Llandovery Tri - 10th May 2008

Report by Peter "Billy no Mates" Munn

Driving up on a bright sunny day I was wondering if I was going to be the only club member taking part in this previously well supported event. In the past this has been a successful venue for the club, well that was about to abruptly end.  It was already a lonely journey as team Munn/Corcoran were down 50% as Karen had broken her collarbone the Wednesday before. Some people will do anything to get out of an event. She was even too ill to travel up with me so on arrival I soon realised I was in fact ‘Billy no mates’.

It was really weird registering, setting up, changing etc….. With no one to chat to especially as there was a huge contingent from Celtic Tri and other clubs chitty chatting. But then I had a reprieve, a policeman friend of Steve’s got chatting and he was from St. Florence. It did settle me down a bit.

The event was restricted to 80 competitors with a 1 out, 1 in swim. I had a descent swim for me. Having just been to the one day swim clinic I had a load of technique theories going through my mind, all of which I’m sure I was messing up, especially the one ‘ how to cure flaying legs’ bit.

Anyway 7.28 later I was in transition and away on the bike. This year the course had changed, it was out on the back bit, a small loop and then back on the back bit, if you get what I mean. The advertised 20 km was actually 25km with a few steep hills but nothing too bad. I managed to avoid all the sheep and actually passed a few, they were even wearing tri suits.

The run was also different, no going through town, just out and back on a pretty even road. By now it was scorchio which wasn’t helped by a marshal pulling a bottle away just as I was about to grab it. It was a good flat run back to the finish line. A guy from Celtic tri screamed past me, but it was with great relief that I soon saw the finishing line looming. I saw the guy who screamed past me in the showers and complimented him on his run. He said he was from a running background. He asked me what sport I came from. When I said Golf he just started to talk to someone else. Funny folk, these Celtic tri!

To sum up this really is a superb value for money event and it’s not too far away, with the event being well marshalled and having a damn good feel about it.

Pete's times are as follows:

For full results please click here