DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

British Club Relay Championships

Racing last week with the Linebreak Team was a fantastic experience! I was so excited from start to finish; I couldn’t stop smiling or jumping up and down. I couldn’t wait to race! Following coach’s plans had gone to a T and I was feeling stronger and stronger all the time. It was excited being tagged in the swim in such a high position after Mark and Katie swam so well. I wasn’t used to having so much space being out with the leaders! I of course dropped a few places with the swim being my weakest discipline but tried to hold my own and I knew Dermot would regain the places I had lost on the last leg. The bike course was brilliant.....for once Boss let me put it in a big ring so I was really pleased with my split which was over 2 minutes faster than last year. My legs stiffened up before the run and I was a bit disappointed with my time for that but it was definitely a long 5k and myself and the rest of the team had done enough to earn a top ten position in a field of quality athletes. I loved this event, there’s a real buzz about it......but above all I loved racing with such great athletes and being looked after by Bill & Pam who managed to get me to where I needed to be on time and with the correct kit (miracle workers!). A big thank you of course to Coach for his motivational speeches on the day (“Don’t hope......just do!”) and Linebreak our sponsors for supporting us throughout the season.

Sam

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

MK Standard Distance Triathlon

Today I raced the MK Olympic today which was also the English Age Group Championships. With a nice early start time, I set my alarm for 4am this morning to give it a go: The swim was fine; I actually enjoyed it for a change! It was a funny M shape with a bit of a loop on the end. My friend Emily, who was racing, is slightly better than me at swimming so I managed to draft off her feet for most of the second half of the swim. Quite an uneventful T1 and off out onto the bike.

As soon as I got on the bike I felt really weird (I can’t think of any other way to describe it??). I had little black spots in my vision, I felt like I was going to be sick and couldn’t really focus on the race. Rather than overtaking people on the bike like usual I was going backwards. I had no energy whatsoever and everything felt impossible. I usually love the bike but I was relieved when it was over. I was disappointed with the 1:11:03 time I got, I was hoping for much quicker than that.

In T2 I couldn’t get my trainers on!! Every time I put my right foot in my shoe I got cramp in my calf and had to take my foot out again. I have never had cramp in a race before; I really wasn’t feeling good but was hoping for my usual run time of 40-42 mins to give me an OK overall time.
On the run I fell further and further behind. It was so disheartening. I stopped to take some fluids on but I felt so weak, I just didn’t get it. Training has been going so well and other races have been fantastic. I have never wanted to drop out of a race more! In the end all my times went out the window and it was more a case of character building....just get myself round! I had an awful run and felt really disappointed because I’ve felt so strong in training, I guess it was just one of those days.

Despite my disappointing times I finished 2nd in my age group, which I was really surprised at as it was the English Championships but I suppose you’ve gotta be in it to win it! I got a lovely glass trophy to add to the collection and then won a prize on the raffle!! I topped up my tan and made a few new friends so although it was a pretty bad race for me; it was a good result and a great day out.

Back to the training programme this week and a real focus on getting ready for the National Relays. As they say an athlete is only as good as their last performance I’ve got some work to do!!!

Sam

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

European Triathlon Championships
Pontevedra, Spain
25th June 2011


Pontevedra is a lovely city in the North of Spain. It was to host the 2011 European Triathlon Championships and had an extra little heatwave to welcome us Brits to the country! The swim was along a river to a bridge, round a couple of buoys and back to land again. I practised the swim a few days before race day and the water was boiling! Wetsuits were optional but I needed mine to keep me afloat. The swim felt long and after talking to some other athletes they told me it was 2-3 minutes longer than the correct distance. This did not bode well for me as the swim is my weakest discipline!! I also had the chance to practice the bike course which was a long climb of 9k, around a turnaround point and back again. I love climbing hills so I was excited about the bike course. The run was 2 laps around the Old Town. It was undulating and slightly over 5k but looked like a good course.

