Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject: Trentham Triathlons
Well the day finally arrived; this is the first time I've had to get up at 05:30 to participate in an event. The wind was up a little, but despite overnight rain, the roads had dried out (mostly) by the time we had to use them, and by mid-morning the sun did start to shine. We arrived in Stoke on Friday night, registered Saturday, and raced Sunday (that would be this morning). Anyway, as a novice tri-athlete (and I use the term athlete lightly) this is my opinion of the event.
The event is run by UK Triathlon, and is based at Trentham Gardens in Staffordshire, the event consists of five races::
BIG HALF Triathlon 1.2 mile Swim- 56 mile Bike - 13.1 mile Run
BIG HALF Relay Triathlon 1.2 mile Swim- 56 mile Bike - 13.1 mile Run n (One competitor for each leg!)
Fun Triathlon 200 meter Swim - 11.5 kilometer Bike - 2.5 kilometer Run
Sprint Triathlon 750 meter Swim - 23 kilometer Bike - 5 kilometer Run
Classic Triathlon 1500 meter Swim - 46 kilometer Bike - 10 kilometer Run
Entry is via the UK triathlon web site, a relatively simple exercise in parting you from your entry fee, not a huge price compared to some that I’ve seen quoted. And easy to use, I’ve entered several events previously.
Registration for the race wasn't too painful; we did the "tourist" thing in and around the potteries, and by lunch time Saturday went over to Trentham to register later in the afternoon; we also too the opportunity to have a look around the course, and for Mrs D to indulge in some retail therapy at the retail park.
Overall I'd score the event as a hit, but it did have a major problem, with the transition/finish and run turn point being tucked up between the garden centre/cafe and the river (personally I’d call it a stream). It wasn’t too difficult to find, however, access and spectator access was pretty poor. Apparently this isn’t the same place that they used last year, and will probably be different next year, as there is a huge amount of development of the centre/gardens/lake etc. So, fingers crossed it should be a little less congested. It all looked fine on the map.
However, in reality, it was all a little squeezed, especially as those competing in the longer Classis and the Big Half were still participating in their race, but the rest of us, and spectators in general were mulling about returning kit to the car, etc. I dont think anyone was seriously hampered; it was just a little "snug" at the turn/finish. I heard a couple of guys bad mouthing the organization, but despite the cramped quarters I personally thought the event was well organized, signed posted and marshaled
Anyway, that was the major gripe,x . Don’t let it happen next year! Because I will be back.
The swim took place in Trentham Lake, starting from the boat house, which boasts a coffee shop (lucky for the spectators and anyone wanting a last minute caffeine kick) and a rather slippery exit, even with the matting. For me this was a single lap in the sprint, which went off well despite being my first ever open water event and in a wetsuit too. The water was surprisingly warm, so I dare say I could have completed it without the wetsuit, but what the hell I'd paid £50 for it, so I'll have to use it
Anyway, the swim for each race was staggered, and for the sprint only 500m rather than the originally advertised 750m (for some reason to do with safety, not sure about that one). 07:00, saw the guys off with the Big 1/2, then at 08:10 those of us in the Sprint started, followed by the Classis (Olympic distance) and the fun events. Apart from a little silt (well a lot really), at the bottom of the lake (running at a depth of around 1 to 1.5m), the swim was great fun and not too much barging about (which I had expected having seen other events). There was a compulsory shoe transition immediately after the swim, I expect that you could have tried to make it to T1 without shoes, but your feet would have looked like minced beef. I made the mistake of trying to remove the wetsuit whilst getting my shoes, and spent a couple of minutes staggering around like a drunk, I should have put the shoes on and run to T1, by which time I think that my wits, would have been in a position to cope with the wetsuit. However, having got it off, I could then slip the shoes on and head back towards transition, a run of about 500m, across a short section of the run trail and then the pebbled paths of the Italian garden; around the back of the finish/transition area, across the river, into T1. A swig of juice to clear the lake from my throat, picked up the bike, and out onto the road. All this is reflected in swim time of 16minutes (provisional, but my timing verify this), not exactly my swiftest 500m (typically 08:30 in the pool).
Having mastered the use of cleats I was able to exit the front of transition without embarrassing myself, into the car park, through a couple of sharp corners/mini-roundabouts before taking a right at the roundabout for the Garden Centre entrance on to the main A34 dual-carriage way for my 2 laps (the Big 1/2 had 4 of a longer route, the Classic 4 laps, and the fun 1 lap). Being so early in the morning we weren’t troubled by too much traffic, this wasn’t the case later in the morning as some of the tail-enders from the big ½ completed their bike. Those of us in the sprint were able to make our way around the course relatively easy, even at the turn points (major roundabouts) there were no problems, the course had no traffic lights to contend with, and no stroppy car drivers. There is a god!
