It has been a while. An awful lot has been happening and I
hope to update you, with all, over the next few weeks.
Ok, so the season is in full swing. Next stop Carlisle
Triathlon.
Carlisle Triathlon - Sunday 3rd August
Carlisle Triathlon - Sunday 3rd August
I raced the Carlisle Triathlon last season (2013) and
enjoyed it, so I made the decision to race there again. Similar to last year, I
was using it as a build up and race practice for other races still to come.
Last year it feel four weeks prior to the World Triathlon
Championships in London, this year however was only a week before my A race
(the one I had targeted from the start of the season); the British Triathlon
Standard Distance Championships in Liverpool.
Carlisle triathlon would be my first race on my new
bike and a test to see how it would go with a more aggressive position.
After a good 500m pool swim, in the fastest wave (seeded by the time estimated on the entry form) I exited with a fellow competitor, and set about the first transition.
Onto the bike and something didn't feel right, I couldn't tell what it was but I assigned it to the fact it was a new bike and its first race.
After a good 500m pool swim, in the fastest wave (seeded by the time estimated on the entry form) I exited with a fellow competitor, and set about the first transition.
Onto the bike and something didn't feel right, I couldn't tell what it was but I assigned it to the fact it was a new bike and its first race.
Carlisle is different to bigger, national races
where you race within age groups. At this race, as is common with smaller local
races, you are ordered within your estimated swim time. This means that you may
finish first within your wave but can be beaten by another competitor who races
before or after you. It’s all about putting out the fastest time possible. A
time trial as such.
At mid point on the bike, I had an issue with the
bike (shock; it’s been stressful from the beginning). The seat post dropped
half an inch or so. Not enough to make ridding impossible but enough to make
the remaining 10 or 11km uncomfortable.
Coming off the bike I knew I was sitting second in the wave,
I wasn’t feeling in the best shape and with the problems on the bike, I set
about holding my own on the run. I hoped to put as much time between me and
anyone that may be behind me.
After a mediocre run, I had finished. I didn’t feel I had
the best race but I had improved from the season before. It was nice to be able
to see how I was going, how well the bike would work and get used to the new
set up.
All in all I was pretty happy with the result. I had taken almost three minutes off the season before over the same course, and repeated my placing from 2013. Second place; I can’t complain with that. With each discipline stronger than the previous year. Not bad for a self assessed average race.
Full Results
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| Carlisle Triathlon 2013/2014 Results Comparison |
All in all I was pretty happy with the result. I had taken almost three minutes off the season before over the same course, and repeated my placing from 2013. Second place; I can’t complain with that. With each discipline stronger than the previous year. Not bad for a self assessed average race.
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| Carlisle Triathlon 2014 - 2nd Place |
Full Results
Onwards to the next weekend for my next race. The Big One!
British Standard
Distance Triathlon Championships - Sunday 10th August
This was the one. My first standard distance triathlon. I’d
prepared the best way I could. A lot of hard work. I woke up nervous. Hoping it
would go well. After racking my bike the evening before in the echo arena, one
of the more spectacular transitions I had raced in, I arrived in the morning to
continue my setup. A quick in and out and I was heading to the swim start.
First wave of the day and it was raining! Great.
Swim
All tucked in my wetsuit; walking down the ramp; hat and
goggles on. Start time. In the water and the klaxon sounded. My first test; a
1500m open water swim. After a reasonable swim for me, I exited the Liverpool
docks, up the steps and a sharp left to transition. Wetsuit off; bagged up and
running inside the Echo Arena for transition.
The transitions at this race were different to normal. An
indoor transition on this scale and at this venue meant that each competitor
had to remove their wetsuit prior to entering the building. Health and Safety.
On top of this, the transitions were long.
Bike
Out on the bike, how would it go? Good? Bad? There was only
one way to find out. I quickly settled into a rhythm with the course being over
four 10km laps. The rain was teaming down. It wasn’t the best of days. Even
worse, the wind was picking up. The aftermath of a hurricane falling onto
Britain’s West Coast.
As this was my first standard distance race, I was unsure
how to pace the bike. I didn’t want to blow up. I held strong on the bike and
felt I was moving through the field. The rain kept getting more intense. This
could create a potential issue at the dismount. After completing the fourth
lap, I headed back onto the slip road and made my way back to the Echo Arena
for the dismount into transition. After a safe dismount I made my way to my
racking point. Bike racked; helmet off; trainers on.
Run
Through the Echo Arena and out onto the run course. Two 5km
laps of a flat, twisty and wet run circuit. The run was busy, due to the mixing
of waves throughout the bike leg. Similar to the bike, I found a rhythm early
on and worked to maintain this. I took each kilometre as it came, trying to
work back up through the field.
After the first lap I had been able to gauge
where the next few people in my age group were. I then set about trying to
close as much time as I could. After a strong second lap and taking a few more
positions, I started working my way through the final kilometre. I used all I
had left for the remaining effort. I pushed right until the end.
My first standard distance race done. Very happy with my race. I had used this as target all season and built up to it. I finished 9th in my Age group and 41st overall at the British Triathlon Championships. I was elated. In addition to this, I have qualified for the ETU Standard Distance European Triathlon Championships 2015 (as well as Sprint - mentioned in a previous post 'Rother Valley Triathlon... Aiming High!' )
Full Results
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| British Triathlon Championships 2014 - Pain Face |
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| British Triathlon Championships 2014 - Run |
My first standard distance race done. Very happy with my race. I had used this as target all season and built up to it. I finished 9th in my Age group and 41st overall at the British Triathlon Championships. I was elated. In addition to this, I have qualified for the ETU Standard Distance European Triathlon Championships 2015 (as well as Sprint - mentioned in a previous post 'Rother Valley Triathlon... Aiming High!' )
.jpeg) |
| British Triathlon Championships - 9th in Age Group & 41st Overall |
A huge thank you to Side Click Photos for the action shots at the British Triathlon Championships. Check out their website and sports & events page for all race photos.
Next up: Gateshead 5km and National Team Relay
Championships. Followed by World Triathlon Championships (Canada 2014)
Thank you for the ongoing support and taking the time to
read my blog. I hope you all enjoyed it. If you did, please share with anyone
you think may like it.
Cheers,
Sam
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