It's been a busy couple of weeks with 2 races in consecutive weekends after the European Championships.
The City Of Birmingham Elite Sprint Triathlon
First up was The City of Birmingham Elite Sprint Triathlon. I was invited to take part in the event as a new idea UK Triathlon are trying to add another dimension to some of their larger races. Set at Sutton Park, with a bike course that circles the park on traffic free roads and an off-road run that takes you through the heart of the race headquarters, it was a very spectator friendly event, apart from the weather...
Roughly 20 athletes were invited to attend the elite section of the event which made for a comfortable swim with plenty of clear water. I went off hard and found myself leading round the first buoy. I then settled into a comfortable pace and enjoyed the clear water until the final buoy, when another athlete decided to make a move and took the inside line leading out of the swim; I stuck on his feet and followed him into T1.
After a clean transition I was onto the first of the 5km loops around the park.Unfortunately the weather had taken a turn for the worse, and the rain made a number of sharp turns on the short and tight course a bit risky. I had sat comfortably in second place with the leader just up the road when on the third lap he unfortunately took a tumble rounding one of the corners. A few seconds later I hit the same corner and my rear wheel slid out from under me. Luckily I managed to stay upright but decided that it was time to sit up and just stay safe - I had bigger goals to think about. I rolled around the next few laps trying to stay safe and waiting for the run.
Into T2 and I was pleased the bike was over and happy to have held onto second with the leader in sight. I felt confident in my running and was ready to put some work in and gain the lead. As I'd hoped I caught the leader within ~1km passing him on a steep ascent and pulling away, from that point I settled into my running and enjoyed the off-road undulating course. The loop went back through the races headquarters which was great for spectators as they could clearly see how the race was developing and gave the athletes a chance to soak up the cheers from family and friends. On my second lap I took a quick look down the main hill to see if anyone was going to make a move and was surprised and pleased that there was no-one in sight. As I approached the finish I was all smiles and soaked up the atmosphere as I ran down the finishing chute very happy to have taken the win a full minute ahead of second.
Castle Howard Olympic Distance Triathlon
The following week saw me make the long drive up from the South Coast up to Yorkshire for The Castle Howard Olympic Distance Triathlon, one of the races that make up The Castle Triathlon Series. My preparation the day prior to the race could have been better as whilst driving up the M1 my trusty Ford Ka had a tyre blow-out - not ideal, but not the end of the world. With a few hours added onto the already long day of travelling I eventually got to Leeds and settled down for the night.
The forecast was set to be horrendous with gale-force winds and torrential rain, however I was pleased to wake up to clear skies on race morning and hoped that it might hold out till the afternoon.
You really could not ask for a more picturesque location for a triathlon and with the transition area and finish line right in front of Castle Howard you were constantly reminded of where you were.
I was off in the first of the Olympic distance waves and had a pretty uneventful swim. I managed to get away with the lead group from the start but went a bit off-course, losing them just before the turn point - not that I'm sure I could have kept up with Cat Jameson, who smashed the swim dropping everyone and leading out 15s ahead of second! From then it was a lonely 750m back to swim exit but I got into a rhythm and was happy to record another sub 19:30 1500m coming out in 3rd. The run to transition was 800m up a grass hill. It nearly killed me and set the tone for what was to come...
I had a little trouble getting my wetsuit of in T1 because all the water had drained out on the run but I was eventually off on the 29 mile bike route around the Howardian hills.
I had heard a lot about the course at Castle Howard and knew to expect a hilly ride. I found the course testing due to the constant undulation and played a lot of the descents very carefully after the previous week's slip-up, which after looking back on the results is clearly were I lost time to the eventual winner - but as I said before, I've got bigger goals and I was happy to get round the course safely. I held a steady pace throughout, gaining on the climbs and losing a few places on the descents when a few athlete shot past me making me feel stationary! The single lap route made the time fly by and I was soon heading back into the Castle grounds ready to run.
I came into T2 with 2 athletes just leaving and once my bike was racked and shoes were on I was in hot pursuit.
