By Becky Krych
GB Triathlete

On the 9th of September I travelled to Budapest to the Triathlon World Championships. This is my major race of the year. The competition season starts in April and finishes in September. Although it is not a long competition season training for three sports can be very tiring not only physically but mentally.

At the airport it is very clear to see who else is competing as we all travel out in our Great Britain kit. This adds to the excitement of the whole trip.

After a two and half hour flight I landed in Budapest. I am always nervous to see whether my case and more importantly my bike has made in one piece. To my relief they had.

We are then met at the airport by the travel team who help to organise our trip. I was glad to finally check in to the hotel and sit down. Travelling always tires me out.

On Friday the 10th September I had to go and register at the race centre to collect my numbers and my timing chip. By this time it had started to rain, and very heavy rain at that.

I then went back to my hotel to build my bike (as it travels apart in a bike box). Once I had built my bike, pumped up the wheels and attached my numbers to race belt which I wear for the run, it was time to relax and start thinking about the race. I like to break the race down into the three parts and think about them separately. First of all is the swim, then the bike and then the run. I like to make sure I always have a drink by my side to keep hydrated.

Then I went out to find some food. Still in the rain!! It was then a very early night as I was up at 4am!

On Saturday the 11th of September I woke up feeling nervous but ready to race. I was excited to get down to the race centre and get my race underway. I had some museli and an energy drink for breakfast. Once I was at the race centre I had to make the final preparations to my bike and kit in transition- this is where we change from swim to bike and bike to run. All our kit is kept here. It was still pouring with rain. See a pattern here?

I tie my bike shoes onto my bike with elastic bands and prepare my run shoes. Then it was time for my warm up. I usually listen to music to help me get into the zone and ready to race. When I was standing on the pontoon ready to get into the water I was nervous but so excited. This is what I had been aiming for all year. All my training had been towards this race. I also kept in mind all the work people had put into me, including sponsors, physio’s, my coach and parents.

The swim start was quite rough, there are arms and feet everywhere. The water was quite cold but after a couple of minutes it all starts to settle down. When I got out of the water I had to unzip my wetsuit and get my arms out as quickly as possible. Once I am my bike I start to put on my helmet and take my legs out of the wetsuit. The bike went well, there was a lot of standing water which made the dead turns a bit nerve racking. The run was straight up the side of the Danube River. I was so relieved once I had finished because I had a few niggles but had been fine during the race. I finished 12th of 34 in the 20-24 age group. To compete for Great Britain has always been a dream of mine. During hard training sessions I keep this as my inspiration and one day I want to be world champion of my age group.

I am on a months break now but my hard training starts again in mid October.

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