Looking back over the 2014 season, Nick has had some great results in a multitude of sports. His accomplishments include medals in Track Racing (running), Open Road Running events, many Triathlons and a few Aquathons…

2014 has been possibly the most curious year of my multisport career. Overall I’d have to say it’s been another good year, though instead of being comprised of a run of good results, it has consisted of some remarkable achievemnts and the odd calamity. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that I probably can’t fit everything into 12 months of the year.

To give you an idea of what I mean, last year I competed in the following types of event:
1) Triathlon 2) Aquathlon 3) Outdoor track 4) Indoor track (which bears no resemblance to outdoor) 5) Road running 6) and Cross country running. In the space of 6 weeks during the off season, I went from indoor racing 1,500 metres to 12k Cross country to a Half-marathon. The latter, (the Barcelona Half marathon in March) was where the body said enough is enough and despite being on course for a fantastic PB (whizzing through 10k in 33 minutes dead and feeling fresh), I suffered an injury at 14k that led to my first ever DNF in a race.

Up until that point, the pre Triathlon run season had been going well, an Essex AAA’s individual medal on the indoor track and team medal on the Cross-country were Firsts for me and put me into the rare category of athlete who has won county medals in every single running discipline (XC, indoor track, outdoor track & road). But at the end of March, I was fearing for the rest of the season, unsure of how long recovery from injury would take and whether or not it would jeopardise the triathlon season.

Fortunately, I was sensible and recovered quickly and after subsequent victories in my first 5k back and a local aquathlon, I managed to snatch my best Triathlon victory to date at Holme Pierrepont at the Nottingham Big Triathlon, amidst a massive field and in a European and World qualifier. Already the season had more ups and downs than a Tour de France Alpine stage and my next race at the European Tri Champs would continue the theme. Kitzbuhel was a classic Triathlon race venue and I was well prepped for the race but, come the day of action and a terrible storm brewed over the lake. Torrential rain greeted us and I think the gloom and greyness of the lake played games with my head during the swim, as I panicked and took a long time to recover. I had a reasonable bike and run, but any dreams of a podium were long gone. Fortunately this was the last disappointment of the year.

After returning home I managed to notch up 2nd overall and 1st in age group at the historic Hillingdon Triathlon Series in West London, the single longest running Triathlon series in Britain. The English Sprint Distance Championships saw me finish a creditable 6th in age group (positive if not spectacular) amongst superb performances by fellow TORQ athletes Alex Lawton (1st) and Iain Robertson (3rd).

The English Relay Champs saw me return to Nottingham alongside Alex, Iain and Chris and together we cracked the podium (3rd) amongst a frankly insanely competitive field and the English Triathlon medal now has a permanent place in the trophy cabinet!

At the end of the 2014 triathlon season, I made my annual return to running and had a couple of notable races. First off I raced at the British Masters Track & Field Championships at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham and won the 1,500 metres. Shortly afterwards (having been persuaded to run 109 metres further), I managed to smash my PB for the mile, by running 4.30 at the Fifth Avenue mile in New York.

So all in all a funny old season, but certainly one to remember!

As ever, thanks to the help of all our fantastic 2015 sponsors:

www.wilier.it – Triathlon Frames
www.ffwdwheels.com – Race Wheels
www.huubdesign.com – Wetsuits
www.schwalbe.com – Cycle Tyres
www.ismseat.com – Saddles
www.invisciddesign.com – Speedfil Hydration Systems
www.lezyne.com – Pumps, Tools, Bottle Cages
www.zyro.co.uk/altura – Triathlon and Cycle Apparel
www.fenwicks.info – Lubrication
www.camelbak.com – Bottles
www.tifosioptics.com – Sunglasses
www.limarhelmets.com – Helmets & Glasses
www.lakecycling.co.uk – Cycling Footwear
www.jagwireusa.com – Cables & Housing
www.swansuk.co.uk – goggles
www.shimano.com – Groupsets
www.amphibia-sport.com – Transition Bags
www.stagescycling.com – Power Meters
www.racewaredirect.co.uk – Custom Garmin Mounts

All pro snaps courtesy of Jolekha Shasha