Limelight Utd News Article

After threatening to complete a triathlon for many months, Diccon took a small step towards becoming a triathlete. To become a triathlete probably requires the completion of an Olympic distance Triathlon… but this team super-sprint distance was a highly competitive team event attracting over 2,000 triathletes from across the country. The Nottingham Club Relays is in its 18th year – it is the “Glastonbury” of triathlons – with the majority of participants camping at the National Water Sports Centre - Holme Pierrepont.



It did not start too well for the debutant. Driving up to Nottingham after the TalkTalk challenge, Diccon found that his recently acquired bike rack did not come with instructions! But after two hours of a Krypton Factor-type challenge, the weary team finally left London at 11.30pm, arriving at the campsite at 2am! Pitching a tent in the dark and with a 6am start, sleep was limited – not ideal preparation. There was more kit-failure with Diccon’s new untried and tested goggles - which duly filled with water four times during his first competitive open water swim. Triathlons really are all about your kit! Lessons learned.



The event is “organized chaos” with each competitor completing each discipline and passing the baton (timing chip) on to their next team mate. Diccon was the anchor leg of his mixed team, which at least allowed him to observe the various transitions and how to survive them. It also meant that he was kept well clear of the “mosh pit” of the first swim start.



The 400m open water swim, 15k bike and 5k runaround the lake of Holme Pierreont was completed by the Clapham Chaser’s mixed B team in just over 4 hours and came a respectable, but low-sounding 328th out of 460 teams.



Diccon posted times of 10:52 for the swim, 24:25 for the bike and 20:07 for the run - overall report: bike and run reasonable, swimming definitely needs work! Next stop an individual Sprint distance Triathlon – watch this space.

http://www.pacesetterevents.com/national-team-relays.php