The Triathlon thread - Ironman, 70.3, Olympic, Sprint
Discussion
Henley Half Ironman done yesterday, my first attempt at this distance (and 2nd triathlon).
I was aiming for less than 6:30, and quietly aiming for 6:00. Finished in 6:16 so very happy with that. The swim was in the Thames, and it was very foggy so visibility was awful. Managed to not get lost and finished in 43mins, much quicker than I expected.
After a very slow transition (10mins!) I got on the bike and completed that in 3:26 I think. All fairly rolling, apart from Howe Hill, that was hideous (14%). Quite a few walked it.
Running is my best discipline, so despite only being able to eat pretzels and jelly babies (dodgy stomach), I finished in 1:57.
Despite the pain I'm in today I loved every minute of it. The event was so well organised, and the atmosphere was brilliant. Erdinger Alcoholfrei was flowing freely, which is nice (I really like the stuff).
It did make me realise that I don't want to move on to an full ironman though. I think I'll be happy with 70.3 and standard distance next year.
I was aiming for less than 6:30, and quietly aiming for 6:00. Finished in 6:16 so very happy with that. The swim was in the Thames, and it was very foggy so visibility was awful. Managed to not get lost and finished in 43mins, much quicker than I expected.
After a very slow transition (10mins!) I got on the bike and completed that in 3:26 I think. All fairly rolling, apart from Howe Hill, that was hideous (14%). Quite a few walked it.
Running is my best discipline, so despite only being able to eat pretzels and jelly babies (dodgy stomach), I finished in 1:57.
Despite the pain I'm in today I loved every minute of it. The event was so well organised, and the atmosphere was brilliant. Erdinger Alcoholfrei was flowing freely, which is nice (I really like the stuff).
It did make me realise that I don't want to move on to an full ironman though. I think I'll be happy with 70.3 and standard distance next year.
Congrats Fourmotion as well. Hopefully you aren't in too much pain today. My new bike arrived earlier, and I want to take it for a spin, but my left knee is far to stiff to turn the pedals....
I'm currently sat here planning next year. Sadly most of the events aren't confirmed yet, may have a wait a few months.
I'm currently sat here planning next year. Sadly most of the events aren't confirmed yet, may have a wait a few months.
Congratulations Fourmotion and Sarkmeister.
I did Bala Std Triathlon on Sunday, I had a terrible swim and yet again ended up doing breast stroke. I'm going to do more big lake/sea swimming so I'm used to unsettled water as that's whats thrown my rhythm and breathing at both the events I've done this year. It took me a while to get my legs going on the bike as well, which I think was down to the cold, but once I got going I had a good cycle, followed by the best 10k run I have had during a tri, 51minutes for what my watch said was 10.6k so going in the right direction
I did Bala Std Triathlon on Sunday, I had a terrible swim and yet again ended up doing breast stroke. I'm going to do more big lake/sea swimming so I'm used to unsettled water as that's whats thrown my rhythm and breathing at both the events I've done this year. It took me a while to get my legs going on the bike as well, which I think was down to the cold, but once I got going I had a good cycle, followed by the best 10k run I have had during a tri, 51minutes for what my watch said was 10.6k so going in the right direction
Well done to all those that raced at the weekend.
I did the half at Henley too - got kicked at the start of the swim and it broke my goggles, they leaked the whole way round, could not get them to seat properly at all so spent half of it emptying them and fiddling....the fog inside my goggles and above the water didn't help either.
Cycle was OK but I was a bit out of sorts after the swim and just took it too easy the whole way round - as a result though I started the run and felt great, passed people the whole way round but its too small a part of the time to really make a difference.
Got around in 5.37 which is fine but i'd have liked to have been under 5.30 - I was easily fit enough.
I know at least know my training was about right - am doing the full distance at Bolton next year, need to do some serious cycling between now and then, just to give me a better feel for how I should pace it - am happy I know how to do the swim and the run.
I did the half at Henley too - got kicked at the start of the swim and it broke my goggles, they leaked the whole way round, could not get them to seat properly at all so spent half of it emptying them and fiddling....the fog inside my goggles and above the water didn't help either.
Cycle was OK but I was a bit out of sorts after the swim and just took it too easy the whole way round - as a result though I started the run and felt great, passed people the whole way round but its too small a part of the time to really make a difference.
Got around in 5.37 which is fine but i'd have liked to have been under 5.30 - I was easily fit enough.
I know at least know my training was about right - am doing the full distance at Bolton next year, need to do some serious cycling between now and then, just to give me a better feel for how I should pace it - am happy I know how to do the swim and the run.
esuuv said:
Well done to all those that raced at the weekend.
I did the half at Henley too - got kicked at the start of the swim and it broke my goggles, they leaked the whole way round, could not get them to seat properly at all so spent half of it emptying them and fiddling....the fog inside my goggles and above the water didn't help either.
