Another weekend, another podium. SBR Clothing was well represented once again by Chloe Dooley, who took part in the British Aquathlon Championships at Eton Dorney lakes last weekend. The 750m swim, followed by a 5km run attracted athletes from all over the UK.
Recently Chloe has been juggling full time work within the NHS with triathlon training. Chloe works hard and sets high goals for herself, recently she spoke about the struggles of juggling training with work and homelife (you can read that HERE). Beforehand we spoke to Chloe to offer her some words of encouragement, not that she needed them! Chloe had set her sights on a top 5 finish, and to our delight she went and won!
The race in Chloe’s words:
“The last few weeks had been a bit crazy with lots of races; work commitments and general life admin but I’d got some quality sessions banked so was feeling quietly confident for a good race.
Pre- race I was super nervous as the aquathlon is the event I’m competing for the GB age group team at in September and so I really wanted to make a mark and show I’ll be competitive there; plus there were some speedy girls on the start line. The swim was only my third ever mass start and it was a very feisty first 200m until I could find clear water. I then found myself on my own leading the swim which was pretty terrifying as I’ve never lead a swim and I definitely could have pushed myself more on this had there been a pack to work with, it’s reassuring to know there is more in the tank.
I went on to the run with a small gap but just focused on settling into a comfortable rhythm and managed to extend my gap by over a minute, it was a pretty surreal feeling to lead the whole event and take my first British title and especially to know there’s more to give.”
Next up for Chloe is the Barry Island 10km in August, keep an eye out for her if you’re spectating, but don’t blink as she’s fast!
