News_
Simon tackles the European Cross Triathlon Champs in Sardinia
Friday 13th June 2014
Congratulations to Simon Taylor who, just a year after his first ever triathlon, represented GB in the M50-54 category and came an excellent 6th. Cross Triathlon is the equivalent of cross-country and mountain bikes are used. The swim was 1.5K, the bike ride 30K and the run 10K. Simon was sixth in the M50-54 category. Here is his account of the race:
One of my priorities was to keep relaxed whist also maintaining a decent pace in the 1.5km swim. The first lap went smoothly without too much grappling going on. The Sea temp was 18.5', beautiful crystal clear water, I could see the scuba diver video cameramen sitting on the seabed at the turn buoys. I exited the water after the first 750m lap and did the approx 150m run on the sand before re-entering the sea for the second lap, the field was spread out by now. After the run it took a while to get a decent swim pace going again.
Transition 1 went ok and I soon passed a few people on the bike, before starting the first long ascent of the initial 15km bike lap. The first descent was fairly steep with gullies and various sizes of rocks to look out for. The bike section had single track, double track, steep ups/downs, trees, brambles, sand gravel, fast runs and slower technical areas, a mix of all you could expect on a good mtb course. The mtb course has two sections where you carry your bike up, one is called the 'crying wall' if it was much steeper you'd need a rope. On the second lap I was literally pouring with sweat climbing up this beast. As to be expected the second bike lap felt tougher than the first, I passed a few people and a few people passed me. I didn't come a cropper and get injured on mtb course which was another priority. A few riders were not so fortunate.
No problems in T2 and off on the 10km run. About 4km of the run was on sandy beaches which was tough going for tired legs. Running over the wobbly rope bridges (four times) was also tricky on the legs. I passed a few people including one of the Elites who was not having a good day and looked like he may have crashed on the bike. Second lap and time to mentally dig in. My trainers were soaked with sea water and feeling heavy. I passed a few people and was passed by more people a mix of those on their first lap or faster people on the second lap.
Although I was the least experienced and one of the oldest in the team I was the second out of the 14 members of the Great Britain age group team to finish the race.
I came 6th in my category. I am fairly pleased with this.
One rule of these event that stood out - drafting is allowed on the bike but not between men and women!
My tip for anyone who hasn't done a triathlon with a 1500m swim in two laps where you exit the water and run about 150m on soft sand before re-entering the water. Don't think that will give you a breather for the second 750m swim, it can mess with your swim pace.
Great event, very well organised and an unforgettable experience.
Simon
