That said, I've raced big branded events that could learn a thing or two about putting on an event from Weesp: lots of incredible volunteers, plenty of marshals on the bike course, hundreds out on the streets supporting, marching bands, live music, boat parties... it was fun to take part in. A highly recommended race for the atmosphere alone - not to mention close proximity to Amsterdam.
The result? Not amazing, not terrible...
Bike: I tried hard and felt good at times but, again, lack of training showed. What showed more, however, were my horrifically appalling bike-handling skills. The course was 5 x loops (for a total of 38k), more akin to a criterium than a tri, with each loop taking in around 10 corners - two of which were narrow hairpins that involved almost coming to a stop. I came off the bike in 16th position (so, lost 12 places) but - except for the very top top guys - on the straights I was able to ride with all those who overtook me... or even pass them again. But, through the corners, I was losing 10m each time. Extremely frustrating. The fact that 30% of the course was on brick surfaces also disheartened me a little. I kept plugging away, but my power fell a little on the last two laps - I suspect due to the hard surges I had to keep making out of each turn to try not to lose too much ground.
Anyway, bike soon ended in just over an hour or so (I think around 1:03).
Run: I was, again, really pleased with how I run off the bike. It was a pretty warm day, the course was far from easy (lots of cobbles, looping through old city center, and a tough couple of little climbs each lap due to passing through an underpass). but I managed to run around 39:00 after a bike that sapped my legs - again, proof to me that my run has come on leaps and bounds this year.
I gained one position on the run, finishing 15th overall in a time of 1:55. Solid but unspectacular, but an enjoyable day of racing.
In many ways, it was the perfect way to round off my season. To be very honest, I'd found motivation really hard since Roth - one of the down sides of having such a big race focus in the middle of the summer is that everything else feels like a bit of an anticlimax. After racing so well in Roth, it was hard to get up for a few local B and C races... throw in a couple of weekends of house moving, some big work weeks, a stag weekend and organizing a wedding... hardly ideal preparations. So, nice to know I can still mix it a little in spite of all that and not being in peak condition.
Also, it left me with a clear idea of my winter needs.
First up, a few weeks off: shouldn't be too hard as I have a three week vacation starting tomorrow: well, slightly more than an average vacation as I'll be making an honest woman of Our Lass next weekend as we tie the knot in northern Spain.
Next: a winter focused on cycling power, bike skills and overall strength.
For the past few years, running has always been my focus - my weakest discipline by far. It's good to know that I've improved that to the point where it's no longer my weakest discipline, and I'm now super motivated and focused on making the same sort of improvement on the bike as I've made in the run of late.
In summary, a relaxed few weeks, maybe a crack at a half marathon... then a relaxed unstructured schedule of regular short riding, with a little swimming and running in just to keep those ticking over. There won't be a repeat of last winter (5 months out the pool and off the bike) this time around... it's just too hard and long to come back!
I have goals in mind for next season already, but they're for another post and another time.
For now, I better get my wedding suit packed...