My first Sprint Triathlon Age Group European Championships

It’s almost a month since my race, I am only just now getting round to writing my blog on the event. Why? It was just such an amazing experience with so much going on, I just didn’t know where to start! Since I qualified back in May 2016, this has been constantly on my mind. My training had all been based around the long-term goal of being at my absolute fittest and peak for this race. It didn’t disappoint….

Thursday 22nd June I began my journey with mum at Heathrow Airport. I was so excited, it was finally here! I loved our “spot the GB kit game” at the airport and soon got speaking to some fellow triathletes. My fiancé Ross was driving over to Dusseldorf which meant I didn’t have the hassle of getting my bike on the plane or carrying lots of kit. You may think what a great fiancé, which yes he is, but the real reason he was driving was to have a boys road trip to Europe; stop off on the way for a few beers and take the new van for a good spin!

Team GB hotel by night

I decided to spoil myself a bit on this trip and booked into the official Team GB hotel which was a stunning hotel right in the harbour area of the city and was the perfect location for the pre-race activities that followed. It wasn’t quite plain sailing for me at this point. I came away from the race briefing feeling more confused about what was going on than ever. I let the worry and faffing of the other athletes get me a bit and ended up in a state of panic. There was a rumour it was a non-wetsuit swim but I had never raced non-wetsuit before and practiced a couple of times in my life! I then wanted to test my bike out so next I headed out on the German roads on my own with no idea where I was going. I lack confidence on the bike so this was terrifying for me. All this worry and anxiety had built up in me and I was feeling stressed, and not in a good way!

I was lucky enough to have so many friends and family that had invited themselves over to support. I had 12 supporters in total come race day! They all arrived at different times over the weekend and it felt great. When I wanted my own space, or needed to get stuff done, I left them drinking German beer in a bar but when I wanted support or some switch off and relax time, they very much there for me.

I had my usual pre-race routine of an early dinner, foam roll and stretch, my stuff laid out ready for the morning and an early night planned. I was as prepared as I wanted to be which made me a lot less nervous than I could have been. I never have a problem sleeping so before I knew it, the 5.30am alarm had gone off. It was race day! I ate my porridge pots and usual breakfast food I brought from home and walked over to the transition area. It was announced that wetsuits were optional which was a no brainer for me…..The wetsuit was most definitely going on! Just then, my friends revealed a HUGE banner saying “GO GEMMA!” with a photo of my face on it! I felt so overwhelmed I began to cry. A German official soon slapped me round the backside and told me to get in the zone. And that I did….I was race ready.

Waiting to get in the water, I could feel lots of nervous energy surrounding me. At this point I have to thank a fellow athlete I met in Dusseldorf, Victoria Elmer. She gave me the sound advice of “it’s like any other triathlon” and “if you’re feeling good when you’re swimming, you’re not working hard enough”. She also gave me a spot on the very outside of the group to start in the water. This calmed me a little and I had a great start to the swim. I am not one of the fastest swimmers, so I waited 2–3 seconds after the gun went to swim to avoid the fight. This, along with being on the outside of the group and Victoria’s advice, contributed to me having a really great swim. I had never pushed it so much on the swim, so much so that in the last 100m I could barely turn my arms over anymore. I didn’t have to stop once to empty my goggles of water, pull my hat down, avoid someone or to look where I am going. I usually do all of these things in a race which no doubt slows me down each time.

Next came the longest transition ever! Up about 60 steps and a 500m run, half on cobbles. I think this played to my strengths as I must have overtaken about 6 or 7 athletes whilst running to my bike and I almost had my wetsuit off by the time I got there. Things were going well.

Out on my bike I go. The part I dread the most. My aim was for my legs to be in the most pain they have ever been in during a race. My speed was higher than usual and I even overtook some female athletes on the bike. This hardly ever happens. On the straight and flat my speed was higher than usual. This was going so well! I took it easy round the corners having seen so many competitors come off their bike. However with hindsight, I was probably too cautious and should have kept my speed up a little higher. I made it back to transition in one piece and now for the part I really enjoy…..

The run was a two lap, flat course which is my favourite type of course. My running pace had been on the up in training and I knew I was capable of holding a certain pace. Looking at my watch and I was even faster than I thought I was and feeling like I could hang on. In every race there is a point in the run where my mind tells me to slow down or stop. I did my best not to listen to that voice and push on. With 1.5km to go I absolutely went for it, overtaking along the way. I crossed the finish line with arms held high in the air, a look up to Dad, a scream of pain, quads just about seizing up and feeling sick. I HAD DONE IT! Not only that, I had had an almost perfect race. I knew I had done my very best and enjoyed every minute of it. The race exceeded all my expectations and I was on a complete high. Even writing this now gives me goose bumps. It was such a great feeling!

Celebrating with mum!

Throughout the race I saw and heard all of my supporters many times. This really did keep me going and I’m convinced made me go faster. It was great knowing I had so much support there and I really do have the best friends and family anyone could ask for. I have also received many comments about my support crew and the banner. They definitely won the gold medal in the support crew stakes! I had a great time celebrating with friends and family after, I couldn’t have asked for a better day all round!

Dusseldorf was such an amazing experience and without a doubt I want to do more age group races and push on upwards from here. Please watch this space to find out what is up for me next…..!

Gemma Elliott-Wetton

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Team GB Age Group triathlete and duathlete. My journey to my first European championships 2017

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