Marlow Classic Half Iron Triathlon 2017

Sundried ambassador Lori Westcott gives us a race report of the Marlow Classic half iron distance triathlon which she completed last month in Buckinghamshire, UK.

Pre-Race 

After finishing 3rd woman overall at Windsor Triathlon the previous week, I decided on a last minute whim to enter Marlow Classic Half Iron distance triathlon. With Lanzarote and Weymouth 70.3 fast approaching, I felt it was important I did a 70.3 distance before my biggest two races of the season. 

Windsor had been tough; the weather was extremely hot and racing in my first elite wave, the race had taken a lot out of my body. So in my head, I would use Marlow as a hard training race. My confidence was high after Windsor's podium finish, so I was ready to push my body again to its limit and see what I could do. 

The Race

I was first out of the swim, which I was happy with after being only a few weeks post elbow fracture. The bike was very hilly and had lots of pot holes, and I was still getting used to my new TT bike, but I pushed hard and entered the second transition still in 1st position. I knew the athlete in 2nd place was just behind, as I saw her enter transition as I left for the run. 4 laps and a friend giving me splits helped me keep the lead and finish with a PB of 5.11, 4 minutes ahead of 2nd place. This was only my second race at this distance and my first half distance with Team Dillon. Emma Pallant has been my coach for the last year and has worked me hard all winter, so the miles are finally paying off.

My first season has had some highs and lows, however, the key has been consistency. I think I can count on one hand how many sessions I have missed in the last year. Next week I am off to Club La Santa in Lanzarote for a hard training block. Bring on the rest of the season!