Report by Stella

Harlech Triathlon 11th May 2008

Swim 400m

Bike 30Km

Run 6Km

Having bullied, (encouraged) Gary into doing his first marathon in January - I guess it was only fair for me to accompany him on my first Triathlon to Harlech.  Like most triathletes (....see how quick you turn into one!), I was OK at two of the disciplines (running and swimming), but concerned to say the least about the bike.  The last time I seriously did any cycling was 10 years ago, and although I've got a recent road bike - the most I'd done was 'pootling' around.  And then there's the transition! scary or what, I'm used to putting the running gear on, turning up and running, not having to think about two changes and THREE bits of kit.  And I won't even go into all the rules..

So - the race.  The swim went well, I'd predicted 8.0 min going steady, but felt I might have done it faster.  I got out the pool without slipping and breaking anything - and found my bike thanks to my leary red towel on the rack.  I got my gear on relatively OK, having taken tips off Glynn, Gary and Margaret - thanks all.  And onto the bike - the course started with an evil hill, not being that used to my bike I made stupid gear changes but managed to get into a bit of a rhythm.  The course was an out-and-back through some lovely villages, so knowing Gary was 8 minutes behind me on his swim start - I tried to get as far as possible before he bombed past me...I got past the turn around and saw him about a mile from there.  Minutes later he sped past me - how can he go that fast! (must have a motor on it).  We rode in to the finish with lovely views of the coast and the beach we were about to run on...some poor souls already plodding along.  Coming into the last tranisition I made the mistake of trying to take my helmet off without having racked my bike;  several marshalls screamed at me to keep it on - anyone would have thought I'd murdered someone, the ferocity they shouted at me. But apparently it's a disqualification offence though so fair enough, thanks marshalls.   Onto the run, with jelly legs I wasn't in control of...it took me some time to stear in a straight line.  Running on the sand wasn't as bad as I'd expected except trying to get out of the uphill dunes on the return leg.  Anyone who knows Harlech will know the 1/6 or worse hill to the top of the castle.  Someone was having a laugh putting this at the end - and making it a sepearte time trial from bottom to top.  I did OK for a while - then searing pain in my thigh made me walk for a bit...finally the top and Gary saying 'not much further', if I had a pound for every time I've heard that!.  But for once it was true and I saw the welcome sight of the line.  A great triathlon - hopefully if the win the petition to keep the pool open it'll be on next year.

                    Swim     Bike       Run      Total      Hill   time                   Overall Position

Gary Mason    7.13         50.17      28.20    1.25.50   4.13             

23rd (7th in age category)

Stella Denniss   8.05      1.08.05    32.47     1.48.57   5.03             

230th (30th in age category