11 of us gathered in Ashford on Sunday for the Brett Ashford Triathlon, ably supported by Phil as “motivational coach” (he’s not a morning person!) and team photographer.

My self, Jane, James & Sharon were tackling the Standard distance triathlon. Michelle the Sprint.Liz, Jo & John the Standard Aqua bike(Swim and bike, in case you were wondering) and Calvin, Richard & Rachel the Sprint Aqua bike.

It was a hot day even when we started at 8am! James was in the 1st wave followed by those tackling the standard distance and finally the sprint which went off half an hour later. The swim for the longer distance involved an Australian exit – out the lake at the end of lap one, a 10m slide on the wet grass, followed by a wade back through the mud and weed to restart – the transition to the bike involved a very long run back up to the stadium and there was much discussion whether to bring flip flops or trainers down to the lake, I decided against and it wasn’t too bad once you got on the matting they had put down.

Then it was on to the bike, which involved either 1 or 2 laps of a really good course, the first half was through country lanes nicely undulating before you turned left onto a major road back to the start.

For those doing the aqua bike there was a little confusion where the finish was, Calvin appeared to carry his bike over the finish line rather than racking then running and I’m not sure where Liz ended up!

The run was sweltering hot, and mainly cross country so very uneven and it seemed to be the longest 10km ever, at every water station more water was going on me than being consumed!

It was a fantastic day, well organised and one we all enjoyed, particularly as we bagged a rather impressive 4 trophies; Rachel won the sprint aqua bike for women (having won the Seaford triathlon the day before – where does she get the energy?). Calvin & Richard finished 2nd& 3rd in the sprint aqua bike for men, but both won their age group categories, and I was more than a little surprised to take overall 2ndplace in Woman’s Standard Triathlon and 1st in my age group.

Finally, congratulations to Sharon and Michelle, both completing their debut events, Michelle her first Sprint and Sharon, who’s finish of her first Olympic distance Triathlon literally raised the roof with the rapturous applause that greeted her run across the finish line.

I’m sure we’ll all be back next year, if only for the rather nice, and most welcome pub lunch afterwards. Did someone mentioned dessert….??

Sally Smoker (edited by Phil!)

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