Amman Valley Sprint Triathlon race report - James Grandfield

 

Coached athlete James Grandfield raced the Amman Valley sprint triathlon a few weeks ago, sorry for the delay, here's his thoughts on the day!

So, here it goes, my first ever race report! I did the Amman Valley sprint triathlon (400m swim, 16km bike and 5km run) last week, my day began as usual, up early and make a cup of tea for the wife (I know my place!), coffee for me and a nappy change, then the babies nappy change! The sun was shining in South Wales for a change so it was good to know that hopefully a fast day was ahead.

Rushing as usual I got to registration with 5 minutes to spare, but with an hour until my start time I could chill out. Bike racked, a telling off for being on my bike in transition (I had actually just clipped my shoe on my bike with my foot in it) and I was in my tri suit and ready to race. 

16 lengths of a 25m pool is something I have come to love. A swimmer at heart, its a peaceful place in the pool and I just wish the swim was a larger part of triathlon. 14 tumble turns later and I was out the water, 5:03. I’m at peace with the fact my my old swimming PBs will forever be my PBs; so I’m always pleased to be around the 5 minute mark on only 3km of swimming a week for the past 18 months. 

Through transition, an uneventful mount, shoes tight and I weave through some side roads before hitting the main out and back. I love numbers and since having a power meter I am completely reliant on my Garmin! When racing I only ever look at 3s AVG power and cadence, I find that works for me. So 105% FTP was my goal for todays 16km ride. One thing I've tried so hard to do this year is stay in my TT position on the turbo, and this seems to have paid dividends. After moaning to Andy (from Cranc Cyclesport) that my numbers were down after my Retül fit in October, he reassured me that they'd come back. Those 80min turbo sessions have got those numbers bigger and I have been so comfortable in my position at 10/25mile TTs and todays triathlon. Having overtaken 3 or 4 people and not been caught I knew I was going well so stuck to the figures and T2 was there before I knew it. 

Double cramp! The second my feet hit the ground both my calves turned to rock! I had to hobble up to my racking position on tip toes, I’m sure any regular cramper will know this feeling! I’d been suffering from night cramps the last week, so this had haunted my thoughts all morning. Luckily, about 500m into the run they had stretched out and I could get going. This for me is where the mental game starts. I have never had a complete race, either stomach problems or leg cramps have stopped me and I have a real psychological block on the final leg of triathlon. Today was no different, 5km pace was not happening. After 3 years of IM and 70.3 training I have lost the racing feeling, this was why I’ve chosen to race more sprint and olympic this year, I want to race again!  

When one of my main competitors went past me on his return leg with a face of pure pain I knew I wasn't pushing hard enough. The thought of getting cramp again had held me back and waiting for the next inevitable run issue (which never came) meant I’d missed that flat out 5km feeling. I’ve got the feeling I could have been at least a minute faster, next time aye!

Results:

• Swim - 5:03 (4th)
• Bike - 24:04 (4th)
• Run - 21:32 (12th)
• Total- 52:06 (4th overall, 4th AG)

Lessons learnt from today:

• The whole bike course is a race, I lost valuable time not powering through the side roads.
• Race week hydration, no matter what work and family throw at you, needs to be on point. No excuses!
• There is no time for thinking in 5km, go out hard, keep going hard, then go harder.

Llanelli Sprint Tri next up for me on May 14th, another couple of kgs to lose and some constant training and hopefully I can get nearer that podium spot!