Kendal Sprint Triathlon- April 2015

On Sunday 26th April 2015 I took part in my first triathlon this year and second ever.  This was the Kendal Sprint Tri which consisted of a 400 metres pool swim, 18K cycle and a 5K road run.

I had been given a 8.30am start time, with an assembly time of 8.15am for a safety briefing.

I was extremely nervous the night before! 

I got my transition box sorted (checked, double checked and then triple checked it) and my Tri Suit out ready to go in the morning. 

I then carbed up on Spaghetti Bolognese before attempting to have an early night so I would be fresh to race in the morning.  

However, best-laid plans of mice and men often go astray and I had a really bad nights sleep.  I think nerves and anticipation of the event got the better of me and I was thankful when my alarm finally went off at 6.50am and I could get up and start the day!

The first thing I did when I got up was to look out of the curtains to see what the weather had decided to do!  The forecast given throughout the preceding week had been so variable that I had no idea if I was going to be met with sunshine or torrential rain!

Thankfully the sun was trying to peak through the clouds although it was extremely cold!  The grass was white with frost and the car needed defrosting!

I attempted to have porridge for breakfast but only managed half a bowl.

After dressing in my Tri Suit with some warm outer clothes I went out to check my bike over and to pump the tyres up.

Transition Area

By 7.30am I was ready to go. The plan was for me to cycle the 1 mile to the Leisure Centre where the race was starting and for my husband to come down in the car with the all important transition box.

Once at the Leisure Centre I registered and collected my race number - 1 for my bike, 3 for my helmet and 1 me!  As well as having these numbers I was also branded with my race number both on my arm and my leg!  I was never going be mistaken for anyone else!

This event was supposed to be a chipped timed event but unfortunately the chipped timing system had broken the day before so they were having to operate a manual timing system, which I think is why we had so many numbers!

Once I had registered and attached all the numbers appropriately I went to rack my bike and set up my transition area.

Once I was sure I was organised with everything set out satisfactorily (which took several attempts before I was happy!) I braved taking my outer clothes off and headed to the pool.  I arrived in the pool area at around 8.10am, and my wave was called at around 8.20am.

After a safety briefing and the swim lane etiquette was explained we had time to get in the pool for a quick warm up before our wave started.  There were 3 swimmers in my lane and I was the second swimmer to start!

There was a count down before the first swimmer set off and then a 10 second gap and count down before it was my turn.  

I was extremely nervous about the swim as last year in the same tri I had a complete melt down in the water and totally forgot how to swim!  

I was determined to stay calm, swim at my own pace and relax.  

It worked!  

I felt comfortable from the start and wasn't stressed about being in a race at all.  However, the girl in front of me had obviously taken no notice regarding lane etiquette as despite tapping her toes several times for the last 6 lengths she refused to let me pass.  In hindsight she probably did me a favour by forcing me to pace myself better and if I'm totally honest I enjoyed the easy ride drafting her!

I couldn't believe it when I saw the lane counter move the red float to the side of the pool indicating I only had 2 lengths remaining - the swim had passed in a flash and I still felt unstressed!  Having pathetic upper body strength I am unable to pull myself out the deep end of the pool so I had to waste precious time getting out via the steps!

To be honest I have no recollection of stepping out the double doors into the freezing air!  I think the adrenaline must have been pulsing around my body so fast I didn't notice the frosty grass!
  

I quickly toweled myself dry before putting on my cycling jacket, helmet, cycling glasses and cycling shoes.  I half ran and half walked pushing my bike in a funny fashion out of the transition area.  I was soon on my way on the bike and felt on top of the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed the cycle and it was only once I had entered transition and was attempting to remove my helmet that I realised just how cold I was!  My fingers were soooooooo cold that I struggled to undo my helmet and then I struggled to get my cycling shoes off and my running shoes on!  I had absolutely no feeling in my fingers at all, they were totally numb and white!  

After discarding my cycling things and slurping a few slurps of my energy drink I was on my way running.

My legs felt heavy and I felt tired but I was determined to keep going. The run was the part I had felt most confident about but when it came to it my energy levels were depleted and I had to force myself on!  I was determined I wasn't going to walk and even when I was struggling up a hill at mile 2, although I slowed significantly, I kept running! 

I felt a huge relief as I crossed the road and headed towards the finishing arch!  

I was exhausted but I had done it!

As I crossed the finish line a friendly face presented me with a medal, a bandana and a drink of water!

I was delighted to have finished but then I had to remind myself that my future triathlons would all get harder from here on in!  My next tri is an Open Water Sprint Triathlon - the open water being a challenge in  itself!

So how did I get on in this first tri of the season?

I am delighted to say I improved overall on last years performance, getting a faster swim time, a faster cycle time but a slightly slower running time!

So here are my times compared to last years!


400 Metre Swim, last year 11:54, this year 8:52
transition 1, last year 2:52, this year 2:01
18K Cycle, last year 50:21, this year 47:30
transition 2, last year 1:58, this year 3.10
5K run, last year 26:54, this year 27:10

Last Years Finish Time 1:33:59

This Years Finish Time  1:28:03


Despite the blip with the timing system the race organisers did a superb job manually.  The registration process was very well organised. The marshals enroute were all exceptionally friendly and encouraging and the crowd support at the finish was good!

There was plenty of support and helpful tips from more experienced triathletes as well as the friendly race organisers!

As well as getting bling and a bandana all the official race photographs are downloadable for free!

I would definitely recommend this tri to anyone considering trying a tri for the first time!