Christmas Splash and Dash - December 2007
I entered this race for a bit of pre-Christmas fun, although I was too much of a spoil sport to go for the fancy dress option. I don't suppose that wearing a red tri-suit really counts. This race was a small event, 9 participants in the end, organised by Wakefield Triathlon Club to take it's members energetically into Christmas. Something like that anyway. As I've been slowly getting to know people at the club I thought this would be a good opportunity to take part in something.
The race took place at the swimming baths in Scisset, on the road between Wakefield and Huddersfield, and then in the fields and lanes surrounding it. The format of the race comprised a 400m pool swim followed by a 2 lap 5K run. It was clearly going to be a cold one, with the temperature gauge in the car wavering between 0 and 1 degrees - lovely for running around in wet swimwear! For some reason I was really nervous beforehand, maybe simply because it was the first time I'd gone along to compete in a club event. I wasn't worried about the distances as they were pretty short in the grand scheme of things. I suppose I was also a bit nervy because I haven't been swimming for weeks. I don't think that going in to play with the kids really counts.
The swim was fine. We were able to get in and warm up before the race began, so that calmed some of my fears about how my swimming would be. Clearly no ill effects from my recent laziness/ lack of time. I was probably slightly more out of breath than usual, but that tends to happen when I get nervous anyway. I completed the swim in under 8 minutes, not sure of the exact time, but I was happy enough with that. I was second out of the water from the three of us who comprised the first wave.
Transition was fine, getting changed as quickly as possible in the pool corridor. I pulled on a fleece and my shoes before running out yanking a hat down over my ears as I went. There's only so cold I'm prepared to get. I also managed to get the 1000 mile gloves on as I ran along. It took me a while to regulate my breathing as I headed out, but on the whole I felt things were going okay. It was nice to be out there, the weather was cold but clear. It was pretty pleasant running weather. The mud had frozen and the ground underfoot felt fine for running on. Then it all went to pot. I got lost! Don't ask me how because I really don't know, nobody else managed it and the posts were bright orange so how I missed it is anyone's guess. I would do that on my first outing with the club. Mind you, I was presented with a signpost as a memento! I must have run nigh on 5K, just in the wrong place, so I opted not to try going around again.
Oh well, I enjoyed it. The swim went well. It was good to be part of the club and everbody was very friendly as usual. Maybe next time I'll go the right way!
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