6th September 2015-British Triathlon Under 20's Festival
Swim:
Very hectic and rough until the 1st buoy but after that, pretty good.
Cycle:
After a great transition, I was into the 2nd bike pack which I was really happy with. My legs gave away after chasing down the group a 3rd time out of a technical corner. From then, I got dropped by 2 more bike packs.
Run:
I had a pretty good 2nd transition but struggled from the very start on the run. I was in survival mode and could barely breath. Disappointing end to the season. I finished in 38th place, almost 3 minutes behind 1st place.
Results once you click the link, scroll down to find the excel document.
Thank you to Zone3 for being my swim sponsor this year. I would also like to thank The Dave Aitchison fund for financial support. My sports profile on sports aid can be found here. Also helping me financially is the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust whose website is here
I want to say a big thank you to my friends, family and coaches for helping and supporting me this season. I would like to give a special thank you to my athletics club Highgate Harriers and my coach Chris Rainsford for helping me improve a lot at my running. Also, thank you to Jon Horsman, Ed Simpson and Jim Desmond from the London Regional Training Squad for inviting me to some tough sessions and always giving advice. Thank you to Tom Bennet for giving me expert advice and pointing out what I need to do to improve and James Beckinsale for giving me advice and inviting me on training camp which was an amazing (and difficult) experience.
Sunday 13 September 2015
30th August 2015- London Fields Aquathlon
Swim:
I had the fastest swim in the 50m Lido and started my swim in the lane right next to a professional triathlete who trains at my swimming club.
Run:
We were instructed not to run until we reached the tarmac. This was unfortunate but the worst thing was that I started the run way too fast because I felt like I had recovered in the walk out of transition. My first 2 laps were really quick but I really payed for it in the last 2 laps. I summoned up every ounce of energy to keep going but ended up 5 seconds behind Michael Eagling.
I couldn't find the results
Swim:
I had the fastest swim in the 50m Lido and started my swim in the lane right next to a professional triathlete who trains at my swimming club.
Run:
We were instructed not to run until we reached the tarmac. This was unfortunate but the worst thing was that I started the run way too fast because I felt like I had recovered in the walk out of transition. My first 2 laps were really quick but I really payed for it in the last 2 laps. I summoned up every ounce of energy to keep going but ended up 5 seconds behind Michael Eagling.
I couldn't find the results
8th August 2015- AJ Bell London Triathlon 2015
Swim:
Despite the lack of swimming on holiday, I had a decent swim. I started dying in the second half but otherwise, I was pretty happy. After exiting the water, I was greeted by a bunch of volunteers with bags to put the wetsuits inside before entering the building.
Bike:
I couldn't find my legs and really struggled on the bike. I couldn't breath properly because I had a blocked nose. Quite a good course and very technical on some of the turns.
Run:
By the time I got onto the run, I had very little energy left. For the first time this season, I took water from the aid stations. Usually, I feel good on the run but now I was just getting overtaken by everyone. By the time I reached the inside of the building, I was really struggling. Another bad race unfortunately but considering I had just been on holiday, I tried to be positive. I finished 26th and was over 5 minutes behind the winner.
Results
My swim sponsor Zone3 was sponsoring the event and had a stand in the main hall too. You can check out their products here
Swim:
Despite the lack of swimming on holiday, I had a decent swim. I started dying in the second half but otherwise, I was pretty happy. After exiting the water, I was greeted by a bunch of volunteers with bags to put the wetsuits inside before entering the building.
Bike:
I couldn't find my legs and really struggled on the bike. I couldn't breath properly because I had a blocked nose. Quite a good course and very technical on some of the turns.
Run:
By the time I got onto the run, I had very little energy left. For the first time this season, I took water from the aid stations. Usually, I feel good on the run but now I was just getting overtaken by everyone. By the time I reached the inside of the building, I was really struggling. Another bad race unfortunately but considering I had just been on holiday, I tried to be positive. I finished 26th and was over 5 minutes behind the winner.
