The swim in Lac Du Verney is in the valley - it's water is chilly - which was some relief as temperatures were in the 30's. I got mashed a bit in the swim start among the 1,000 or so starters. I couldn't find a rhythm in the chaos and was some way down on my capabilities.
I took it steady through transition to compose myself and then set about the bike course. Through the valley the heat warmed me up and like many euro races, drafting was an issue. Hitting the climb was tough, suddenly everyone is hardly moving and there's a steady but there's stream of riders to pick off. I stopped briefly at La Garde to fill a water bottle as I was getting through a lot of water both to drink and to cool.
I think I paced it well, a few riders came past but overall I was moving forward. Biggest shock was the V5 cat man who passed me - that's 60-65 age group. Chapeau! I didn't catch him on the run. The first few hairpin bends count down quickly but nearer the top it stretches out and the final drag into the resort is tough as you think you should be there. Still had something left at the top but saved that for the run. One tough ride.
Steady transition and off on the run - couldn't say I could tell the effect of altitude or just having ridden up hill for an hour - it was just hard work! I was picking people off but on a rocky off road trail I was getting hamstring cramping and as my leg cramped so I tripped on a rock and hit the deck. The gel I was a carrying exploded everywhere. Picked myself up and got moving again and carried on but felt I was having to nurse my legs around. I picked off a few more people and had got inside the top 100 before the finish.
Result : Second in my age category, 96th overall in 2hr, 23min 22 secs (150th in swim, 119th on bike - 116th up the Alp and 61st on the run)
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