Anne Paul wins Sperrin Duathlon Series for Triangle Triathlon Club

Sperrin Duathlon Series – March 14 2009 Race Report

Seven athletes from Triangle took to the line for the final race of the three race series. The race followed the same format as the previous editions. All of us were slightly apprehensive before the start due to strong winds (30 mph) out of the North. What this meant was a return leg on the bike that would be both uphill and into the wind (gulp!). Simpson was acting technical delegate for the race and took great pleasure in repeating (ad nauseum) ‘glad I’m not racing today lads’. Anyway he did a great job on the technical front and doubled up as Triangle Photographer (who said men can’t multitask?).
The first run lap around Lough Fea saw Adrian, Anthony and Anne in a big bunch behind the leaders. I was ‘gapped’ but doing my level best to keep the big bunch in sight. I was sure the other guys were on my heels but was not prepared to look over my shoulder. I reached transition thinking that I gone too hard and would be no good on the bike. My transition seemed to take an age and the stress level seemed out the roof!

My helmet had been knocked off the bike in transition but I was fortunate it had not been blown far. I donned my cycling shoes and clomped off towards the bike mount area (as graceful as a bear).


In the last race in the series I had managed to catch Anne during the outward leg of the bike but there was no sign of her white socks to be seen today. Desperate measures were employed – I descended the first part of the bike course in mountain bike style (i.e. like a lunatic) passing Anthony and scaring several runners (hehehe). Despite the Franz Klammer descent I did not see Anne until the turn so she had not hung about either on the way out. The return leg of the cycle was just awful. There was about one minute where I got into timetrial rhythm/mode, the rest was pure slog. All that effort and you were getting nowhere fast (should that be nowhere slow?).




I never thought I would actually say this, but for once I was relieved to rack my bike and start the last run.
As I ran I was expecting Adrian to come steaming past but he had pulled out with a sore hip after the bike. As the run went on and there was no sign off him I began to convince myself that I was going well and would not be caught by my clubmates. But then I heard it – that distinctive sound of Miss Whitesocks’ rapid footfall. Anne gave me a few encouraging words and I returned my best gasps and grunts as she seemed to float past. I clung on as best I could and it meant that I finished the run at pace.


Trilimits plan to hold an evening series of 3 duathlons, over the next 3 months. All events are on a Thursday evening, and will follow a 2:10:2 format. Details, as well as full race results for this series are available at www.trilimits.com.

Report with pics and results also available from main Triangle website