Category Archives: Swim

I am a triathlete

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Last night I dug out my wetsuit and drove up to the Tri2O Swim Centre at Reading Lake for their first evening opening of the year. Oli and the rest of the My Sporting Times gang were as friendly and welcoming as always, and the lake was clear, calm and warmish (more so than my first swim last year) at 14.5°C.

I managed 4 laps, Garmin says 3.2km (and TP says 3.5km from the same data!), in 53 minutes or so, and at least the first 750m wasn’t awful, something of a surprise when the last time I swam a proper stroke was in September!

I’m really feeling nervy and lacking confidence at the moment but driving home I realised something. I’m not a good swimmer. I’m also not a proper runner. And I’m definitely not a cyclist. But I’m doing alright at all three.

I am a triathlete.

Aquathlon Masterclass with Richard Stannard

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This morning’s aquathlon masterclass with Richard Stannard was really worthwhile. Lots of tips and tricks for open water starts and transition (he persuasively demonstrated that baby oil is the answer I have been looking for…), some useful sighting advice and swim technique lessons from “The Fish”, plus run technique and drills from India Lee – a huge amount to take in on a Saturday morning. Very inspiring.