Team PRA Triathlon Blog, Entry 6: The Big Day

D day has arrived. Good grief. Having completed my trans-Pyrenean bike ride last Autumn, it struck me, in my fading years, how important it is to have fitness targets to give a focus to my training. And so it came to pass over a quiet post-work drink that I announced to the team that we should enter into the London Triathlon to motivate us to get out and train in the run up to August 1st. The speed at which a few members of our team who shall remain nameless (Tim, Stuart and Josh) immediately declared their unavailability due to ‘prior commitments’ – that old chestnut - was impressive . It did, however, highlight their tremendous vision and adaptability and why, therefore, they are such valued employees. Bastards.

And so here we are a few months on, raring to finish and get through what promises to be the longest day of the year for most of us. There have been varying ‘keano’ levels in the run up to the event. One of our beloved team has gone for it and has kitted himself out with entirely new equipment and wardrobe for the occasion. 2012 beckons, so watch out Tim Don. Others have taken a more leisurely approach, and will be adopting the age old adage; “It’s not the winning that counts, it’s avoiding the floating waste in Canary Wharf”. And so say all of us.

After this week of tapering, carbo loading and in my case, trying on my wet suit for the first time in the bath, I would not say this has been the typical preparation for our first foray in the occult of Triathlon. Everyone I speak to has different words of advice – so I will wait until we get to the ExCeL centre to finalise my race tactics. Am thinking my breast stroke technique could take a few people by surprise and while I’m confident that my cycling skills are adequate, the wet weather could take its toll.

Time to munch through my final energy bar, glug on my Gatorade and get my wetsuit on. As Captain Lawrence Oates so famously said: “I’m going outside and I might be some time..”

Onwards and upwards people.

If you would like to sponsor the PRA Triathlon team, who are raising funds for the PRA Benevolent Fund, the Players' Charity, please visit www.justgiving.com/pratriathlon

To read previous PRA Triathlon blogs go to www.prarugby.com/triathlon