Cycle was OK but I was a bit out of sorts after the swim and just took it too easy the whole way round - as a result though I started the run and felt great, passed people the whole way round but its too small a part of the time to really make a difference.
Got around in 5.37 which is fine but i'd have liked to have been under 5.30 - I was easily fit enough.
I know at least know my training was about right - am doing the full distance at Bolton next year, need to do some serious cycling between now and then, just to give me a better feel for how I should pace it - am happy I know how to do the swim and the run.
Well done Esuuv...I did the half at Henley too - got kicked at the start of the swim and it broke my goggles, they leaked the whole way round, could not get them to seat properly at all so spent half of it emptying them and fiddling....the fog inside my goggles and above the water didn't help either.
Cycle was OK but I was a bit out of sorts after the swim and just took it too easy the whole way round - as a result though I started the run and felt great, passed people the whole way round but its too small a part of the time to really make a difference.
Got around in 5.37 which is fine but i'd have liked to have been under 5.30 - I was easily fit enough.
I know at least know my training was about right - am doing the full distance at Bolton next year, need to do some serious cycling between now and then, just to give me a better feel for how I should pace it - am happy I know how to do the swim and the run.
esuuv said:
am doing the full distance at Bolton next year, need to do some serious cycling between now and then
In all honesty I think biking is completely key to IM racing. In previous years I've done century rides, sometimes feeling ok at the end and sometimes feeling shot through. Being able to do one and being ready to are two different things, it seems!Prior to my IM taper, I had either five or six weekends on the trot doing century plus rides, one of which was in the Alps and at least two of which were on the turbo simulating the IMC course. I did a brick session after one - no more than that - which was enough to tell me that after 5/6 hours on a bike, if I sat down for 5 mins, my legs could function just fine (not necessarily fast, just fine).
Working out your nutrition/hydration strategy is also very important. Through trial and error I ended up working out what worked for my gut, the best intervals for swigging and eating, and the ideal amounts to take on board each time.
That all stood me in VG stead for IMC, where I came off the bike feeling really pretty good (relatively).
Absolutely agree - for all tri distances to be honest, good cycle is the key to a good time at shorter distances as its such a big proportion of the overall - i'm going to try and get a couple of big rides in before the end of this year, make my mistakes and then when I get into the serious training i'll be better prepared.
Fourmotion said:
Boom! I'm an ironman.
Shame you couldn't sort accommodation DangerousB. I had the time of my life, it was truly an amazing race.
Rock 'n' roll fella - top effort!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it and kinda wished I could have been there, but I think I just left it a little too late to sort accommodation and it was far, far too much money Shame you couldn't sort accommodation DangerousB. I had the time of my life, it was truly an amazing race.
Lanzarote will make up for it though - just got to stop kidding myself that it's ages away 
Congratulations also to HughG, esuuv and Sarkmeister on your races too - I've got a few comments about some of those, but I'm just off out for a run, so I'll keep it until later when I've got a bit more time
Well the Big Cow Sprint 2 at Emberton is foobar'd. Blue/Green algae in the water so it is now a Duathalon. I am gutted. My last attempt at OW swimming didn't go well but I was really looking forward to the Tri.
I am seeing if I can get a refund and then will sign up to the Roade pool-based one in a couple of weeks. Would do both but the wife is giving me grief about the cost of the gear and entry fees. Otherwise will have to do the Duo. Not sure how my ankle will hold up to that much running though. Have hardly done any recently to minimise return of my injury.
I am seeing if I can get a refund and then will sign up to the Roade pool-based one in a couple of weeks. Would do both but the wife is giving me grief about the cost of the gear and entry fees. Otherwise will have to do the Duo. Not sure how my ankle will hold up to that much running though. Have hardly done any recently to minimise return of my injury.
It was suggested I ask this question here for a better response for the thread I recently opened :
"I'm planning on having a go at my first Triathlon next year - Olympic distance hopefully. I'd found one at Capesthorne Hall which looked really good, then found some reviews online and it appears not all triathlons are the same - Capesthorne and Tatton in particular both getting some pretty bad reviews.
As such, without spending hours trawling the web for reviews can anyone recommend a good olympic distance triathlon for a beginner - close to South Manchester is a preference. As a beginner, I'm not keen on a hilly course for the running and cycling, but would like to do an open water swim.
Cheers"
"I'm planning on having a go at my first Triathlon next year - Olympic distance hopefully. I'd found one at Capesthorne Hall which looked really good, then found some reviews online and it appears not all triathlons are the same - Capesthorne and Tatton in particular both getting some pretty bad reviews.
