Phil Symonds - Dorney Triathlon and Windsor Duathlon success

In my first Triathlon of the season on the 26^th May; I won my age group race (35-39) and came second overall on the day at the Dorney SuperSprint held at Eton.  My time on a windy day was 1hr 1min 45 seconds, an achievement that I was relatively happy with considering that I suffered a calf pull on the run which lost me some time.

 

So heading into the Winsdor Sprint I felt that I had a chance of winning it again like I did in 2011, or at least achieving a second place.  However, when I went to rack the bike the day before on the Saturday, I found out the swim was cancelled due to the large amount of rain we have had recently making the swimming conditions unsafe.  I then knew I would face an uphill struggle, as  my swimming would have given me a lead on to the bike and would  also help to split the field.

 

17^th June 2012 Windsor Sprint Tri.

For the first time in 22 years the Winsdor Triathlon ended up being a duathlon -  1Km run, 30K bike, and 5K run for the sprint distance race.  I did my best coming third overall for the second time in three years, missing second by 20 odd seconds.  The winner,  who I beat last year by  three minutes out of the swim, beat me by two minutess overall.  This was disappointing knowing I am swimming faster than last year and know even though I had not peaked for the season I could have at least achieved a second place.  My overall time being 1:13:13. Former North Road regular Dave Candy also raced which was good to see.

There is always next year of course, I have one triathlon left in July.  

Report by Phil Symonds