Results
My swim sponsor Zone3 was sponsoring the event and had a stand in the main hall too. You can check out their products here
18th July 2015- Mallory Park Test Event
Swim:
Best swim all season and came out with 3 other boys in the first group.
Cycle:
After not being able to find my bike in transition, I was unable to catch up to the lead group but worked well with the others to try and catch up. Overall, the bike leg was really good but really hot at the same time.
Run:
I really am stupid. I couldn't find my bike rack for the second time in a 20 minutes. I lost time again and had to chase hard. I managed to run myself into 4th place, just behind 3rd. Really dissappointed with this race as I let myself down on technical aspects rather than physical which just meant that I needed to work even harder.
I couldn't find the results anywhere unfortunately.
Swim:
Best swim all season and came out with 3 other boys in the first group.
Cycle:
After not being able to find my bike in transition, I was unable to catch up to the lead group but worked well with the others to try and catch up. Overall, the bike leg was really good but really hot at the same time.
Run:
I really am stupid. I couldn't find my bike rack for the second time in a 20 minutes. I lost time again and had to chase hard. I managed to run myself into 4th place, just behind 3rd. Really dissappointed with this race as I let myself down on technical aspects rather than physical which just meant that I needed to work even harder.
I couldn't find the results anywhere unfortunately.
11th July 2015- Optima Aquathlon
Swim:
It was an interesting swim to say the least. At the end of every 2 lengths in a 33 meter pool, everyone had to tap a float that the marshal in that lane was holding up. I was pretty much head to head with Matthew Kossatz the whole way.
Run:
After an awful transition, I started catching up to Matthew but started really struggling. I didn't want to show him this so I made an extra effort as I passed him, hoping that I would tire him out in the process. I felt absolutely exhausted as I got to my last lap of the run but managed to keep my lead. I was awarded my prize by non other then Gillian Sanders who competes in the ITU and raced in the Olympics!!!
Results
Swim:
It was an interesting swim to say the least. At the end of every 2 lengths in a 33 meter pool, everyone had to tap a float that the marshal in that lane was holding up. I was pretty much head to head with Matthew Kossatz the whole way.
Run:
After an awful transition, I started catching up to Matthew but started really struggling. I didn't want to show him this so I made an extra effort as I passed him, hoping that I would tire him out in the process. I felt absolutely exhausted as I got to my last lap of the run but managed to keep my lead. I was awarded my prize by non other then Gillian Sanders who competes in the ITU and raced in the Olympics!!!
Results
5th July 2015- Eton Dorney Supertri 2015
Swim:
I decided no to wear a wetsuit so I could have a faster transition. This was the wrong choice because I got left behind a lot on the swim. Note to self: take the wetsuit next time. As James Beckinsale says "wetsuits are your friend"
Bike:
I had to work really hard to catch even the 3rd bike pack because as soon as I jumped on my bike, I crashed into some railings. Apart from that, I worked well with the group and caught the 2nd bike pack. At the start of the 2nd lap, there was a huge crash witch I managed to avoid by a few tyre widths but we couldn't catch the 2 boys who had broken away.
Run:
The run was fast from the start. After another shocking transition, I had to chase people down from my own group before starting the hunt on the leaders. Greg Atkins had a bit of an "Iron War" moment on the run and soon caught up with 4th place. 1st place was a bit far so it was a battle for 2nd place. I gave it absolutely everything and managed to pull clear with about 50 meters left. Hardest run ever but 27 seconds behind the winner.
Results
Swim:
I decided no to wear a wetsuit so I could have a faster transition. This was the wrong choice because I got left behind a lot on the swim. Note to self: take the wetsuit next time. As James Beckinsale says "wetsuits are your friend"
Bike:
I had to work really hard to catch even the 3rd bike pack because as soon as I jumped on my bike, I crashed into some railings. Apart from that, I worked well with the group and caught the 2nd bike pack. At the start of the 2nd lap, there was a huge crash witch I managed to avoid by a few tyre widths but we couldn't catch the 2 boys who had broken away.
