With all the action going on at Hyde Park this weekend, I looked to get away from it all. However, after a calf injury four weeks ago and no running, I was apprehensive about whether I should race. I headed to Kent to do race 6 of the Ocean Lake Sprint.

Whilst racking I got some looks – well my bike did. Then I saw a Hyde Park wrist band – he had raced the day before: 17.50 5km split – one to watch I thought. Then I saw Dan Sim – Mr Rapid and frustrated that he’d got a flat the day before also – suddenly this was a race and not test.

I hit the swim hard and had a good gap by the first buoy. I can into T1 with about 30seconds lead and sub 10min splash. Out onto the two lap course I was settled in and soon noticed that Dan was close and 3 & 4 where back some way. This was extended further by the end of the second lap as Dan and myself came back in. I kept him close on the first 1km but then eased back to ensure that my calf didn’t go pop. On the second lap only 9 bikes had been racked so I thought I’d better lap a couple for fun 🙂

I came home 2nd overall. Fastest swim, 2nd fastest bike and 3rd fastest run – one more race before winter – hopefully I can get a couple more miles in before Sunday. Ideal race next season for anyone looking to get into sprint triathlon in a relaxed and cheap race’

As raced and reported by Mark Yeoman