This was, an A-C race, I just wanted to be in a posotion to race
So, the first event of the year for me became the Dambuster
Triathlon which I entered at the end of 2012 but at that stage didn’t even know
if I was going to be donning lycra (in a sporting arena) in 2013.
I had heard a lot of great things about the event and the
organisation, had done some research and noted that the run was slightly short
(9.6k or something), the bike 42k long and the swim a bit on the conservative side.
With a long term shoulder injury and a hip injury in November sidelining me,
this looked like a good race to pencil in. In addition the status as the
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS gave it a nice added bonus as I knew there would be at
least a few quicker guys to measure fitness against – should I get that far,
should I do OK it also gave me a place at the World Champs held in Hyde Park in
September (if I didn’t get fit enough to bang out a decent half by that time).
Dambuster Advantage:
-
Sensible price
- Good location for me being in the East
- Decent options regarding accommodation (I also have friends in the area so could have organised accommodation very late)
- Long, lumpy Bike (being my strength and least injury effected discipline)
- Short Run.
- Good organisation (Pace setter events)
- Qualifier/decent standard.
- Good Tri-Camp Race team turn out
Expectations
All I wanted from the race was a qualification spot for the
Euros/Worlds (which meant top 5 in age). The plan was to be steady on the swim,
push the bike a bit and then just run as well as the body would allow. I
expected to be about 5 minutes off my best (perhaps, 1-2min down in swim, 30s
in transitions as I had no race sharpness, 1 min or so on bike and 1-2min down
in run) – essentially at about 95% (although I felt about 90%fit).
Pre Race
The lead up to the event wasn’t great, although I had no
complaints with how the shoulder had been progressing and the hip issue had
been managed completely (lots of strength work and glute work at Nuffield Gym)
but I had picked up a hamstring injury which had resulted in no running for
about a month and a more conservative bike regime (i.e. no aero).
The evening before the race I drove the bike course (I agree
– it is lumpy, but nothing too bad, didn’t expect I would need to come off the big
ring – 56), cycled the run course, which to my annoyance had been made 10k and
looked like it was going to be pretty exposed which wouldn’t help the hamstring
if I was pushing into the wind (however, a standard tri event should really be
the distance). My main concern however was the swim, the course started out
along a small’ penninsula’ which jutted out and essentially pointed toward the
first buoy, I mentioned this to the organisers and warned them that a lot of
athlete would run along there to gain an advantage only to be assured that this
wouldn’t happen…….
Race Day
With a lengthened bike, a lot of wind on the day and a
choppy swim (albeit shortened to 1400) my plans changed, I would be more conservative on the bike and
give myself a little bit more on the run. With no race practice I wasn’t sure
how much I could push, where my limits where and what my run would be like.
Rookie mistake
I didn’t make a note of where my bike was – this caused
issues in both transitions and probably cost by 15seconds or so as I ran down
the wrong line.
Swim.
Lining up in the 2nd wave (no longer with the
younger lads) we all watched half the earlier field gain a 200m advantage by
running the pennisnula, So when was our wave, half the field looked to do the
same. I was half and half and went in the middle (my own decision) and lost
100m to a group who all shot off the front. The swim was bloody brilliant, I
loved it, choppy, lumpy, up and down, on course, off course, clear water just
great fun. I didn’t push it and came out by myself about 3rd in my
wave. It was difficult to judge my time compared to others due to the running advantage
but it was about where I expected it to be.
Swim Box Ticked – missed bike in transition
Bike
I expected to make up some time on the bike but had no idea
who was in my wave, who my competition
was or who I needed to look out for, they seem to have stopped marking legs
with AG and there was no logic to the numbers (i.e. all 35-39 200 numbers,
30-34 150+ etc). I enjoyed the bike and cruised round picking of back markers
from the previous wave, got stuck behind some cars following said back markers
and eventually caught some guys who looked to be kitted out for the sharp end.
Still wasn’t sure what AG they were and as they were working together thought
they must have all exited at about the same time (i.e. wave 1) so didn’t take
much notice. Didn’t get passed
Bike Box Ticked – missed bike in transition (thought id have
learned by now!)
Run
Final part of the race and my Hamstring started pulling
straight away so I had no real left stride and had to up my cadence to manage
the stress. I left T2 behind a small group due to this but soon caught all but
one who stayed about 20m up the road for pretty much the whole run. I had done
no bricks or speed work so found the first 2k pretty hard but kept a half
decent pace (although not where I would have been) and just made sure that I
kept moving up the field and didn’t get passed which I worked out would
probably mean I was in the top 5.
Our wave started 10minutes behind the first guys so I was
looking for the leaders so I could work out how far off Nick Dunn and David
Bartlett I was. They passed me coming the other way at the far end of the
bridge so I knew I was about 10-12mins down on them which was surprising, but I
also didn’t want to have to push the leg any more than I was.
The head wind over the dam didn’t help the situation and I
had to slow the run considerably on the
way back – I worked out that I wasn’t going to get caught as had no one gaining
on me, calculated I would be top 5 and was more than happy with that. Upon
crossing the line I posted a 2:02:08 and was the first 200+ numbered competitor
which maybe meant I was 1st in age …………I wasn’t. I came in 2nd by c30s which was way above my
expectations, also discovering a guy from the T2 group was actually in my AG which
was mildly frustrating as my tactics would have changed but it was also
fortuitous as I could have caused long term issues had I pushed the injury for
no real gain.
Run Box Queried........
Run Box Queried........
RESULTS:
Post Race:
Was a shame to miss out on the National Title but I got what
I came for. Shoulder felt good, Hamstring was pretty sore and I knew I would
have issues with my calf over the next week as It wasn’t used to tempo runs.
I would recommend the race, would like to see AG markers and
a solution to the swim issue to even the start (i.e. a buoy at the end of the peninsula)
Tri Camp went away with the Silver (ware) though as NickDunn put up the fastest time of the day with a sub 2hr running away from David
Bartlett on the home straight.
Was great to see a number of tri anglia members including Toby
Morrell, Alan Wilton, Andy Skiggs and Eve Dewsnap (I believe Marion Walker and
Renata Garfoot were also present)
Training based on race
Manage niggles
Swim: Keep doing what I am doing, swim a little a lot and gain strength. progress to speed work
Bike: Mix of long and shorter bikes seems to be going well
Run: Repair hamstring, build efforts and get back to doing some speed work
Gym: Maintain gym work building strength and conditioning which has helped no end
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