The lead up to the race was fantastic. The opening ceremony saw musicians, actors, people with fire, lots of spanish dancers to entertain us etc. I met lots of old friends from the Worlds at Budapest. I saw the Belgian Boys who I made friends with in Ireland too and the whole city had a great buzz about it. I was nervous about the race, but more excited to be a part of it all.

On race day I got up at 6am and ate cornflakes out of a glass as we had forgotten to bring a bowl! We walked through the city to the start of the race. It was still pretty dark and we were greeted by party-goers on their way home from a fun night out shouting "buenos nochos" to us! I had racked my bike the night before so all that was left to do was set up the rest of transition. Everyone was provided with a box and your stuff had to be in the box or you were penalised. As quite a messy person this rule was stressing me out! So I stood in transition for a while and tried to visualise what I was going to do in the race. I spoke to the other girls in my age group for a bit. I´ve met most of them before but it reminded me how competitive my age group is. I was to be racing the national champion and the silver and bronze medallists from the 2010 Worlds. The current European Champion was back to defend her title and the silver and bronze medallists from last year´s Europeans were there too. I tried to remind myself that it wasn´t about them and I just had to do my own thing.

There were about 70 women in the wave I was going off in. It was so crowded on the pontoon, there were about 2 women per box on the start. We were asked to get into the water and then the hooter went. We were off! No more time to be nervous! As we all started swimming I instantly got hit, punched and kicked. I tried to get my arm out of the water but there was no room to even do that. I did some breaststroke and then got going. A bit of open water.....a couple of strokes and then another hit and punch. Now someone was grabbing my ankles. More breastroke. A bit of a panic. Then back into some open water, a couple of strokes.....then someone was swimming over me. A cough and a splutter. Bit more breaststroke. Then off again. Needless to say I hated the swim. On the way back I got a bit more room but I knew I had lost a lot of ground. I was out of the water 12th in my age group, 2 minutes 58 seconds behind the lead girl in my age group.

Transition was a long run in, I tried to use this time to make up ground. Wetsuit off and thrown into the box. Helmet and bike shoes on and then I was off. The ride out was brilliant. The climb was great and I was overtaking a lot of people. Nobody went past me. I don´t ride with a watch or speedometer but I felt like I was going well. I overtook 4 girls in my age group, turned round at the top and I was on the way down. The descent was so steep that when I pushed my hardest gear it didn´t make any difference. I felt like I had run out of gears and couldn´t go any faster whether I pedalled or not. I felt really frustrated by this because I had a lot of energy and power in my legs but it was just going to waste. The bike is my main strength but I felt like it went to waste a bit because of the course.

Back into transition and I could see a girl in my age group just starting the run. Running trainers on and I was off. I caught the girl ahead within the first couple of minutes. The run was brilliant. Through a massive stadium, around 2 laps of an undulating 5k and back into the stadium. As it was laps I could see where the other athletes were. I knew I couldn´t catch the girls ahead as there was nearly a 2 minute difference and I knew I was stronger than the girls behind. I ran in my comfort zone and enjoyed taking in the atmosphere, the crowds, the flags, the cheering. In hindsight I wished I had pushed a bit harder, just to get the best time that I could have got, but I will remember that for next time.

I crossed the line finishing 7th. It was a solid performance but I have learnt a lot from it, my approach to the race, my attitude during the race and more importantly my goals and next steps for what I have to do next. I am somewhat frustrated with myself as I think I have a lot more in me than 7th place and in many ways I matched the medallists for bike and run speed but I know if I persevere and keep trying I will get there. Dermot´s coaching has really given me a lot of confidence and I´d like to thank him for his continuous support (and patience!) with me. It was a real honour to race for GB and a great experience that I will always be proud of.

Sam

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

Rather valley sprint tri - European championship qualifier

On Sunday 12th June I raced at the rather valley sprint tri. This was my best race last year and I felt like I had a lot to live up to. With it being a European qualifier for israel next year the atmosphere was fantastic.....but the competition was strong!

