New Forest Standard Distance Triathlon 21st August 2016

This event was organised by the excellent

Race new Forest organisation and although I had not done this race before, it covered falimiar territory from other races. There was a standard and a novice distance race on the day and myself and 2 other HERC athletes raced in the standard race.

It was a lovely warm day (about 16 degrees as we entered the water) and the race briefing was lakeside at Ellingham lake. The swim was 1100m in the lovely lake. The hooter sounded and we were off. As the 'in-water' start was nice and wide, there was no argy bargy and I was soon in my rhythm along with all the other athletes in the standard race. The water was nice and warm too and I completed the swim in a good time (for me). This race was unusual as there was a 1 mile run from the swim exit to the bikes in T1. We all had trainers by the lake and I whipped off the wetsuit, goggles and hat and put them in my numbered bag. The bags were then taken to the finish for us and laid out in number order. It was strange running so far along the country roads to T1, but it made a change! Once on the bike, it was a 21ish mile loop around the forest on the same course as the Half-distance race, so I knew it well. A strong tailwind soon turned into an evill headwind, so it was just a matter of spinning into it and trying to keep the speed up. I felt good on the bike as training has been consistent and was surprise to see T2 so soon. The run was a 10k out-and-back course over undulating forest trails with a couple of cheeky hills thrown in. I found a decent rhythm and managed to overtake a few of the athletes in front of me - this has been the big change in my running since joining the running club! After grinding up the hills it was the nice downhill to the finish and a well earned medal. I was delighted to learn later in the day that I was 18th overall and 2nd in my age group. I was very pleased with how it went and goes to show what consistent training can do. It was a very competitive field as it was also being used as the club championships for Southampton Tri Club. Other club members Mike B and Pete M finished strongly and also enjoyed their race.

Overall a well organised (as ever) race around the beautiful New Forest. Highly recommended.