As always I went off hard, testing my legs and setting myself up for the rest of the run. I soon caught and passed the 2 athletes I saw in transition but was unsure of my overall position. The run was entirely off-road and mainly on bridle paths which I really enjoyed and made a change from a flat looping road route. Saying that the run was incredibly tough, coming in at 7 miles with a number of considerable hills and really tough sections. There wasn't any let-up from the go. I was struggling but everyone else seemed to be struggling more as I passed another few athletes, working my way past the 5km mark. From then I had a long period on my own which was physically and mentally tough. I ran out of the woods after ~9km and could see the Castle which was a welcome relief as I knew the end was near. I was running around a large pond when the race organizer Brian called out to me saying I was 3rd! I couldn't believe it and my first thought was "don't cock it up now!" I knew I was near the finish and I was gaining with every step on an athlete ahead of me which I assumed was 2nd place. I decided that I was going to make a move but didn't want to leave it to the finishing chute, so along the back of the Castle I picked up my pace as best I could and shot by the athlete -unfortunately I had assumed that it was a straight turn at the end of the castle and you were set for the finish. It wasn't. As I approached a marshal I saw the an arrow was point off the gravel path and up a very big, very steep grass hill. $h!t. I was already over the line from my effort and I thought that it was going to get very embarrassing when I keeled over and the athlete jogged passed me. I gave everything I had up the hill and at the turning point at the top I took a glance and to my relief I saw him still at the bottom. From then it was all downhill, literally. Back down the steep hill and into the finishing chute. As it turns out I don't know what race the athlete I just passed was in or whether Brian got my previous position wrong because I crossed the line in 3rd, still very happy and relieved it was over.
Looking at the results after the race I saw that I came off the bike in 7th and ran a minute faster than any other athlete to work up to 3rd.
It is my best result in a Castle Series race and I look forward to racing at Hever Castle later in year as I aim for another podium finish.
I was off in the first of the Olympic distance waves and had a pretty uneventful swim. I managed to get away with the lead group from the start but went a bit off-course, losing them just before the turn point - not that I'm sure I could have kept up with Cat Jameson, who smashed the swim dropping everyone and leading out 15s ahead of second! From then it was a lonely 750m back to swim exit but I got into a rhythm and was happy to record another sub 19:30 1500m coming out in 3rd. The run to transition was 800m up a grass hill. It nearly killed me and set the tone for what was to come...
I had a little trouble getting my wetsuit of in T1 because all the water had drained out on the run but I was eventually off on the 29 mile bike route around the Howardian hills.
I had heard a lot about the course at Castle Howard and knew to expect a hilly ride. I found the course testing due to the constant undulation and played a lot of the descents very carefully after the previous week's slip-up, which after looking back on the results is clearly were I lost time to the eventual winner - but as I said before, I've got bigger goals and I was happy to get round the course safely. I held a steady pace throughout, gaining on the climbs and losing a few places on the descents when a few athlete shot past me making me feel stationary! The single lap route made the time fly by and I was soon heading back into the Castle grounds ready to run.
I came into T2 with 2 athletes just leaving and once my bike was racked and shoes were on I was in hot pursuit.
As always I went off hard, testing my legs and setting myself up for the rest of the run. I soon caught and passed the 2 athletes I saw in transition but was unsure of my overall position. The run was entirely off-road and mainly on bridle paths which I really enjoyed and made a change from a flat looping road route. Saying that the run was incredibly tough, coming in at 7 miles with a number of considerable hills and really tough sections. There wasn't any let-up from the go. I was struggling but everyone else seemed to be struggling more as I passed another few athletes, working my way past the 5km mark. From then I had a long period on my own which was physically and mentally tough. I ran out of the woods after ~9km and could see the Castle which was a welcome relief as I knew the end was near. I was running around a large pond when the race organizer Brian called out to me saying I was 3rd! I couldn't believe it and my first thought was "don't cock it up now!" I knew I was near the finish and I was gaining with every step on an athlete ahead of me which I assumed was 2nd place. I decided that I was going to make a move but didn't want to leave it to the finishing chute, so along the back of the Castle I picked up my pace as best I could and shot by the athlete -unfortunately I had assumed that it was a straight turn at the end of the castle and you were set for the finish. It wasn't. As I approached a marshal I saw the an arrow was point off the gravel path and up a very big, very steep grass hill. $h!t. I was already over the line from my effort and I thought that it was going to get very embarrassing when I keeled over and the athlete jogged passed me. I gave everything I had up the hill and at the turning point at the top I took a glance and to my relief I saw him still at the bottom. From then it was all downhill, literally. Back down the steep hill and into the finishing chute. As it turns out I don't know what race the athlete I just passed was in or whether Brian got my previous position wrong because I crossed the line in 3rd, still very happy and relieved it was over.
Looking at the results after the race I saw that I came off the bike in 7th and ran a minute faster than any other athlete to work up to 3rd.
It is my best result in a Castle Series race and I look forward to racing at Hever Castle later in year as I aim for another podium finish.
