Feeling good and in the best shape I have ever been in. I headed out on Thursday 23rd of September in the early morning to Valencia for the European Sprint Triathlon championships which was my debut for the GB Triathlon team. This was always a dream which was about to come true as I never thought I would be good at Triathlon.

Feeling good and in the best shape I have ever been in. I headed out on Thursday 23rd of September in the early morning to Valencia for the European Sprint Triathlon championships which was my debut for the GB Triathlon team. This was always a dream which was about to come true as I never thought I would be good at Triathlon.

I had big targets and this was to target the podium; I know that was ambitious but I always think aim high to achieve great things. Deep down I would be over the moon with a top 10 finish.

Arrived at our hotel in Valencia and the first thing I wanted to do is put my bike back together. I am clueless with bikes so this was always going to be hard for me. So I put the wheels on, struggled with the back wheel but watched a Youtube video and after a while my wife and I managed to sort it. I then put the pedals on and I was happy it was sorted as it was a bit stressful. However I then found the back wheel was rubbing against the bakes and panic mode started. I tried to relax and phoned a friend who was doing the race too and he said he would come and have a look later. I also facetimed a friend who was competing as a guide for the paratriathlon race and he said he would have a look if my friend couldn’t so I had options. After panicking which isn’t good before a race my friend came over and sorted it. I had done the wheel up too tight and not positioned it right. It was a simple fix and now I know for next time.

Anyway I registered later, I was very shattered from travelling so registered the day I got there and relaxed the following day. I always register as early as I can get it out the way and relax. I went for an easy 10 minute run with Mel and did a 30 minute easy bike ride round the course Friday morning but I could feel I was very tired so I rested the rest of the day and to prepare for tomorrows race. I had to get out and check the bike was working fine so I didn’t turn up to the race with problems.

The following day was race day; yikes. I woke up at 5.30am for the race and felt tired still but not a lot I could do but just control what I could control as it was an early race start. I always make sure I am fully woken up, eaten and fully hydrated. I checked into transition and we all had to wear masks until we started the race. I couldn’t warm up because we were enclosed and I knew this would affect me. Anyway, we started the race and it was a Time Trial format due to COVID. We lined up one by one, I was very nervous and shaking, I had to remind myself I have done this before but this was my dream come true race. As I was about to start I got emotional as this was my dream. I dived in – well attempted to – I felt good swimming but when I came out into transition I felt too fresh in the swim. I realised it wasn’t my normal swim time when I looked at my watch, this could be because it was a non-wetsuit swim. I didn’t panic as I got onto the bike; I found the bike course tricky as there was some scary tight turns but I gave the bike everything I could and came onto the run and pushed as hard as I could. I negative split and gave everything, I saw a Spanish athlete near the line celebrating so I sprinted to get passed him and did so. Of course it was Time Trial format so I didn’t know where I finished but when I crossed the line and checked my watch I knew I did the best I could as my time was 1:04:56. I finished 9th in my Age Group and 3rd Brit in my Age Group which has given me an automatic spot for next year at the European Championships. I had the fastest run time in my age group too so I was very happy with that. I wasn’t far off the podium timewise and I believe it’s possible for next year, so very happy with my performance overall.

When looking back I had a great race but my swim was a good minute off I normally swim and found that when I don’t have a warm up my swim suffers which was the case for a few races this year so I will have a look at what I can do when I can’t warm up. My bike has improved but I know if I keep working hard I have more to come on the bike and the run I am very happy with. There are many positives from this race to take on to the 2022 season and also a lot of things I can work on. It was good to see how I faired up in this race so I can build for next year.

I was very proud and my dream came true; I was over the moon with my placing and performance, it goes to show if you believe in yourself and keep working hard for it, it will pay off and your dreams come true. I have had a great season this year and looking forward to next year ticking off all my goals when I make my debut at the World Sprint Triathlon Championships in Montreal.

Check out my YouTube video about the European Sprint Triathlon Championships HERE

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Yiannis Christodoulou

NHS Performance analyst from Canterbury

Age group: 40-44
Club: Canterbury Harriers, Ashford Triathlon Club, GB Age group team, Age group 2017 Aquathlon team captain
Coach: My self in running Level 2 coach in running fitness, Craig Coggle Strength coach, John Wood Swimming coach

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