This was My first ever Triathlon and jumped straight into the Middel Distance aged 50.  Event well orgnaised, great atmosphere, marshalling great and encouraging all the way. The route for the bike is really tough with over 4000 feet of climbiubg so not for the faint hearted. But a great event, great support and well organised.  Will have fond memories of the day and something else now ticked off the bucket list.  Def. special thanks to the marshalls who screamed and cheered for you at every opportunity. 

Last race of the season. Online booking, £45 I think it was. Easy to get too, not far from Swansea. Check in was quick and at the race start area the day before. 

Race morning, it was misserible weather and were hanging about for a while. The middle distance went off later than planned. The Sprint and super spirit started after all the middle distance people finished. The swim was good. Not too choppy. Lots of marshalls on paddle boards. Transition needs to have mats laid out. The pavement was rough and very very cold. 

The bike course could use a few more arrows, myself and a lady missed the quick turn after a quick turn, which was the 'massive' hill to be in granny gear for. 

Coming back into town, the roads were busy (Saturday race). Transition was fine, bike racked and ran out. It was hard to see where the run started as there were people standing about and a team marshall didn't move them out. 

The run course (5km) was very good. Flat along the sea front and a little support along the way. 

Tge feed station on the run was at the turn around point /start of run and grab some sweet s and water but mainly for the middle distance runners that would benefit from this.

Coming back towards the finish lots of weaving between people walking the seafront. And when you get past the feedstation you need to go through barriers towards the finish but it was busy with spectators. 

You run up a carpet and a ramp (maybe not the best for the legs) and finish on a stage. 

Saw a few photographers about. Medal was nice. Post goodies were water and sweets. And that was it. Good location as it's in town. Could use a few tweeks but it was ok for a Sprint. Value for money was good. As the middle distance was run at the same time -they pretty much got what I got for a Sprint. No tshirts at the end. But you can buy one at registration. 

Final Triathlon of the year and in October so i guess we shouldnt expect the weather. Two lovely days sandwiched the terrible weather on race day.

Registration and Logistics are pretty good, you can collect your race pack on the Friday if you are local or spend the night before the race down in the Mumbles. Racking was split and the Middle Distance were separated from the Sprints, gave us lots of room which was nice. 

As stated the weather was terrible on race morning and pretty cold. Race brief was down at the race start/finish so you did get cold before the race. Swim course was shortened so not 100% clear where to go though im never 1st so easy to follow. No chance to get in the water to get used to the cold temperature so I knew if would be as shock when the gun went.

2 Lap swim course and loads of paddle boarders so very safe swim course and gave you a chanel to follow/swim down. Probably really good for weakeer swimmers who could pause at a board then go again. Aussie Exit then back in for the midle distance. 

Transition was straight forward and sign posted for both T1 & T2 and marshalled reasonably well so you knew where to go. 

The bike was onto open roads and the Mumbles is pretty busy so you have to be careful until you turn up towards the Gower. I found lots of traffic on the road so not the best to get your head down & go for it especially on the main road. 

Torq feed station which i didnt use as im self sufficiant on a middle distance but Torq is good stuff. 

The run back into transition was very busy with traffic so you had to take it easy. But a good honest bike course which would have been good to look at if the weather wasnt so poor. Certainly not a drafters course which was good. 

The run was 4 laps of 5km. The same as the Sprint distance and very flat along the sea front so good for pacing, 1 feed station at the second turn point (5km). The run course was not closed so you had to dodge walkers along the route which was not ideal and the only point it was blocked was when i turned to go into the finish section so had to skip under the tape to get back on course. 

It was the same swim & run course as the Sprint with a longer loop on the bike. I know we pay more for middle distance races and at about £100 it is one of the cheaper ones but apart from the Torq feed station i dont see where the extra cash went as both races got a medal. 

Decent race though and the course is good witha tough swim & bike setting it up for a fast run if you havnt blown everything on the bike. I would recommend this race even on the horrible day we had. 

Being the chairman of #visorclub and the winner of a sort after Headsweats Racecheck visor, I swore I'd provide a review at every event. Below is my 2nd review on the Mumbles Tri by Activity Wales

Registration

Registration opened on Friday night so anyone who lives nearby can pop down to take the stress out of registering on the race morning. Registration is in Mumbles boat club and is open from 5pm to 8pm. Really simple, take your signed disclosure and ID and they give you your race pack with bib, bike sticker, helmet sticker, safety pins and timing chip. In and out within 3 minutes. Only if my transition time was as quick....

Race

A 7am start meant up at 5:15am and left the house by 6. Tried to get as close as I could without having to pay for parking which meant parking about a mile away. Not a problem as I could ride down to transition.

Bike racked and kit laid out and it was time for the race brief. All good here, some small changes to course but nothing to worry about. It was time to get in water. A short walk down the slip and into the cold water of Swansea Bay. A mass start of 440 people isn't ideal as I struggled to find some room. In the water for a couple of minutes then it was away. Swim was hard for me due to not putting the training in. 3 pool swims since IM Wales in September and I was struggling from the off. All the time I was asking myself why I was putting myself through this again, after already doing Ironman. Hated every stroke but after 17:29 I was out and running up the slip. Beat last years time so happy with that, even though I hated it. 

Transition was slow and steady, had to give myself a sturn talking too and hurry the hell up.  Bike removed and I was on my way. Ride was ok. Fast in some places and some decent climbs to get your teeth into, lunnon hill being the toughest. It was at this point that I engaged conversation with ex Welsh Rugby captain Ryan Jones who was on his first triathlon and loving it. It's a shame he was pull what seemed like a caravan up the hill as I left him for dead. ;) 1:02 into the ride and I was back into transition. My feet were freezing and numb but T2 went much better.