Run:
The run was fast from the start. After another shocking transition, I had to chase people down from my own group before starting the hunt on the leaders. Greg Atkins had a bit of an "Iron War" moment on the run and soon caught up with 4th place. 1st place was a bit far so it was a battle for 2nd place. I gave it absolutely everything and managed to pull clear with about 50 meters left. Hardest run ever but 27 seconds behind the winner.
Results
28th June 2015- Trinity Triathlon
Swim:
It was a pool swim and I got held up a bit on the last few lengths. Otherwise happy and a good swim and had fastest time in my category.
Bike:
After a pretty good transition, I started the bike course. It was 5 laps of an out and back course which was good because you could see who you were losing or gaining on. Greg Atkins and I were inching forward back and forth on each lap and both had a similar bike split.
Run:
I knew this race would be close because I had been out on the bike course with the rest of the competitors. I ran very hard and the last 2 laps of 6 were very hard. When I finished, like I always do, I went t print off my results (after gasping for air and fighting the urge to throw up for a few minutes) and I saw that I was second place. I was pretty sure I had finished 1st because I saw all the people out on the course. It turns out I ran an extra lap! There was unfortunately nothing that could be done because it was my fault. Fortunately, I wasn't the only one who had misunderstood the instructions (which was a relief) as lots of other people made the same mistake. In fact 2nd, 3rd and 4th all ran too much. Next time, I'll double check with the officials but I was upset because I had pushed hard and had a good race. I finished 22 seconds behind 1st.
Results
Swim:
It was a pool swim and I got held up a bit on the last few lengths. Otherwise happy and a good swim and had fastest time in my category.
Bike:
After a pretty good transition, I started the bike course. It was 5 laps of an out and back course which was good because you could see who you were losing or gaining on. Greg Atkins and I were inching forward back and forth on each lap and both had a similar bike split.
Run:
I knew this race would be close because I had been out on the bike course with the rest of the competitors. I ran very hard and the last 2 laps of 6 were very hard. When I finished, like I always do, I went t print off my results (after gasping for air and fighting the urge to throw up for a few minutes) and I saw that I was second place. I was pretty sure I had finished 1st because I saw all the people out on the course. It turns out I ran an extra lap! There was unfortunately nothing that could be done because it was my fault. Fortunately, I wasn't the only one who had misunderstood the instructions (which was a relief) as lots of other people made the same mistake. In fact 2nd, 3rd and 4th all ran too much. Next time, I'll double check with the officials but I was upset because I had pushed hard and had a good race. I finished 22 seconds behind 1st.
Results
Wednesday 1 July 2015
14th June 2015- Blenheim Palace Triathlon
Swim:
The swim was probably my worst swim of the season because of the mental start. I was in a bit of a fist fight for most of the swim until the first buoy where I managed to swim clear of quite a few people. I was glad when the swim was over.
Bike:
After a really long run into transition and the best transition I've ever had, I got onto the bike leg. I did not make the first bike pack but worked my way through the bike course with about 7 other boys including Greg Atkins from Optima who I train with at the London Academy. The course was very hilly and long so a lot of people started tiring towards the end.
Run:
After another good transition, I found my running legs very quickly. I worked my way to the front of the group that I had cycled with and with two other boys close behind, I started picking off people who had been in the first bike pack. I managed to run myself into 8th place with a finishing time of 42:05, over 2 minutes behind first. My longest race ever.
Results: https://www.raceplus.co.uk/raceplus-index.php?content=1&race=47637&show_type=All&event_id=BLEN15&event_id=BLEN15
A big thank you to Zone3 for providing my race-wear and a huge thank you to the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust and the Dave Aitchison Fund for financial aid.
Swim:
The swim was probably my worst swim of the season because of the mental start. I was in a bit of a fist fight for most of the swim until the first buoy where I managed to swim clear of quite a few people. I was glad when the swim was over.
