Poppit Sands Aquathlon

Long time since i've written a blog post it seems...not that i haven't thought of it, just had a lot on my mind and not in a space to put 'pen to paper' as you were. Back on 7th July i did my first aquathlon race...this being a 1k sea swim followed by a 5k multi-terrain run. A short sharp race, but given that it was a club championship race, and also a way of forcing me to do what i don't like doing - swimming in a race, then it was a good warm up for the British Champs in Liverpool the following weekend.

The race was a late morning start so we were able to leave at a decent time and still get down to Poppit Sands with plenty of time to spare. The 90 minute drive to Poppit Sands was beautiful and the setting for the race was idyllic. With a little campsite overlooking the beach it was a stunning find...everything you would need there, with a big wide open beach, and crystal blue clear calm waters...

Mass beach start

As it was a club race there was a large turn out from the club which was great to see. The weather was perfect too, so the water was calm, and not too cold, and it wasn't too hot either, even though i had caught the sun a lot after the race having not put suntan lotion on.

There wasn't as many in the race as i'd thought, less than 100, so about the size of a wave start within a tri. I hung back a little during the run into the water but felt OK going out to the first buoy and then around to the left. Feeling OK i was swimming between two other swimmers, who unfortunately then decided to close the gap and they both took a stroke at the same time which meant a double wallop for me on the head as they swam shoulder to shoulder with me. I stopped due to the knock and one of the swimmers did stop, bless her. I took a few breaths to get my breath back and then off i went again. For the next 100metres or so though i was asking myself why do i put myself in these situations, why do i race in races that require me to swim?!?! However, the rest of the swim was trouble free. I wasn't quick, but felt OK, and swam around the buoys without trouble, only 1 or 2 around me. What i did notice was how bad others are at swimming in a straight line as that's something i'm OK at really, unless i choose to take a wider route. The swim felt a long way and then when i finally got out of the water i found it tough to actually get out - the sand stayed shin deep for quite a while and i was finding it hard to get out as quick as i'd hope. Then the tide had gone out during the swim so there was a long run up the beach to transition.

The tide had gone out during the swim so it was a long run up to transition

It was strange having a transition that was based o the ground with no bike racking. Struggled a little to get shoes on due to the added factor of sand and then out onto the run. The run would make a great training run, multi-terrain, some ups, some brutal soft sand bits...but during a race it wasn't fast and was a lot tougher than i had expected due to the soft sand where it was shin deep for long stretches.

I made up a few places on the run but i never felt like i got into my stride and i was very glad when i saw the finish in sight and i was able to overtake the woman in front of me to at least finish strongly, even if i was just glad it was over. Looking at the results after my swim had been average but the run could have been better given a couple of people who i am faster than had a faster run split. Still, this race wasn't important, and the main thing i took from it was how beautiful Poppit Sands was so it was a nice trip out with my parents, which ended in a nice picnic :)

There were some great results within the club so it was a success all round for the club and as for me, well i survived being bashed in the water but i know i need to be stronger and hold my own in the water, rather than getting a little anxious as soon as i see other people close to me in the water. Will i do this race next year...well it was very well organised by a local club, in a perfect setting, so if it fits into the schedule then i would certainly consider returning, as i'd want to improve on my run for definite!