Weymouth Aquathlon last night. It was a beautiful evening, and so nice to be back in UK even if a bit dazed from an overnight flight with onion bhajees for breakfast 
Been hitting the pool 5-6 times per week for the last few months, and the swim felt great, fast arm turnover and didn’t tire at all, if anything felt stronger in the 2nd half. Sighting and navigation never my strong point, though. Lost contact with the lead canoe in the first 200m and then basically traced a shape a bit like a big boomerang- which was not ideal as the course was meant to be triangular.
Still, exited the water in 3rd, might even have had a shot at 2nd if I’d not gone the scenic route. 1st was some half fish creature who was miles ahead. Chip said 17m16 but that was from the T2 exit, so includes running up the beach , into a car park, off with the wetsuit and on with the 4%. I reckon probably got out of the drink sub-16 which I was very happy with, given the sat nav issues. 2 people passed me in T2, how dare they, I wasn’t deliberately hanging around either but getting your shoes on quickly is difficult when you are under 5 or over 49.
the run is straight up a hill. it’s only 40m elevation gain in 400m, but never welcome mid race. Then a moment of respite as you run all the way back down to sea level over the next 400m. Then 1.7km pancake flat to the turnaround, then retrace steps and the hill doesn’t get any nicer on the way back. Managed to catch one of the T2 bandits on the first hill, that’ll larn him.
chip time 18m20, I think course must be short as garmin suggested more like 20 minutes pace with the hillage. Or maybe it’s adjusted to take account of the run up from the sea to the car park, dunno. Anyway, 4th it was.
Didn’t see a single shark.
Really enjoyable and also great to see a good crowd turn up for a midweek race. there were maybe 50 people, biggest turnout since 2019 apparently. Bargain at £9.50 or £8.50 for British Triathlon members, 7pm every Wednesday during the summer, just pitch up if you’re down that way 