RAF Scampton Duathlon

With 4-weeks to go before racing in Soria, Spain representing the GB Age-group team in the ETU standard distance duathlon I was looking for a race to enter to serve as a tester and initial tune up. After searching the BTF website I came across the RAF Scampton duathlon just across the Humber Bridge in Lincoln. I hadn't raced this one before but after a quick bit of research on the Lincoln tri club website it looked like a great race to do. Like the name said it was on the RAF base (home of the Red Arrows) so I would be racing on a lovely tarmacked airfield, which also meant closed roads. 

Unlike most races I do the start time wasn't until 12:30 pm, as there were loads of children's races on before hand, which was great, seeing some many children getting the multisport bug. The only downside was that it made the pre-race fuelling strategy a bit more tricky than usual, as I needed another snack after my pre-race breakfast. That wasnt an issue though as it meant I could enjoy a peanut and pumpkin Meridian nut bar!  

With about two hours before the start we drove to the race. We arrived at the base after going through all the security checks (with it being a military base) with about an hour before the race start. This gave me plenty of time to register, set my bike up in T1 and go through all my pre-race routines. With about 20 min to go I started my pretty standardised warm-up, which is now tried and tested. It was a gorgeous day and the sun was shining so I was conscious to ensure I kept hydrated whist warming up. With about 5 min to go we all got called to the start line so that the race organiser could deliver his final pre-race information. We then headed to the start line and awaited the start.  

The klaxon sounded and we were off! The 5km run was 2-laps of an out and back route running parallel to the bike course. The first section was all on a gradual incline until the turn around point. As that was the case I was careful not to go too deep into the red at the start as I know I would pay the price for that later on. The super quick guys formed the first group with me and a few others in the second group. The first lap was rather non-eventful, with the group staying as one. On the second lap, as the course started to rise to the turn-a-round point I slowly pulled away, which gave me a nice confidence boost. After holing my own for the second lap I was quickly into T1, in about 10th place. After a swift T1 including putting my tri-shoes on in T1 (as elastic bands were banned due to the possibility of them getting into place engines) I was soon out onto the bike course.  

 Breaking away on the run

The bike was three loops of 7 km around the airfield. From the start of the bike I was able to really get the hammer down and start picking off some of the quicker runners. The first few km were pretty flat and non-eventful, so I kept pushing on as hard as I could. After I rounded the bottom corner, the course began to rise gradually all the way to the furthest part away from transition. This wasn't too bad I was able to keep aero and in the big ring. I was slowly catching up with the field ahead as coupled with the rise there was also a strong headwind. I had been working on my strength in the gym over recent months so was happy to see this paying off and I began to make further inroads into the guys ahead of me. As I turned back along the home straight, the wind was behind me so I kept pushing on to try and make up a few more places. Lap two was pretty similar to lap one. The third and final lap of the course started to get pretty busy and it was hard for me to work out my position. As I was approaching T2 I could see someone ahead of me undoing their shoes so I knew he was a rival. I slipped my feet out and resting them on top, ready for a quick dismount.  

After another slick transition (T2) and a quick bike count, I knew I was in seventh and could see that sixth was just ahead of me. The final run was a single lap of 2.5 km. I knew this was likely to be flat out, but didn't want to go too mad until the turn-a-round point. I soon settled into my stride and on the gradual rise to the turn-a-round point I soon passed sixth place. At the turn around I could see that there was about a 10 sec gap between us. The rest of the run was slightly downhill, so I decided to kick again hoping to keep the distance. I kept pushing and after a quick glance over my shoulder with about 400 m to go I knew I had done enough to hold him off! I kept pushing, gritted my teeth and crossed the line spent (paced to perfection)!  

  

I finished 6th overall in a time of 1:04:34. I was super happy with this and put in a near PB 5 km time for the first run, so this gave me loads of confidence heading into the final build up into the European Duathlon Championships (30th April).

 Job well done!! 

As always a massive thanks to my sponsors Meridian Foods and Coconoil, as well as my coach Ian Mayhew (Gears & Tears). Also thanks to Lincoln tri club for organizing such a great event and i'll certainly be back. Finally thanks to Richard Howes photography.