The 5th August 2006 saw Lincoln Tri make it's debut at the National Club Relays at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.
Thanks to sterling work from Team Captain Judith Brand, two teams were entered into the competition. The emphasis was on having fun, rather than strong competition, although some of the club's entrants were sure to be at the sharp end of the field.
Most of us turned up at the camp site on Friday evening ready for the race the next day, and a good atmosphere was evident as a small part of the site was claimed for the club. The site soon began to fill up with clubs from the length and breadth of the country.
A special mention has to go to the persuasive powers of Steve Campion. Not only did he get a tent put up for him ready for his arrival, he then had not one, but two women cooking him dinner. Unbelievable.
Saturday was competition day. A mixed team consisting of Richard Sheldrake, Helen Simmonite, Terry Vine and Mark Ruhier went off in the morning with the other mixed teams, and ladies teams and then in the afternoon it was the turn of Eric Wintersgill, Steve Saunders, Steve Paley and Steve Campion (you don't have to be called Steve to be a triathlete, but it does help) with the other all male teams.
The format for the relays was a 400m swim, 20K bike and 5K run, with each team member taking it in turns to do the swim, then moving onto the bike and finally the run.
Race briefing was full of lots of confused people who really did not seem to have a clue with what was going on, and it was reassuring to know you weren't alone in not having a clue.
Personally I was getting extremely nervous at this stage, with it being my first open water swim. I'm a very poor swimmer and my phobia of fish is starting to become well known. It wasn't helped by the fact that I had a panic attack when practicing at Whisby the Monday before. Not a good omen.
Sadly there was an unfortunate medical emergency towards the end of the swim,
and the race had to be delayed while the unfortunate competitor was treated
and taken to hospital. Whilst most teams, if not all, had completed the swim
by the time the race was stopped, the decision was taken to start the race once
again with the bike. The riders were started at 10 second intervals and the
bike was cut to 10K in order to get it completed before the afternoon race.
By the time we were out on the run, the sun was beating down and some members of the team were displaying sun burnt faces.
The mixed team completed the 10K swim and 5K run in 2.57.50 to finish 131st out of 153 teams.
Eric
and the three Steves were lucky to be a complete team, as Steve Saunders left
Anna's hospital from where they had become proud parents some 12 hours previously.
However, he was under strict instructions not to hang around, so the pressure
was on for a fast time. The team didn't disappoint with an excellent 68th place
out of 135 teams in 3.20.15 under truly tropical conditions.
After another night camping, it was the turn of the club members to race the Nottingham Sprint Triathlon, which was 750m swim, 20K cycle and 5K run over the same route used for the relays.
Ashley Smith was first home in this event in a fine 1.13.16, followed by Duncan Dawson in 1.19.59, Terry Vine in 1.23.10 and Judith Brand in a remarkable 1.29.43. I say remarkable as most people will realise that it was Judith's first race back after missing most of the season following major surgery.
Ryan Smith also competed in the Supersprint, completing the 400m swim, 10K bike and 3.2K run in 37.20.
So a great weekend, with an amazing atmosphere at both the campsite and races.
All the teams present made it an experience not to be missed. Lets hope we can
get more teams out next year and make it a real fun weekend.
Special thanks to Iain and Teresa Hamilton for organising the event and giving the club a free place. To Judith Brand for organising the weekend and getting us all in the right place at the right time, as well as helping with registration and racing on the Sunday. To all our families and friends who stood out on the course for ages supporting us loudly. To everyone who stayed around on the Sunday to support those of us that races the Sprint and Supersprint too. Finally to all the volunteers that gave up their time to make the race actually happen.
See you there next year.
Terry Vine