From Nathan

You may of noticed I've disappeared again!  Well I was sent to sea for undisclosed crimes and I've even managed to locate one Tony Dunn hiding on my ship, being pale and slightly worse for wear for not training.  So beating him at the fitness test (mile and half) in front of the ships company to which he laid down a bet, 'anyone beats me you can have a crate of ale.', was quite humorous, especially when he didn't know I was joining ship. (priceless).

I've also been busy on the multisport circuit.  I've attached my press release.

GOSLING ATTAINS FIRST AGE GROUP EUROPEAN DUATHLON TITLE

Cornwall Athletic Club's Nathan Gosling, originally from Nuneaton and Bedworth, and now representing the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Triathlon Club, returned from the European Age Group Duathlon Championships (10Km run, 40Km bike and 5Km run) in Serres, Greece with a gold medal around his neck in the 25-29 year old age group.  The 27 year old, only in his second season of Duathlon, continues to improve and despite a run of bad luck before the race, managed to stamp his authority on this event.

“I had such a problematic trip getting to the Europeans that I was amazed everything went so well on race day.  I broke down in the hire car on the way to the airport meaning that I missed my flight and had to re-book. To add insult to injury on my first ride out in Greece I managed to pick up not only one but two punctures!  Added to that was the regular occurrence of being chased by dogs on my morning runs - I was starting to think that competing maybe wasn’t such a good idea!” said Gosling.

The race was held at Serres race track – ensuring a fairly technical but flat bike course and no hiding from the weather conditions.  The plan for Gosling was to stick with the lead pack on the first run, then ease into a comfortable pace taking into consideration the extreme heat on the day.  He finished the first 10Km run in a time of 33.35.

“I felt fairly strong on the first run and stuck within the group. I t was only on the second lap the people started to feel the effect of the heat and drop off the pace leaving myself and three others in the lead group. I came into transition feeling the heat and thankfully had a fault free transition onto the bike.  It was a welcome relief to feel some breeze on the body during the bike section.”

The Thales sponsored athlete continued to work steadily on the bike leg and four riders in front of him was the incentive he needed to keep the pressure on.  “Wearing a helmet in that heat was not pleasant and I really had to remind myself to keep drinking to avoid cramping”.  By the fifth lap, Gosling had worked his way into second place overall.  However coming into transition, a bout of cramp in his calf ensured that the chase group caught him, before heading out onto the final 5Km run in sixth position overall.

It was on the final run that Gosling reaped the rewards of months of dedicated training during the winter months and continued to pile on the pressure.  A quick 17.32 last 5Km ensured the championship title was his and he crossed the finish line in an overall time of 1:54:40, 30 seconds ahead of second placed Brit, Lee Calderon.

“I was really pleased with the performance considering the run of bad luck I’d had in the week leading up to the competition. I’m now just really looking forward to racing in the World Long Course Duathlon and World Duathlon Championships later in the year.”

Gosling’s training is now resigned to a treadmill and spinning bike as he is spending the next few months on board with the Royal Navy.  But such dedication will surely see him reap rewards in future events.