Triathlon - personal best?

The water temperature in the lake was 14 degrees or ABF as it's otherwise known (Absolutely Bloody Freezing).  As I squeeze myself into the newly altered wetsuit I realise that everybody else has wetsuits that are (a) made of a different material and (b) have sleeves.  Somebody says 'ooh, you're brave!'and I think 'how cold can it be?'  ABF, that's how cold...

Once we've started it rapidly becomes apparent that breathing is a real problem - the water is SO cold that you really, really can't catch your breath.  I had hoped to try out my new front crawl but as I really can't breathe I give up on it.  Everybody belts off at a frightening pace and I plod with my breaststroke. I consider giving up and before the first marker (about 130m) I've decided I'm never, ever, doing a triathlon again.  I plod on, others slow down and I'm about halfway through the field as we stagger out of the lake.  In transition I'm with quite a chatty bunch of ladies (our wave is 'Female 40+') who are saying that the water was ABF and they couldn't breathe properly... Not just me then.

I get onto the bike quite quickly and away we go.  I'm going as fast as I dare, I still can't catch my breath, and I start to overtake people.  Some women overtake me - going unbelievably fast.  Maybe they're Olympic triathletes doing a sprint distance to sharpen themselves up?  My swim was 11 minutes instead of the 8 of my previous personal best, and I spend the first half of the bike section realising that I'm not going fast enough and a PB is out of the question.

My maths is clearly dodgy as in the second half of the bike section I begin to think a PB may still be on... I've got the hang of the gears and I'm motoring, although I'm really having trouble breathing.  Apart from the 2 or 3 Olympic triathletes no-one else is passing me, and I'm picking others off.  It could still be on!

After the bike section my time is 1.05 - on my previous PB it was 1.02.  This means I have to run the run section (my worst) faster than I've ever done.  Fat chance.  My breakfast is making a bid for freedom and I have to run with my bottom clenched.  I'm sorry, that's probably Way Too Much Information.  I spend the first 2k thinking that I can't do it, the 3rd k thinking that my maths is out (there's a good reason why I'm a failed accountant) and the 4th and 5th k thinking if I can do sub-7 minute kilometres I'll be fine.  I plod on, still unable to breathe properly and trying to spot the nearest loo to the finish.  At 4.5k I have 7 minutes to get home.... I do it in 4.

I have beaten my PB by 3 minutes.  WOO HOO!!  And the loo is nice and handy...

Will I do another one?  Who knows.  Although I am thinking a pool swim would be a good idea.

That sounds like I'm doing another one, doesn't it?  Ooh, I've found one in Newbury at the beginning of September...