Injury may have sidelined Rhys Davey of Team Challenger World from Elite racing in recent weeks, but he has managed to fill his time with a bit of modelling... and racing with the model-like Sky TV presenter, Charlie Webster, at the Blenheim Palace Triathlon.

As he says, "'every cloud has a silver lining"...

Triathlon Through The Lens

I have decided that the life of a model might be quite fun! Posing in front of a camera lens in great new triathlon kit, is actually really ok - well, for a couple of hours anyway - especially if you don't have any pre-race nerves. Well - like I've said before - you gotta take the positives, and it was! The reason for all this posing was that last weekend saw the launch and photo shoots for our team, Team Challenger World. In the majestic setting of Blenheim Palace, the team had photo-shoots for all our sponsors - HUUB, TIMEX, Sketchers, Challenger World, Nectar, and Forgoodness Shakes. As I say, it was great to have a look at, and try on, some of their new kit, and to hear about the exciting new products that they have coming out later on in the season. And, as I also said, with no pre-races nerves to distract me, it was fun.

Along with the photo-shoot, I was also down at Blenehim to take part in a relay. Frustratingly for me, over the last few weeks, I have been dogged with an irritating injury and wasn't able to take part in the elite race. Being at one of the British Super Series races as a spectator was not what I wanted, or was used to and, to be honest, I didn't think it would be a hugely enjoyable experience - watching while the elites raced. However, I am big enough and ugly enough to realise that, as I've said before - that's sport -  and you have to - in the spirit of Rudyard Kipling's brilliant poem 'If' - take the lows with the highs. To be honest, it was weird watching the elite race, but being there over the weekend did allow me to get a feeling for another part of this sport and, again, made me appreciate how grateful I am to be involved in it. There was a fantastic buzz around the Palace - from the experienced triathletes to the 'newbies', to the spectators, to those marshalling the course. Triathlon really does get to go to some fantastic venues. And, in my opinion, Blenheim is a hard one to beat.

Another great thing also, is that there is truth in 'every cloud has a silver lining'. A few days previously, Challenger World - knowing the nature of my injury - had asked if I would join Charlie Webster of Sky TV in a relay team. Charlie is a runner - also recovering from injury - and I was asked to complete the swimming and cycling legs of the relay as neither of those aspects would impact too much on my recovery.  This wasn't an overly tough decision for me. For those unsure as to why this wasn't a difficult decision, a quick google search should answer any questions! Meeting Charlie before the race was great - a really interesting woman keen to make a positive impact on life. We chatted, spent a bit of time discussing tactics (basically - both to get round in one piece!) and enjoyed the ambience of the occasion. And then we raced.

The relay went well - with no issues regarding my (or Charlie's) injuries. It did all feel a little different to what I've been used to but It was great fun taking part and experiencing another aspect of this annual weekend of triathlon. It was good to be out there. Charlie finished off the run well and, after our goodbyes, it was then back up the M1 to Leeds. 

So, after a great weekend, I would like to thank Charlie very much for asking me to race with her, and all those involved with another fantastic event at Blenheim Palace. I look forward to racing again next year.

Team Challenger World UK is proudly supported by Skechers, Virgin Active, Timex UK, HUUB wetsuits, Specialized, Wings Transport and other fantastic sponsors to be announced.

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Twitter: @TeamCWUK