Making the jump from amateur runner to amateur triathlete is time consuming (3x as much training to fit into a week) and expensive (need I mention that triathletes love kit?) but boy is it worth it. Firstly, despite the fact that I am now Jack of three disciplines and still master of none, I love the variety in my training. I'm all round fitter due to the cross training and when I was in Croatia on a sailing holiday this summer I could jump into the sea and swim happily for an hour without feeling like I might drown.
Training with a club is fantastic, there's always someone who can give advice or who will accompany you on a weekend 'training ride' to a coffee shop. Humour abound and camaraderie at hand, training hours slip by. 
I competed in a number of local races this season. I love the early morning starts. This is true of me generally, but as triathlon season is during the summer, the mornings are (generally) bright, fresh and warm. The nervous energy as participants amass for registration and body marking is palpable. Everyone chats as bikes are racked; thoughts exchanged on likely clothing, hydration and lubrication requirements. Bike porn is the order of the day.
Once it's time for race briefing the mood changes. Silence falls over the crowd as everyone listens intently to instructions, check watches, goggles on tight, breathe, remain calm. Thoughts clicking over race prep, just go steady, keep your rhythm, don't faff around in transition; helmet, race belt, shoes, go. Despite the banter in the run up to the whistle everyone is here to compete. To try to achieve a goal they set months ago in the cold drizzle of January. Its go time. Prove yourself.
Anyone who has ever entered a mass participation event will know that on the whole althetes are supportive of one another. As amateurs we're mostly competing against ourselves, swim faster, bike harder, run smoother. Obviously I take pleasure in beating the run times of some of the men I train with, but overall its just about bettering myself. I have never taken part in direct head to head race combat like the elites do, all bunched in a pack elbows at the ready.
At my last race of the season I had a nightmare with my bike at the bottom of a steep incline, the chain somehow jammed between the crank and the rear wheel. Despite moving the derailleur to put slack on the chain and wiggling it around, I couldn't free it. My flashy white bar tape was covered in dirty smear marks from the oil on my hands and my heart racing... I thought my race was over, all that hard work wasted. DNF. Out of nowhere a man pulled up next to me..."need a hand?" What a gent. He didn't have to stop. Once he had freed my chain he had to swing his bike back down the hill to get his cleat in and enough momentum to begin the ascent again. I couldn't thank him enough... and I passed him on the run which made me feel really guilty.
So what's my point in all of this? Do I love race day because of the medals and the boozy post race pub lunches? The banter in comparing split times with my team mates? The opportunity to 'chick' as many men as I can on the run? Well, yes. But more than that I love race day because it is the finest example of human spirit and benevolence. Participants who, for no other reason other than self improvement, test their strength. Volunteers who drag themselves out of bed for no more than a free T-shirt and a cup of lukewarm instant coffee, to stand in the early morning mist and marshal the route, I thank you. The lady at my first ever race who offered me talcum powder for my shoes when I forgot mine and gave me tips about bike in/ run out. The unpaid coaches who spend hours developing training plans, yelling from the edge of that sub standard grass track. The gentleman who saved my race. The participants who do it all to raise money for a cause close to a friend's heart. The passers by who stand and clap you along. My family and friends who roll their eyes, but let me off for not drinking because I've got training in the morning. When I'm flagging, they lift my energy more than any carb gel could. They are the reason I love race day.
When I heard about the Boston marathon bombings my heart wrenched. I didn't know anyone racing that day, but it felt personal. Compared to the number running that day, fairly few were injured. This of course is no comfort. For every person that was injured there were also 1000 runners who didn't finish that day. Boston is a qualification only marathon; something that its participants chase after for years. Through no lack of training, under-hydrating or over-heating did they DNF. Attacking a community who's sole purpose was benevolent. Amby Burfoot, (appropriate name or what) Editor at Large for Runner's World said "We have used our public roadways for annual parades, protest marches, presidential inaugurations, marathons, and all manner of other events. The roads belong to us, and their use represents an important part of our free and democratic tradition".
Howard Jacobson wrote an article last week for the Independent (read it here http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/its-a-capital-crime-that-london-is-now-under-siege-from-marathons-and-triathalons-8829548.html) complaining about the closure of roads over the summer for various cycling, running and triathlon events. Despite the tongue in cheek writing and Jacobson's ebullient wit, the article represents the opinion of thousands and it raised my hackles. Jacobson writes "Don’t get me wrong. I am no opponent of sport. Football, cricket, tennis, darts – all these are aired affectionately in these columns. But then no darts tournament has ever necessitated the closure of the city in which I try to live in peace. Darts players know their place. At the oche, in Alexandra Palace or Blackpool Tower. As cricketers know their place is Lord’s. If we want to see them that is where we go, if we don’t we don’t. I don’t insist on a poetry reading at Old Trafford while Manchester United are playing, and they don’t close Regent’s Park to kick a ball around. Thus do we accommodate one another."
Firstly I would like to counter with "on your bike Jacobson!" Private transport has clogged up our roads for long enough, polluting the air. Where exactly were you trying to get to, on a Sunday in the middle of London, that was so far away it negated the use of the tube? Also you are clearly notified that on these few Sundays (5/6 in 52) over the summer the roads will be closed. Plan around it, stay at home with your family like people used to on Sundays. Don't go harping on about the damage to business - one woman actually took time out of her busy shopping day during my volunteer stint at the Tour of Britain in Guildford recently, to tell me that the shops were suffering. 50,000 people came to watch that race, I'm pretty sure most of them partook in a least a locally supplied coffee. Better yet go and support the athletes and para-athletes who are often raising money for the charities that will support you when your under-exercised, over stuffed body decides to pack in.
Complaining about the London Marathon and other such sporting events thwarting your use of the roads is as offensive as complaining that they are closed for remembrance Sunday. Both remind us of human kindness and self sacrifice, sporting events more so as at least the participants are fighting for a worthy cause, even if it is just lower cholesterol.
