Yesterday was the second RAF Sprint Triathlon at RAF Odiham. I am astounded that I managed to race so strongly! I nearly didn't make it as Julie has been quite poorly. I won't go into details here but she has been suffering with a long term illness since the birth of our first daughter in 1998! Finally, it looks like she is going to receive the treatment that should put things under control. Anyway, in order to get to Odiham I had to bring my 2 girls with me - my very own fan club!
I sometimes wonder how I manage to train and race to the level that I am at. I know that there are many guys far faster than me but, with all that goes on in my life, I still wonder how the old body takes the beating I give it! This is where I talk about my faith! And it is not often easy to do so! My blog intro says that I am a Christian; that means that I believe what happened when Jesus was on the Earth 2000 years ago. I believe that my body is a weak temporary vessel and I will go to Heaven. Now this is a VERY basic explanation! Please ask if you would like more detail!
My point is, my body is weak and I am blessed by the grace of God to be able to enjoy the feeling of physically pushing myself to the limit whilst competing at triathlon. So to get the best out of my weak vessel I am powered by the grace of God. I draw strength from my faith whilst I race.....that means unlimited strength and power (combined with some decent nutrition of course!!). Always happy to chat 8-)
Onto the race report. Great weather, as always at Odiham! I thought that the organisers did a fantastic job because the course had to be changed at the last minute due to roadworks. My swim was totally average - normal for me! Young Jamie elliot was next to me in the pool and he shot through the water like a torpedo! He was way ahead of me and he seemed to have a slick transition too. I managed to catch him quite quickly on the bike - I was spurred on after reports that an Army guy had set a very quick time in an earlier start wave. My plan was simple: push to the limit from the off and when it felt like I was going to blow up.....push some more!!! The bike was a 2 lap course which was either up hill or down hill! Some parts through the town held me up a bit but I am sure other people suffered the same delay. I feared that my legs would be shot after pushing the bike so hard. However, half a mile into the run I knew that the run legs were there. As I finished, I was not sure if I had done enough to match the Army triathlete; to be honest, it mattered not as I had really enjoyed the race. First 7 places as follows - phew! Just kept the Army at bay:
1 Mark Saggers 1:03:15
2 A Horsfall 1:04:48 (Army)
3 Jamie Elliot 1:08:08
4 Jon Leigh 1:08:25
5 Nige Porter 1:08:29
6 A Garrick 1:08:51 (Army)
7 Sam Wright 1:08:56
The official full results should be out on the RAF Tri website shortly. Next race is the RAF Olympic Distance Champs at Rutland Water. Check out the poll and predict a winner! the real RAF fast men should be out for this race! Catch you all later!
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5 comments:
Another win for the Sagster, can this man be stopped? Is A N Other code for Mark Saggers?
Seriously though well done mate on another great race. Perhaps you could run a pole on will Daz be sick or injured!
Na, can't see my competing with you fast guys! Tick over until Dambuster dude; you have the training in the bank. You just need to mend the injury and stay healthy........ you must be so frustrated!
I reckon it was your fan club that gave you the edge on the day - I trust they were suitably impressed when you won? Or did you get the "oh, another dust collector" or similar comment?
I will be spectating at Dambuster so am looking forward to a hard fought battle. My money's on .....
And I'll bring my camera - you can't beat pictures of triathletes at their best - all covered in sweat and sn0t!!!
I think you got the psychological edge on Wednesday. Firstly, you genuinely thought you might not be able to race, so the race itself was a bonus. Secondly, you knew the second placed Army guy had put in a fast time, so you had a precise goal to chase. Thirdly, you're a great athlete who has done loads of good quality training. Dambuster is going to be a good race, for the RAF men and women.
Too true Irongirl. Well done Sags, that's an awesome margin over the rest of the RAF :-).
I'm getting my excuses in early for Dambuster (following Sags' trick in the hope I get the same result!) I've had a nasty respiratory infection since flying home last week ...
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