Bike:
After a really long run into transition and the best transition I've ever had, I got onto the bike leg. I did not make the first bike pack but worked my way through the bike course with about 7 other boys including Greg Atkins from Optima who I train with at the London Academy. The course was very hilly and long so a lot of people started tiring towards the end.
Run:
After another good transition, I found my running legs very quickly. I worked my way to the front of the group that I had cycled with and with two other boys close behind, I started picking off people who had been in the first bike pack. I managed to run myself into 8th place with a finishing time of 42:05, over 2 minutes behind first. My longest race ever.
Results: https://www.raceplus.co.uk/raceplus-index.php?content=1&race=47637&show_type=All&event_id=BLEN15&event_id=BLEN15
A big thank you to Zone3 for providing my race-wear and a huge thank you to the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust and the Dave Aitchison Fund for financial aid.
Saturday 6 June 2015
31st May 2015- Thames Turbo Duathlon
Run:
Having raced the day before, my legs felt tight and heavy on the first run. Two people took the run out very quickly. They included Daniel Pinn from Crystal Palace and Dempster Fawden from my athletics club.
Cycle:
I knew there were some very strong cyclists in my age group so I tried very hard on the bike. Despite my efforts, I was caught and had to try even harder to keep up, knowing my running legs would not be as good as I had hoped and came into second transition in first place.
Run:
After a shocking transition, I overtook Reef Boericke on the run to win by a small margine. I was happy to win and was absolutely exhausted when I crossed the finish line.
Results: http://myraceresults.co.uk/
As always, thank you to my financial aid sponsors including the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust and the Dave Aitchison Fund. Also thank you to Zone3 for providing me with my race bag and trisuit.
Run:
Having raced the day before, my legs felt tight and heavy on the first run. Two people took the run out very quickly. They included Daniel Pinn from Crystal Palace and Dempster Fawden from my athletics club.
Cycle:
I knew there were some very strong cyclists in my age group so I tried very hard on the bike. Despite my efforts, I was caught and had to try even harder to keep up, knowing my running legs would not be as good as I had hoped and came into second transition in first place.
Run:
After a shocking transition, I overtook Reef Boericke on the run to win by a small margine. I was happy to win and was absolutely exhausted when I crossed the finish line.
Results: http://myraceresults.co.uk/
As always, thank you to my financial aid sponsors including the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust and the Dave Aitchison Fund. Also thank you to Zone3 for providing me with my race bag and trisuit.
30th May 2015- Aquathlon, Hyde Park London (WTS)
Swim:
Not happy with swim. I made a bad choice when picking my spot at the start of the swim and had to swim the long way around the first buoy whilst overtaking slower swimmers.
Run:
After a poor transition, I was actually very happy with how my run went. I overtook a few people and generally felt quite good but couldn't catch up to the leaders and finished in 11th place about 50 seconds behind first place.
Results: http://wts.jabra.com/results.html#results
After my race, I was fortunate enough to be invited to my swim sponsor's (Zone3) tent at the event and helped distribute leaflets, iPhone cases and key rings to just about anyone who got in my path as helping customers choose kit and telling them about my positive experience with the Zone3 products. As always, a big thank you to both the Dave Aitchison Fund and the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust for helping me financially.
Swim:
Not happy with swim. I made a bad choice when picking my spot at the start of the swim and had to swim the long way around the first buoy whilst overtaking slower swimmers.
Run:
After a poor transition, I was actually very happy with how my run went. I overtook a few people and generally felt quite good but couldn't catch up to the leaders and finished in 11th place about 50 seconds behind first place.
Results: http://wts.jabra.com/results.html#results
After my race, I was fortunate enough to be invited to my swim sponsor's (Zone3) tent at the event and helped distribute leaflets, iPhone cases and key rings to just about anyone who got in my path as helping customers choose kit and telling them about my positive experience with the Zone3 products. As always, a big thank you to both the Dave Aitchison Fund and the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust for helping me financially.
