Aberdeen Aquathlon, 24 Oct 2021

This was my first Aquathlon and so I had no idea what to expect or how hard it would be. 

I was doing the “novice” distance which consisted of a 400m swim (in a pool) and 5km run. We were set off at 10 second intervals for the swim so my only goal was to not get caught and overtaken - which was a success! I was pretty glad the swim was in the pool as the waves were about as tall as a 2 storey house in the sea. 

Swim done, “quick” jump out of the pool, into transition, shoes on, belt on, run run run.

I was a bit scared for the run as it was forecast to be torrential winds and we were running along the coast, but it was actually the most wonderful run I’ve ever done with a tail wind on the way back :):). I had no time goals for the event so I just relaxed into a rhythm and enjoyed the views along the coast. It was an out and back course so you could see all the other runners from both the elite and novice races along the way which kept momentum going.

In the end I managed to come 13th woman and had the 7th fastest run of the day! I will definitely be going back to race there again. 

Jess Barrett-Drylie