Transition racking was done in alphabetical order and according to age group. This gave me a chance to see who I was up against. My friend Christa from my tri club was there, as was a girl who took the bronze medal at the worlds two years ago in Sydney (Sarah) and a worlds aquathlon medallist and GB age group athlete (Kathryn). I felt confident about my form but you never know what's going to happen on race day!!! My biggest worry was the swim. I had bought a new wetsuit on Friday as I had ripped my other one one holiday (too many coco pops!) and I was worried about being able to swim well in it and get it off quickly in transition.

I got in the water 10mins before the start time to have a swim. Everything seemed to be ok. We lined up at the swim start waiting for the hooter for what felt like ages. Some of the girls were creeping forward then getting called back. I always position myself at the front but don't know why I do as I'm not one of the stronger swimmers. Everything went so silent you could have heard a penny drop. I felt sick!!! The hooter went and I got this sudden rush of adrenalin, we were off! I swam hard to the first buoy, getting there in 5th place.....but then the other girls swam round me, under me, over me and I was trying so hard to stay with them. Just like last week I felt like I was putting a lot of effort in but not really getting anywhere. I always feel like giving up after the swim, always feel like I've blown my chances. I kept telling myself to just try and stick worth every girl that passed me and stay on their feet for as long as I could.

The marshals pulling the athletes out of the swim all knew me so I got a loud cheer and a "go Sam, go" as I exited the swim in 25th place (7th in my age group). A quick T1 and out onto my bike and I caught the first couple of girls within minutes. A few minutes later I past Christa and we gave each other a cheer. The bike course was a 26k very hilly route. I know the course like the back of my hand after doing so many training days here last year. I was picking the girls (and the men) off and started to get some confidence back. Down on my tri bars, I remember thinking it's just me and the road, and I tried to block out everything else around me and just enjoy the feeling of pushing myself as hard as I could. I was overtaking more and more people until eventually, about 3 miles from the finish I overtook Sarah. I knew she was a talented athlete so all of a sudden I had forgotten about my awful swim and felt like I was having a great race. I was worried I had pushed so hard on the bike that I would have nothing left for the run but I always try to treat the three disciplines as separate races.

My mum and my sister were surprised to see me return to transition when I did. I had moved from 25th place to 8th and had clocked the fastest bike time for my age group and the third fastest overall. As I was putting my running trainers on, Sarah was racking her bike. I knew she had a good run. We were lying in 2nd and 3rd place in our age group. I ran out of transition strongly, more to make Sarah think that I had a lot left! I overtook a girl within the first 30 seconds. I was not in 7th, still 2nd in my age group. The run was a 1 lap 5k course around the lake. I started off glancing over my shoulder every minute to see where Sarah was, each time I looked she was dropping durther and further behind. After a while I started to focus on the girls ahead. I could see Kathryn and put in a spurt to catch her. I went past her quite easily. I was know in 6th and first in my age group. In the distance I could see another girl but there wasn't too much further to the finish, only another kilometre or so. For the first time in a long time I felt like I was racing on the run. Rather than holding on for positions I felt like I was attacking and closing people down. I put in another spurt to catch her and kept working until I could see the finish. I clocked 19.51 for the run, which again was the fastest in my age group.

Finishing fifth overall and winning my category was a great result for me. Especially as it was a qualifier and the standard and number of athletes was so high. Looking at the results, I am starting to open a bigger gap on athletes who last year were beating me. I really enjoyed the race, I loved switching off from everything and just for that hour or so nothing else matters but you. I was pleased that dispite giving the lead swimmer a 4minute lead I was able to claw some of it back......perhaps I am more of a fighter than I realised. I took the first qualifying slot for the Europeans next year, and I am moving forward to Spain in 2weeks with confidence in my ability. I hope to show everyone what I'm made of!

