CWTC

CWTC Team

CWTC Team

400m Pool Swim, 25.5km Bike, 5km run

4 members of the club took part in the Mid Sussex sprint triathlon at Burgess Hill early on Sunday morning. With perfect weather conditions, the day began with a 4.30am alarm clock, car packed and we were on our way by 5.15am to arrive for a 6am registration and 6.45am briefing session. It was the first time all 4 had entered this particular race, and it was also Dave’s first for the season following his lengthy hamstring injury, as well as Ellie’s very first triathlon in which she managed to keep secret for so long!

Paul was first to start his swim in the 25m indoor pool, and each having to zig-zag through the lanes ducking under the ropes after every 2 lengths to reach the final exit lane. Dave, Lizzie and Ellie then followed in race number order. A short run to transition in the tennis courts, was quickly followed by a fairly challenging rolling 25.5km bike ride, with a gradual uphill climb near the start lasting for 2.5km, before finally covering some downhill sections thereafter. Then back to transition and the start of the run which was a flat out and back route through local country lanes. A halfway road crossing point required marshals to give the all clear before crossing, otherwise it would incur a 4 min penalty if ignored. This was then revisited again on the return leg. Dave also had to contend with a large brown rat running across him at this point too, which incurred no penalty and the rat was unharmed! Then it was a final 2km run back to the centre to the finish line. Lizzie came 3^rd in her age group, and Ellie set herself a very rewarding first PB – Well done Ellie! A nice race to do again next year, and all entries were entitled to free downloads to the photographs taken by Sussex Sports Photography!

Report by David Kitt

CWTC Team

Nokia Windsor Triathlon

Swim 1500m (900m against the tide, 600m with the tide)

Bike 42km (Flat with rolling gradients, no real hills like the South Downs)

Run 10km (Flat apart from 3 x 500m steep inclines to the gates of the Windsor Castle)

Weather was perfect and arrived at the transition at about 5:30am kitted out in shorts and tee shirt. Always a good indication that it’s going to be hot! . My start time was 6:50 so I spent the time checking out the transition area and swim course so I knew entry and exit points. 6:40 I was kitted up and stretching at the swim start point. I met John Bullard who was in the same wave as me and we wished each other luck. The 6:45 wave started and the 43 to 44 (age group) wave jumped in the water (18⁰ ). I’d been watching the previous starts so decided to take a front spot furthest away from the river bank so that I could cross the river quickly and avoid the oncoming current. The starter horn went and we all started kicking and stroking to get some clear water. I caught a few arms but after 100m’s got some clear water and settled down into a comfortable stroke and trying to pick up a pair of feet, however, this was not possible with the zero visibility so concentrated on my direction and keeping out of the current as best I could. At the turning point I had caught up with some of the earlier wave athletes so had to keep an eye on positioning for the exit. I managed to get a perfect turn around an island in the Thames and got a clear exit from the river for the 200m run to transition. This run was more like a fast walk due to cramp in the hamstrings, but once at the bike it was all but gone and did not return. I found my bike without hesitation, on with the new aero helmet, off with the wet suit and I’m off running with the bike out of transition. The mount was quick with little time lost slipping my feet into my cycle shoes… and I’m flying. The first 15km of the cycle was fast, keeping a 38km+ average. The middle section of the cycle we hit the undulations, which where tough on the concentration, trying not to let the average speed drop without “blowing up”. I think I may have concentrated too much on my speed as I missed a 180⁰ turn round point. I probably should have guessed I’d gone the wrong way as I had to skilfully dodge an orange 4ft barrier and a marshal to get passed. 20 yards down the road I came to a roundabout where there was another marshal who kindly told me I was going the wrong way. Whoops, 30seconds lost and now in catch up mode. From here on I pushed all the way getting up to 55km/h down through the Great Windsor Park. There had been a smattering of rain during the cycle so I took it easy on the corners in the Town and arrived at the transition in tact. With the bike racked and flats on I was off. The race pace brick training paid off as I was into my stride immediately and cruised the first incline to Windsor Castle. My breathing was controlled and so picked the pace up, over taking other athletes all the time. The surroundings of Windsor and the crowds were amazing and really helped me to push hard. Second lap and I was still feeling good on the way up the incline and maintaining a good pace. A few competitors over took me during the end of the 2nd lap but I was happy to let them go as I knew I had one final incline to go. The last incline was tough, even tougher going down as my legs couldn’t keep up with the down hill pace, but knew there was only 2km of flat running to go. I entered the finishing straight and tried to turn on the gas but could not get anymore from the engine and crossed the line in 02:16:18.

Report by Andy Roberson

CWTC Team

Beaulieu sprint held at bucklers hard, new forest

750 m swim 25k bike 6k run

With an out and back swim, on the still Beaulieu river with a little tide to contend with on the return. Then there was the ‘gentle jog’ up the slope… small hill that we all had to overcome twice. With fast ride through the new forest, little traffic and the occasional horse on the route. The run followed the edge of the river through the woods, passing a nice tribute to Tim Wilks (A member of the Southampton tri club, who died during the Swashbuckler earlier this year). Relieved to get to the turn marker (which was a yellow vest, set of keys and a mobile phone!) Knowing that there was only 3 k left. The run came to an end with our second visit to the killer hill, the incentive to keep going was the large very supportive crowd lining the finish.

Tom finished in first place overall, 45 seconds clear of the field and first in his age group, Andy finished fourth overall and first in his age group. Steve was very pleased with his 5^th in age group, particularly as it was his first race of 2010. Andrew who more commonly can seen escaping from Alcatraz, finished strong in 85^th place, this being his first short event in some time. Jo finished 6th overall female and 4^th in her age group.

Race New Forest put together an extremely well organised race, despite having all the bike signs stolen twice over night! With supportive marshals and a very encouraging crowd, would recommend this race to anyone who fancies an open water triathlon.

Report by Tom Wilson

CWTC Team

Standard Race

Sprint Race

CWTC Team