Brecon Triathlon - 5th June 2010

Report by Kirsty Murray

Well, this was my first go at the Brecon sprint, and I believe it was a brand new bike and run route.  I was in one of the later heats for the pool swim – an advantage you might think, as I didn’t have to get up quite so early, but in reality it just gave me more time to get myself worked up before the race! It was a very warm day, so things were getting well and truly warmed up.  

After several trips to and from the car, checking that all kit, drinks, gels, etc were in the right place, not to mention numerous trips to the loo, it was finally and mercifully time for my swim heat.  At this point, it seemed strange and unfair that most people had already finished their race and were probably back home with their feet up, cracking open the lager before some of us even got in the pool.  After emerging phoenix like (hah!) from the 400 metre swim it was on to the bike course. It was actually quite a nice route – some of it was on single lane roads, twisty and turny in parts but with very little traffic on them. There were a few steady climbs that made it quite challenging, but nothing unbearable - and what goes up must go down (with smoking brakes if you’re a chicken like me!).

Nearing the end of the cycle, I was psyching myself up for the run; into transition, bike on rack, helmet off, trainers on and I was off like a... well, I was going to say a gazelle but I might get done on the trade’s description act. The run was scenic going once around the playing fields and then into the woods, which was ideal as it was shelter from the afternoon sun.  It was so much more interesting running on a forest track as opposed to the road.

After about half a mile of running, I was suddenly aware of a jangling noise coming from me – it took me a while to register that I shouldn’t really be jangling, and then the penny dropped as I realised with a sinking feeling what it was – my car keys. I had taken my remote access key all the way round with me, including in the pool.  I then spent much of the run worrying about how I was going to get home if it was broken; but on the upside, I wondered how much of my overall time I could blame on carrying an un-aerodynamic and somewhat weighty object! The run felt like a generous 5k, and there was a nasty little section about half way round - a really short but very sharp incline that I think I would have been faster walking up rather than trying to run. Also, it didn’t help my self esteem to see a man bound past me on this bit in about 3 strides.  In actual fact, I can’t be sure it was a man; he really could have been half gazelle. It was difficult to tell as I only saw the back of his head and only for a moment as his lycra clad form disappeared into the trees.  Anyhow, the run ended with about 200 metres around the athletics track, where I was cheered in by some newly found Pembs. Tri-Club friends.  It’s such a good feeling when you’ve finished.

 I have to say though, I don’t know if I should be concerned, as after joining the club I’ve heard reports about wobbly seat posts, and at Brecon, Ellie had loose tri bars – which begs the questions, is there a Phantom Pembrokeshire Saboteur.....?

Results for club members below