My Triathlon Journey

Last Tuesday was the Sussex schools at Waterhall, Brighton. This was the Sussex finals race for Year 8 at 9 boys. There were over 200 people running in my race. It was just under 4.5km long and finishing in the top 20 would mean I would be able to race at the Southeast schools Inter Counties, at Reigate in Surrey. Also, a top 4 finish would automatically send those athletes to the Hop Farm, in Kent, to compete in the English Schools. I was really trying for a top 4 as it would mean being able to qualify for national events. Going into the race I wasn’t entirely sure what my competition would be like, but I was looking forward to it.

I arrived at the venue, near an hour and a half before. I was racing as home educated, and it was helpful because it meant I could prepare and get ready when, where and how I wanted to.  I signed on and collected my race number, then for a course walk to understand where I was going.

The Course

 My race consisted of about two 400m long laps (the A lap), then dropping down into another lap (the B lap), before heading out onto the bigger 3km main loop. The A and B laps were flat, however going onto the B lap you had to briefly drop into a 10 second gravel path, before taking a right hander, into the sloping side of the B lap.

The main lap went along a 700m slope – like the first part of lap B – quickly into a rooty singletrack for a few seconds, then up a really, steep 30% gradient hill! After that it swung round back down and all along the flat on the other side of the playing field.

The Race

The start was very congested, and the start gun went off unexpectedly. Despite this, I managed to be the first runner to the first corner. I had a very direct route, which was a big help. There was a small group of around five of us at the front for the two A laps as I hung towards the front of it. I was the first person going into the brief gravel path and up onto the B lap. By now it was three of us. I was feeling comfortable, and I knew I had to give a burst up the hill, if I were to break the others.

Going along the slope before the uphill, I gave a bit of a surge to see if I could put in any gap and then I powered up the hill giving me a lead of about 10-15 seconds over second place. As I ran down the hill, I felt like I was running for my life as I tried to get to each corner before he saw me.

Going onto the final straight I was pushing hard as I really wanted the win and didn’t want to lose it after how hard I pushed. With half a kilometre to go I wasn’t risking anything, and gave a last kick on the final straight, to take the win, with a good lead of 30 seconds.

I was super happy. Now I had the chance to represent Sussex at the South-East and English schools! It was my first-time being Sussex Schools Champion and I was looking forward to competing in the races to come. Next race up in the schools competitions is the South East Inter Counties at Reigate.