution will be to find a good local group to ride with regularly and increase my swimming training/fitness. Over the past year I have been more focused on my running and I would like to have a good triathlon season next year.

Q. What does 2010 have in store for you? What are your major races going to be?

A. There will be lots of camps with the Pentathlon Talent squad and also some training days with the BTF South West team. I have the National Cross Country and other major races will be London Triathlon, National Pentathlon, National Triathlon, National Biathlon, National Aquathon and the Salford Biathle – hopefully I will qualify for the World Championships in Dubai. Who knows really – a year ago I certainly wouldn’t have predicted all the places I’ve been this year!

Africa Mason doing some high speed training.

Africa cross country training