It was back down south for the Taunton Deane triathlon on Sunday. This used to be my home club race (for Somerset RC Tri) and is one that always attracts a good field on a challenging course. It was great to catch up with loads of old triathlon mates, and to have a good race against them! My parents and girlfriend came to watch as well, so the pressure was on!!
I haven’t really been swimming much for the last 3-4 weeks due to a shoulder injury, so I wasn’t expecting great things in the swim. I came out about 20secs down on what I would normally hope to swim, but after a quick 1st transition I was off to make the time back on the bike.
I somehow managed to avoid the showers that were forecast, but the wind had picked up considerably during the morning. However I felt good on the bike and set about picking people off that had started the swim before me. All the Somerset Tri members either marshal before their race, or they race early and marshal afterwards. I therefore knew some of the marshals out on the course, who were shouting encouragement/abuse, as well as making sure everyone was going the right way, which always helps! Having raced this course a fair few times, I knew all the twists and turns, and was preparing myself for the run before I knew it.
After a fairly slick 2nd transition I was onto the run in my new Newton running shoes! Newton are sponsoring Tri UK this year, so the Tri UK team get to reap the benefits of wearing these awesome shoes. The run is a 2-lap course, with a big hill about halfway round each lap. At the end of the 1st lap I was greeted by my Dad shouting out my time, and my Mum and Charlotte shouting in unison ‘Go Dan’!! I was running at my limit, but struggled to get into any real sort of rhythm. I knew once I crossed the finish line though I’d given all I had, so would be happy whatever the outcome.
Before the race I had set myself a couple of targets I wanted to achieve. The first one was to definitely finish in the top 5, but ideally the top 3. And an easier target to aim at (as you can never tell how other people are going to race, especially when it’s a wave start, as you’re not racing head to head), was to finish in under 1.04hrs. I achieved both targets which was pleasing, finishing 3rd in 1.03.20.
A successful day out, with it being my parents’ first race outing this year and Charlotte’s first real triathlon experience! I’ll get her doing one at some point…maybe!!
A couple of days later I was back seeing the physio about my shoulder. We decided then that I won’t be racing this weekend at the National Champs in Strathclyde. I need a couple of weeks of rehab to slowly build the shoulder back up to strength, so the sensible decision had to be made. I definitely hope and expect to be racing Blenheim on June 6th though.
Well the sun is shining again here in Leeds, so it’s time to get outside!!
Enjoy the weather, and all the best to everyone racing this weekend.
It’s all good.
Hocks.