Sunday 29 May 2016

Torbay Geopark Triathlon - 26th May

This was my first triathlon race of the new season, and it came just after I had finished my final school exams.

Having won my category at this event last year, I was given free entry to the race, which was a great incentive to sign up. In the lead up to the weekend of the race, there had been quite heavy rainfall, meaning the field for the run was bound to be soggy. Going in to the race, I wasn't really bothered about my time or position, especially as I had taken some time off from training to focus on my revision for my exams. However, I still planned to race hard, to see what sort of shape I was in for the upcoming season.

For me, the swim is my weakest discipline, meaning that I came out of the water last in my wave. This meant I had to ride and run hard in order to catch up with the other competitors.
Being on a velopark means that the ride is incredibly quick, and it is possible to see how far you have to chase down other athletes. 

Going into the run, I was first in my category (junior), but knew there was a strong runner hot on my heels! Halfway through the fourth lap of the 5km run, Bethany Ward (as there were so few junior entrants, it was a mixed category) stormed past me, to record an impressive victory, which was rightly deserved. 

I felt good about my overall performance, although there are several aspects that I need to improve for next time out! 

Transition was once again helped by TriathlonBox, who very kindly are sponsoring me for this season. To have everything in one box, which rest neatly on the top tube is really a great help, and reduces those pre-race nerves. The problem with British Triathlon's new rule whereby boxes are banned from transition during races is helped to no end by understanding race organisers who provide storage for the box during the race.

Special congratulations to Patrick Livingstone who not only won the overall race but set the course record for the second year in a row, and at the age of 18!

Time: 59:31
Swim: 08:51
Bike: 28:14
Run: 19:44
Category position: 2nd junior, 1st male junior
Overall position: 21st