My Trial Triathlon

So I have decided before the big day I need to see what it's like to do all three events. I have planned to go to the Reading lake and take it all on. The only problem is I have a double Birthday BBQ to host for me and Jakson. So I need to get up super early and back home before 10am in order to help Marie get the party ready..

The lake opens at 07:30am and I plan to get there for 07:00 and be ready to swim in the lake at 07:30. I have to get up at 5, shower and do my usual leg stretches. I then go downstairs and eat a double portion or porridge. Not easy to do that! I then boil up two eggs and go up and put on my tri suit. My ankle doesn't feel great so I take 800mg of Ibuprofen and slaver some Ibuleve Max strength on my achilles.
I'm getting nervous now and struggle to eat the two eggs and toast.. I keep sipping water and leave for the lake.

I have filled up my 750ml bottle with this special concoction, its meant to replenish lost salts but tastes very salty! I have also bought a few of these energy gel  packets and I tape them to my handlebars.. All set.

So I arrive at the lake nice and early and set my bike up. A few people are already there. I put on my wetsuit and swim cap and pay for my swim. The lake is a lovely warm 19 degrees. Some old boy is there and not even wearing a wet suit. I set my watch and jump in the lake. I push off, I feel a little sluggish. Probably all that early morning food, I tried to eat a few hours before.

I take the lake swim in and enjoy the warm water, I use the old guy as a pacer and soon realise how fast he is. As I approach the end I kick my legs hard trying to get the blood into my legs to avoid jelly legs when I get out. I get out of the lake at 15 mins, not my best but not bad. I run to my bike in a matter of seconds and pull off my wetsuit. I use the tip of holding my hat and goggles in one hand and pulling the sleeve of the wetsuit over them to keep them in place. My wetsuit comes off easy and I put on my trainers, helmet, gloves and glasses. I quickly run the bike out and jump on. It's a beautiful day and the weather is warming up so I want to get this done quickly. I have already mapped a 10k bike ride out from the lake and then I plan to turn round and come back. The ride is pretty easy and only takes in a few hills. I turn at 10k with a time of 21 mins. Well on course for a 45 min completion. I cycle back and decide to try the energy gel. It tastes absolutely disgusting. I try the special concoction and that too tastes like saltwater. Luckily I bought a powerade bottle with me which is nice.
I finish the bike in 48 mins, not great but that can be improved on. I jump off and put on my achilles strap. Note to self, put that on after the swim as I have to take my trainer off to put it on.

I run out on a pre planned route, I have mapped 2.5k to run to the M4 bridge. As I get to the bridge my achilles starts to hurt. Each step burns but I know I have to complete. I get to 4k and each stride kills, all I can think about is the sharp pain in my ankle. The last kilometre was agony and I have to pinch my nail into my thumb to take my mind off the pain. I complete in a really fast time of 23 mins. Not convinced that was 5k but the route map says it is so I wont argue.

All in all I complete the whole thing in 1 hour 30 mins which includes transitions. A very good time but the transitions were super quick and wont be that easy at Blenheim.