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Eton Sprints was the first event of 2006 for many of the club members with an excellent turnout, and for quite a number of them it was was their very first tri.
Here we have the experiences of one of the many who had their tri cherries popped that day... the inimitable Leigh Almond.
It just goes to show, sometimes things don't quite go as we planned, but where there's a will, there's a way...
Well for those of you who were not at Eton to witness the SAUK Tri
peeps doing it in style, you missed out on an amazing day out… with
a belly full of laughs along the way!
I just want to say a HUUUUUGE thank you to all of you for the
support and for getting me back no the road...3rd time lucky!
For those of you who were not lucky enough to watch the spectacular
escapade of me trying to get on to Bruce's Beast, here it goes...
After a shocking swim for me – my lungs left lying at the bottom of
Dorney Lake (along with Bayly's goggles!) and a few head-butts,
kicks and bit*h fights along the way - I found my way to my
beautiful red racing steed, which some of you so kindly contributed
towards for my birthday.
Feeling like Jell-O custard, wobbling all over the place and my
heart pounding inside my tri-suit, sending my heart rate to all time
max, I somehow managed to mount my bike. As I exited T1 to battle
the Dorney headwind RobbyRic was there yelling some much needed
encouragement. With this I had a renewed injection of energy and
settled into a comfortable pace when… SNAP! Suddenly my legs were
spinning uncontrollably; I looked down to find my chain was gone
from its usual residence and was dragging behind my bike.
Needless to say I felt like the kid whose Spur balloon had been
stolen and popped. I went from an ecstatic high to a turbulent low
in the space of 0.3 seconds.
The next 20 minutes were a blur. I remember Geoff running towards
me, the fluorescent yellow of a marshal's jacket and frantic words
being exchanged. Next thing Dawie appeared with Ally's bike. But no,
today was not my day; my cleats didn't fit her pedals.
Oh well, shotgun for the deckchair and a beer was my p.o.a. So,
along with Geoff and Dawie, Ally's bike and my cripple of a racing
bike, we took a leisurely stroll back to the SAUK marquee.
Next, all I remember was mass commotion and shouts of "GET BACK OUT
THERE". Some strange red contraption with antler-like handlebars was
shoved into my hands and I was ordered by Bruce to get on it and
ride.
Oh my GOD! This virgin triathlete was suddenly atop Bruce's hardcore
time-trial bike. Within seconds of setting off, and in prime view of
the throng of SAUK spectators, I careered across the road; unable to
work out how to control this raging beast I hurtled onto the grass
verge, missing by a margin a signpost and some innocent bystanders.
From behind me all I could hear was a deep groan resonate throughout
the crowd and without looking I could tell Bruce was peering through
his fingers.
What was Bruce thinking? His precious baby was in the hands of a
virgin. Not only that, it was a virgin cyclist with a reputation for
hugging the tarmac!
I just remember saying to myself, "Pull yourself together, you've
got 30 seconds to learn to ride this thing".
With twenty minutes lost from being out of the race, I only had one
thing to do, and that was catch up as much time as I could, which
meant I had to cycle hard and fast. Bruce's Beast and I became 'One'
and a little love relationship started.
T2 was a breeze but my legs were not speaking the same language as
my brain; in fact I don't think my brain was functioning at all
because I managed to miss the second loop of the run! I'm sure the
race organisers will be passing my name to the Olympic selectors
after a blistering 5km run in 12:45!
I was not a happy camper to say the least. Tracey and Dave got the
full brunt of my sobs and tears after.
It wasn't the ideal introduction to the world of triathlon. In fact
I think I could compete for 'Worst First Tri Ever' prize, and notch
up a better position than I did on Saturday.
Things can only, and WILL only, get better than this...
Coz I'm officially A D D I C T E D.
xx Litchi nut
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