ACCOUNT OF RACE: THE TRIATHLON CHANTILLY CASTLE

Last Sunday, I took my second triathlon starting at size M (1.6km swim, 40km bike, 10km running), that of the Château de Chantilly, here's my report.

Traditional racing picture with too much pink clothes.

After waking at 4 o'clock in the morning (I nearly missed because I had programmed wrong), I get up to leave my dogs before departure. The Bastille area takes on another dimension and I exchange with lots of very drunk people in the street (to the girl who told me "but not must not pick madame," I thank you for that advice and pity, stop drinking).

I shower, put on my clothes and jump on my bike to join my friends at Gare de Lyon to take the first single & RER day to Chantilly. (Again, great moment of loneliness during the journey by explaining a few Apollos in 206 that no, I was not going to a party).

In short, I agree with the boys, we jump on the RER and meets a lovely volunteer with whom we discuss triathlon, marathon Athletics & the whole way. We quickly arrived at Chantilly (it is not even 7 am), and gently towards the Castle. It is rather cool but we're all fit and in good spirits.

Sunrise on the Castle

Just arrived is recovered our bibs. I cross Stéven  that align from the Gauntlet (1.9km swim, bike 90KM, running 21.1km) filing my bike and I begin to settle my affairs.

The boys are preparing

Once our business ready, we'll go watch the start Gauntlet, I am reassured when I see many people who are Indian or breaststroke swimming. I'm not one to swim like a stone.

"She's cold? "" Yes, and we see nothing! "

After tasting the water (which is advertised at 18 °), it goes back to the bike park. I agree with my girlfriend Isa, which will start in the same wave as I, while boys will go forward.

I put on for the second time in my life my wetsuit, the first fitting that occurred the previousTriathlon Store  (which I once again thank the seller for its great tips that have prevented me from myself coat of Vaseline and take sunburn). FYI I opted for Orca S5  I'm super happy.

Then down for the start of the race. I'm much less stressed than in Paris because this time I know I can do it. Ideally I want to improve my time, but I do not put myself pressure.

We jump in the water, on foot, there is a lot of mud. I think back to Matthew who spoke to me the day before, it is very sweet indeed!

Departure is launched, I go quietly behind, I know my pace and I stand. I feel much better than in Paris since there is no seaweed and the combination helps me float. I do not crame me and I alternate & breaststroke crawl all the way without taking shots. I will conclude by 4mn 45mn or less than in Paris. I know it really remains poor as overall time, but at least I made progress!

I go out of the pool and I run towards my bike. Unlike Paris, there are still people when I arrive at the park, which confirms me that I improved my time (I do not know at the time, I do everything on instinct and I'll pay a bit later).

Once part, I spend a great while, I go up a few people, the map is crazy and offers more vertical drop than in Paris (+ 550m). I enjoy, except that the route will be 45km, not 40. So I improved my time at global (1:38 to 1:41 against Paris 40km to 45km Chantilly) but I still lose 3 minutes on my reference time.

Arriving on the run, I know I worked my transition and that I would not have the "wooden leg" that had been so painful to Paris. So I go on my usual pace, and I make the first kilometers in the shaded forest is super nice and I begin to see the end!

Except that it was not. I have no watch, no markup. I have no idea how far I've come and I left too quickly, that's running on instinct ... Running on the rugged terrain, I twist a little ankle, nothing serious but I feel that I must not push and I'm getting very hot.

After the 5th kilometer, there are large portions of sunlight at the edge of the parking lot racing Racecourse. It is past noon, the sun hits, I hurt my ankle and I'm dying of heat. I do the thing I hate the most: I walk. And I'll never really leave until the end. I go out in 1:02 for 10km, making it so the 10k longest of my life.

I finally crossed the finish line in 3:37 or 15 minutes more than in Paris. It was long ! But I am really happy with my race, I had a better feel less scared swimming & more ease on the bike. If I had not miserably pitched my running, it would have been perfect!

I join my friends who I confirm: it was harder than in Paris! And nobody could beat his PR on this course.

Medallists

But in absolute good I still loved the event at the same time if I know I still have much to improve, I intend to make another as soon as possible! I am even trying to seriously consider the idea of ​​a Half-Ironman next year.

And if you want to triathlon, registrations for the sort of Chantilly are already open  with a 25% rate if you take your number now!