Elite World Triathlon Duathlon Championships 2021

6th November 2021, Aviles, Spain

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My dream actually came true!!

This is one experience that I will never forget. To line up in the Elite field of the World Duathlon Championships is something which I have wanted so much for the past few months, but I wasn't sure it was going to become a reality until 6 weeks before the race when I got the selection email. I had no expectations for the race, and was worried about getting lapped or coming last, so a 13th place finish (12th senior) is something which I am incredibly proud of. I came away feeling fairly happy with my performance, but most importantly I came away having learnt a few lessons.

Pre-Race Stuff

The day before the race, all elite athletes had to undergo a Covid-19 test and pick up race packs. Later that day there was a bike recce which was shortened to one lap only due to bad weather.

On the day of the race, prior to bike racking we had to have our Tri suit checked and photographed and get our bikes checked for UCI compliance. Luckily my other half had made sure that everything with regards to my bike was legal, so there were no issues for me. We were then sent on our way to rack our bikes in the transition area. It didn't take me long to get my area set up, but some athletes were taking quite a long time which made me think I had forgotten to do something.

Bike: Scott Addict

Run 1

I was pleasantly surprised that the run didn't set off at a ridiculous pace. For 2 and a half laps most of the field remained together and we were running at around 5:40 min/mile pace, but then the pace picked up and I found myself unable to hold on. This meant that a group of around 7 women went into T1 around a minute ahead of myself and a few other women only seconds behind me.

Time - 00:37:43

Transition 1

I had spent some time practising my flying mounts so I was feeling quite confident in being able to pull it off on race day without any dramas. Thankfully - no dramas!

T1 - 00:00:23

Bike

On the bike I quickly found myself with my GB team mate Olivia Mitchell, and we were joined by three other women. On lap one we were a minute down on the lead group, on lap 2 we were around 45 seconds down, and then on the third lap we caught them up just before entering the transition area. I enjoyed working with Olivia on the bike and I felt great apart from some painful cramp throughout. When we caught the lead group I should have sat on the back and gave myself a rest, but instead I ended up at the front and did quite a lot of work. Biggest lesson of the day really.

Time - 01:04:14

Transition 2

As soon as I hopped off the bike and ran into transition I could tell me legs felt horrific, my calves cramped up again and I struggled to get my trainers on.

T2 - 00:00:25

Run 2 - 5.3km

Quite possibly my most disappointing second run ever in a Duathlon, not due to the pace I was running, but just generally how I felt. But probably not surprising given the pace of the first run which was at my 10k PB pace, and then a tough bike leg.

Time: 00:20:18

Result: 13th Elite Female (12th Senior). Thank you to every single person who was supporting me, either out on the course or from those back home watching.

A huge well done to my Western Tempo team mates (there were 5 of us in the Elite races): Ben Price, Phil Wylie, Reece Ashfield, and Henry James. And also to my GB team mate Olivia Mitchell for an amazing 10th place finish!

Western Tempo Athletes

Olivia and I, post race