Race Preview - Alford Novice Triathlon

Here are the full results from 2014. I marshalled in 2013, but I did race in 2012 and remembered to write a report on that one.

For some reason I didn't write a review after last year's race. Since it was my first triathlon 'win' I can't really understand why. I still lost out to 3 teams, 3 juniors and a supervet and ended up 8th overall. 

This year I had a couple of targets. First up is the one from my Annual Targets list. 6 minutes for a 400m swim is probably just out of range. The short pool means it should be a quick swim, if I can get all 20 turns right. It really comes down to having a great race, getting a good draft and not making any mistakes at all. Under 6:25 would be a PB and I will take anything inside that as a success. 

The bike course has been radically changed (again) so I can't even guess at a time or speed prediction for the new course. I had planned to target a 20mph speed on the old course. The new course is so different that while I have ridden all of it, some sections I have only ridden in the wrong direction. I may even have to drive round it or test ride it in the morning to make sure that I know where it goes and how to ride it.

The run should really suit me as it is just three short loops round the park, mostly on good surface with a bit of grass. For some reason I haven't ever run particularly well on it. 

This will be my last Novice race as a Senior, and my last chance to get on a Senior podium as I won't be podium-level competitive at Huntly Standard next month.