The route took us a couple of miles south on the A34, it wasn’t particularly flat; with a couple of, as they say "undulations", these proved testing in both directions. As 90% of my cycling is on the flat, these proved to be a pain, and several guys I passed, kept coming back past me at the top of the hills. However, there were no major climbs, so all in all the route was reasonable quick. At the end of the designated laps we passed the main entrance to the garden centre, and headed 100m or so further along the A34 to a back entrance, which I have to say could have done with a little re-surfacing, but the few meters we had to endure into T2 wasn’t a huge problem. I didn’t see to many people with problems on the cycle, a couple of guys walking back, with I guess either mechanical or physical failures, and one changing an inner-tube. I did hear some comments for others that there were more punctures than you could shake a stick at, but I didn’t see many, perhaps a touch of exaggeration.
The run followed the cycle route out the front of transition, up the path to the side of the café (which were open at 08:00 for the spectators to partake of a bacon buttie or the full montie, this was perhaps the only positives of the position of the finish/run turn), past the café we turn right across a normally closed bridge (they charge to enter the gardens normally) into the Italian gardens once again, and out towards the lake, past the boat house (where we started/finished the swim), along the lake side trail. The sprint/classic/fun races had a turn point a little further along from the boat house; the big 1/2 had a turn point further down the trail. There were 2 laps for the sprint, 4 for the classic and 1 for the fun. Personally I found the run a challenge; I've missed a lot of runs recently due to problems with my left Achilles. As far as the event was concerned, I thought that the route was good. It had good views, and not too many problems with pedestrians, a few potholes/puddles were easily negotiated, although I would have preferred a more solid surface, especially over the pea-pebble paths in the Italian garden section. As I ran my 2nd lap things were getting a little congested as sprint/classic/fun runners combined on the trail, as long as people kept to the left there were no problems (that I saw).
There was a water/Gatorade station on the turn point near the finish, which was good, although I could have done without having to dodge around the kids handing out the drink as I went by; I think I'd rather that than not have anyone to hand drinks out. There was a station in a lay-by on the cycle too, although principally for the big 1/2, they seemed as keen to hand out water/bananas to anyone who went buy.
Tri UK as usual were around, although given their pitch I’m not sure how many visitors managed to figure out the route to check out their gear. And the ubiquitous massage service, which I took advantage of, and proved to be a winner. I feel like doing anther cycle this afternoon.
Results are posted at Uk Triathlon, after the event.
Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 485 Location: Disgracelands
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:14 am Post subject:
Morning bfd, great report.
I did the sprint as well and thought the whole event was great, best of all were the competitors, to a man a smashing bunch.
Mud glorious mud is all I can say about the swim, it was like soup, but I had a good one, didn't panic as I have done previously, swam with a little too much 'wow I'm doing this' and not enough focus on technique but that willl come now.
There did seem to be a lot of punctures (I saw 3 on my first lap) but that road surface was not great, a lot of loose grit, I do feel for those who suffer punctures.
No idea on times (I thought chips were new for 2007 - rebate????) but i dont really care I guess around 1.35 for the lot but it could be 1.45, either way I drove home with a great big grin on my face, met some smashing people and will be there next year.
hi johnny, glad you enjoyed the race. I wasnt aware that timing chips were going to used. I've only used them once, on the Saab Salomon hell runner, and they worked a treat.
They even re-use them for different events by collecting them in at the end of the race (smart move to give out the race goodies at the end in exchange for returning the chip!), so apart from a few odd ones that get away, they have to be reasonable cost efficient.
I dont see how they can run an event with 600+ competitors efficiently. I guess the only downside is that technology doesnt always function as it should; "Sorry, but......" is last thing you would need to hear at the end of the race.
Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 7395 Location: Lincoln / Scarborough / Firkham-on-Sea
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:24 am Post subject:
nice one bfd
so the rain had stopped by time the big half started?
_________________ DoubleIM10 1st by 2hrs! 24h33 2h45/13/8h51 3rdDIM09 25h31 3/14/8h28
FM7th10h58 TBW10h32 EC3rd Pil5th GC2nd 55HM9h59 HH4h50
Yup, no rain, a slight breeze which was a little chilly out of the sun; the roads were a little greasy from the overnight rain when we arrived 06:30, but by the time anyone got to the bikes the roads had pretty much dried up.
Great Report and comments, just about summed up my experience. Spot on!!
I did the sprint too, found the day to be good overall. (shocked by the weather, if thats the BBCs idea of 'prolonged and heavy rain' then I they need a re-think).
As said the transition area, run turn around etc etc were a bit cramped but apart from that a decent race.
I watched the big half start to get an idea of the swim course.... the colour the 'water' went when they all start kicking can only be described as black...
_________________ Ironman UK 2009
I watched the big half start to get an idea of the swim course.... the colour the 'water' went when they all start kicking can only be described as black...
Quite bizarre for everything to go literally black when you dunked your head under the water.
Overall a good race (big half anyway); swim a bit tight around the buoys on the four laps which made for several encounters with various feet and fists, "interesting" run from the swim to T1, bike ride on quiet roads (certainly on the first two laps) and a very sceneic run.
First ever half and very pleased with time, 5:14. Think I took it a bit easy on the swim, taking about 10 minutes more than I aniticapted which was a bit of surprise but bike and run went very well. Must practice my open water swimming more!
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