Taking place on a sunny Sunday morning at the stately home of Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, this event attracted a wide range of competitors from elite level though to first timers.
Having only ever taken part in triathlons as part of a relay team before, I was delighted on arrival to see that the transition area was not too large or crowded. After registering and racking my bike, there was just time for the obligatory portaloo trip before heading down to the boat house on the lake’s edge for the swim.
Following a thorough swim briefing we all got in for the start. My wave had about 35 competitors in it. I started at the back of the pack as didn’t want to get elbowed/swum over/dunked but after I wished I had been brave enough to start further forward. Despite the weeds and rather muddy water I enjoyed this leg.
After exiting the water the transition to the bike leg began with a 300m uphill run. It was a tough end to the swim, but just a taste of what was to come.
As I arrived at transition my husband who had started in the same wave was just leaving (not great for morale!). Good job I had friends and family there to shout their support. My transition went smoothly and while it wasn’t the quickest I was just glad nothing went wrong as it was my first time doing one.
The roads around Castle Howard are winding and hilly and of all the events in the Castle Series I knew this was considered the toughest. But I was determined not be fazed by this and just hoped that my lack of actual hill training wouldn’t come back to haunt me.
And I’m pleased to say it didn’t. I may not have broken any records but I made it up and down all the hills at a reasonable pace. I surprised myself by actually really enjoying the climbs. The roads were not closed to traffic so you had to be aware of this but the route was heavily marshalled.
Arriving back at the entrance to Castle Howard I whizzed down to the transition area, feeling slightly nervous about how my legs would cope when I stepped off the bike.
Foolishly I hadn’t done any brick sessions in my training (where you practise running straight after cycling) and I won’t make that mistake again. I set off on the run feeling really wobbly and heavy legged.
Luckily after about 750m my legs seemed to find themselves again. Unluckily though the hills that set the tone for the bike leg continued for the run. Up and down, up and down… they just kept coming!
But hills aside it was a truly special off-road run route that wound through the grounds, along trails, beside rivers and lakes, so there was plenty to distract yourself from your tired legs. As the end approached and you had the house in your sights, knowing the finish line can’t be far away, the event organisers played one last trick on you. Whilst you are just metres away from the finish, they divert the route up and down another hill just to give you one final test.
My distance: 450m swim, 23km bike, 4km run
Good points:
• Stunning scenery – the backdrop of Castle Howard itself and the Howardian hills on the bike route are simply stunning.
• A challenging course (could also go in the list below!) – both the bike and run legs were very hilly.
• A very well marshalled route and efficiently organised event.
Bad points:
• Not enough toilets. There were only four portaloos by the main area for all competitors and spectators.
• Not enough drinks handed out to competitors at the end. I’ve come to expect more than a small cup of water at the end of a race. And the drink station on the run was empty when I passed by.
• I found the choice of distances out of proportion - a too short swim on the sprint distance (450m) but too long on the bike if you move up to the mid length one (46km).
Would I do it again?
Yes I would. In fact almost immediately afterwards I signed up for the next event in the Castle Series – at Chateaux Chantilly in northern France. The final one is at Hever Castle on September 24-25.
More info: www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
