By: Annie Sidgewick –
A beautiful still gentle sunny morning.
Having registered the day before I go straight onto transition on Western Lawns to rack my bike and set up my race gear. I spend some time working out the swim in, bike out etc. I met up with Will who was looking very calm, organised and was enjoying the surroundings!
Organisers had worked hard to make social distancing possible, and for transition to work smoothly.
Everyone started gathering down by the beach, with an air of anticipation, and trying to abide by the rules wearing face masks!! The start was delayed by 15 mins due to thick fog/mist on top of Beachy Head. Then we were off; running down the beach and across the timing mat into the sea. No time to worry about ice cream head, just ploughed straight in! Sighting was a bit tricky due to full sun shining straight at us. We had been given detailed instructions for the swim directions with the strong current. At last I rounded the final buoy and headed for the finish arch.
Out onto the beach and ran up, up, up to transition on Western Lawns.
Out on the bike and headed up and up around the zig zag bends to Beachy Heads. Legs screaming! Out of the sunshine and onto the misty cool roads and fast down to Birling Gap. Dead turn and back up the long drag to Beachy Head and fast down into Eastbourne.
Out on the run. Out and back twice along the promenades. Sun now getting quite hot but lots of people shouting encouragement; some beach goers looking rather bemused at to what was going on. Passed the big cafe and round the corner and up (of course) to the finish. The final 50m up the blue carpet is always thrilling with the commentator shouting your name and the crowd cheering.
V hot and dehydrated. Hugh, Will and Diana there to meet me.
Will had had a good race and still looked very calm and collected. Well done Will. A tough race, but satisfying after the event!
Editors Note: Congratulations to Annie who came 2nd in her age group & subsequently discovered her efforts were sufficient to qualify her for the GB Age Group (70-74) Team at the World Championships 2022, truly inspirational!