Derby Sprint Tri 2019
September 15th 2019
Sprint Triathlon
First triathlon since April 2018. Wow.
I entered this with a friend who was doing it as her second ever tri (just two weeks after her first - a fantastic attempt that put her in the top 10 and made me all the more nervous about having to do this one with her!), thinking that if I didn't enter something now this would be a whole year without tri.
I arrived in good time, was briefed, set up and went to watch Jenny swim. As soon as she was on her bike it was time for me to (rush a little to) get to my swim start. I was in the end lane - closest to the exit. There were maybe two or three others in the lane but it didn't feel too busy. It was quite washy though, and I had a bit of a drink before exiting after a circa 7 min swim.
Once out it was a long trot to T1, where I found my bike and put my socks and shoes on. I am very unpractised and by the time I'd run to the mount line I realised my shoes were far too loose, so had to do a quick adjust before hopping on. The bike course passed fairly quickly although I didn't see many people. A couple of men overtook me and I overtook a couple of others, but there were a few points where I considered if I was on the right course. Thankfully a reassuring sign appeared soon after each moment. It was a very flat ride, probably the most similar terrain to my own home rides that I've encountered in a race (aside from the big road out and back towards the end). This made me feel comfortable and I pushed more than I thought I would. My HR was not working which was a bit frustrating, not too critical on a sprint though.
As soon as I was off the bike and into my run shoes I found myself walking up a steep grassy bank. Quite the start to a run! The climb became more gentle along a road, then dipped slightly onto a lovely stretch of disused railway. This was light trail, suited me better and I caught up with a couple of people here. After the turn point I really dug in (5k seemed an awfully long way!) knowing that it was mostly downhill on the return leg. The steep banks were still slow though, far too steep to offer any speed benefit....
Times
Total time: 01:09:35
Standings
Age category: 3/10 30%
Gender category: 6/158 21%
Overall category: 48/109 44%
Sprint Triathlon
First triathlon since April 2018. Wow.
I entered this with a friend who was doing it as her second ever tri (just two weeks after her first - a fantastic attempt that put her in the top 10 and made me all the more nervous about having to do this one with her!), thinking that if I didn't enter something now this would be a whole year without tri.
I arrived in good time, was briefed, set up and went to watch Jenny swim. As soon as she was on her bike it was time for me to (rush a little to) get to my swim start. I was in the end lane - closest to the exit. There were maybe two or three others in the lane but it didn't feel too busy. It was quite washy though, and I had a bit of a drink before exiting after a circa 7 min swim.
Once out it was a long trot to T1, where I found my bike and put my socks and shoes on. I am very unpractised and by the time I'd run to the mount line I realised my shoes were far too loose, so had to do a quick adjust before hopping on. The bike course passed fairly quickly although I didn't see many people. A couple of men overtook me and I overtook a couple of others, but there were a few points where I considered if I was on the right course. Thankfully a reassuring sign appeared soon after each moment. It was a very flat ride, probably the most similar terrain to my own home rides that I've encountered in a race (aside from the big road out and back towards the end). This made me feel comfortable and I pushed more than I thought I would. My HR was not working which was a bit frustrating, not too critical on a sprint though.
As soon as I was off the bike and into my run shoes I found myself walking up a steep grassy bank. Quite the start to a run! The climb became more gentle along a road, then dipped slightly onto a lovely stretch of disused railway. This was light trail, suited me better and I caught up with a couple of people here. After the turn point I really dug in (5k seemed an awfully long way!) knowing that it was mostly downhill on the return leg. The steep banks were still slow though, far too steep to offer any speed benefit....
The finish line was back through transition and well supported. I attempted to sprint over the line and was rewarded with a rather ugly khaki t-shirt (really need to make sure races have medals, I don't need any more tshirts!!). I was pleased to hear that Jenny had enjoyed (Type 2 fun anyway) her race and I'm looking forward to racing with her again. Although I'm sure she'll beat me next time!
I was quite surprised to place so well (unfortunately thanks to my new old person age group I didn't win a prize :o) given I've done no tri training this year and averaged once a week at best on the bike. Overall a good no fuss sprint triathlon.
Times
Total time: 01:09:35
Standings
Age category: 3/10 30%
Gender category: 6/158 21%
Overall category: 48/109 44%
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