Sam

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

Full Boar Standard Distance Triathlon

I had just returned from a fab week in the Alps with my tri club and decided to get a late entry into the Full Boar Olympic Tri. Arriving back late afternoon on Saturday, having over 350 hilly miles in my legs and no wetsuit (I had tore it on holiday) was not the best start to this race but then preparation never was my strong point!! I rocked up in plenty of time, had a quick last minute practice of getting in and out of my borrowed wetsuit (which was too big) and was good to go.

I didn't have a very good swim at all. I was kicked, elbowed, swum over and I seemed to be working hard but not really getting anywhere. I was about 8th or 9th girl out of the water but the lead girl already had 5minutes on me!! On the bike is where I'm happiest! I just switch off and pedal and I love it. My legs were really tired from the alps but at least they were looking tanned and brown haha! It took me a while to catch the girls but eventually they started coming back to me and I was back in off the bike in second place. I was really chuffed with this as after the swim I'd thought I'd blown it. The 10k run was a 4 lap route and the sun was out and shining! I was closing slightly on the lead girl......but unfortunately the 3rd and 4th place girls were closing one me! I could see Dermot who gave me a cheer and some of my friends from the tri club. I tried to dig in but all the training had caught up with me and with one lap to go I got overtaken. Now in 3rd place, I knew the girl ahead of me was running well so I was just concentrating on holding on to my position. I crossed the line in 3rd place to rightfully earn a great prize from line break and of course a pink piggy bank (to go with my gold one!)

All in all I was pleased with my race, another podium position, a fairly solid performance and almost an 8 minute improvement on my bike from this course last year. I know what I need to work on between now and the Europeans at he end of the month. I would recommend this race to anyone, it was a great atmosphere, good course and brill prizes! Well done to Dermot anD all the other DG TRi, LInebreak and Rugby Tri athletes!

Sam

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

Full Boar Super Sprint Triathlon

Sunday 15th May 2011

On 15th May I raced the Full Boar,
A 500m swim – that was maybe a little more,
A 15k bike and a 2.5k run,
Meant it wouldn’t be long before I was done.
The sky was grey and the wind was tough,
The lake was choppy and looked a bit rough,
I was trying to psyche myself up to win,
But when I looked at the water I didn’t want to get in!
The marshals were friendly, the crowds were great,
I missed the race briefing as I was running late,
So into the lake for a quick warm-up splash,
Then onto the start line to begin the mad dash.
The hooter went off and I got a good start,
From the middle of the pack I started to part,
Up with the leaders and into my style,
I was swimming in third place….but just for a while.
I felt strong and relaxed, a good place to be,
Sighting was good, the buoys were clear to see,
Around the lake once and I grabbed the marshals hand,
I was the fourth athlete out back onto land.
Intro transition, where things always go wrong,
Getting out of my wetsuit took me too long,
The straps on my helmet were all in a knot,
To check it beforehand I had forgot!
Eventually I was off and onto the ride,
Overtaking a guy, I left him behind.
The wind was still strong, pushing you back
Energy and power I started to lack.
I was overtaken back by the guy I had passed,
My legs felt so tired and not very fast!
I carried on working as hard as I could,
And got off the bike but not as fast as I should,
Still in fourth place and back in T2,
Someone was next to me but I didn’t know who,
We ran out of T2 at the same pace,
And around the run we started to race.
“Go Sam! Go!” Everyone said,
But the guy next to me was getting ahead.
I felt quite strong and enjoyed the run,
1st lady home meant I had won!
I was fifth overall and am pleased to say,
That I am proud and happy with my race day.
Despite the wind and the rain,
I’m motivated now to go back and train!

SAM

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

2nd May 2011

Mallory Park Triathlon

After some aquathlons and duathlons it was time for my first full triathlon of the season at Mallory Park. It was a 750m swim, a very windy 20k bike and a slightly longer 5k run. I wasn’t well prepared for this race.....I’d forgotten talc, baby oil, food....clothes and so I have written a list of stuff to take next time  but I had myself, wetsuit, bike, trainers, helmet and the determination to do well.

