Three athletes, Maureen Farish, Les Humphrey and Helen James competed in the Sprint Triathlon on Sunday 2 September. “Sprint” translates as 750m swim, 20km Bike and 5 km run and the swim was in open water in the sea. We all wore wet suits although it was voluntary; wet suits give you more buoyancy and protect from the cold of our seaside waters. The photo [hope it is attached!] is Helen and I minutes before the start. I am wearing a red cap the result of some confusion because I was listed as a man!
Helen and I struggled over the pebbles to the water’s edge and realised that the sea was actually quite rough with a distinct swell and waves crashing on the shore. It was a very tough swim. We were plunged up and down as each stroke seemed to push us further away from the buoy where we had to turn. Helen and Les needed assistance from the canoes in order to make the shore or I think they would have been swimming still. I was exhausted as I staggered up the beach but there was still the bike ride and the run!
The bike ride was 6 laps of a circular course along the seafront with the wind against on the outward section. Helen and Les came into their own here and both had excellent times. The run was a 2 lap course along the promenade. We all did remarkable times considering the swim difficulties and we were the only 60 and 70 + competitors. It was certainly a testing triathlon although the facilities were non existent. It was either changing in the local beach toilets or the front seat of the car!
Maureen Farish 33rd [out of 35] women - Swim 26.42, bike 1.13.48, run 33.22 - Total 2:13:52
Helen James 35th - Swim 40.00, bike 59.52, run 38.28 - Total 2:18:20
Les Humphrey 58th [out of 80] men - Swim 18.27, bike 45.28, run 29.50 - Total 1:33:45