Nigel Gaskin

Having already won my first 5 races of the season. On the 8th May 2016 I headed out to race again at Tewkesbury.

This time I was racing in my first triathlon of the season. This sprint triathlon consisted of a 400 metre pool swim, 24km bike ride and a 5km road run. Being the series winner of the Tewkesbury Winter Aquathlon, they had given me free entry to this race.

Again I was joined by my older brother, Chris. He had also entered the triathlon, it too being his first triathlon of the season.

As we arrived at Tewkesbury Cascades Leisure Centre the sun had just started to appear leaving a lovely clear blue sky, there was hardly any breeze. Perfect conditions to race!

A quick visit indoors to register and then back outside to our bikes. We spent some time checking them before we headed to the transition area where we put our bikes in the racks and set up our kit, ready for the bike and run leg.

Not only was this my first triathlon of the season. It was also the first opportunity I had to fully test my new Ashmei Triathlon suit. Although I had already raced in it this season in my aquathlon events, I hadn’t had the chance to use it in a triathlon event. I was really looking forward to seeing how it performed on the bike.

We had already been given our start times prior to our arrival. We knew there would be a lot of waiting around but it was such a lovely morning the time just flew by. Chris and I, with plenty of time to spare entered the poolside. We waited patiently for the race starter to call us across.

Chris had an earlier start time to me by approximately 3 minutes. Whilst waiting to start my swim I was trying to calculate if and where I would see my brother again. Could I pull back those few minutes he had as a head start?

I got the call. I walked across to my lane and dropped into the water. A 30 second countdown had begun. My usual streamline start saw me appear back on top of the water some 10-12 metres up the pool. A solid swim saw me finish the 400 metres in a time off 4:57, slightly slower than normal but still a respectable time. I leapt from the pool and onto the poolside. A quick run to the fire exit and out towards transition 1.

The crowds were cheering as I ran towards my bike. As I was the last swimmer to enter transition I could see that my bike was left on its own. This made it much easier to find. I grabbed my helmet and then on with the shoes. Picked up the bike and began to run out towards the mount line. A quick jump over the frame and onto the bike.

I had just managed to get a good speed going on the bike, but then had to stop. I was unlucky and caught the only set of traffic lights on the bike course! It felt like this red light was never going to change back to green.

As the lights changed I quickly powered away up the road, however I instantly felt cramp travel through my right calf. It was agony! This was the first time in a race that this had ever happened. It was so bad I had consider dropping out of the race. I gritted my teeth and pushed through the pain, stretching my calf the best I could whilst riding along the road. Just as the pain in my right calf started to ease it then swopped over to my left calf. Agh!

Fortunately, after a few minutes the cramp had gone. I continued to push on hard. We travelled through some beautiful villages heading out to the turn-around point at Beckford. Although I wasn’t sure how far there was to go until the turn-around point, I spotted Chris pedalling hard, back the other way. This really helped with my motivation, I knew I wasn’t too far behind. But how far? I remember counting to myself, waiting for this turn-around point to appear.

The turn-around appeared quicker than I expected. The route back in was fast. I overtook a few other competitors on my return.

I entered T2 and again was on my own. No sign of Chris or any of the athletes that had started at around the same time as Chris. So after another speedy transition, grabbing the shades I started my run.

The chase was on!

I ran my first mile in under 5 minutes 30. Not slowing to get my breath, I continued to push on hard. I knew there had been some really quick athletes out there on the bike and I knew I had to make time back on the run. I ran the second mile in a similar time. I was passing other athletes all the time, but still no Chris. As I neared the end of the third mile I could see in the distance a runner, I knew instantly from his figure and running style that this was my brother. With less than half a mile to go I had my work cut out to catch Chris, but I tried.

We entered the final turn and I was metres behind (I’m sure he could feel me breathing down his neck!). He took a quick glance over his shoulder as he neared the finish line. I knew I wasn’t going to manage to pass him. He crossed the line only a few seconds in front of me.

It was then that we exchanged some brotherly, if not somewhat competitive, banter. I knew it was always going to be difficult to catch Chris, but being so competitive, this was particularly a race I wanted to win.

What a great day! Another faultless event run by Tewkesbury Triathlon Club. I would fully recommend their events to anyone looking for some early training/racing experience.

Following time adjustments for the traffic lights I finished 3rd overall, missing 2nd by 6 seconds. I also won my age group. I had the second fastest swim of the day and I was the fastest runner. Finishing the 5k run in a time of 18:08.

Congratulations to my brother who finished 7th overall and took 1st in the Veterans category.

Many thanks to Tewkesbury Triathlon club for arranging another fantastic event, Run Stuff, Evesham for supplying the prizes and to my sponsors, Ashmei, Bridgtown Cycles for all their continued support.