So, I was on a bit of a downer after London Hyde Park, as I really wanted to have a good race on the modified Olympic course, and starting off with a bad swim was only the beginning of a hard day at the office. Lessons were learnt during the race and I went into the following week ready for some tough, hard core, balls in the wheelie bin sessions with Michelle and Stuart.

Stuart had a fantastic race at Hyde Park, which to be honest has been long overdue, he is the most hard working triathlete I know, and to have him alongside me to train with is a privilege. Stuart is like a big brother, rolled into a training partner, rolled into a teacher, who I am always learning off and for him to have a good race at Hyde Park on home turf really did make up for my shocker of a weekend.

So from one end of London to another for the Challenger London Triathlon at the ExCel centre. I had done some decent times in training, which I think I needed to get my confidence back, so I was ready to race. Kirsty (a good mate) came around and braided my hair for me on Friday evening which got me into race mode, and then I travelled up to London on Saturday ready for the race on Sunday.

The weather hadn’t been what I was hoping for in the lead up to London, and it looked like it was going to be a wetsuit swim, which I wasn’t looking forward to if I’m honest, as I hadn’t used it at all this year. Anyway, race morning came and the sun was shining. I was stood around with the other elite women, waiting for the juniors to start their race and I couldn’t wait to get in the water to cool down – it gets pretty hot in that wetsuit when the sun is beaming down – bit of a change in climate from the day before when it was raining, but that’s good old British weather for you.

I was next to the best in the water, Helen Jenkins, Liz Blatchford, Vicky Holland and Kerry Lang – as you can see, not a bad GB women’s field. The horn sounded, the rope lifted and we were off, the women stayed in a line for a few 100m but then Helen found clear water and went off to the front on her own, and I swam the first 700m next to Liz, just behind Abbie Thorrington and a few other women.

Around the top buoy and on our way back, I tried to move around Abbie but ended up swimming next to her for the rest of the swim. I exited the water with her, about 15 seconds behind Helen and Liz.

I got into T1 and had a smooth transition and jumped straight on the bike where I was in time trial mode to try and catch Liz and Helen. This would have been easier if my legs were there with me on the bike but I think I left them back in transition. I could see Liz on her own out in front but not Helen, I managed to catch Liz but then the chasing pack which contained Kerry, Vicky and about four other women caught me, and then the chase was on to get Helen.

The group didn’t work great but we managed to catch Helen at the first turn around point but no sooner as we had completed that task, everyone seemed to sit up and were concentrating on taking in the sights of London – very frustrating. It then became pretty obvious it was going to be a running race, and I was hoping my legs would be waiting in transition where I left them.

Leading up to the London Triathlon, one of my aims was to get out of T2 with Helen, she is the top GB women at the moment, and I wanted to see where I was running wise against her, as she is not only GB number, but one of the best and most consistent in the world. I don’t think this race it was meant to be, I didn’t feel my normal self going out of T2, but I gave it a blast and lead for the first lap of four. I was hoping to get into my running stride, but if you’re not on top form, and trying to run with Helen, you’re in for a tough day at the office, and going out onto the second lap, Helen showed why she is one of the best in the world and started to get away from me. I finished second behind Helen, with Liz Blatchford finished third.

I’m pleased with how I raced, and am looking forward to the next few weeks where I am racing Kitzbuhel WCR then Lausanne World Sprint Champs.

It’s been a good weekend, with a smile back on my face; I’ve got to say Happy Birthday to my big sis Carrie who was 23 on Saturday, and my best friend Claire Hipkiss who was 21 on Monday.

Love ya all xxx