Question:Dorney Triathlon Race Report ?
Answer:
Completed my first triathlon - and it was brilliant! The organisation by
Human Race was excellent, and it was perfect weather (hot, but not too hot).
Swim:
The 800m swim involved swimming out and back in the lake, then getting out
and diving back in to do the same again. There was a fair bit of kicking and
flapping going on but none of it was painful as the wetsuit gives you a bit
of padding. I did the swim in 18 mins which put me towards the back but
still in the thick of things (172/285). The suit came off ok in transition
thankfully and I got on the bike without too much trouble.
Bike:
The bike ride was 6 laps around the lake (which is a rowing lake, so long
and thin) of 5k to make 30k. Going out it was with the wind, and coming back
it was into the wind, which although was fairly gentle still seemed quite
hard! My lack of experience on the bike really showed as some of the guys
with huge quads and calves were going past me like I was standing still. The
bike leg took me 1:06 which was way down in 227. Coming off the bike in
transition I could barely walk at first! As I was cycling in my running
shoes my transition was quick though.
Run:
The run was 3 laps of a 2.5k course along the side of the lake. During the
first lap the top of my hamstrings were cramping, so I had to stop briefly
to stretch, then it was just a matter of running through it. I found the run
tough, especially as it was pretty hot by then, but I was encouraged by the
fact that I was passing quite a few people (although admittedly quite a few
of them were a lap ahead of me!). I even manage to (sort of) sprint towards
the end, and without realising it managed to dip under 2 hours by 2 seconds!
My run was 35:30, which I was pretty pleased with under the circumstances
(108th), and I ended up 180th overall with 1:59:58.
After a shower and post race massage (worth every penny of the £10 it cost)
I felt pretty sore, but very pleased. Looking forward to the Olympic length
next season now.
It sounds like a great experience.
I am too had a swimmer to contemplate triathlons, though a biathlon
might be fun.
That's the scary bit over then!! I've never been properly
moshed in the swim start, though in training at the weekend a friend managed
not only to smack me, but also get his finger up my nostril!! That put me
off my stroke!
Were you on a MTB or road bike? 17mph average without proper shoes and
pedals is pretty hot stuff though. You might have dropped a few places, but
everyone has a weakness, and I guess for the you bike section was an
exercise in getting you to the......
You couldn't have cut that finer!! It sounds like despite the troubles you
had you has a great run - and even a sprint finish!
I don't think I've met anyone who's done a triathlon and then thought 'nah -
it's not for me', or 'one's enough'!
Seriously - nice race. Just think - a good winter's training on the bike
and you'll hammer your time next year and be on for a very respectable Oly
Just for info, about 8 or 9 months ago I couldn't do front crawl for
more than 1 or 2 lengths without dying (was reasonable at breast-stroke
though) but with the help of the Total Immersion book and a bit of practice
I'm able to swim continuously for pretty long distances (2k) without any
problems (although not particularly fast). Now I really enjoy swimming and
don't mind that part of the training at all.
Actually I wasn't even wearing a watch so I had no idea of the time,
but I like to sprint at the end of any race I do
