On Sunday 29th June I was in Pontevedra, Spain, racing the World Long Distance Triathlon championships for team GBR in my age group.

It was a 3km swim – in a tidal river, 120 km bike up and down x 3 and 4081 ft of elevation and 30km run – 4 x lap on a flat course. The temp was around 39C.I had never raced this distance before and was going in the hope of completing it – especially in that heat. I had failed 2 years previously in Ibiza due to choppy sea.

I totally exceeded all of my expectations and won a Silver medal completing it in 8hrs 28 mins. Wow !

I was very dehydrated after and needed some medical reassurance as I had never felt my whole body fizz before including my lips !I drank 4.5 litres of water with hydration tabs on the bike and didn’t need a wee – which is a very unusual for me and probably an early indication of the heat/ water loss!

On the run I stopped at every water station and also got a full hose pipe shower every mile, it was so hot .

It took a while for my body to sort itself – my friend said my symptoms were like overdoing drinking alcohol. So I basically gave myself a 4 day hangover, bear in mind I don’t drink!

Build up to it had also raced an AG World Middle distance Duathlon 10 km run , 60 m bilke, 10 km run in Alsdorf in Germany in April . Run around a park 4 times, closed road – amazing tarmac bike x 3 laps , then back around the park x 4. I loved this and finished super happy. I got 5th.

In May I went to National and British Standard Distance Triathlon Champs at Burghley. That was fun to, with a lake swim, Out and back closed roads bike – which was carnage with rather a lot of bikes in one place going fast at the same time, and run around the grounds x 2. I got a Bronze at these Champs.

I am really happy. Sometimes training is tough and I really get so nervous pre – racing, – contemplating my life choices. I then wonder why I do it. But so far this year I’ve actually enjoyed it .

I do need to thank a few people.

Rob – Hubby for supporting me daily and coming to Burghley and Pontevedra as my Mechanic, Soigner, PA and general wise word giver….

Scott who has given me a new perspective on training and coaching which has been amazing – and obviously race rewarding – thank you so much – but he isn’t a fan of social rides for cake on a RD! – everyone needs one flaw …