I have never completed two triathlons on consecutive days before, until today.
After yesterday’s first, today was going to be a big test of how well I could recover in time to do another, and probably be the first indication of whether the whole challenge – to complete 100 Olympic-distance triathlons in 100 days – is really possible.
So, by the time I got home (midnight) after leaving the NPCC/APCC conference dinner, I was never going to be able to get on track and start the triathlon at 6.30am as intended. So it was almost midday before I was in the pool and off again.
Shortly into the swim I knew energy levels were low. Despite the delicious meal at last night’s event, it was not enough to have restored levels as the only other food all day was a banana and breakfast.
Never mind, I had an energy bar waiting in the locker, would it be enough? As soon as I climbed on the Wattbike in the gym, the bar was gone and I was right to regret not saving any for closer to the run.
Twenty-five miles on a Wattbike is hot work but by the time I put on my trainers, the rain had stopped and I was keen to get outside and cool down. The run seemed to be going fine until 7km in when the lack of energy hit. Taking it steady until the finish, the run was considerably slower than I have ever done 10km, but that was expected, I am not trying to beat any body, just my own.
I am doing this to pay tribute to all the fallen officers who have died on duty, and for those who continue to sacrifice their own safety for our protection.
Today I paid tribute to the following officers who died on November 1:
1839 – Assistant Constable Richard Lawlor – Irish Constabulary
1853 – Police Constable Richard Sunderland – Liverpool Borough Police
1860 – Police Constable Alexander McBrian – Lincolnshire County Constabulary
1878 – Sergeant Jonah Sewell – Lancashire County Constabulary
1892 – Sergeant Michael Rogan – Royal Irish Constabulary
1918 – Police Constable Edward Swan – Metropolitan Police
1920 – Police Constable Peter Cooney – Royal Irish Constabulary
1920 – Sergeant Henry Cronin – Royal Irish Constabulary
1920 – Police Constable George Morgan – Royal Irish Constabulary
1934 – Police Constable Ernest Cummins – Hampshire County Constabulary
1936 – Inspector Evelyn Jenkins – Cardiff City Police
1940 – Police Constable Thomas Farrell – Kent County Constabulary
1941 – Special Constable George White – Norfolk County Constabulary
1952 – Sergeant Charles Moore – Lancashire County Constabulary
1967 – Chief Inspector Sidney Griffiths – West Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary
1971 – Detective Constable Stanley Corry – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC
1971 – Detective Constable William Russell – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC
1991 – Police Constable David MacPherson – Avon & Somerset Constabulary
Now for 98 more triathlons to help build a fitting memorial to them and those who continue to serve.
