T100 London Race Recap

I’ve had my eye on the T100 race series since it launched earlier this year, and for good reason. The race structure is a dream for strong swimmers and less-than-stellar cyclists like me. Plus, the pro race coverage, especially with Jan Frodeno in the mix, has been a thrill to follow. Having raced the Olympic Distance at Challenge London in 2021, I knew the course well, but adding extra laps for the T100 distance (2km swim, 80km ride, 18km run) wasn’t exactly something I was looking forward to.

Despite dabbling in triathlon training over the past four years, T100 was my first real “big race”. My typical training routine involved a few double sessions a week, but this block was something else entirely. Weekday sessions stretched to 2-3 hours, and weekends often involved double or even triple workouts. I was all in-living, breathing, and sometimes struggling with triathlon. While I pride myself on commitment, this training block truly pushed my limits.

Pro-Spotting

While triathlon has seen tremendous growth in recent years, it’s still a niche sport where pros and age groupers often share the same race venue, if not the same timeslot. This setup allows for close-up interactions, shared spaces, and the occasional chance run-in around the race village or hotel. The pros were all warming up for their races around our hotel, and every time we looked out the window, it was, “Oh, it’s Sam Long!” 

On my first night in London, while setting up my bike outside the hotel, Jan Frodeno casually walked by with his wife, Emma Snowsill. He even commented on our portable bike trainer setup. I was so starstruck that I couldn’t muster the courage to ask for a picture! After my race, while watching the male pros in the transition area, I quickly realized I was standing next to the winner of the pro women’s race, Ashleigh Gentle. This time, I finally got up the nerve to ask for a photo. Afterward, we stood together, watching the guys race alongside Kyle Smith’s girlfriend for the next half hour. It truly felt like making a new friend – such a wonderful experience!

Race Day

The Swim

The swim took place in the River Thames, with two laps to complete. As usual, the women started in the last wave, behind the slower men – a placement that always frustrates me. Determined not to get caught in the congestion, I pushed my way to the front and was the second swimmer in the water after a rolling start. I managed to break away early, enjoying some clear water before inevitably catching up to the slower male swimmers. As I started my second lap, I got tangled up with a group of men heading toward the exit, which cost me about a minute. Despite the minor detour, I felt strong and exited the water in first place overall.

The Bike

The bike leg was eventful, to say the least. It was my first time trying a moving start with my shoes attached to the bike using rubber bands. Just a few hundred meters in, I had to pull over to unclip my shoes and put them on – a rather embarrassing start. Things didn’t improve when I hit a speed bump a couple of minutes later, sending my hydration bottle and straw flying across the road. Cue another dismount to retrieve them while dodging oncoming bikes.  

Once I got past the initial fiascos, I found my rhythm and felt good. However, the road conditions were typical for London – rough and full of dodgy turns that required coming out of the drops. The course grew increasingly congested as more Olympic Distance athletes joined in, and while the three laps through central London offered some spectacular views, I was too focused on maintaining my pace to notice.

The Run

I started the run feeling strong, tackling the six laps that included a steep ramp leading back into the ExCel center. The course was narrow, with uneven ground and athletes all around, which led to a few elbows being thrown. By the second lap, I realized I couldn’t hold my goal pace, so I focused on staying steady and avoiding a complete blow-up.  

On the third lap, another woman passed me, and I didn’t have the legs to go with her. My coach was on the course, keeping me motivated by reminding me that I was in third place. I began stopping at every aid station, eventually walking through them as the race wore on. The crowd at the finish was electrifying, lining the barriers and cheering. It was such a relief to cross the line, although I admit I was thinking, “Oh God, why have I already signed up for another one of these!”

The Finish 

The T100 London was a tough but rewarding experience. While I was disappointed with my run pace, I was proud of my effort. Knowing this was my first long-distance race – and considering I’d been sick for two weeks – I approached the race with a mindset of managing when, not if, I would hit the wall. In the end, I relied on feel and gave it everything I had.  

I ended up 3rd in my age group and 6th overall. It didn’t hurt that Kat Matthews personally handed out our medals on the podium. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a huge milestone for me in my triathlon journey.

By Caroline Bridges

Posted on 18th Aug 2024