Ian decides to take an unconventional off-road stint on his Tri bike, but still manages to get another podium result for the team…

The People’s triathlon was a new event for 2012 and offered a great setting at Dearnford Lake, near Shropshire. As we entered the water it was apparent that there were a few athletes in contention to take the win. As the start horn sounded I found myself on the feet of a fast swimmer for the first 100m, but I couldn’t maintain his pace and decided to swim my own race. Over the 2 laps of the 750m swim course, I could monitor the progress of the lead canoe and the gap was growing. I got out of the water in 2nd place and sprinted into T1 with a view of closing the gap on the bike. Out of T1 was a long run to the mount line and then mounting along a grass verge and pedalling a fair distance to the main road on the grass (wasn’t the greatest way to treat my FFWD wheels).

Out onto the Dual carriageway for the 4-lap cycle and the roads were relatively quick. I worked hard, but was delayed a little at the roundabouts at each end of the course due to the Sunday morning traffic. As the laps came to an end it was evident that I wasn’t closing on the leader and he was holding pace, so with a speedy dismount into T2, I needed to have a really good run in order to close the gap on the leader.

The run was 2 laps out and back around the lake (on grass), so wasn’t going to be a quick time. Again, with the lap format I could see the leader on the run – he was able to run well and hold the gap. It was unlikely that I was going to catch over 5km, but I wanted to continue running hard for a podium finish; 2nd place for TORQ and our sponsors.

With thanks to our sponsors.

www.wilier.it – Triathlon Frames
www.ffwdwheels.com – Aero Wheels
www.ritcheylogic.com – Aerobars, Saddles and Finishing Kit
www.cycleops.com – Power Meters
www.racezone3.com – Wetsuits
www.limarhelmets.com – Helmets & Glasses
www.lakecycling.co.uk – Cycling Footwear
www.jagwireusa.com – Cables & Housing
www.scott-sports.com – Running Footwear
www.shimano.com – Groupsets
www.triathlonspecific.com/Sable/Sable.html – Swim Goggles (Sable Water Optic)
www.max-mediagroup.co.uk – Team PR
www.amphibia-sport.com – Transition Bags
www.schwalbe.com – Tyres
www.lezyne.com – Pumps, Tools and Bottle Cages
www.champ-sys.com – Custom Trisuits and Cycle Wear