Dozens of bike racks, but with allocated spots there's no jostling for good positions. I'm way down the end with the other women - near the swim entrance but miles from the run exit. Great to see friends already there and setting up too. Belonging to a club and training in groups means having friendly faces out on the course - a big bonus, especially when the going gets tough. Warm up jog, stretch, catch up with friends.
Time goes quickly.
Race briefing, then time to walk the couple of hundred metres to the start. I climb down the sea wall, gingerly step by step as they're covered in slime. Into the water for a quick acclimatisation, then watch the group before me go off. I join the other pink caps in the water. We women have our own wave start, and there's a bit of chatting as we float in our wetsuits, waiting for the countdown and gun.