Monday 25 May 2015
17th May 2015- Greenwich Aquathlon
Swim:
Very pleased with how my swim went. Timing chip was surprisingly comfortable in the water and I had very good support from my family who was standing a few steps away from my lane. Despite the water being choppy from the other swimmers, I managed to swim a fast split.
Run:
I started very quickly because I knew there were some good runners in my field. I kept an eye out for people because you never know where people are when the race is like a time trial but I was inching my way forward and again, had very good support throughout the course and ended up in first place.
Thank you to my sponsor Zone3 who provided my kit bag, trisuit and goggles. The Dave Aitchison fund and the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust help me financially and covered race costs.
I don't have the link to the results because the timing company had a few problems with the recording.
Swim:
Very pleased with how my swim went. Timing chip was surprisingly comfortable in the water and I had very good support from my family who was standing a few steps away from my lane. Despite the water being choppy from the other swimmers, I managed to swim a fast split.
Run:
I started very quickly because I knew there were some good runners in my field. I kept an eye out for people because you never know where people are when the race is like a time trial but I was inching my way forward and again, had very good support throughout the course and ended up in first place.
Thank you to my sponsor Zone3 who provided my kit bag, trisuit and goggles. The Dave Aitchison fund and the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust help me financially and covered race costs.
I don't have the link to the results because the timing company had a few problems with the recording.
10th May 2015- Crystal Palace Triathlon
Swim:
7 lengths in the 50 meter swimming pool. Swim went well and I swam consistent splits. I didn't have to overtake anyone because I had the second fastest entry time and felt good going into transition.
Bike:
I quickly found a good rhythm and cycled the first lap feeling very strong. About 700 meters into the 2nd lap, I suddenly veered off the road and crashed pretty hard. I got up immediately and checked if my bike was still ride-able. I loosened the brakes a bit and was on my way but I had lost precious time and lost my rhythm. I probably should have taken a better inspection of my bike because I spent the rest of the bike leg with my brakes rubbing.
Run:
I felt awful on the run. I was really struggling mostly because I had braced most of the impact from my crash on my knee. I tried as hard as I could on the run but felt completely rubbish because the more I pushed, the worse my knee became. I was very happy to finish and was met almost immediately by first aid. I ended up 7th in the youth category, just over 3 minutes behind 1st place.
Thank you to my sponsor Zone3 for providing my trisuit which didn't rip from my crash. Big thank you to the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust for financially supporting me and same goes for the Dave Aitchison Fund who also help me financially.
Results: http://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/Yd/
Swim:
7 lengths in the 50 meter swimming pool. Swim went well and I swam consistent splits. I didn't have to overtake anyone because I had the second fastest entry time and felt good going into transition.
Bike:
I quickly found a good rhythm and cycled the first lap feeling very strong. About 700 meters into the 2nd lap, I suddenly veered off the road and crashed pretty hard. I got up immediately and checked if my bike was still ride-able. I loosened the brakes a bit and was on my way but I had lost precious time and lost my rhythm. I probably should have taken a better inspection of my bike because I spent the rest of the bike leg with my brakes rubbing.
Run:
I felt awful on the run. I was really struggling mostly because I had braced most of the impact from my crash on my knee. I tried as hard as I could on the run but felt completely rubbish because the more I pushed, the worse my knee became. I was very happy to finish and was met almost immediately by first aid. I ended up 7th in the youth category, just over 3 minutes behind 1st place.
Thank you to my sponsor Zone3 for providing my trisuit which didn't rip from my crash. Big thank you to the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust for financially supporting me and same goes for the Dave Aitchison Fund who also help me financially.
Results: http://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/Yd/
Virgin Money Giving Mini Marathon 2015
The start was much more more bearable than in previous years but it was still incredibly quick. People were pushing and shoving left right and center but luckily I got clear and was soon running with a clear road. Some people had started way too fast and I started picking people off as I found my pace. The middle mile wasn't pretty but the support of the crowds that early were amazing. I gave it everything in the last 800 meters and finished in a time of 16:32, improving about 2 minutes from my previous best the year before. I ended up coming 31st in the borough challenge, 2 and a half minutes behind winner Alex Yee who I train with at the London Triathlon Academy. I ended up top 100 overall so there is still plenty room for improvement but I've still got two more years in this age group so I look forward to coming back next year!