As such, without spending hours trawling the web for reviews can anyone recommend a good olympic distance triathlon for a beginner - close to South Manchester is a preference. As a beginner, I'm not keen on a hilly course for the running and cycling, but would like to do an open water swim.
Cheers"
My first sprint tri has been cancelled. There is algae in the water and the organisers originally were going to turn it into a duathlon but so many people pulled out its now off.
Thankfully for me, I have been able to get a last minute entry into the pool based sprint at Roade.
Two weeks to learn how to do tumble turns! Going to be fun in the shallow end. I am 6'5'' and my hand hits the bottom of the pool when swimming, not sure how I can do a somersault!
Thankfully for me, I have been able to get a last minute entry into the pool based sprint at Roade.
Two weeks to learn how to do tumble turns! Going to be fun in the shallow end. I am 6'5'' and my hand hits the bottom of the pool when swimming, not sure how I can do a somersault!
Didn't know that. Will check the information and see what they say.
ETA - In the info pack for the kids tri the day before it says tumble turns are allowed. In the adults pack it doesn't mention them. I have a swim lesson on Sunday with a chap who has done this one before so will ask him. If it is allowed I can get him to show me!
ETA - In the info pack for the kids tri the day before it says tumble turns are allowed. In the adults pack it doesn't mention them. I have a swim lesson on Sunday with a chap who has done this one before so will ask him. If it is allowed I can get him to show me!
Edited by 944fan on Friday 13th September 13:10
Well the weather just about held off for my oly distance race. Slightly damp and windy but that's September for you.
Had some bad swim experiences recently where I've seeded myself in the middle of the pack and been climbed all over, especially at IMUK! Changed tack for this race and got myself right to the front. Went off full gas for the first 200m or so and had loads of space. Couple of faster guys got away but I was still swimming well. Got out of the water in 24 mins (previous best was 26, so chuffed with that).
Out on the bike for 2 laps of a fairly flat course, two foot down stops at crossroads too. Was pretty cold, but the legs felt in fairly good nick. Managed the 3rd fastest bike split out of 226 competitors as well
Ride link: http://www.strava.com/activities/82610421
Onto the run and it was a 6 lap undulating trail run, which was quite rutted and muddy in places so not the fastest. Not helped by me having to take a poo stop halfway through need to think about wearing tri separates too as the trisuit was a massive pain at this point. Got back on the run and felt good.
Finished in 2:25, a 6 minute improvement on my previous best so I was chuffed, and 26th out of 226 people as well.
Things to think about, are continuing my run technique training as its really paying off, and improving my cycling more. Training with power is the single best cycling investment I've made. Already seeing the training benefit.
Had some bad swim experiences recently where I've seeded myself in the middle of the pack and been climbed all over, especially at IMUK! Changed tack for this race and got myself right to the front. Went off full gas for the first 200m or so and had loads of space. Couple of faster guys got away but I was still swimming well. Got out of the water in 24 mins (previous best was 26, so chuffed with that).
Out on the bike for 2 laps of a fairly flat course, two foot down stops at crossroads too. Was pretty cold, but the legs felt in fairly good nick. Managed the 3rd fastest bike split out of 226 competitors as well
Ride link: http://www.strava.com/activities/82610421
Onto the run and it was a 6 lap undulating trail run, which was quite rutted and muddy in places so not the fastest. Not helped by me having to take a poo stop halfway through
need to think about wearing tri separates too as the trisuit was a massive pain at this point. Got back on the run and felt good.Finished in 2:25, a 6 minute improvement on my previous best so I was chuffed, and 26th out of 226 people as well.
Things to think about, are continuing my run technique training as its really paying off, and improving my cycling more. Training with power is the single best cycling investment I've made. Already seeing the training benefit.
Blimey, Tom, that's a cracking time! You can be well chuffed with that!
I just took a look at your blog - 1 week recovery post IM made me blush a bit. I'm now 3w post and I've done nothing (ok, I've swum twice and done a Richmond Park 3 lap challenge at an uncomfortable pace, and commuted to work by bike, but nothing structured). Admittedly I'm off running for now on Drs orders, but I've had zero inclination, til today, to lift a finger. Hats off for getting back on it so soon. V impressive.
I just took a look at your blog - 1 week recovery post IM made me blush a bit. I'm now 3w post and I've done nothing (ok, I've swum twice and done a Richmond Park 3 lap challenge at an uncomfortable pace, and commuted to work by bike, but nothing structured). Admittedly I'm off running for now on Drs orders, but I've had zero inclination, til today, to lift a finger. Hats off for getting back on it so soon. V impressive.
Thanks Greg, really good fun to actually be able to put the foot down so to speak in a race, as I was really going for it the whole way round.
Yeah I had a strange couple of weeks post IM, I felt insanely motivated and had such clarity of thought for exercise it was fantastic, so I made good use of it while the weather was good.