Running like bambi with numb feet felt strange and I felt I couldn't find my stride. This was the part I was looking forward to the most. I knew I'd catch some people. It was also lovely to see the crowds milling around shouting encouragement and great to see a few familiar faces. A 20 min 5k and down that red carpet finish.

This was my 3rd triathlon and my 2nd mumbles one.  A great event for a first timer who wants to experience some hills on the bike.

Last Saturday saw me complete my first triathlon.  It was the Activity Wales Mumbles Triathlon.  They do a short course of 750m Sea swim, 21k bike and 2.5k run or the long course of 750m swim, 32k bike and 5k run.  I opted for

Bike racked

the latter seeing as I need to up my distance for IM.  I was hoping to get their for around 6:15am for a 7:30am start.  Car was parked and I rode down from Oystermouth to Verdi’s carpark.  Bike was racked and I had a few minutes to mill around, soaking up the atmosphere.  Bumped into Stephen Rogers from 5 Frogs who gave me some words of advice and encouragement. 

SWIM

Coming out of the water

I got suited up and made my way to the start/finish for the briefing which was informative and fairly quick.  We were then led down the slip and into the water.  We were told to swim out to the first buoy and wait for the hooter.  Next thing I knew we all started swimming.  I didn’t hear any hooter but started anyway.  I made a conscious effort to keep left and towards the back to keep out of the medley of the arms and legs.  Even though I found some space I still had swimmers really close to me I was getting hit on the legs and arms which wasn’t very pleasant.  I couldn’t get into a rhythm and started to breaststroke.  Between the start and first turn was a real struggle.  After the turn I managed to find some space and got going.  Now because I training for distance I only have one pace which is slow.  I should have gone for it a bit more but couldn’t.  Around the last buoy and it was out of the water.  Cap and goggles off, unzip the suit while running up the ramp. 

“Get this thing off me”

SWIM TIME – 19:46 (position 255)

T1

As I entered T1 I saw Matt from work just leaving.  Transition was slow and calm, making sure I had put my helmet on before unracking my bike.  Kept on saying to myself that IM doesn’t need a quick transition time.

T1 TIME – 3:11 (position 235)

BIKE

Hoped on the bike just after the red line as instructed.  The roads were still open and I got stuck behind a van and a lorry on the opposite side at a stand still.  Bikes were now stacking up and athletes started shouting.  It seemed like it went of on a minute or so but I’m sure it was less than that.  Eventually got around the stuck van and lorry and I was on my way.  Up mayals road and onto the common, down Kittle hill and up the other end, for the record I timed to perfection.  Flew past riders on the uphill section.  Soon we hit Lunnon hill which is a short but very steep section.  I was told my Jeremy Rees before hand just to attack it.  Don’t drop down the gears, just pedal for as hard as you can.  As I was just about to hit it I had a bout of cramp in my calves.  I had no choice than to drop to the lowest gear and spin.  There was no way I was going to stop because I’d never be able to start again.  I was up the hill in no time and managed to recover pretty quickly.  Back on the aero bars I was pushing again.  This time back up the common towards Killay. 

Before I knew it we were back approaching T2 and my Garmin said just over an hour which pleased me.

BIKE TIME – 1:03:01 (position 110)

T2

T2 was quick and simple.  Cycle jersey off, trainers on, visor on, sweat band on. Change the Garmin to Run mode then im away.

T2 TIME – 1:28.9 (position 193)

RUN

Smiling

Well this was freaky!  Legs felt like I was ice skating.  Felt like I was running in glue and didn’t feel fast at all.  However upon looking at my Garmin I was running sub 7 pace. How could this be possible?  I felt like I wasn’t moving but clearly I was flying.  The run course was 2 x 2.5k laps up the prom.   As I approached the turn I saw Stephen Rogers again from 5 frogs who was marshaling.  Again he said I looked strong and he was even messaging my wife to update her on my progress.

On the way back to complete the first lap I saw Matt, gave him a high-five and told him to keep going.  Approaching the end of the 2nd lap I slowed down to take it all in.  I actually did it.  Crossed the finish line with a huge smile on my face. 

RUN TIME – 21:11:05 (position 72)

TOTAL TIME – 1:48:38 

If you wanted to do a first triathlon then I’d 100% recommend this race.  I loved every minute of it.  Well I say every minute, what I actually mean is every minute minus the 19:48 minutes of the swim.  I also learnt a lot and will take things with me to my next event.

Full Race report found at - www.sicknotetoironman.wordpress.com

I've entered the Mumbles Duathlon a couple of times, but this was my first attempt at the Mumbles Triathlon.

The transition areas were well set-up and the marshalls were very friendly and helpful.

Before the swim, I couldn't really hear all of the race briefing, the sound was a bit muffled (but this is usual for these events). We were guided into the swim but we had no guidance as to when it would start (I was told by previous entrants there is a 1 minute warning bell, then the start). There were 3 short beeps and we were off.

The bike transition and course marshalling was great, can't think of anything that needs to be improved, just keep doing it the same.

The run course was changed 2 x 2.5 laps, which was great for the competitors and supporters as there was much more atmosphere. During the Duathlon (1x5km lap) it gets very quiet between 2-4km. I would keep the course to 2 laps.

Will definately be signing up to do the course again next year - see you then!