Living the dream...

Perhaps one of the great things about triathlon is that you get the opportunity to compete for your country no matter what your age.. Last weekend coach Paul competed in the European Tri Champs as an age group athlete.. here is his story..


Last weekend I got chance to live the dream as a pro triathlete. I tried once before to qualify but didn’t make it finally I qualified to race in Holten, Holland at the European champs and wow! What an experience.

At first I was a bit down about my finishing time, I was hoping to go a bit faster. But when I look at it and think top 20 in my age group in Europe and sixth Brit home in my age group that’s not bad for a first attempt.

I struggled in the swim without the wetsuit having legs like lead, but it made you feel like you were actually racing elite and the dive in half way through was mega and best of all my swim cap and goggles stayed in place. Quick transition without the wetsuit and on to the bike, great bike course, closed roads and although narrow at some places I didn’t get stuck behind anyone but I was nearly taken out at one point by a crazy German dude racing past at 100 mph. Oh and I did do a bit of grass tracking when I took my eye of what I was doing for a second, good job there were no kerbs.

Into T2 and off on the run where I again struggled with the temperature, for some reason the heat seems to really effect me on the run and although tried as hard as I could I just seemed to lose all strength in my legs. The run course itself was great bringing you back into the town on every loop through crowds of partying locals and loads of GB athletes who had all stopped after their earlier races to cheer on the remaining athletes, plus my brother and sister in law who had flown over from the UK for the day to watch the race, a big thanks to them for their support. Water stations where plentiful with even some extra ones where the local families had set up their own station and hose pipes for cooling us down

All in all racing doesn’t get much better living the dream being a pro athlete for the weekend, great race, outstanding organisation superb hotel and country and finally not forgetting two trusty team mates to show me the ropes. Cheers Guys!

Bring on the next GB race I’m hooked now..


*I have to say Paul.. the photo does remind me of 'chips' aka California Highway Patrol (showing my age), but I can't help feeling that if you'd eated less of them you would have finished even higher up the field.. Well done pal! (ml)


Here endeth theenduranceblog..