When we got to our hotel, which was the race hotel, so many country's were also staying there, we went into breakfast. It felt so wrong, we had been up since 3am so it felt like it was 5pm, not just 9am!!
The build up to the race went quite slowly. We had a good recce of the course on the friday, the bike course was hilly and tough, especially because of the wind. It was such a short race though so no holding back. The swim was fun, but tough to practise. We all practised many times diving in and also running into the water from a beach start, and this definitely helped as many of my team mates said they gained just by diving in.
On the Saturday we got to watch the Under-23 race, which we all really enjoyed. We got to see them do the course and got some feedback on the course and this was gratefully received. We also done our last minute prep and fuelled up well.
Sunday: Race Day!!
We had to get up at 6.45am as our race was at 10am, so we had to have breakfast, check in and set up transition all in time. It was really handy that our hotel was the race location. I was surprisingly relaxed in the morning.
In the morning I was sure to hydrate up on my H2Pro precision hydration drink. Thanks for supplying me guys.
The race came around quickly.
I went first leg. I had a strong swim and was out onto the bike in 1st. I quickly dropped the Russian but there was a small group who worked together to catch me. I went out onto the run in joint 3rd and thats how I finished it. I handed over to Olivia Mathias, who had an excellent leg and ended up just over 15seconds in the lead. She then handed over to Kate Waugh, who pulled away even further. At this point Liv and I couldn't believe it. Kate was over 30 seconds in the lead going onto a 1500m run. We were so ecstatic. We couldn't believe we had just won GOLD at the European youth relays!!!!!!!
After our race, we got to watch the youth boys race, who all raced excellently and finished second, although there was an incident with some cows on the course, which impeded their position.
We also got to watch the Under-23 relay, which the 2 youth reserves got to race in along with Hannah Drewitt and Gordon Benson. So Jack Willis and Emma Clapton were excited they got to race.
Russia was such a great experience and something I will never forget.
Well done to everyone who raced and thank you to everyone who supported me:
Copy It- for the race wheels
Gowards funeral services- for the bike box
H2pro precision hydration- The tablets which helped fuel me for my race
Vision for sport- Who gave me sunglasses
Sportsaid- for the award
Broadland distrct council- for the grant
Carl Goose Massage- For helping me prepare for the race
Zone 3- for the brilliant wetsuit.
