Llanelli Waterside Triathlon - 22 May 2011

750m/20k/5k(in theory - but could have been anything up to 12!)

Race report by Peter Munn

It did not look too appealing leaving the house at 5.30 a.m. with the rain falling steadily and what appeared to be a gale force wind blowing and Karen once again asked me the question “why ARE we doing this”.I assured her she would enjoy it and reminded her there would be 5 other old biddy’s racing and to start thinking about the race. That really cheered her up! At least once we got past Carmarthen it stopped raining.

When we arrived we could hardly open the car door against the wind and it took us 5 minutes to walk the 100 yards to registration. There was a huge contingent from Pembs Tri and you had to admire Sian’s excuse for not starting, a cracked  wheel. I wish I’d have thought of that one! She should have been gutted but in this weather all she was doing was kissing Rhys. Mind you if Rhys had found a defect in my wheel it would have at least deserved a hug!!.

You had to feel sorry for the P.A. guy, who was speaking like Norman Collier ( younger readers, ask your parents). But not as sorry as for the other 230 competitors who made their way to the North Dock for the swim.

The North Dock was surprisingly calm as all ladies, juniors and supervet men entered the fray. It was my 1st venture into SV territory and with 19 other SV’s I was hoping to at last get in the top half of my category. And then we were off and as I had a new wetsuit I was expecting a lot and felt reasonably good all way round. Even getting wetsuit off was good and for 1st time ever I had shoes clipped onto bike and I managed to get feet in on 3rd attempt. This was pleasing as in practise it had taken 5 goes.

Going out into the headwind was tough on the bike and on leaving Llanelli I saw a familiar backside. It was Karen, my darling had beaten me in the swim again. I did have a good bike and overtook quite a few and the run back was very fast, even for me.

After bodging up transition it was out on the run and as I ran across front thought it funny how no one was returning from turn around point, surely I could not be that close to the front. I quickly dismissed this as remembered seeing Jack Lear at front and he would be at least 10 mins ahead at this time so I was a little confused when I approached turn around point and seeing everyone carry on. I even stopped (good excuse for a rest) and queried that this was turnaround point but marshall told me to carry on with others.

I know you are supposed to know the course but with 20 people before you I assumed it had been changed to an out an back. What I didn’t realise was it was how far you wanted to run out as I ran on for an age not seeing anyone return. I’d past Pwll cricket ground and turned a corner when about 15 others all running back in a group.

They weren’t a happy group and neither was I as they screamed off leaving me in their wake. What was even more annoying on finishing was seeing a lot of the people who I’d past on the bike finished. It transpired that everyone had run different distances. It really was most annoying with Luke, Kirsty, Karen, Jack, Caitlin all looking to win their categories with a lot of our members challenging for podium places. The race was eventually null and void with much apologies undertaken. A disappointing end to an otherwise excellent race.

Some excellent performances with as usual our juniors much to the fore with Scott and Rhys and Stacey well up there also. For me I think I was about 4th SV but obviously I’d have screamed past everyone on the run. In my dreams!!!

Results for Club members as available