I hated the swim here last year so I got on the very outside away from everyone and when the hooter went I tried to keep my distance from the pack. As I was swimming I was surprised to see everyone to my right still at the same level as me; they normally speed past and leave me panicking. I enjoyed the feeling of “hey Sam, you’re doing OK” during the swim as I’ve never had that before! I was the 5th girl out of the water in 12:23 – a minute and a half faster than last year.

In T1, I struggled to get my wetsuit off but once I did and I was out on the bike I caught the girl ahead of me within the first few minutes. The bike course was 10 laps and it was the windiest bike route I have ever done. With every gust of wind I thought I was going to come off the bike; I’d start off on the inside of the lap and would be forced to the outside by gale force winds. Half the time I closed my eyes and clung on to my tri bars for dear life. I really hated the bike and felt frustrated that I wasn’t catching the other girls. I had a slow time of 38:33 but had still improved slightly from last year. Oh and they ran a ‘King of the Hill’ and ‘Fastest Lap’ bike challenge – I came 2nd on both of those.

The run consisted of 3 laps. I felt fairly strong on the run and overtook quite a lot of the guys who had been stronger than me on the bike. The girls ahead though were too far ahead for me to see, so I tried to just relax and stride out (I had some really nice new yellow trainers on so I wanted to look the part, haha!). The run was slightly over 5k so my time of 21 minutes was OK but not great.

I crossed the line as the 3rd female senior athlete in a time of 1:15:23. This was nearly 3 minutes faster than last year but I still think I have a much better performance in me for future races. I treated myself to a burger from the burger van at the finish, lol, happy days.

Sam

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

Warwickshire Aquathlon - 23rd April 2011

Another weekend....another race! Only this time it was on a much smaller scale. The Warwickshire aquathlon was a fairly low key event around St Nicholas Park, Warwick and consisted of a 400m swim and 3.2k run.

I had a late start time of 12.28pm....just when it started to get hot!! I was quite relaxed for this race and just wanted to enjoy it after such a big race last weekend. I had a clear swim with only 1 other girl in my lane. Just like running, I’ve been trying to learn to pace my swim better so I don’t go off too hard. I enjoyed the swim and felt like I was swimming comfortable and my time (which also included my transition time) totalled 6.45; I think I swam a sub 6.30 so I was pleased with that.

The run was only 2 laps of the park and although I wanted to run relaxed because the race was so much shorter I knew I had to make up a bit of time on the faster swimmers. I got a stitch after a couple of minutes...I can’t remember the last time I had a stitch! I don’t think I’d eaten enough before the race; I’m not sure. I tried to just relax and run through it. I got a lot of support from other club members and felt like I was running at a decent pace so started to just stride out. I finished the run in 13:47. My combined time (20:47) was good enough for first place – nearly a whole minute ahead of the next finisher.

I don’t think I raced to the best of my ability on the day but it was a decent, solid performance to build on. It was a great atmosphere and I have a nice new plaque to add to the collection (oh and a £25 gift voucher to buy trainers, yay!).

Tri-247 Results

Samantha

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

European Duathlon Championships - 16th April

This is the first time I had been to a major duathlon championship so was not sure how it would compare with the big Triathlon Champs.....I wasn't disappointed. The atmosphere was great, the crowds were big and the city was buzzing!

The morning of the race, I pulled on my GB kit, listened to a bit of Miami 2 Ibiza by Tinie Tempah to get the adrenalin going and started to psyche myself up. I got to the start and chatted (as usual) to everyone and anyone. The horn went off and the race was on (I was on the start line in plenty of time this time!) I've been trying to get better at pacing so I held back a bit like at Dambuster. The 10k was 4laps and I tried to stay relaxed. I got loads of support from my Mum and other people who knew me. I thought I was speeding up at the end and was on for a 39 min 10k but had misjudged the last stretch up to transition so clocked 41:05

Stopped in T1 for a quick gel (mae much less mess than last time, yay!) and had a good look round (easily distracted) and then headed out onto the bike.

