Jason Williams reports on the European Duathlon Championships in Bilbao – Bizkaia.
“Race report from the European duathlon championships Sprint distance, 45-49 age group.
I wasn’t feeling particularly fit or ready following the fairly inadequate amount of training I had been able to do, thanks to the painful injuries I sustained from a mtb crash at the end of July.
When the startline hooter went off I held back and ran a very steady pace to try and conserve my energy… I felt ok but was struggling towards the end of the 5k run.
Transition 1 went well and I was quickly out and onto the bike. I felt like I had just got my bike from a gentle warm up and was quickly catching a group of about 5 as we sped through the flat streets in the town.
Sitting on the back of the group, hardly having to pedal, we entered the tunnel that leads out of town and I wanted the speed to increase so I went up a couple of cogs and got out of the saddle as I made a break.. They didn’t come with me so I just kept it going and flew up the smooth Spanish tarmac and gradually reeled in one rider after another, climbing up into the hills.
I eventually caught up with a small group including a GB athlete (John) I know would work with me. Quick rest in the group and then as we turned and started the descent back down. I pushed on again with John holding my wheel and decided for the super fast descent I wanted to be on the front with clear road in front of me to stay out of trouble (crashing was not an option). At 40+mph I was having a great time whilst using all of the road to corner.
The group had stayed close and began to drift past before the bottom of the descent. I didn’t want to push it any faster so followed them as closely as I dared.
I caught back up once we got back into the town and I entered transition with that group plus a few we’d caught up with.
Out on the final run and just held on for the 2.5k, feeling like I was going ok and just focusing on my running form, fully expecting the cramp to creep in but I was fine.. Tagged onto the shoulder of two Spanish athletes in the age group above mine, I put a last kick in for the final 50 metres and crossed the line.. In 5th place! I was then and still am so surprised.. I went out there with no expectations and had written off my chances of making the top 10. I had a smile and thought to myself.. “that went well” 😉👍🇬🇧
A huge thank you for the support and belief .. It’s very much appreciated and I extremely grateful to WVCC 😁🙏
