The best inspiration is not to outdo others, but to outdo ourselves

Tonight saw the third in the Wakefield Triathlon Club's Summer Series of races.  I missed the second one when I wimped out because the weather was atrocious.  If I'm honest, that could have easily happened again today, but now I've done it I'm very glad that it didn't.  I was sitting at Ryan's martial arts class watching the rain pour down and wondering what on earth I'd let myself in for.  However, there could be no wimping out this time - Daniel was working away and wouldn't be back until late, so I'd arranged for a friend to babysit.  I couldn't excatly say I couldn't be bothered when she'd come round specially so I could go.  So, I got myself organised, something of a rush after martial arts, getting the kids' tea on the table and somehow managing to get myself ready to get out of the door.  But I did it.  The bike was on the car and ready to head off into the rain just before 6pm.  As I drove towards Wakefield the sky was getting noticeably lighter, by the time I reached Pugneys all there was was the ocassional raindrop.

Today's course was the standard distance again, so I set out feeling much more confident because I defintitely knew where I needed to be going this time.  That always helps.  I kept to my own pace as everyone set off around the lake for the one lap first run.  I was at the back but knew that I was doing what I needed to do.  Apart from the large number of flies that seemed to be trying to get me to inhale them the run went fine.  I managed to avoid most of the puddles, clearly Pugneys had seen the rain earlier in the day, and got back to the transition area in about 13 and a half minutes.  That's about the saame as I did last time and I was very pleased with that.  It's a good time for 1.6 miles, for me anyway, that being the bit that matters to me.  There were still a few others in transition when I arrived back, so I wasn't a mile off the back.

Setting off on the 11.2 mile cycle course saw me overtake one other competitior just as we headed out of transtition.  I didn't succeed in catching anyone so had a pretty quiet ride.  I pushed pretty hard and did my best.  I was certainly hot and sweaty, complete with a nice snotty nose - I must have made a lovely picture!  The course isn't an easy one, it starts out pretty flat from Pugneys but then the climb up to West Bretton is a long hard climb.  It certainly makes you appreciate the nice long zoom that you get from Bretton down to the motorway roundabout.  The only problem with that is that you're flying down there in the certain knowledge that you're going to need to climb all the way back up again very soon.  I used my tri-bars on the descent this time.  I saw another competitor (on their way back up, of course) using them and realised it could well be a good idea.  I kept pushing down the hill, I was determined to do the best that I possibly could.  It's then a very long drag right the way back up the hill you've just come down, then a little further still to reach the next rounadabout.  After that there is lots of nice downhill and flat as you head back to Pugneys.  I was feeling pretty good and from glimpses at my watch reckoned I was making reasonable time.

Out of transition once more I headed off around the lake for the final time.  By now I couldn't see any of the other competitors at all, but there's always a cheer to be had from those who've already fininshed or who are in organisation mode.  I found the second run quite hard, probably because I had tired my legs out pushing so hard on the bike.  However, there was no way I was going to let up, my watch was telling me that I was on for an improved time and I had no intention of giving that up.  There were fewer flies the second time around, so that was an improvement!  I was marginally slower second time, but not too bad at all.

And my overall time?  I managed the whole thing in 1:13:37, that's a whole 4 minutes faster than last time!  I am definitely claiming a PB and looking suitably pleased with myself.  I am well chuffed with that, especially as I had no idea how it would go - exercising at that time of night has never really been my thing.  So, the weather turned out fine, I enjoyed the race and chatting to other members and I got a PB!  I think it's safe to say that I'm now very glad that I went along.