Triathlon..with a difference!!
by Alice O'Neill

Review Made: 04.07.2016

Ian Moser

This year I fancied trying something a bit different, so I had a crack at the ISOMAN triathlon. This is a pretty unique triathlon event (2nd year now) with the distances modified with the aim an average swimmer/cyclist and runner will spend the same amount of time on each discipline (i.e. more swimming and less cycling than normal). I entered the ¼ distance event which consists of 2.8K swim, 24.6K Bike and 10.6K Run. There was also ½ and full distance events running at the same time.

There was a field of 60 for the ¼ distance event and I joined them lake side at 10:30 am. The ½ and full distance swimmers were already well into their events at this point having started a few hours earlier. With the nature of this event I was expecting the standard of swimming to be high and I wasn't disappointed. The Gun went off and immediately people flew off into the distance. I tried to keep my own pace/rhythm and not get too overwhelmed by the chasm of distance opening up between myself at the leaders ! The course was a 2 laps with 9 turning points. Got bashed about a bit on some of the turns but generally managed to find my own swimming space Also had to watch out for some of the early starters who were finishing off their 5.6K and 11.2K swims.

Finished the swim and into T1. The second big difference with this event is that they have effectively neutralised the transitions. If you do T1 in under 8 minutes you get a transition time of zero, anything over that gets added to you time. I decided to use most of the time allocated to get ready for the bike. Meant I could use my proper bike shoes, get properly dry etc. in the transition with no penalty.

Onto the bike and my first experience of cycling after a long swim (only done up to Olympic distance before). Took a good few minutes to get going and really felt there was nothing in the legs for the first 5K. After that, got motoring nicely and started passing some of the good swimmers. Part of the bike course was an out a back section so I got see the leaders coming the other way. Course was undulating quite a few junctions/roundabouts to negotiate during the early stages but generally a good course.

Into T2 and similar set-up with 5 minutes allocated to make the transition to the run. Again I used almost all the time to do some stretching etc. to try to alleviate the jelly legs that normally accompany the first Kilometre of the run.

Onto the run and normal routine for me. The 10.6K (¼ marathon) was a single lap around the lake we had been swimming in earlier. Nice course which was well marshalled and plenty of drink/nutrition stations if you needed them. Managed to tap out a consistent pace through the run but didn't have that extra zip you get when you haven't done a swim and bike beforehand.

Slightly disappointed with my swim, but generally pleased with the result. Finished with:

2.8K Swim 56:42 (18th)
24.6K Bike 49:12 (8th)
10.6K Run 48:00 (4th)

Total time of 2:33:54 for 9th place. 

Was a well organised and friendly event that I'd really recommend. I can think of a few club members (swimmers!) who would do really well at this. For the hard core, the full event is a real challenge (11.2K swim, 98.6K bike, Marathon run) ! So if you fany trying something new take a look for next year.

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