Team JMC triathletes Paul Bowie and Steve Green fought over office bragging rights at the weekend in the Shropshire Duathlon. Here’s Paul’s account…

Sunday 05:30, Pitch black, Barely above freezing, this was going to be cold and painful!

There were 2 minutes to go to the start of the race and there wasn’t a bare head nor a gloveless hand in sight on the start line. 5,4,3,2,1 and we’re off!

Steve starting off half a crowd ahead of me, he got in a good pack and left me for dust for the 2 lap,  5km run around the glorious Dearnford Lake – every lap he extended his lead.  Once into the six laps of the 30km bike course  Steve’s lead was now only 2km and closing.  Pushing, pushing, more pushing followed by a little more pushing I caught, acknowledged and passed him with 3 laps still to go.

1 hour and 27 minutes in and it was off the bike and into the final 5km run with less than a 3 minute lead on Steve, I was determined to keep it and with every step and every warm, visible breath the voices kept telling me to go faster and faster…

Each lap I could see Steve gaining on me.  With the finish line approaching, my lungs on the verge of collapsing or exploding  (not really sure which one) I gave more than I’d ever known,  storming across the line and there it was. The best race of my life and  for the first time in 6 long years I had finished ahead of Steve!