Dambuster Triathlon Race Report 23/06/24 – Mary Cooper
30 June 2024
Mike and I went to Rutland Water in the Midlands where we met Adam and Megan to race the Standard distance European Qualifying Race and Emily who did the sprint.
It was an early start – Mike was off at 6.30am with the rest of us in various waves behind. It was brilliantly organised, with one large loop in the lake (clean clear water at 16 degrees) closed roads on the bikes (with only the one hill done twice) and a flatish out and back run over the picturesque dam. Having had a good swim and reasonable bike, I then got cramp in my hamstring at 7km and limped/hobbled my way to the finish. A disappointing finish but one that a lot of us can relate to!
Mike was also returning after week off training with chest infection and did well to finish, and Adam was racing for first time to test himself having not run for some time. It was Megan’s first race as part of her preparation for IM Sweden! It was Emily’s first triathlon with new wetsuit and being a novice to open water swimming. . .
Emily came 3rd in the Sprint Triathlon and Megan came second in her AG – both qualifying for next year ETU race in Istanbul (the saving starts today!) whereas the more mature team member were happy with their performances but will have to wait and see if they are off to Turkey to race . . . Or there will be more chances to qualify at Bournemouth Triathlon at start September or Llandudno Triathlon at end of that month.
As for us, we will be recovering for next few weeks before attempting the Cowman Triathlon at the start of August near Milton Keynes, after a little trip to Paris to cheer on our GB elites at the Olympics!!!
Well done to all in the club who raced this weekend – it was a scorcher!!
