Race report by Simon Norwood. First seen on Facebook.
On a rainy day – yes rain in Spain – and a very late 3pm start putting myself way out of my comfort zone as I’m a morning guy.
Poor communication by the Spainish organisers – yes, very brief race notes, but finally myself and Neil started, big shout to Neil after recovering from his Duathlon top performance only a week earlier.
Swim 2km.
Down stream for 1km then turn round and back up before finishing to clamber out onto a pontoon unaided. This was my fastest discipline placing 17/60. Neil 15/17
T1- Long 600m via a change tent in pouring rain longest transition I’ve done.
Bike 50 miles.
On a sunny day this would of been one of the best courses I have ridden but on this day a ride up into the mountains led to some treachery technical descents with loads of crashes. I kept pushing on but also cautious to avoid a crash, I passed loads but also loads passed me. I could not believe the high standard. Luckily after an hour the sun came out.
Got round but dropped to 32/60 Neil moved up to 12/17
T2 – Another long 600m
Run 13.1 miles.
The painful part on heavy legs.
Took me 3 miles and 1 lap from 4.5 done to find my running legs and then managed to keep a 7.15 pace passing people with shouts of support this was a huge lift. Last lap my legs wanted to give up so did the pace but came through a 1hr 37 PB on a Triathlon and move up to 30th in my age meaning I finished overrall 5hr10 and 32nd out of a high standard and one of the largest age groups so was very pleased to finish on what was a emotional race I had trained hard for but wearing with pride the GBR tri suit.
Neil finished a fantastic 1hr58 and moved up to 10/17 overrall 6hr04 and 10th in age group.
Neil doing the double in Bilbao deserves alot of praise he’s had a massive year and this was his 4th GB event in 6 months what a superstar !