Experienced runner, Isabelle Pound, chose Sheffield Triathlon Club's famous 'Hathersage Hilly' triathlon as her first ever triathlon and loved every minute!

Pre-race

How were your preparations leading up to the race?

I rode the bike route a couple of times which gave me a lot of confidence – it’s a long steady hill but perfectly doable if you pace it right and know that you have a big downhill at the end to recover on. I didn't have time to recce the run on foot so I did a Strava recce of the run route which meant I was fully prepared for the fell run-style of the up and downhill. Helpful marshals on the day made sure I got on and off everything in the right place and by registering the night before I had plenty of time in the morning to work out the ins and outs of the transition areas.

Did you feel that your training had prepared you sufficiently?

I felt so well prepared I knew it was going to be highly embarrassing if I didn't turn in a half decent performance.

Swim

Time: 11:38

How did it go?

There was plenty of room in the lanes and about 5-6 people in a lane at any one time. I was expecting to be the slowest swimmer and was taken by surprise when that turned out to be wrong so I ended up being held up and treading water when other swimmers didn’t behave as I expected and move over when I tapped their toes so I ended up losing rhythm and treading water at times so not the greatest swim. Lovely pool, lovely temperature and no-one got upset but I could have done better had I been more confident to overtake.

T1

Time: 1:48

How did it go?

Pretty ok. A bit of loose gravel going into the transition area but I found having a towel with a thick pile knocked it off easily. Plenty of room and well organised.

Bike

Time: 47:38

How did it go?

Helpful marshals made sure I got safely onto the route. I did use a light on my bike because the leaf cover over the road to Calver is dense and it's dark. First section is undulating with couple of short but steep uphills, and a right turn where you have to stop and put your foot down, and I find it an unexpectedly demanding section to say it follows the valley bottom. Then it’s the long drag up which is a steady and relentless pull but plenty of time to get your breath back on the downhill section back into T2 even if you put some effort in and pedal down. Unlucky to get caught out by the pedestrian crossing at red in Hathersage! Tarmac is generally good apart from two areas on the downhill with substantial dips, grates and potholes but the pre-race recce paid off there.

T2

Time: 1:49

How did it go?

Lovely marshals who were there to catch you if you toppled over and make sure you made the dismount line. Easy racking area with plenty of room.

Run

Time: 39:23

How did it go?

This route is like a low grade fell run. Gentle flat start on tarmac turning into a grassy track and then after a while a turn straight uphill with overgrown steep sections that most people will walk. Could be muddy underfoot if it rains. The climb continues and starts to flatten out and turn steeply down hill with about 2k to go, finishing the same way you departed.

How have you recovered from the race? Now that it’s done, what are your future race plans?

I recovered really well and wasn't fatigued in any way.

Race review

A really good introduction to the sport if you like a bit of off-road running and you're used to hills. Very friendly and very well organised without being unnecessarily officious. Lovely atmosphere and a good mix of experienced and very competent athletes and people just wanting to have a go. I'll be there next year all things being equal!