Worcester Sprint 2nd Aug – Alternative to LondonPosted by trudger on August 3rd, 2009
On Sunday 2nd August while all eyes were focused on London, 250 non-glory hunters, descended on the small Worcestershire town of Droitwich for the Worcester Tri Club Sprint.
This was my first A race of the year after a few months off due to my wife having our baby boy.
On arriving at the leisure center I was directed into a acre’s worth of mud which was to be the car park. Unfortunately the Saturday had not stopped raining and after 150+ cars things got a bit boggy.
At registration I went through the usual rights of passage of having numbers written on my arms and legs that no doubt will still be there when I go to the pool for my next training session (If you can show off, why not). Then I received my race t-shirt. GREAT, this turned out to be a good quality moisture wicking top ideal for running in. Nice touch Worcester Tri.
After scoping out the transition area I racked my trusty bike in between the Cervelo P3’s and Scott Plasma’s. This was hope that they would pass on words of advice to my trusty Raleigh Airlite.
After being issued with my timing chip (Yes, timing chip, again nice touch), I lined up in order with all the other nervous chatters, trying to hide what is the worst part of the race – the waiting to start.
Start of the swim, which was synced with the timing chips by pda (again nice touch) went well. I started into the swim feeling relaxed and in-shape. Here I decided not to go full pelt, but stick to my usual training speed and leave some energy for the rest of the race. Feeling good, but then every novice swimmers nightmare, breaststroke swimmer who refuses to let you past. I must have tapped this guys foot 20 times over 4 lengths but nothing. Finally I managed to sprint past, but the damage was done, i’d lost my cool, and no doubt a few seconds.
Out of the pool, hand in my cap, then walk 25m down the pool, jog 100m to transition. All of this was well taped and marshaled.
I got into T1 to pick up my trusty steed and nightmare #2, no socks !!! I’ve run a couple a aquathons with no socks but never been on the bike without them, so here goes.
Bike leg was good. The course was a mix between Dual carriageway, country lanes, housing estates. All with what the race pack described as ‘undulating’, which for me ment lots of gear changing and short out-of-the-saddle moments. Again very well signposted and marshalls at every turn.
After nearly falling off at the cycle dismount line (mud in my cleats), I push the bike 100m to T2. Here quick drop of the helmet, swap shoes (no blisters so far), quick final drink, and off for my personal hell.
Anybody who has seen me run will understandwhy I hate it so much. For a guy who only weighs around 12 stone (for 6 foot, thats a reasonable weight), i run with the grace of a flat footed Hipo. My target for the run apart from not walking, throwing-up, passing-out, was around 25 mins for 5K.
The run was 2 laps of a 2.65 km course (nobody mentioned I had to run that far!). 1st lap went ok. I took my mind off the run by starting to compose this report in my head. 2nd lap, even better, a co-racer at the same pace. We then encouraged each other to go a bit quicker, to attack the small inclines and even to sprint to the finish. I didn’t get your name, or even your race number, but you were my much needed running guardian angel.
After this the usual can of Red Bull, and a very satisfied feeling of a race well done.
As for the result, 1:26, which was under my 1:30 target and final placing around 160, which was almost top half.
Thoroughly enjoyed this well organised and great club run event. Will be on my list of races next year.