So, the virus has gone and so I had a bash at Leeds Castle Standard Distance. Nice warm day, but comfortable, so no weather excuses. This was my first Olympic Distance since London in 2013 and boy didn’t I know it!
The water temperature was warm so it was my first ever lake swim with no wetsuit. No problem with the water temp but I felt slower than usual. Not bad time though under the circumstances, 35:50. At T1 I put on a shirt to protect back from sun. I am due to have another basel cell carcinoma removed on 25th July so more stitches. I also put on sox so T1 time was slow at 2:54.
Onto the bike to Ashford took it steady, no mishaps and covered the 40km in 1:26:55. T2 was quick 1:34 and onto the run. By now feeling very sluggish but on advice walked some of the steeper hills which paid off. Two laps of hilly cross country I plodded onwards to the end. 10km run was 1:06:48.
Overall time was 3:13: 43 so was pleasantly surprised and also a podium finish in 2nd in my Age Group so got a trophy. Well beaten by Mike Goddard who also beat me at Eton Dorney and is a brilliant runner.
All in all a good result, automatic qualification for Edmonton, Canada next year, if things at home don’t prevent me from going.