A Weekend in Mallorca

One of the massive benefits of having a super fast wife is that you get to go to places like Mallorca for the weekend in October – just when it’s starting to be a bit rubbish in the UK. S0….. half distance European Championships in Paguera Mallorca, quick flight from Bristol on Thursday evening – on the beach in 25 degrees on Friday – without a doubt this was the best spectator venue we’ve ever been to…….. oh yes, including Wimbleball in the mud and rain. And once again the mighty Franster didn’t disappoint, despite having torn a hip flexor just a few weeks before and being told that running could be an issue. The swim was non-wetsuit starting in one beach and finishing on another with a nice cafe between the two (I like that!). A huge age group field assembled on the start with a running start into the water – Fran put in a good swim split before heading out on her exocet 2. Up to her old tricks, she ripped through the bike posting the second fastest age group bike split and matching all but the top few pro athletes. Off the bike and onto the run and Fran had a clear lead in her age category but then disaster struck with the hip flexors seizing up on the first lap of the run. So 35mins for the first 5k and she stopped for a chat… something along the lines of ‘any point in carrying on?’.  We decided on a give it one more lap strategy as her lightning quick bike meant she was still in silver medal position. By this stage the temperature had risen to 30 degrees+ but remarkably Fran started to run a bit better and then on the 3rd lap began eating back at the lead of the girl in 1st. Unfortunately, in the end she ran out of road but to come out with the silver medal after that start to the run was a phenomenal achievement. Topped off by an excellent medal ceremony and party atmosphere – brilliant.

   At speed half way through the bike