Results: http://results-2015.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2015/minimarathon/?pid=list
The start was much more more bearable than in previous years but it was still incredibly quick. People were pushing and shoving left right and center but luckily I got clear and was soon running with a clear road. Some people had started way too fast and I started picking people off as I found my pace. The middle mile wasn't pretty but the support of the crowds that early were amazing. I gave it everything in the last 800 meters and finished in a time of 16:32, improving about 2 minutes from my previous best the year before. I ended up coming 31st in the borough challenge, 2 and a half minutes behind winner Alex Yee who I train with at the London Triathlon Academy. I ended up top 100 overall so there is still plenty room for improvement but I've still got two more years in this age group so I look forward to coming back next year!
Results: http://results-2015.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2015/minimarathon/?pid=list
29th March 2015- British Elite Duathlon Championships, Corby
Run 1:
After waiting for what seemed like an hour, we were set of for the run in the pouring rain. The pace was very quick and my ankle was killing me from my injury a couple of weeks prior so this didn't help. I didn't really settle into my rhythm and made it into transition slower than I had wanted to.
Bike:
Most of the strong cyclists were already gone and I couldn't bridge the gap. I steadily overtook some cyclists but couldn't catch the front pack. In the final lap of 3, I managed to cycle with one other person so we shared the load in the fierce wind. I came into transition 2 having gone up about 4-5 places.
Run 2:
My foot didn't hurt but my muscles were tired from my solo bike effort but I managed to drag myself over the last 1.25 km of the run and finished in a respectable 12th place, 1 minute and 35 seconds behind first.
As always, a big thanks to Zone3 for providing my trisuit and a big thanks to the Dave Aitchison Fund and the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust for supporting me financially.
Results: http://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/11K
Run 1:
After waiting for what seemed like an hour, we were set of for the run in the pouring rain. The pace was very quick and my ankle was killing me from my injury a couple of weeks prior so this didn't help. I didn't really settle into my rhythm and made it into transition slower than I had wanted to.
Bike:
Most of the strong cyclists were already gone and I couldn't bridge the gap. I steadily overtook some cyclists but couldn't catch the front pack. In the final lap of 3, I managed to cycle with one other person so we shared the load in the fierce wind. I came into transition 2 having gone up about 4-5 places.
Run 2:
My foot didn't hurt but my muscles were tired from my solo bike effort but I managed to drag myself over the last 1.25 km of the run and finished in a respectable 12th place, 1 minute and 35 seconds behind first.
As always, a big thanks to Zone3 for providing my trisuit and a big thanks to the Dave Aitchison Fund and the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust for supporting me financially.
Results: http://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/11K
22nd March 2015- Windsor & Eton Winter Duathlon Series Race 3
Run 1:
As soon as the horn blew, I ran as fast as I could to position myself well in the field. After a couple of hundred meters, I was in a group of three. I knew the other guys in the group were going to run another lap after me because they were doing double my distance so I made sure I lead the group more frequently. I came into transition in 1st place.
Bike:
After mounting my bike and strapping my cycling shoes, I was off. I wanted to make the most of the bike because I wanted to see where I was physically and because I had had a foot injury for the last two weeks so I wasn't sure if I would be able to run off the bike. Despite unfavorable wind, I kept a high cadence and arrived in transition 2 having extended my lead.
Run 2:
I found my running legs with surprising ease and ran the rest of the race by myself, occasionally passing the odd age grouper who were doing the distance four times longer than mine so they were still on their first run. I finished the race and was very happy to start the season of with a win.
Sponsors: Big thank you to my sponsor Zone3 for supplying my trisuit and my financial aid sponsors Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust and Dave Aitchison Fund for supporting me financially.
Results: http://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/Ri/
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