Race report - Womens Only Tri, challenge distance.

With a 10:30am wave start it wasn’t too early a start for me but still managed to head for the Westbound motorway junction instead of East - I’m never good in the mornings. 
Arrived at venue, parked up and headed for registration after 1/2 mile walk and still only half way there went back to the car for my bike & full kit to take with me otherwise I’d walk 3 miles before the start. 
2 days before we were told it would be a none wetsuit race - at registration it became optional. Well as I was prepared to try a non-wetsuit swim and the fact my wetsuit was still in the car a mile away I chose to go without. As it turned out it was an even split between floaters and sinkers. 
OMG the swim was like being in a whirlpool full of kicking frogs ! 
I mistakenly thought a womens only race would be more gentle, calm and not like fight at opening of Harrods sale. 
I apologise to the lady I must have punched as I have a bruised & swollen knuckle and to those that hit or kicked me I’ll try and avoid you or get you next time ! 
Settled into the swim on second lap but without wetsuit was using my legs a lot more than usual to keep horizontal. 
Off for 6 laps on the bike with an evil headwind going out, unfortunately the return angle meant it became a cross wind and not as helpful as hoped for, but same for everyone. 
By the time I was on the run it was 28C+ and you could feel and see the heat off the track. Three laps and welcome water to drink and shower in, that wind was there again but now a warm wind so not much cooling relief from it. 
The run & bike were quite busy as later waves of sprint and novice were now filtering in out on courses. 
I will never feel embarrassed to wear my tri suit again in public as all shapes and sizes were there doing their stuff and getting on with it - good for them. 
I must have been mugged of my suntan lotion in the swim as I have tri suit tan markings now. Glad I had a cap for the run as heat insane ( for the UK). 
A really friendly event for all levels, would do again next year. 
Finish time 2:05:41 for 2010

77th over all (from 225) and 17th in old farts 40-44 age group