It's a Friday afternoon, and your travelling along the motorway to Manchester Airport to board a flight to Alanya, The venue for the European Triathlon Championships 2013, when you receive the message. "It's yours if you want it! But we need a answer by Sunday so we can ensure your registered by the closing date."
What do you do? You have just been offered a place to race in the biggest triathlon on the ITU world circuit. 10000 athletes, 300000 fans and all based around the heart of the city on completely closed roads. Not only this, but the 2013 ITU World Triathlon in Hamburg, doubled up as the venue for the world team relay championships.
http://youtu.be/xiFTtjvGaS8
Of course I took it, I'd be stupid not to wouldn't I?
What do you do? You have just been offered a place to race in the biggest triathlon on the ITU world circuit. 10000 athletes, 300000 fans and all based around the heart of the city on completely closed roads. Not only this, but the 2013 ITU World Triathlon in Hamburg, doubled up as the venue for the world team relay championships.
http://youtu.be/xiFTtjvGaS8
Of course I took it, I'd be stupid not to wouldn't I?
That call came courtesy of Andrew from Erdinger Alkoholfrei UK. Attached to it, only one condition! One that would see me pull on different colours to my usual Orange and Blue, one that would see me pull on the red white and blue colours of Team Erdinger Alkoholfrei which are so competitively worn by Champion Triathlon brothers, Michael and Andreas Raelert.
Now I must admit, the thought did cross my mind to turn this generous offer down due to finance and annual leave reasons, after all I was heading out on a two week racing vacation, and only weeks before at Nottingham, had qualified to represent GB in the World Championships in London in September, the site of the famous GB triathlon victory in the 2012 London Olympic Games. But as primary sponsors for the event, I knew it was going to be an experience and a half, but not what I was about to encounter...
Even before I left for Hamburg, I was treated like royalty. Andrew had put me in touch with Michael over in Germany who had arranged for me to receive, not only for myself, but for Charlotte and Freya, who travel with me everywhere, free passes into the VIP team Erdinger hospitality tent. I was very soon to find out that this consisted of Comfortable surroundings, cool shaded environment (which in 30 degree heat was certainly welcomed), constantly replenished refreshments, television screens covering all the live action, prime viewing position above the swim course, oh and Erdinger Alkoholfrei quite literally, on tap.
Even before I left for Hamburg, I was treated like royalty. Andrew had put me in touch with Michael over in Germany who had arranged for me to receive, not only for myself, but for Charlotte and Freya, who travel with me everywhere, free passes into the VIP team Erdinger hospitality tent. I was very soon to find out that this consisted of Comfortable surroundings, cool shaded environment (which in 30 degree heat was certainly welcomed), constantly replenished refreshments, television screens covering all the live action, prime viewing position above the swim course, oh and Erdinger Alkoholfrei quite literally, on tap.
Now at this juncture, I will mention, completely unbiased, and completely un prompted, that if you have not sampled this beverage, get yourself out there and give it a go. You can't not agree that for one, and most importantly it tastes fantastic. On top of this, being naturally isotonic and packed with vitamins and minerals it makes for a fantastic post workout/race recovery drink.
From the moment we arrived, we had landed on our feet. We booked our hotel due to its proximity to the central station Hauptbahnhoff, which conveniently turned out to be only yards from transition, registration, and Rathausmarkt, the centre of all the action.
From the moment we arrived, we had landed on our feet. We booked our hotel due to its proximity to the central station Hauptbahnhoff, which conveniently turned out to be only yards from transition, registration, and Rathausmarkt, the centre of all the action.
With race day not until Sunday, Saturday give us the opportunity to enjoy the expo, familiarise myself with the swim course and watch Team GB run riot through the streets of Hamburg claiming four podium spots out of a possible six. Watching success always spurs me on, spurs me on to do the very best I possibly can. Usually from my team mates back home, on this occasion, the Brownlee brothers, Non Stanford and Jodie Stimpson were to prove to provide my fuel on Sunday.
The Expo tent provided me storage facilities and an environment which I could prepare for the race. Speaking with Michael, he talked me through the swim course, which in 25 degrees, was deemed non wetsuit. I would usually be concerned at this point, but I was completely relaxed. Racing away from home in an environment where I knew no one and no one knew me I felt no pressure but the pressure to enjoy myself.
The Expo tent provided me storage facilities and an environment which I could prepare for the race. Speaking with Michael, he talked me through the swim course, which in 25 degrees, was deemed non wetsuit. I would usually be concerned at this point, but I was completely relaxed. Racing away from home in an environment where I knew no one and no one knew me I felt no pressure but the pressure to enjoy myself.
The swim was comfortable, I had made a good start and I had clear water ahead of me. I knew I was going to come out of the water in a decent position, 7th wasn't to shabby in my age category for my weakest discipline. It was time to have some fun. Two laps of 20km over an undulating course which was pretty much in a straight line, meant I used my brakes four times. A one hour bike leg was followed by a flat run in hot conditions for 38 minutes.
Second in my age category and 14th overall! From 10000 participants! I will take that to. Oh and although there were not very many of us, first Brit was nice to.
So would I recommend Hamburg? Absolutely I would. Would I recommend the race? Without a doubt, I will be back to race it again. The only thing left to say is a massive thank you to Erdinger Alkoholfrei UK for allowing me this once in a lifetime opportunity, one that I think I have captured, will stay with me for a long time to come.
So would I recommend Hamburg? Absolutely I would. Would I recommend the race? Without a doubt, I will be back to race it again. The only thing left to say is a massive thank you to Erdinger Alkoholfrei UK for allowing me this once in a lifetime opportunity, one that I think I have captured, will stay with me for a long time to come.