Slow times in Geneva E-mail
Mike Clyne was no match for Swiss time keepers... Having friends in Geneva who are also triathletes allowed us to plan a visit to coincide with the Olympic Distance race here.  The weather in the morning was shocking, windy and pouring rain.  As I watched the end of the pro race (Jodie Swallow won with 4 mins to spare) the rain eased off.

Lake Geneva is stunning for swimming.  Temperature was about 20 deg C with clear clean water.  Just perfect.  Despite closed roads and massive organisation, in my race (the Olympic distance) there were only 150 people racing.  The swim was a mass start on the beach and a two loop course.  On the second course I went a bit off course which was my own fault but still frustrating.  As I ran out, the transition was a way away so my swim time on the race results (34.25) didn’t reflect the actual on my watch (32.41).  Transition was well organised with loads of space but long.  Official T1 time 1.40, on my watch 3.30.

The bike was 6 laps on smooth closed roads which felt great but included a hill on each lap that rose 80 metres in less than one km.  As climbing isn’t my strength I just tried to conserve energy but watched as other flew past me.  It seemed like a 'young' race and when I checked the results there I was in the oldest 20 people!  Lap split times of 15.59, 16.54, 17.16, 17.20, 17.43 & 18.26 betray a slowing that ended with me posting one of my slowest ever OD bike splits (1.43.40).  Ho hum.  T2 was another long transition so 2.07 wasn't too bad.

By the time I was on the run, it was getting quieter.  The 4 loop course was virtually pan flat but my legs were heavy from the bike and so I was relieved to keep consistent lap splits of 13.36 (shorter loop based on where the timing mat was), 14.24, 14.28 & 14.50 (longer loop with the run into the finish).  Run time of 57.19 again was one of my slowest in years.

So an overall 3.19.12 meant almost a PW for 10 years BUT, a lovely course with a great swim, closed roads, good organisation (although the goody bag doesn’t match ours) and a good weekend with good friends.  Sometimes, it isn’t all about the clock.