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PRESS AND EVENTS COVERAGE
Michael Jenkins features on utv's 'weigh to go' programme...
Watch our very own Michael from the Up and Running shop in Belfast as he gives some pro advice on running shoes to a UTV reporter who's trying to get fit. Check it out on Run Run Run TV...
Matthew Wilson competes in the Elite European Duathlon Championships...
Matthew Wilson's race report and photos from the Elite European Duathlon Championships in Edinburgh, 16th June 2007
On the weekend of the 16th June I recently took part in the Elite European Duathlon Championships for Ireland. For those that do not know this sport, it incorporates a 10km run immediately followed by a 40km cycle and then finishing with a 5km run. This years race was held in the beautiful city of Edinburgh around Holyrood Park and Aurthurs Seat.
The race contained the worlds top athletes, and I knew I would have a very tough race. To add to this conditions were terrible with strong winds and rain to contend with, in low temperatures
The race began at 6pm in the evening with the 10km run. The front guys are amazingly fast at this level (30 min 10k pace) so I decided to run my own race and let them pull away from me. About half way through the first run I started to feel the cold, the result of which was that my fist run was a little slower than expected.
I started the bike and worked hard to try to get into a bike group, but was unable to do so. The coldness really began to take hold of me and my body was now in pain. I was so determined to finish to get a result so I kept on plugging away.
On the final run I just had to keep moving and fend off the coldness. I crossed the line in 29th place but immediately collapsed with hypothermia. My body was wrecked and in pain due to the coldness. But I finished.
This was not my best race performance, but to be in the top 30 in Europe is something I have to be happy with and my aim was to finish the race and to get a result. This will help with trying to gain sponsorship. The overall experience was great learning for me. Dealing with pre race nerves, knowing that I need to wear more clothes when it is that cold and realising that I need to work hard and throw myself into this sport, if I want to improve and be world class. It has made me more determined to keep going. Thanks for all those people who supported me in the event. It was and is greatly appreciated.
On a final note. Those of you that are interested in competing in Duathlon or Triathlon there are a few events locally you can enter. My club organise the Titanic Duathlon race series the next of which is Sat 23rd June. This is a great fun event with distances of 2 mile run, 10 mile cycle, 2 mile run on a flat course in the titanic quarter. All abilities have competed and it is a great way to get into multi-sport. Event web site is www.titanicduathlon.com My club web site is www.queenstriathlon.com Triathlon Ireland web site www.triathlonireland.com
