Swansea Mumbles Sprint Triathlon

-

This was a VERY early start for me, a 05:30 meet in Swansea to get prepared and in the zone ready to race. It had rained all week and I had a feeling it wasn't going to give up on Saturday for the race.

On the drive down to the race the heavens opened and a  down poor happened, I though oh my this is going to be one of those days, the sea looked aggressive as the skies. When I pulled up and parked the car I waited for a window for the rain to stop and out I got. Well that was the last of the rain for the race and I was very happy.

I decided that I was going to do the super sprint which was 750m swim, 21km bike and a 3km run. The swim was the same distance as the long course so just the bike and run were shorter.

I think my swimming is getting better and better each time I get into the water, which I am really happy about. The route for the swim was simple around 2 buoys and back home. It was a very tight channel for the swim so I got a few kicks and arms in the face but im sure I gave as good as I got. The water didn't taste to great but my breathing is getting better to so I took less water in at this event, maybe at the next one it will be less again?

On getting out the sea and making my way to the transition I knew this change wasn't going to be easy, as I found it hard finding the cord for the suit once I managed to grab I I got the suit off and there was no stopping me, helmet and light glass on, cycle shoes and unhooked the bike and off I went and 30 yards down the transition I clicked I forgot my race belt with my number on, so I turned back which cost me time, maybe one day I'll get a perfect transition in a race.



I really enjoyed the bike and found the hills on the race not so bad, I found my rhythm relatively easy in the race, and even though it was only 21km I really enjoyed it. One thing I didn't enjoy though was taking a tumble on entering transition on my bike discount. I dismounted with momentum and when I tried to trot on with my bike shoes on I lost traction and took a tumble and took the bike with me... I even got an OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhh from the crowd, I didn't hurt and I'm not cut just a little road rash... I'll survive and I did have a giggle at the crowds response. I just carried on and racked my bike and changed my shoes and off I set for the run. 

The run was relatively simple and I didn't much "Jelly legs" from the bike so I must be getting use to the change from my brick sessions I've been doing. I finished the race with a nice paced run and at the finish line there was a nice bottle of water and a camera man waiting for me! The results came out pretty quick and I was VERY happy with my finishing place..

I couldn't believe it... 91 people raced and I came 16th...

I loved the race and I will definitely do this race again.

Todays session

Duration 01 20 36
Distance 750m swim, 21km bike, 3km run

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 31 - The End Of Janothon, The Start Of Something Else...

-
Image
Well we have been all looking forward to this day, and here it is! Congrats to all people who have completed Janothon. Mondays are the elite group session, while I was driving down the car phone went off, the bloke that arranges the training cant make it plus another 2 of the group aren't attending tonight as they are stuck in work so the suggested session was 7 x 1km, I was not looking forward to that as the 2 young lads where probably going to be there and leave me behind. When I got there my assumption was correct it was just me and the 2 fastest lads of the group. When I suggested the 7 x 1km session they looked at me and said "I'm not doing that!" lets just go for a run. I was over the moon they said no to the speed work! Its been 30 days hard training and I didn't want that on my last day of Janothon. We did a run what is called around Europe, Its a route that takes us up hill to the top of the mumbles in Swansea when we get to the half way
Read more

Lovely Lake Laps.. Hippo Like...

-
Image
I missed out last week on the lake swim and I understand it was a good one to miss, it was cold, dark and the lake even had waves. Todays session couldn't be more different, the lake was really flat, mill pond like and idea swimming conditions. The set was kept simple, 2 laps of the lake and as the lake was nice and flat I was happy with that, I thought that this set was going to be easy. Well how wrong was I.. The first lap went fine, I went off with the faster group and kept on there feet all the way around, which I was really happy with. I'm getting better with my swimming and im already looking to up the distance in my events, and 1500 meters doesn't look that daunting any more. We swam a wider lap in the session, so the spotters could follow us if we came into trouble, but I kept seeing the bottom which gave me the spooks so I kept going into the deeper part of the lake so I wasn't too scared... I sound like a right softy... But I have visions of someone or
Read more

Day 23 - 1st Race Day

-
The morning came far to early this morning and before I knew it I was up, dressed and ready for my 1st race for my new triathlon club. It was the final meet of the cross country season, 5 mile track around the reservoir and back home. This is my first competitive event since I played rugby to a high standard about 10 years ago. I do have a competitive streak in me so I was going to give it my all. I had to register when I arrived at the event it felt funny, going to a table in the corner, saying my name and running for a club.. me... running for a club. It was only £4 (it could have been £2 if I was registered with Wales Athletics) but I didn't mind paying it for my first turn out for Celtic Tri. There was a good turn out from the club but I was the only one without a team vest :( 11am on the dot the starter got the race off and away I went. I went out pretty quick but I was coping with it, I knew I could go out quick as it was only 5 miles. I averaged a 7.11 minute mile and I fe
Read more