Wattisham Sprint Triathlon 2015 WOODBRIDGE
SURFERS Team A
Only half an hour got us to the perimeter fence and another
20 minutes got us to the right gate, I was navigating.
Despite our names not being on the list, the guard let us in
and decided not to check our ID to overcome his embarrassment. The first
thing that strikes you here is, although it is military, just how friendly
everyone is. Despite the imminent weather keeping most of the families away, it
still feels like a family event.
A quick cruise through the cycle racks admiring the carbon
wonders, obscure bar and drink bottle designs, through the mountain bikes
section and down to Sturmley Archer! And looking around there was whippet to
what really should not go in a tri-suit. Some power lunch, watched a few
cyclists negotiate the exit and some thrashing in the lanes before it soon was
our time. Ian tried to look tall but the 6’8” guy next in line just looked like
he was going to eat him. This guy had 50% bigger reach than Ian but he still
managed to keep a length between them. Not sure if was it me be anxious or Ian
being spent & unstable, but it took a few seconds to swap the chip and I
was off into the drizzle which was now falling. Through the service roads and
onto the perimeter for 2 miles or so before I saw anyone at all and then as one
or two (maybe 6 in total) passed me by in a whurr of carbon, I soon remembered
the down side of having such a good and committed swimmer in your team, puts
you amongst the athletes. The wind had dropped and the directional difference
on the runway was less than last year at 5mph instead of 15, so it felt long
and tough both ways instead. The high point was feeling the warmth of three
Apaches’ preparing and then the down draft of one lifting off on lap 2. Low
point was watching a faster rider getting the tarmac joints wrong and hitting
the ground at 23 mph. I was trying for 20mph average or sub 40 mins and did not
achieve either, quite, but very happy to see my final push lasted to the end
with my GPS saying 40:01. I was also very glad to see Shannon as she grabbed the
chip and bounded off. She reported a good run, overtaking the excessively tall
guy who had passed me, with near perfect drizzle cooled running conditions, she
soon reappeared looking very comfortable with a fast sprint finish to record
her personal best 5k time of 21:40. Giving a total team time of 1:08:03, some 4
minutes quicker than 2014. This was enough to secure a second year, team win
for the Surfers, against more teams and was only slightly marred by giving the
award to second place team (which we had to rectify later).
So next year, maybe more Surfer teams? It is only a sprint
tri I know but it is a lovely event, you can choose just the discipline you
like, sprint it and maybe stop us making it 3 in a row!
FAQ
Is it possible to complete a shorter bike distance – No not
at this event.
Is it acceptable to challenge the organisers – Yes but very
politely as they large guns (both meanings)
1ST RELAY TEAM MIXED
|
Woodbridge Surfers
|
Hopkins Coutts Hopkins
|
1:08:0
|
2014 2015
103rd
59th Overall
1st
1st In category
06:17
06:05 Swim (inc T1)
41:11
40:17 Cycle (inc T2)
25:11
21:40 Run
01:12:40 1:08:03 Total