New Forest Middle Distance Triathlon, September 19th 2010
I can’t believe it’s all over with, but as I’m writing my race report I guess it must be!
The two different transition areas and minimal parking at the lake for this event meant great organisation was essential, and the organisers really stepped up to the challenge. Bike racking and numbered bags with running gear were left at the transition areas the day before the race, during registration and briefing. With all that done, an early night and early rise was in order.
Arriving at Sandy Balls for 0530, coaches then transported the competitors and spectators to the lake. The weather was ideal... autumn sunshine with a nice breeze, no rain! With a 60min cut off to swim the 1900m I was mildly concerned as my swimming often resembles drowning. I knew things were going well when I was still being pummelled by fellow athletes towards the end of the swim...I usually have the lake to myself by this time. To be out of the lake and on my bike in 47mins is one of my biggest achievements so far. Swimming gear had to be left in a numbered bag in the transition area for transportation to the finish.
The bike course is a 56mile two lap course taking in some breath taking views of the New Forest with some technical descents (which nearly had me off my bike on one occasion) and some fairly relentless hills. The atmosphere was friendly and as I was overtaken at speed by a woman bidding me good luck.... I wished her the same (whilst I secretly glared at her back wheel and hoped she got a puncture).
I have learnt many lessons during training and partaking in this event. One such lesson was, if your handlebars keep coming lose during training they’ll probably do the same during the event. Having stopped 4 times to realign them, they decided to go altogether as I was breaking on a steep winding hill through Fordingbridge at mile 38. Amazingly I didn’t fall off, and I was fortunate enough to find a friendly local with a tool kit who tightened them for me at the next bend. He saw me on my way to complete the ride in 3hrs 35mins.
At transition 2, the marshals rack your bike for you as you entered the tent to be handed your numbered bag with your running kit. A portaloo in the transition area was well received before I set off on the 13.8mile undulating course on mostly cycle racks through the New Forest. A slight change in the course had you taking in Blissford Hill (a 1:4 incline) in the first mile. The rest of the course was challenging but very pretty. My nutritional strategy involved two wine gums at every 2 mile marker and a gel at mile 8. Having gained a friendly running partner at 2.5 miles this left me with a tough decision to make at mile 4. Do I lose him at the next opportunity, or do I share my fare? A compromise was made and I split the goods at mile 4 then lost him up a hill by mile 6!
The support along the route, especially on the homebound mile was heart warming, and I crossed the finish line in Sandy Balls with a run time of 2hrs 18. Giving me an overall time of 6hrs 41mins. An easy collection of bike and belongings followed making a fantastic and memorable day!
Julie Woodman