Elite Sponsorship Fund
Tim's story
European Age Group Sprint Triathlon Championships
Munich was a great venue for the European Age Group Sprint Triathlon Championships, which included a wide range of other events - athletics, cycling and gymnastics.
My race in the 55-59 age group started with a 750m open water lake swim. That water was 21 degrees, which means wetsuits were optional, but given most people swim faster in one, only one athlete in my age group swam non-wetsuits, and it wasn't me!
Swim, bike and run
I exited the water in 11 1/2 minutes, a little behind the lead athletes, but had a good 2-minute transition and set to work trying to make up some time on the bike. It was a pan-flat course and after 10 minutes of hard work I caught up with a group and we worked together for the rest of the bike section.
We soon entered the Munich Olympic Park, which marked the finish of the 22km bike (I completed it in 34 minutes) and transition 2. I had a good 1-minute transition and set off on the run ahead of the others in my bike pack. The 5k run through the Olympic Park was hilly, but nobody passed me and I ran it in 19 minutes 40 seconds.
I crossed the line 4th in my age group in 1hr & 8 minutes. I couldn't have gone any harder, but frustrating to miss out on the podium by less than a minute. A bit more work is needed in the pool this winter and maybe next time, but no regrets.
Big thanks to CSSC for their help through the Elite Sports Fund and my family for all their support and encouragement and for putting up with all my training, triathlon can be quite a selfish sport!
- Tim
