Not exactly a race report, but as our thoughts turn to Windsor, this was something discussed on a recent bike ride. I thought you might like the picture. Windsor 1998 was my first olympic-distance race and first open-water triathlon. I had, as you can see, only some of the gear and about the same amount of idea.

These were the days before aero helmets and aero drinking systems. Tri bars and clipless pedals were quite common but too advanced for me. Oakleys were the height of tri fashion and designed to cover half of your entire head. Most importantly, Speedo were still making tri gear, much of it day-glo, and for a retired swimmer the obvious kit choice was to stick on a vest which matched your skimpy trunks.

All I can remember about the race was that I hated the swim, and have never been so happy to stop doing something I was supposed to be good at and start doing something I wasn't. Very old people with shopping baskets on their way home from Tesco cycled past me with ease, but at least no-one was beating me up and I could breathe OK.

I'm proud to note that the picture also demonstrates great cornering technique with inside foot down, still using the small chain ring despite being on a flat course.

Running ... well, running was probably OK in those days but hardly anything to write home about.

End result: 2:26:33 and 208th place, with a 27:27 swim, 1:18:40 bike and 40:26 run.
10 years on? 2:05:19, with a 23:47 swim, 1:04:51 bike and 36:40 run. Finishing position approximately 207 places better ;-)

The message is: train hard, progress steadily and improvements will come. Both in your racing and your fashion sense!