Wales National Pool Sprint Triathlon

Swansea 16th July 2006

Report by Les Watson

Well this was it, my first proper triathlon incorporating 750m swim in the National Pool, 18km undulating bike (for undulating read hilly) and 5km run (ok almost proper – next time will be open water). It was an early start (07:30) so Luke and I were up before the larks and reached Swansea just after 6 am. “Great we’ll have a quick whiz round the bike course in the car as we’ve got time”. Big haul up onto the Gower, past the airport then on for miles and miles. “You sure this bike course is only 18km Luke?” Reply “Mm maybe we should have turned left just after the airport.” Moral of this is never ask Luke to navigate unless you’ve got a full tank of fuel and plenty of time! Anyway a potentially illegal dash back to Swansea was enough to get us to registration in time and meet the Pembs gang who were sorted and wondering why we had left it so late. At least it didn’t leave me much time to fret before we got going.

They set the swim off at 20sec intervals and we zig-zagged down the pool from lane to lane to reach the far corner at 750m. The naff swimmers went first so Adi (Howarth) and myself were near the front! As I neared the end of the first 50m I noticed the guy behind was doing head-up breaststroke. I put in a superhuman effort and by the time we got to 600m I’d shaken him off (I joke not – I was told later that Luke and Patrick looked on with great amusement as they endured the long wait for their swim). I passed Adi a few times on the swim (in opposite directions) then we met again in transition before he was away on the bike but during transition I did manage to overhaul the 72 year old that started the swim just before me!

The bike was quite tough getting up onto the Gower but once there top gear was the order of the day. Each man in black that appeared in front spurred me on as I was convinced it was Adi I was chasing. Alas each overhaul was a disappointment and in truth he was gone. I didn’t think Luke would catch me on the bike as he started 35mins behind but ……..Oggie?

Coming into transition off the bike was a real delight as I only managed to get my second foot out of my shoe just 3 nanoseconds before the dismount line only to then find a guy in cleats run past me down the hill into the change-over.

The run was a three-lap course through the University sports ground. It started with a 100m tight out and back between the tennis courts. I saw Adi as I went in and he was leaving. It obviously inspired him to see me as I never met him again on the remaining two laps.

Jim Buck appeared at the start of lap 2, blinding everyone with those biblical shoes of his. He had a good race coming home in 40th position and picking up a welcome spot prize for doing so.

I managed to finish without being overhauled by the Pembs elite which was a major objective. The thought of Luke sliding past with a “come on chubber” (his usual greeting for me) was not very appealing. Adi had the drinks going when I got in and Jim came in soon after. Oggie was the Pembs star of the day having nurtured Luke round his final lap (Luke’s second) finishing not long after Jim and picking up an impressive 5th place overall. Then came Patrick, the black smudge on his face gave away the trouble he had once again experienced with his bike chain (shouldn’t have laughed at my swim!). Luke came in next looking a little weary for his first ‘adult’ distance race but his 11th individual place overall (excluding teams) was a very satisfying result and Patrick made it three Pembs in the top 12 with his twelfth place just 11 seconds behind Luke (……..bike chain…….sabotage……..Luke??). Adi and myself finished right in the middle of the pack in 58th and 60th position respectively separated by 40secs.

Thanks to Claire for the support and to Roger for cycling over(!) and joining us during the presentation ceremony. Bit faster next time Roger and you’ll see some of the race!

To see the full race results, please click here.