The bike was 5 laps with lots of dead turns and technical bits - I lost time on these bits but worked hard on the dual carriageway to catch the others. I felt like I was going really well until the end of the third lap whenn I hit a pothole and completely lost control of the bike, I was swerving all over the road before I managed to unclip my feet. As I was looking at the bike the marshals were busy trying to drag me off the course, saying I was a danger to the other riders. I was worried I had a puncture but it turns out the back wheel had just come out. I tried to fix it as quick as I could but the more I rushed, the worse I made it! I felt a bit tearful seeing all the other cyclists going past. It felt like forever but eventually the wheel slotted in again, I tightened the skewer back up, clipped my feet in and off I went on my last 2 laps. It tooks me a while to get my head back in to the race and I was relieved to finishedthe bike in 1.09.47

A quick T2 and I ran my frustration out on the 5k. I felt really strong and was enjoying myself, An Irish girl overtook me with 1k to go and I wish I'd have pushed harder - she beat me by 9 seconds. I finished the 5k in 18:47 which meant I'd finished in 9th place.

Overall I was pleased with my 2:12:25 finish time and overall position. It was a really fantastic experience and I loved being a part of it. With recent results, and Dermot's encouragement, I'm finally starting to believe in myself as an athlete now and I'm excited about future races.

Sam

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

Dambuster Duathlon 2011

10k run – 42 bike – 5k run

I was unsure about doing this race for a number of reasons. I had never done a duathlon before, the distance was double the distance that I usually do and I had only just had an operation to take my tonsils out and had not been able to do much training.....but in the end I decided to give it a go – and I’m glad I did.

The sun was shining, the atmosphere was great and there was a real buzz about the place. I rocked up an hour and a half before my race to register and set my bike up etc but by the time I had sorted everything out, and chatted to everyone I knew....I found myself running to transition to rack my bike when everyone else was lining up on the start line. Not the best preparation for a race but at least I hadn’t missed the start!

For the first 10k I decided to hold back a bit. A lot of the girls were experienced runners and they went off hard. I knew I was still not as strong as I wanted to be after my op so I ran comfortably for the first half, then caught some girls back in the second half. The run was nice and flat, partly on paths and grass. I came back into transition after a 40:41 10k and was with a good group of girls.
In T1 I decided to have a quick gel to see me through the rest of the race. This exploded all over my face and left my hands, bike and clothes sticky. I think I need to practice taking gels without making so much mess.

Out on the bike and I had lost the girls I came in on the run with. Where they out of T1 before me? The bike was undulating. I felt like I was going well but my computer wasn’t working so it was hard to gage the speed. Although the hills on the course were tough, that was my chance to drop the others who were around me. I worked hard up the hills and tried to relax on the flat. For a long part of the bike course I was completely on my own; I couldn’t see any bikes behind or ahead for miles. When I went through a lovely village I began to think I had got lost and missed a turning, but then a little late on I saw a massive hill with loads of cyclists ahead. I worked hard to catch them and enjoyed feeling like I was in a race again amongst the mix. I finished the 42k bike in 1:22:58, I was disappointed afterwards with my bike split but I know with a bit more work in training I can bring that down.

A quick T2 and out onto the last 5k. My breathing was fine going out onto this but my legs had gone. My glutes and hamstrings were tight, I thought I was going to get cramp in my calf and I had nothing left. This was more a case of just getting round! The sun was strong and the one hundred layers I had decided to wear all of a sudden didn’t seem like such a good idea! The run was an out and back, again on path and grass. I could see a few more girls ahead of me but unfortunately couldn’t catch them. The atmosphere coming back into the finish was great; loud music, commentators, people cheering. I finished the 5k in 21:46.

All in all I was pleased with my splits and I’m looking forward to going faster. That was my first ever duathlon, but definitely not my last. Although I’m much better at triathlons I enjoyed the change of the duathlons....and it was nice to see a lake at the venue and not have to get in it! I think my result was good enough to be selected for the GB Age Group European Duathlon Championships......but I am just waiting for official confirmation.

Sam