Trafeco Warwick Sprint Triathlon, Sunday 9th September 2007

Report by Kelly Paterson

This event based at the Warwick School, in Warwick (funnily enough!) has a number of race options, including 'The Ragged Staff', a 200m/9km/2.5km, 'The Bear' 400m/20km/5km and a team relay. There is also a children's event in the afternoon, so all in all it could be a good day out for all the family. Having entered 'The Bear' as my first pool based triathlon in April and finishing in 1:20:13 I was determined to return and see if I actually managed to improve over the season; so determined I even booked the day off work. My main aim was to go under 1:20:00, but really I was hoping for better than that when I submitted my entry and annual leave forms. However, at the present time I do not have a working stop watch, so on race day it was going to be a matter of pushing it hard and waiting for the results.

Although not being at work actually gave me a lie-in on Sunday I was suitably startled when the alarm went off, my first thought being "It's my day off, what the..." Having reminded myself that I like triathlon and forcing down a mug of coffee. I loaded the car and set off.

Arriving at the School just over two hours later I ate my Weetabix and raisins in the car before heading over to a hassle free registration. A short time later my bike was racked in its allocated space and I was ready to go. I thought it was good that they had people in the transition area just checking everyone was ok, it's always good to know someone is there to help should you need it. Reporting to the poolside 15 minutes before my 10:30 start time I was raring to go (well, sort off!) The volunteers at poolside were very friendly and helpful and a number of them were asking if everyone was ok and if they'd competed before. A quick briefing was followed by a very quick whistle to get in and a whistle to go. As I had one of the later start times when I got in the lane I was the only one in it, and when I finished there was only three so the swim passed off fairly uneventfully, apart from when one of the men in the lane swam back 'up' the 'down' side of the lane as it were, fortunately we narrowly avoided a collision and carried on. They have counters allocated to each lane and when you have 2 lengths to go they put a red '2 lengths to go' board in the pool. So, if you struggle with counting (like me!) this could be the race for you.

A short dash from the pool brings you to transition. This was only my second triathlon with 'clippy' shoes so I had a bit of a do with them, but hopefully didn't waste too much time, and when it came to the mount line, I got that clicking sound at the first attempt - result! The cycle course is on nice country-esque roads without any real hills and was overall enjoyable, I even managed to get over 5 miles before I was overtaken, usually I'm lucky to get to 2 so I was quite happy.

Back into transition and a quick (ish!) change of shoes and out onto the run, which is two laps of the school sports fields, with a short section on the pavements outside the school to complete the loop. I felt fairly ok on the run, and was confident I had a new Warwick best, but without a watch I couldn't be sure and it was a matter of waiting. I enjoyed this race and would recommend it. I've heard the organisers received a bit of a battering over their efforts in April and on their new Birmingham Triathlon last month. I can't comment on Birmingham, but I had no problems with either Warwick event, and as only my second ever triathlon in April found it very beginner friendly.

Anyway, Tuesday came and the results were up, and I finished in 1:14:53, 9th out of 28 in the female seniors; so it is nice to know some of that training has worked a bit.

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