We headed to Rutland Water on Friday afternoon with Jason, Sara, Izzy, Tom, Paul and Purna for a spot of camping by the lake in readiness for the early race start on Saturday morning. The Vitruvian this year was also the Middle Distance National Championships and consisted of a 1.9km swim, 85km bike and 21km run.Luckily we had good weather (which lasted all weekend), and Chris was definitely ready for the early gun on Saturday morning since our kids had decided to get up at 4.30am!
Jason's wave started and Chris went about 10 minutes later at 7am. The swim seemed to be over in a flash (well, for us spectators!) and they headed out onto the two lap bike course. Just enough time for us to head back to the tents for tea and a fried egg buttie. Chris didn't look totally relaxed when we saw him half way through the run but appeared far more comfortable during the second run lap round the lake. (Turned out he spent the first few miles running feeling very sick and dodgy, all those rolling hills on the bike?) Jason looked very composed which was great as he had spent all week feeling rotten and hadn't been able to run properly for the last few weeks due to an injury.
Jason finished in 5.11.51 (41.13, 2.46.30, 1.38.24) with Izzy in tow
Chris flew in a few minutes later in 5.02.56 (35.21, 2.42.33, 1.41.40) with Indie and Kofi
Paul and I then did a lap of the bike course in the afternoon (for fun? no, got New Forest tri in two weeks and bit behind on the old training as usual!) before an evening of cider, chilli and tired legs by the tents. Had a nice amble round the lake this morning with Purna before a speedy journey back to reality in Kent.
