Just signed up for the Olympic Distance.
2018 is hopefully going to be a year of lots of races for me, for a change. I’m fed up with training for a ‘special’ event. They are all special and to be enjoyed, I reckon.
I haven’t done the Oly here before and am particularly looking for ward to the iconic route along the embankment.
I have done the Sprint before and it was a pivotal event for me. It was 2 or 3 years ago and I had had a torrid year with running injuries. My lead up to this sprint tri was ‘no running at all’…so allowing the injury to heal for the 4th time. I was seriously contemplating giving up running/triathlon if my calf had gone again. Luckily it didn’t and I came 4th/5th; or something like that. Not 3rd in any case.
I did part of the bike course today in the near-freezing temperatures caused by a cold easterly wind…apparently hilariously named ‘the beast from the East‘. The route is not quite as glamorous in the winter, in the road works – not as glamorous as it will be on 5th August 2018.After all it is THE LONDON TRIATHLON not just any old London one.
I was en-route to the Excel for the Triathlon show. At the show I found that Triggerbell.com deserved a shout-out for a GBP10 bike bell. Just a bell? BUT it has a nice sound AND it will fit: on your shifters; on your tri bars; or in the regular MTB position. But even in the regular MTB position you can brake at the same time as ring it. Clever. They never said the mousetrap should be re-invented and this basic bike bell design is 200 years old (so I’m told) . However this looks genuinely a slightly better and safer bell. I might even buy one as the £2 chinese imports I get last about 2 weeks before flying apart.
https://youtu.be/cBKNGWTbCbM
Last Updated on 17 January 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session.
- Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch.
- Stryd — the footpod that brings running power to your Garmin. The single most useful running upgrade I have made.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes.
Reader-Powered Content
This content is not sponsored. It’s mostly me behind the labour of love, which is this site, and I appreciate everyone who supports it.
Support the site: Follow (free, fewer ads) · Subscribe (paid, ad-free) · Buy Me A Coffee ❤️
All articles are written by real people, fact-checked, and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
