Roundhay Park Leeds is one of my preferred training locations so when I heard that Xtra Mile Events were holding a triathlon race there I was quick to enter. The swim was in Waterloo Lake, the bike route incorporated some of my favourite training rides and the run was a 3-lap route around this historical park and included the infamous Hill60 - 3 times!!
Swim
In my swim wave was last year’s male winner so I knew I could have a fast start to my race. I made my way to the front of the pack and when the starter’s whistle blew I went out fast for the first 100m, fighting for some clear water. I swam strong and hard thereafter and exited the water with an unofficial swim time of 00:23:55, a season’s PB. It was about 200m from the water to T1, uphill, which made my official chipped time for the swim 00:26:15. My final tri race of the season had got off to a cracking start.
Bike
Following a quick and effortless T1, the bike route took us out of the park to the south onto Wetherby Road. After a steady incline to the ring road, we crossed a busy roundabout and continued towards Bardsey and Collingham. On reaching the outskirts of Wetherby, the route ran parallel to the A1 along Great North Road with the roundabout outside The Bridge Hotel in Walshford marking the turnaround point. The return route was back the same way until we reached Collingham again. This part of the route was extremely windy and this flat and fast outbound section now became a slower and tougher inbound challenge. Back in Collingham, and navigating around several cars, we took a right turn onto Harewood Road. There was a steady incline, followed by a quick decline which leads to a left turn towards the picturesque village of East Keswick. The descent through East Keswick was steep and a tight corner half way down needed a bit of negotiating. I took this familiar descent with speed and confidence as I knew that the road to Wike included an average climb and some short, sharp inclines for approximately 5k. My legs were starting to feel it now yet psychologically I was strong as I knew I was so close to transition. On reaching Shadwell Lane you cross the ‘Dead Zone’ and your time is electronically stopped to allow riders to get safely through the traffic lights here and at the ring road. Your time starts again when you reach Park Lane, entering the park for T2 along Mansion Lane. Despite the hills, the ride was perfect for a TT bike and my Felt B12 once again did me proud. My legs felt strong and my heart rate stayed consistently within zones 3 and 4 as planned. The bike course was officially measured at 44k and my time was recorded at 01:29:32.
Run
Roundhay Park’s Hill60!! A challenging ascent of about 50 degrees incline, endured 3 times at 0.6k, 3.2k and 5.8 km-I was grateful for Zipvit’s caffeine gel. As I reached Hill60’s ‘summit’ the strong wind was against me as I ran to the bottom end of Soldier’s Field but to my advantage, as I ran up the other side the wind was with me. My trusty Garmin recorded the 3-lap run at just short of 9k and I finished with an average pace of 4:40min/km and a time of 00:41:18. I crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 02:36:55. I had lead my age group from the start of the race and finished 1st in the 35-39 female age category, a remarkable 18 minutes ahead of the number 2 finisher. My overall female finish place was 6th out of 40 competitors, only 10 minutes behind the female winner who, before I forget to mention, was in the 16-24 age category. This means that even if she is at the upper end of this group she is at least 14 years my junior!!
The event was very well organised and my split times were instantly available as I crossed the finish line. There were friendly and encouraging marshals all along the course and the swim and run locations meant it was a great for spectators, although I hear that some were disappointed that the park’s Lakeside cafe was not open at 7am as the organisers advertised. I collected the best goody bag I’ve had all season and received an age group winner’s prize of a Royles gift voucher and an Xtra Mile Events mug!
Female Finish 6th
Age Group Finish 1st
Well Done Sally!
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