Now that the season is well underway, I’m diving deep into my training and gearing up for some key races. 

May Events Recap: Llanelli and Road Races

May was an exciting month with some key events that tested my abilities and provided valuable race experience.
The trip to Llanelli was a big focus for me this month. It involved a long drive from Scotland, some serious preparation, and even squeezing in study sessions for my Higher Maths exam (which I had on the Monday following the race!). The time management and ability to balance these demands was a real challenge, but I’m proud of how I managed it all.

Swim: Improving Technique and Efficiency

The swim continues to be a focus area for me. I’ve been working hard on improving my freestyle technique.

Specifically, I’ve been paying attention to stroke length, breathing patterns, and body positioning to make sure I’m swimming efficiently, saving energy for the bike and run legs. The extra work in the pool is starting to pay off, as I’m feeling more comfortable in the water.

The goal for this season remains to get my 400m swim time under 4:20, and although I’m not quite there yet, I’m getting closer every week.

Bike Handling: Building Confidence and Speed
Training on bike handling has been a priority this month. I’ve been working on everything from cornering to descending in a more controlled manner. The key to improving bike handling isn’t just about speed; it’s about being able to ride confidently in technical sections and maintain that confidence when conditions get tough.

One of the biggest challenges I faced this month was in Llanelli. The race conditions were intense, especially on the bike. The course had a mix of fast sections and technical turns, and there were a few crashes that made the group dynamics more chaotic. I was really focused on staying in control and ensuring I didn’t get caught up in any dangerous situations. It wasn’t the smoothest bike leg for me, and I definitely learned a lot about how to handle a more aggressive pace in a race scenario.

My Ribble bike was key during the race. The bike’s stability and responsiveness gave me the confidence to stay with the pack and ride aggressively when needed, even though I was working harder than usual to keep up.

Run: Building Speed and Stamina
The run this month has been challenging, especially after my bike leg at Llanelli. Coming off the bike with fried legs and a hot, windy race day, it was a real test of my mental toughness.

Despite struggling on the run, I pushed through and ended up finishing in 10th place, which was a solid result considering the tough conditions.
One of the things I’ve been working on during training is running off the bike with fatigued legs. It’s something I’ll need to be prepared for at every triathlon, and the more I practice it, the better I’ll handle it come race day.

In addition to Llanelli, I had a couple of road races in May. First was the Scottish 5k Road Race Championships, which took place on a windy evening by the shore in Edinburgh. Even though the weather wasn’t ideal, I managed to achieve a PB, which was a huge confidence booster. It’s always great to see the progress, even when the conditions aren’t perfect.
The month ended with a local 9.5k race up into the Pentland Hills, which provided a nice change of pace. The terrain was challenging, but I took it as an opportunity to mix up my training and push myself in different ways.

How My Gear Supports My Training

As I continue to focus on my weaknesses and fine-tune my performance, the right equipment has been key in supporting my training.

• Precision Hydration: Staying hydrated has never been more important. With the high-intensity training and races I’m doing, keeping my electrolytes in balance has helped with recovery and energy levels. I feel like I can push harder during training and race day without worrying about hitting a wall due to dehydration.

• Ribble Bike: My Ribble bike is proving to be an essential part of my performance. From training rides to race day, it’s helping me improve my handling, speed, and overall confidence on the bike. I trust the bike to perform well in any condition, which makes a big difference when I’m pushing the pace in races like Llanelli.

Looking Ahead: Keeping the Momentum Going
With May behind me, I’m more focused than ever on my goals for the season. I’m looking forward to the next big races, especially as I continue refining my swim, bike, and run techniques. I’ll keep pushing myself in training, and I’m excited to see what the next month brings.

The focus will remain on building strength, improving bike handling, and pushing for that sub-15:30 5k time. I’ll be looking to apply everything I’ve learned from my races this month to the next phase of training, and I can’t wait to see how I perform in upcoming events.
Stay tuned for next month’s update as I continue to build towards my top 2 finish at a British Super Series race.

Key Takeaways

• Balancing Training and Other Life Demands: Being able to juggle events with study (like my maths exam) helped me stay sharp and organized. It’s all part of being a triathlete!

• Race Experience Matters: Each race, no matter the result, is a learning experience. Llanelli showed me what I need to work on, and the road races were great tests for my endurance.

• Gear Makes a Difference: Whether it’s keeping hydrated with Precision Hydration or riding confidently on my Ribble bike, the right tools make it easier to perform at my best.