The Dorney Sprint Triathlon held onSunday 1st September and was an exciting and competitive event organized by ATW. Due to high demand, two additional races were added: a sprint race at 11:30 AM and a standard race at 12:30 PM.
I opted for the sprint race and was grateful for my choice, especially after witnessing my companions struggle through the standard race in the tough heat conditions. The temperature made for a challenging run, and while I faced my own difficulties, I believe I fared better than those in the later event.
My run was slower than I had hoped, exacerbated by my transitions, which were particularly sluggish. A significant portion of my transition time was consumed by the awkward process of removing my wetsuit. I found it quite the struggle to get the legs over my timing chip and ankle support, leading to a decidedly inelegant exit from the water.
Despite these challenges, I was pleased to finish 3rd in my category out of 7 participants. The results were combined across categories, meaning I was effectively competing against athletes who enjoyed cooler conditions earlier in the day. In fairness, my transitions were the primary factor in my slower overall time, rather than the heat itself.
On a positive note, I managed to maintain nearly the same bike time as last year, and I improved my swim time, which reflects my training efforts.
With this race marking the end of my triathlon season for the year, I am now turning my attention to goals for 2025. Overall, it was a valuable experience that has motivated me to continue improving in the future.
Conclusion
The Dorney Sprint Triathlon was a well-organized and enjoyable event despite the heat challenges. I look forward to setting new goals and participating in more events in 2025.
