Hathersage hilly sprint tri 

Date: 21 July 2024

Distances: 

Swim: 14 lengths of hathersage pool (420m swim)

Bike: 21Km

Run: 6Km

The routes are quite hilly (pool excepted!) but oh so worth it!

So it’s that time of year again when I challenge myself to a sprint tri. This year I embarked on the Hathersage Hilly Tri. Dusted off the bike and grumbled that I haven’t purchased a better bike since the last sprint tri… maybe next year I will invest. 

Transitions: 

Transition 1: this is directly outside the pool cafe. Area to rack the bike, pop to the loo and get ready for your swim.

Transition 2: this is round the corner from the pool. Area to rack the bike and change of trainers for the trail. 

Swim: 

With a not too early swim start time of 10:08, meeting some fellow competitors and donning the ever so sexy tri suit I was ready to go. I did forget the difficulties of popping to the loo in a tri suit. Bit like wearing a playsuit on a night out. 

Prior to race day we were sent out times and lanes ready for the swim. I was in lane 2 and couldn’t wait to get swimming (my favorite part). Into the open air pool I went and smashed out my lengths. Then very inelegantly exited the pool to transition 1. Dried my trotters, donned my helmet and headed out to complete the bike section. 

Bike: 

To be honest I haven’t been on my bike for yonks and did fret that I could even remember how to ride it. Little too late as I hopped on and prayed for the best. After a few km I figured out my gears and admired the scenery. 

Once out of hathersage the route took us to Grindleford, up Froggatt, round past the pub and back down into Hathersage. 

Froggatt was as expected… a long slow slog. I was proud of myself for reaching the top especially after a fellow rider said he was impressed with my riding even on ‘those tyres’. Once again cursing myself for not investing in a better bike. Racked my bike in transition area 2, donned my trusty trail shoes and off I went for the run. 

Run: 

This was a section I had practiced. With Strava sections aptly named such as the ‘Ski Slope’ and ‘Free falling’ I was glad I had practiced. 

The first few km entailed finding my now ‘jelly’ legs again and regaining blood flow to my nether regions. Once that had passed and I found my stride I was already past the sheep and into the ascent. 

Once I reached the top, the route takes you through a wooded section. I swear I wasn’t hallucinating but there was a group having what appeared to be a silent disco in the area. At that this point I was almost tempted to join them and hug a tree but I knew the cows and the bog awaited me. 

After the technical downhill section you meet the original path and onto the home straight. As per usual I find the flattest section to take a tumble… in the field a few yards from the finish line. How embarrassing… I dusted myself off and competed the race. 

Greeted at the finish line by a bottle of Hendos… perfect for my tea tonight. 

A big thank you to all the marshals and supporters at the event. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and would encourage anybody wanting to embark on there first sprint tri to give it a go. 

Apologies for the lack of photos. I didn’t have my phone on me. 

Strider results