Sally takes on Europe's best triathletes

"...What an experience and what a packed 4 days! I've never felt so utterly exhausted after a race, but it was a fab experience.

We left on Wednesday to give plenty of time to recce the course and try and relax, ready for the race on Sunday. The flight to Munich was short, the transfer to Kitzbuhel less so, getting us there at 9pm. Fortunately our hunt to find the nearest restaurant was fruitful, finding one a mere 10m away! We chose a quiet table in the corner, a corner that became a tad less quiet when the previously blank TV screen burst into life for the Spain match, at which point our quiet little corner became a Spanish enclave as we were joined by the whole of the Spanish Triathlon team. All of whom demonstrated exactly how much food a 60kg dedicated athlete can put away in one sitting. Even I was surprised!

On Thursday we met up with some people we 'd met on the transfer to Kitzbuhel and walked down to the lake for the age group (AG) swim practise. This sounds a bit grander than what it actually turned out to be, as the lake was open to everyone, with no changing facilities, so bags and wetsuits were just abandoned everywhere. The course was set for the sprint triathlon so we did 1 lap, and as we didn't know whether it would be a wetsuit swim or not for our race we did another without - which was very pleasant.

The afternoon was spent doing the bike recce, where we got to see the hills for the 1st time and there were 3 enormous ones! Which we had to do twice! And a very technical descent, which is my worst nightmare, and which claimed a few casualties of the broken collarbone variety on race day.

Unfortunately the rain came on Friday, so we didn't rush down to breakfast, which was just as well, as Alistair Brownlee was down there. I didn't want to disturb him so waited until he had his breakfast before I expertly stalked him into reception, where I then pounced on him to get a photo - i'm not normally a stalker, but this was an opportunity not to be missed!

I went back to the lake for another swim and to watch the end of the Age Group sprint race. I returned to meet up with Phil at the hotel, but who should be in reception but my new best friend Ali, waiting for a break in the rain before going out for a run. Another opportunity not to be missed, so I stopped for a quick natter. Phil can wait...

The elite women went in the afternoon and another long trek back down to the lake to watch the start, which was an incredible sight, as 40-odd women jostled for position in the swim. We watched the australian exit that separated their two laps, and left them to their second to get back to town to watch them on the ride, which weaved through the cobbled streets. It was throwing it down with rain at this point and I didn't envy them one bit!

The final job for friday was to register and pick up my race pack. It was feeling all very real at that point!

On Saturday we had our race briefing - 30 minutes of non-stop information a good deal of which was about how to avoid a penalty. Not quite the "put your bike there, the lake's over there, and finish is up here" type I've been used to! Again, all very, very real now!

Saturday afternoon was another (bl**dy long!) walk back to the lake - this time to watch my new best friend Ali compete in (and win) the Men's Elite race. The sun had come out so it was non wetsuit swim for them. The crowds were incredible, but I managed to get a good viewing point overlooking the start pontoon. The start of the swim was frantic and 1 of the Portugese came out of the water as if he'd been shot, he finally had to be rescued so his race was over after 100metres, even the professionals have bad swims which is comforting!
Once the men started on their 2nd lap of the swim we walked up the road to get a good viewing point for the bike then the run. The bike ended up as 1 large group but once on the run, Alistair was in a league of his own, the gap he created over the others was incredible and only got bigger as the race progressed . After the race we walked back to the hotel (which was a long way, did I mention that?!) and I collected my bike and rode down to the start to rack the bike, ready for the morning's race. I left my bike and slowly walked back to the hotel - I was getting fed up of this walking!

Sunday, the alarm went off at 5am, but unsurprisingly, I was already awake, a mixture of nerves and excitement taking care of alarm duties. The reason for this unfriendly hour was that the last time we would be allowed into transition for final prep was 7am. My wave didn't start until 8:53, so I was left with a couple of hours to kill, which isn't so easy when you're dressed in a wetsuit and only have a pair of goggles for company. I chatted to some of my fellow competitors - less friendly now, as race-faces were starting to make appearances.

Finally the time came for me to get into the swim area with the other 32 white caps! When our time came we were led out to the pontoon, instructed to sit down, then to get in the water and finally to hold onto the pontoon. The music started and when we were off! My aim was to swim the entire 1,500metres without any of hiccups that interrupted previous events.

Towards the end of my swim the leading men from the next wave came past, but thankfully not over, me and I sneaked a look at my watch - the time started with a 2 so I was pleased with that. The run to transition was full of people all shouting and cheering - it was amazing.

Out on the bike, the 1st lap passed quicker than I thought and the second was equally incident free, which I was thankful for as I passed a few people walking their bikes back to transition. Finally the run - I hadn't had a chance to recce this, so was a bit surprised how hilly it was, given we were running around the lake! Apparently, very little in Kitzbuhel is flat! But once I got going, apart from sounding like I was going to die it was OK, the last lap I managed to get past 2 girls in my Age group, unfortunately the 2nd one came back past in the finishing Shute as I had nothing left.

Finally the finish line! And beer was the reward - a reward I declined in favour of water and cake ( or it might have been cake, then water!)

I finished 27th out of the 32 starters in my age group. I knew troubling the podium wasn't on the agenda in this company - my aim was to finish and to enjoy it, both of which were achieved, and as Phil said - that puts me in the top 30 in my age group - in Europe! Well, perhaps... but my aim was to enjoy it which I did.

We met some lovely people, the atmosphere of the whole weekend was incredible and everyone was so friendly. I now have a green bobble hat to wear - cant have better than that!

We finally got home at 1am on Monday morning. I have never felt so exhausted, nor exhilarated after a race. A truly awesome experience and one that showed me what I can achieve when I set my mind to something. I just have to decide what's next....

Event / Article Type
ETU European Triathlon Championship Kitzbuhel
Sally representing team GBR in Kitzbuhel