Intrinsic-sponsored Matthew Cox timed his winter training to perfection and finished second at this year’s Immortal Mega Sprint Stourhead. Matt laid down a solid all-round performance at the iconic venue completing his first triathlon this year in 1:40:25.
The early season victory marked a hat-trick for the newly-wed triathlete and bodes well for June’s JLL Property Triathlon. His success follows a win at Maverick Innov-8 Somerset alongside an inaugural course record at his local parkrun.
Winter running proves key to early season victory
The Mega Sprint Distance triathlon combines a 900m lake swim, 18 mile ride and 4.5 mile run. Despite his 1:44:50 finish, Stourhead was a challenging season-opener for Matt. “I’d neglected my bike and strength and conditioning work because of a busy winter at uni and getting married,” he explained. “I came into the race on the back of some good running results so I’m happy with my podium finish. Especially this early in the season.”
“Also, it’s a promising start for next month’s all-important JLL Property Triathlon,” continued the elated Team Intrinsic athlete. “The Eton Dorney event is a highlight of Intrinsic’s competitive calendar. Last year the team set some impressive course PBs. The pressure is on to surpass that this year, so we’re all motivated and training hard. Personally, I want to improve on my overall eighth place (1:05:57).”
A week before his wedding, Matt won the brutal Maverick Inov-8 Original Somerset (14th April). Billed by event organisers as their toughest original series event, the 22km trail covers open heathland, technical wooded single tracks and hills aplenty. Whilst the route is designed to test the resolve and determination of competitors the Quantocks are Matt’s playground and he conquered the course in 1:44:50.
Intrinsic invests in grassroots running
Matt followed his Maverick victory with a course record at the inaugural parkrun in Street (5th May). “Parkrun was a double celebration for me,” he enthused. “It’s a brilliant addition to my hometown, and Intrinsic recently contributed to the first junior parkrun in its Eastbourne hometown.”
Chris Roberts, Intrinsic director and fellow Team Intrinsic triathlete explains: “Exercise, running and triathlon especially, gives Intrinsic the energy to achieve its business goals in the fast-changing built environment.”
“Furthermore, participative sport nourishes our mental wellbeing and brings people together. We’re delighted to invest in grassroots running through Eastbourne’s first Junior Parkrun. We love running and are honoured to support our local young people in this way. It’s certainly a win-win investment.”
Matt’s Team Intrinsic Race Blog – Immortal Mega Sprint Triathlon Stourhead (12 May 2018)
What better way to kick off the season than in the stunning setting of Stourhead house and lakes? I was completely made up to find myself on the 2nd step of the podium after a solid all-round race.
I came into the race on the back of some good running results having won the Maverick Inov-8 Quantock Trail 1/2 Marathon three weeks previously and set a decent course record at the inaugural Street parkrun. The latter is a brilliant addition to the town which already boasts a thriving fitness community. A big shout-out to Tim Rice, Martin Hooper and all the volunteers who have made this happen. Well Done!
Nevertheless, I’ve neglected my bike and S&C (strength and conditioning) work because of a busy winter at university and getting married, not that I’m complaining about the latter! To be honest I was just hoping to blag a top 5 in this race with my usual tactic of a strong run, so imagine my surprise to exit the beautiful but duck poo-filled lake just behind the main pack. The long hill in transition and my barefoot warrior tendencies played into my hands and consequently I took places all the way up the track. Hence I started the bike in 2nd position and got my newly aero-dynamic chin (RIP epic trail beard) down straight away to begin accelerating.
“some of my favourite racing ever”
But I struck bad luck within the first mile with a dropped chain and enforced stop which allowed 3rd place and eventual winner James Eacott to pass me. Although I was back up and going fairly quickly, James was out of sight which meant a negative mindset began to take hold. I was about halfway into the bike when another athlete passed me and I knew I had to shake off the negativity: it gave me a real kick up the arse. Thereafter what ensued was some of my favourite racing ever with both of us putting the hammer down to try and shake the other off – it was brilliant fun! I eventually dropped them on the last uphill heading back to transition, but only just. We came into transition about 20 seconds apart and I exited quickly onto the 4.5-mile run.
I tried to get going straight away but my legs weren’t playing ball and nor was my stomach. I therefore settled in at a more steady pace for the first mile, during which the 2nd place athlete came into sight so I put all my focus onto passing him, which I managed to do just before halfway. Finally with only a glimpse of the leader over a minute down the road I pushed through the woods all the way to the lake before the final hill took out all I had left in me.
So, an awesome race and it’s nice to get a podium this early in the season. Overall I’m happy with the performance. Plenty to work on yes, but it was just what I needed to put a buzz into my bike training.
Next Up?
The plan is to keep things local and kick off my JLL Property Triathlon campaign with the Clevedon Aquathlon. I’ll follow it with the New Forest Off-Road Duathlon. Both events happen in the next few weeks while I’m completing end of year university assignments on Renewable Energy.
My first A-race will be the Eastbourne Triathlon, possibly followed by the Cardiff Triathlon. I’ll use the latter as a ‘leg loosener’ for the JLL Property Tri at Eton Dorney.
Early Season 2018 Race Stats – Matt Cox, Team Intrinsic
The Maverick Inov-8 Original Somerset – Winner Trail Half Marathon – 1:44:50 (14 April)
Street parkrun – Inaugural course record – 00:17:30 (5 May)
Immortal Mega Sprint Stourhead – 2nd – 1:40:25 (12 May)
2018 Season Schedule – Matt Cox, Team Intrinsic
Clevedon Aquathlon (3 June)
New Forest Off-Road Duathlon (5 June)
Eastbourne Triathlon (10 June)
Cardiff Triathlon (24 June)
JLL Property Triathlon (29 June)
Note
Team Intrinsic represents the combined interests of Intrinsic Facilities Engineering and Intrinsic Facilities Management.
Early season hat-trick for Team Intrinsic athlete Matthew Cox
