I didn’t know what to expect going into this race, after a bout of nasty gastroenteritis a few days before, and having raced the previous two weekends. My body was tired, but I rested up before the race and hoped that it’d be enough to get me through it. I knew there was some very strong competition, especially from the Germans, Austrians and within the GB team, so knew I had to put up a decent race to be in with a shot of getting on the podium.
Race morning came and while still not 100%, I felt ready to race.
I had a great swim; coming first out of the water in my wave in 18:09, and was the fastest female swim in the whole AG competition.
Transition went really smoothly, and I set off on the bike leg, knowing the challenges ahead. It was a 3 lap bike course with a steep climb followed by a swooping descent half way through each lap. I was happy with how I cycled, considering I’m not in my best bike form at the moment, and came in off the bike leg in 3rd position (overtaken by one German and one Austrian girl).

Having checked out the 2 x 5km lap run course 2 days before I knew it had 2 nasty climbs, the first of which was early on in the loop.

It was a tough run for me, but I did my best, while struggling on the climbs, to make the most of the descents and the undulating parts. On the first lap my form felt very rigid, but I managed to relax a bit more on the second lap, pushing myself as hard as I could, knowing that I was still holding onto 3rd place.

I was thrilled to cross the line claiming the Bronze medal in the 25-29 AG, and coming home with the 7th fastest female time overall.

My legs were not happy with me the following few days, and my hamstrings are still tight even now!
I’m doing the best I can to recover and train, around work, for my next race, which is the Triathlon England Champs up in Ripon on the 1st July.