2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final – Edmonton Canada (20-24 AG Sprint)
From Army Inter services Road Support Race Champion to representing Great Britain internationally, as an age group Triathlete in less than 12 months. I never dreamed back then, how far this sport could take me in such a short time. But when opportunity turns up, you have to seize it. So when an email from British Triathlon pinged into my inbox, informing me that I had gained a straight qualification to the World Sprint Championships, I grabbed it with both hands.
It was great to be back in Canada, representing my country again, only this time in a different uniform.
Race Day Friday 29 August 2014
Race morning started off 5 o’clock dead! The Great Britain Sprint team headed down stairs in the hotel to the VIP breakfast suite where we slowly ate, hydrated and prepared ourselves for what was to come. For some, this might be a once in a life time opportunity. For most of us it was, at the very least, the most important race of our careers so far. Soon afterwards we left the hotel to catch the train, then the bus towards the venue at scenic Hawrelak Park and the river valley. (The Rally in the Valley as the local publicity called it).
I rolled up early to complete my transition prep. My bike had already been racked the previous day to make transport simpler on race day. As I arrived at transition, my helmet, tri-suit and wetsuit were checked along with all competitor numbers printed on my arms, helmet, bike and wetsuit. This done, I headed over to my racking and saw it labelled with my number, country and name 20184 GB Bradbury. Two things struck me then. A quiet sense of pride and a much noisier realisation that this was actually real! After only 12 months of – admittedly – hard training and competition, how did I deserve to be there? But I was and I planned to make the most of what turned out to be the hardest race of my life.
Race Time! The 16-19 AG men were out and onto their bikes and the 16-19 women were nearing the end of their swim. Now it was our turn. We lined up on the Beach of Hawrelak Lake for the 750m swim that was the first leg of our race. We were instructed to keep one foot on the pontoon until the horn sounded. It did, and we were off! 3 short strides and the longest jump and dive you could manage, to gain as much as you could on the other competitors. Nobody wants to end up in an elbow fight with other competitors all wanting the same spot! The swim took slightly longer than expected and was a hard swim at that. I pushed my way to the far left to aim for a pencil straight line, to ensure I saved every second and to avoid using up energy in the churn of the pack (shoal?) of other swimmers. Unfortunately I missed the pack veering slightly right and so lost a fair bit of drafting opportunity.
I came out of the swim absolutely shattered. I hauled myself out of the water, up the ramp and off towards transition, which was 600m away. I pulled my wetsuit down to my waist, whipped off my swim cap, dropped my goggles into my cap and I was off, sprinting to my bike. I started kicking off my wetsuit while putting my helmet on to save time, then belted for the exit and fly-mounted my bike at speed. I overhauled 10 competitors just changing equipment. That was a good transition.
What sadist came up with the start of that bike course? Straight out of transition and into a hill climb of 18% gradient! This made it almost impossible to clip your feet in before you ran out of gears. Still, I managed and after getting up there, was faced with a long gradual motor downhill on Saskatchewan Drive, allowing me to pick up speed to help get over the next hill and bridge. The wind up there was horrendous and it seemed at the time like I had a parachute on my bike that was dragging me backwards. Then it was up yet another hill, though happily this time not so steep. “Steady away on your left!” I shouted as I hauled in another racer. (British Triathlon Federation rules if you are overtaking somebody – so you don’t draft and incur a one minute penalty).
After two hard-wind fought laps I headed for transition ready for the run. I jumped off my bike at the dismount line, ensuring I was not penalised for an overshoot and ran in. Rack my bike, helmet off, running trainers on and I’m outta there.
As I left transition I turned my race number round then it was out onto the 5km undulating road course. The first kilometre was great, flying along the hard standing with Mayfair Golf Course on one side and the river on the other, then a swift about turn onto a slippery and uneven sand gravel track which made up the middle part of the run. Once I had dealt with that, it was back onto proper road again for an out and back last 1.5km of pure best effort towards the Grandstand, which was packed with athletes and supporters from all competing nations. I picked up my pace once again to pure threshold for a big finish. I was in a world of my own crossing that line, placing 10th GB Triathlete and 52nd In the World.
It was a hard race, but it taught me a lot and I intend to make full use of that experience next season and beyond. Which hopefully will involve more races in GB colours.
All this would not of been possible with out the support of my family mainly my supper supprtive wife Selina who has attended all my races except this be it 4oclock start or rain and slete and ofcouse little son leo my main supporter.
Sponsors Onit sports south Wales Cycling shop for my bike fit and maintenance ensure if your in the area you pop by you won’t regret it. Stef pang your a legend! And the best mechanic in town Nathan hunt 🙂 Www.onitsports.Co.uk
Beet it nitrate shots for the correct nutrition and super energy worth every penny! Www.beet-it.com
Army Triathlon association for the set up, the team, the support and the mural through several training weekends and overseas training camps I am where I am because you have pushed me! Special mention to Tony Ireland, Ian Phillips, Keith Snell and glynn painter on your time and effort you have spared. And not forgetting the guy who took me away from Road Racing to “try a Triathlon” because he needed an extra team member to ensure he got his team medal Billy Webb! Always there for me trust me it’s appreciated cheers buddy!
Michael Bradbury 