Organised by Matlock Athletic Club, the Matlock Triathlon is a popular race with both new and seasoned athletes. #TeamTCUK triathlete, Isabelle Pound, gives her account of this challenging course.

Pre-race

How were your preparations leading up to the race?

Just followed the plan!

Did you feel that your training had prepared you sufficiently?

I was so prepared it was silly!

Swim

Time: 10:10

How did it go?

It went not too bad.

What were the positives/negatives?

Positives were that the time was better. Negatives were that I allowed myself to get a bit panicky (why I have no idea) which doesn’t help with breathing! Just need to think myself into a different place next time. So I lost rhythm and form after about halfway. Not helped by the chap who overtook and then settled 2 metres in front but that's really not something to get uptight about.

T1

Time: ??

How did it go?

Times weren't recorded. It was fine.

What were the positives/negatives?

I'd chosen a great place to rack my bike! I think I'll try doing sockless next time...

Bike

Time: About 39:00?

How did it go?

Bike went well. Doing a couple of route recces paid off.

What were the positives/negatives?

It's a nice route and quite challenging! Got held up a little because the roads are narrow with bends in places and it wasn't safe to overtake downhill.

T2

Time: ??

How did it go?

Could have been better really.

What were the positives/negatives?

I attempted to rack my back in a weird way but got there in the end.

 

Run

Time: 28:12

How did it go?

It went pretty ok

What were the positives/negatives?

I felt comfortable. Possibly could have gone a bit faster.

Post race

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

Good question! I am tempted by a sprint in Goole on 1 October which is flat – but may be boring? Just to put the swim gremlins to rest. I'd like to aim for a standard distance next year now.

Coaching

Spot on, thanks Kirsten! Clear instructions and helpful feedback. Sessions always push but are achievable and I was ready for the race.

Race review

I'd certainly recommend Matlock especially for anyone local to the event. It's more of a test than you'd think. For a start it’s £10 to enter and the proceeds are split 50% to charity and 50% to Matlock AC. The leisure centre hosts the event for free. It is so friendly – an ideal first event. It has a café overlooking the pool which opens early for the event and there are changing rooms and loos.

It’s hand timed - not much point going if you’re going to worry about milliseconds in transition but it’s we'll marshalled and well organised on the day. Low tech throughout with no mount or dismount lines, choose your own spot to rack your bike etc. No-one is going to get dq'd because they shout at you to get on and off your bike at the appropriate point. It's a proper club run event.

Pool swim is in 8 lanes with a maximum of 2 people in each lane so you’re unlucky if someone gets in your way.

The 17km bike course is more challenging than you might expect. The first 4km are through the town and out on a main road with a steady pull, then onto country lanes with short, steepish climbs up to Riber Castle. It's fair to say the first half is net uphill. Then it’s undulating with some long downhills on narrow bendy roads where passing can be difficult, then back up to the main road and back to Matlock on a downhill and then flat route.

The 5k run is a 2 lap mainly urban route with a flat first 1k followed by some steps uphill, some more flat then up to the top, across on grass round the edge of some woods then steep back down to start the second lap. Not a route to get any rhythm up on but not boring and plenty of support from the locals.

All in all a very enjoyable event with a scenic bike ride and nice people, and a bargain! Pre-race organisation was appropriate for a low-key low numbers event – about 160 entries in all, but everything went very smoothly on the day!