South Cerney Olympic Triathlon
I have the dubious honour of being last out of the 1500m lake swim on Sunday at the South Cerney Tri. It was my first at this distance, and my first open water swim.
Needless to say, I was very nervous, especially when I saw the number of 'serious' triathletes. I always knew the swim would be the hardest part, and it certainly lived up to those expectations. I exited the lake to a huge round of applause from what appeared to be several hundred people waiting to start the sprint distance.
After apologising to them for holding them up, I eventually made it to transition and got going on the bike leg. It was about the flattest course you could wish for, and I managed to make up a few places before coming in for the three and a bit lap 10k run around the lake.
After what seemed like an interminable number of passes around the water, I made it to the finish having made up yet more places on the run. Just in time for the prize-giving (disappointingly there wasn't one for 'last out of swim'). It was a tough experience, but one I am sure I will be repeating. Jane Adlard.