After a third place at Stokesley in the opening Duathlon of the north east Multisport calendar, followed by second at Morpeth two weeks ago, in a race that would have seen me qualify to race in the Duathlon world champs in Ottowa had I registered my intent, Last Sunday saw an early start on the Sunderland sea front in Seaburn for the SunCity Duathlon.
A strong turn out from our team at Coalfields RT saw our distinctive orange and blue kit splashed across the local newspaper, with some great performances all round and a great show of teamwork yet again.
Toeing the line at 07:30, I took my usual position on the front row right in the middle of the pack. It was only a short 5km, 1 lap run down the coast before doubling back up retracing our tracks back to transition. Learning from the short race at Cleveland just before the season started, I knew the run was going to be important, ensuring this time that I had enough distance over the field to allow me to settle down into a good rhythm.
I started off strong and fairly quickly, a group had already broken clear with little more than a sheet of paper separating us as we entered T1. I came through pretty quickly and before long I was clear at the front of the field heading out towards where we had previously turned on the run. I've been riding strong but I knew being a short distance ahead of my mentor and coach Elliot, I would have been like a carrot on the end of a stick for him to chase down. This is exactly what happened, by the turn on the bike he came past me but for both of us, this was probably the best thing to happen. We were evenly matched here and on numerous occasions the lead changed hands between the two of us as we opened up the gap on the field. As we came through T2 we left together, exchanging words as we did at dambuster! This time complimentary and encouraging.
A strong turn out from our team at Coalfields RT saw our distinctive orange and blue kit splashed across the local newspaper, with some great performances all round and a great show of teamwork yet again.
Toeing the line at 07:30, I took my usual position on the front row right in the middle of the pack. It was only a short 5km, 1 lap run down the coast before doubling back up retracing our tracks back to transition. Learning from the short race at Cleveland just before the season started, I knew the run was going to be important, ensuring this time that I had enough distance over the field to allow me to settle down into a good rhythm.
I started off strong and fairly quickly, a group had already broken clear with little more than a sheet of paper separating us as we entered T1. I came through pretty quickly and before long I was clear at the front of the field heading out towards where we had previously turned on the run. I've been riding strong but I knew being a short distance ahead of my mentor and coach Elliot, I would have been like a carrot on the end of a stick for him to chase down. This is exactly what happened, by the turn on the bike he came past me but for both of us, this was probably the best thing to happen. We were evenly matched here and on numerous occasions the lead changed hands between the two of us as we opened up the gap on the field. As we came through T2 we left together, exchanging words as we did at dambuster! This time complimentary and encouraging.
I went on to open up a lead retracing the same one lap run we had previously covered, turning back on myself allowed me to see the breathing space I needed as I'd given it everything. I'd left it all on route, I finished on empty!!! 1st place
Being evenly matched with Elliot on the bike helped this weekend to. Saturday saw us line up together for the Ryton Tri 2up team time trial. Although I'd been riding well, I knew this wasn't just about me, I was riding for a team mate. If ever there was a time to how a coach what you could do, working with and for him in a 2up TT was that very time. We were in separate partnerships last year and finished only 9 seconds apart with Elliot finishing in 42:34 and me in 42:43. With a target of a PB for Elliot of hitting 41 mins, I knew it was going to be a tough 18 mile.
As we drove the course we analysed it, we discussed positioning on the road and we discussed the weather conditions. Most of all, I was told where I would be shouted at, and then I realised just how important this one was, but we didn't need to talk about that.
As we drove the course we analysed it, we discussed positioning on the road and we discussed the weather conditions. Most of all, I was told where I would be shouted at, and then I realised just how important this one was, but we didn't need to talk about that.
There was no set time as to who would do their turn and for how long, it was about knowing your partner, knowing when to come through when you had sufficiently recovered. We had never ridden together before but it worked. It seemed fluid. We both contributed, and we both understood each others strength. When we came to the last turn at Belsay with about 4 miles to go, the dialogue started. Dialogue is one way of putting it, tone was intent and words were limited. It consisted of numbers and that was about all. This was no code but but an indication that I knew we were flying! We crossed the line side by side in 39:45. Averaging a speed of 27.2 mph we had cruised into another new PB but didn't realise until the end that this was good enough to post second place. As Triathletes in a cyclists back yard. To say We were delighted was an understatement. This has just crowned off a fantastic start to the season where, apart from Dambuster, I have been ever present on the podium. Something that I have been inspired by, by my team mates at Coalfields. Yet again, the team were great all round with some more fantastic individual performances, and new ones to boot.
Next stop, Stockton Duathlon on Sunday!