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

I found that I wasn't much looking forward to this race as it drew nearer, a feeling no doubt compounded by my confusion about what was happening with the course.  In the lead up to the race the website stated that there would be roadworks on the course and that as a result the cycle route would have to be altered and lengthened by about a mile and a half.  Admittedly that's not a vast amount, but in a long hard race it sounded like a big addition.  So, I spent time considering whether I would do the race at all, but decided against pulling out.  Once again I subjected t

Nearly finished

Setting off

Leaving transition

So, here I was making my sixth assault on the Etwall course. I always look forward to this race and make sure that I am signed up for it each year. Sadly, things didn't go quite as I'd have liked this time around, but the general experience of racing there was still a good one. Previously I'd managed to improve my time with each running of the race, this time that was not to be and I surprised myself with just how disappointed I felt about that. Anyway, enough of the self-pity! Here's my report on how the race went.

By the Pool

Bike

Well Marshalled

This was a new race for this year, run by Punishing Events. I entered it because I wanted to keep myself going over the summer. The last couple of years I've done Salford and then totally run out of motivation to train, before suddenly realising in September that I'd left it too late to get ready properly for the next race. The theory was that I couldn't do that with another race on the horizon, especially an olympic distance that I'd never tackled before. It worked, I had a reason to get out there and so was quite happy to do so.

The Finish

They're Off

Waiting for the start

This will have been my last multisports outing of this season, and what a race to go out on! This is another one run by Punishing Events, this time very aptly named. It is not an easy race. I'd done it once before, a couple of years ago, when I'd found it so 'punishing' that I'd thought I was going to be sick when I reached the top of the steepest hill. So it was with some trepidation that I lined up at the start once more. It's fair to say I felt ambivalent about whether I should really be doing it at all. However, there I was, so bowing out was never going to be an option.

They're-off

Going out on the bike

Near the finish

The Race This is one of the races run by Punishing Events, and the fact that this was my fifth running of the same race says it all. This event is always very well organised, cheerfully marshalled and great fun. I use it as a bit of a gauge for how my racing is progressing, the aim being to do a little better each year.

A well deserved drink

At the finish

Long first transition