365 days ago I was standing at the same place.

365 days ago I did my very first triathlon at Thames Turbo.

But I would not be the Germanator if I would not have said: I'll be back!

And so I was back in Hampton near Kingston-upon-Thames on August Bank holiday Monday at 5.45am.

Just in time for 6am registration and racking the bike. The forecast for the day was sunny and windy but nobody told me how cold it would be! 9 celsious!!!

It looked like that the race with 395 competitors was sold out.

In the brief at 6.45am we got told there is anothere race on our route, so please follow the yellow/ red signs - not yellow/black, that there are road works in Sunbury, a car boot sale in Chertsey and a wasps nest in Bushy Park.

But otherwise no other problems!

At 7am the first swimmers were on their way. 12 laps in the heated outdoor pool of Hampton. Yes, 12 - not 16. That is because their pool is longer than others. The warm water was most welcome but it was so warm that it actually slowed me down.

T1 was quite long for me due to my race number but it meant that T2 would be much shorter. I put an extra shirt on as the strong north wind started to pick up and made it even colder. Out of the gate and onto the road towards Hampton Court Palace. Shame that I had no time for sightseeing - after all I was in a race. Back down the road which I just came from and I was in the unlucky situation that the only traffic lights changed to red. I managed to slow down but I didn't have to unclip which gave me an advantage to the competitors who had to do so. I simply went pass them when the lights changed back to green!

Over Shepperton roundabout and down to Chertsey. Around the roundabout and back the same road.

Thames Turbo Sprints are in one speciffic case different than other sprints. They have a non competing zone!

Just before I got back to the traffic lights at the Water Works I got stopped by marshals who took my number and time. From there all competitors have 7 min to cycle leisurely back to Hampton Court Pool. It is a great time as it gives you the chance to refuel

Back at the pool my time started again. Quick run to rack my bike, change of shoes, chewing gum and sunglasses and off I went. Out of the gate and down the road into Bushy Park. The course is flat and mainly on the road. It goes cross country for about 500 yards but the chance to see deers and enjoy the cheer of the supporters makes up for it. After nearly 4km I picked up the pace. So far I had passed 4 people but nobody had passed me. I was determind that it would stay like that. But I had to work hard because I could hear a man heavily breathing close by. But I did not see the woman in the white shirt coming. So I had no othere choice to run even faster! I did pass anothere man and crossed the finish line before the othere two could catch up with me.

Verdict: If you have never done a triathlon, bored on a Bank holiday Monday or simply would like to use it as a training session, go for this one! Warm pool, flat course, 7min non competing zone, safe run course, great support and very well organised! Thames Turbo does four sprints every year (all on Bank holiday Mondays) and they are all booked out each time. And for £35 it is well worth it to travel the 60 miles up the M3.

To Thames Turbo: I'll be back!

Andrea