European Sprint Duathlon Championships, 18 Sep 2022

My first international race since COVID started and my first as a qualified doctor balancing training with working life! With 9 other GB girls as competition in my AG, it was very much the Brit champs abroad! However the standard was high and it would be a real battle for the medals. With a technical and hilly bike course, this race very much played to my all-rounder strengths. I just needed to hold back on that first run and cross my fingers that I didn’t cramp up on the bike!

I was super nervous before we started- but once we got going I relaxed and settled in to a comfortable run pace. A couple of the faster run girls flew off the start line, it was very tempting to try and keep up but I stuck to the race plan and did my own thing- keeping them in sight but not overexerting myself. Unlike the London duathlon, my running legs decided to co-operate today and I felt really good! I completed the first run as 4th in AG and 6th overall - 19:32  (19:08 5km)

I had a good transition and flying mount (safety pins attached to my shoe straps to avoid the disaster I had in London) and set off chasing down the others on the bike. I was on my own for the majority of the ride - a shame for a drafting race but inevitable on a hilly course. I gave it all the beans on the steepest part of the climb and passed the strongest runner in my AG with a smile on my face. Bike legs felt good and I knew I had to keep pushing to build a bigger gap for that final run. I’m not very confident descending on the bike but these roads were nice and wide, a good surface and a gradient that you could actually incorporate some pedalling into. I came in to T2 and had a fantastic transition, overtaking two girls who were ahead of me on the bike. 20km Bike- 39:11

Onto the final run- a straight riverside run to the finish line. I had to dig deep and really push myself- I was terrified of being caught and so the adrenaline really kept me going! At about halfway through I could hear one of the girls approaching and unfortunately it was one of the ones in my AG who I had overtaken in transition. As she passed me, I tried to keep up but she had a real kick I couldn’t quite manage. I kept looking behind me but thankfully there was no one else in sight. I kept it going right up to the line and crossed the finish as 4th lady overall, 3rd in my AG. (Final 2.7km run 10:38)

Overall time- 1:13:06 , 1min 34 behind the overall winner.

I was so happy as it really was so up in the air as to who would medal. A great overall position was a bonus too. I felt like this race really came together, I displayed my best running and cycling of the year and probably my most complete performance ever in international racing.

Training alongside a full-time shift work has been tough- very different to my time training at university! Tim has been fantastic in his flexibility around my training, listening to suggestions about what sessions I can and can’t fit around night shifts etc! Having a coach like him has meant that I’ve managed to maintain a good work-life balance, get enough sleep, yet still perform well.

Now, what next? I’m still to decide on my race plans for next year. Working in A&E over the winter is going to prove fun…. but I’m planning on getting myself through a x-country season, some autumn running events and maybe a couple of hill climbs!

Megan Powell