That's worn off slightly now but I'm looking at putting together some sort of winter program to put me in good shape come January '14. Really conscious not to overtrain though as I did way too much in the run up to my proper training plan this year.
Yeah I had a strange couple of weeks post IM, I felt insanely motivated and had such clarity of thought for exercise it was fantastic, so I made good use of it while the weather was good.
That's worn off slightly now but I'm looking at putting together some sort of winter program to put me in good shape come January '14. Really conscious not to overtrain though as I did way too much in the run up to my proper training plan this year.
Ironman Wales report
I set out to write a big race report, but I think these brief paragraphs convey my feelings for both the Wales race and Ironman as a concept.
As with every race, you wish you could have trained longer and harder, and never feel as 'fit' as you had planned to. But I've grown to accept that, so started the (what turned out to be) 6.5 hour drive to Tenby feeling I was as fit as I could be.
The planned 4 hour drive would have allowed time to register and get familiar with Tenby, but some poor chap (I'd never speak ill of those in an accident even though it held me up, it could have been me after all) had his car crushed between two lorries, so we sat on the M4 too long to get to registration. Our 20 month old boy sat screaming in the back did me no good, but my wife tried her best to get him watching In the Night Garden on the ipad.
Friday night, little sleep, our son has caught a cold and is teething (I thought he had all his sodding teeth by now, apparently not). My wife gets up a 4 with him, but I can't really sleep as every waking thought is of my impending journey into Ironman or nothing (I don't really believe it is nothing, just starting the race is something I am proud of).
Saturday, register, sticker up, and rack. Spend the rest of the day on the beach, chasing excitable child along the beach, and trying to mentally prepare my race. Go slow, go slow, go slow...
Race day and I'm rudely awoken at 2am by child, and don't fall back asleep again. No bother really, I'm used to a lack of sleep, and I had slept for a whole 6 hours 1 night about 3 months ago which I hope will carry me through.
So, get to T1 to load my drinks onto the bike, then down to T0.5 to bag my trainers for the 1km run to T1. It's a weird set up, but one that allows you to get your head straight after the swim before mounting a 2 wheeled device you need to have balance for.
Onto the beach, quick dip for a pee, then join the masses on the beach. Everyone looks pensive. The music is loud, the atmosphere electric with nervousness, excitement, chest beating, and the smell of urine. They play the Welsh national anthem. I shed a tear. I have no idea why, I'm from England, but just the emotion running through me and everyone else is too much. And then bang, fist fight time.
I'm a strong swimmer if not quick, so I start nearer the front 1/3rd and simply stick to my stroke without care for anyone else for the first 200m. I bang some heads, get banged myself, but find myself behind a man mountain, and he's swimming my pace. Perfect. I settle into a rhythm, only once having to elbow someone who tried to muscle in on my tug boat. We finish the first lap, and said tug boat doesn't run on the beach, and short of giving him a kick and being rumbled as his shadow I quickly dash round and dive into the water once more, and set off on my own. Uh-oh, I'm now the spear head for an increasing triangle of ankle biters. I don't look back again, and manage to join another group ahead. I am 572nd (out of 1677) out of the water, which I was chuffed with.
I finish 37 seconds quicker than planned, but I let myself off. It's going to be a long day if I'm not talking to myself.
So, T0.5, wetsuit off, shoes on, 1KM run dispatched in a crowd fuelled euphoric few minutes, and a casual change and out onto the bike. I opted not to put on my (PH) jersey, but stuck my arm warmers on knowing I could stuff them in a pocket if I got too hot. And that was the best decision I made. It lashed it down. For the first lap I got colder and colder, and stopped eating and drinking as it was making me feel sick with all the shaking. I don't think I've ever been that cold. Anyone who has had a look at my photos will know I'm well insulated, so this experience into the unknown had me a little worried. However, the proverbial sun shined down upon me at my lowest ebb, and as I warmed I began to eat and drink and felt well again. The second lap was much better.
I should talk about the hills, but to be honest they weren't that bad. I 'only' train on the Surrey Hills, and (for those who watch the Tour of Britain on Saturday) the toughest hill really isn't all that (Barhatch). The Welsh hills were short and sharp (18% steepest sign I saw), but the crowd just keep you pushing. 'Heartbreak Hill' in Saunders Foot was one of the most amazing experiences I've had in my life. You just see a wall of people in front. They part with each rider, screaming at the top of their lungs. It's like nothing else I've ever experienced, and makes you feel like you're the absolute nuts. I can't quite describe it beyond the b
k related synonym of my stunted vocabulary (where’s derestrictor when you need him). I finish the bike in 318th, I've overtaken 254 people on the bike.
Into T2, and I'm feeling quite tired, but again the crowd in Tenby are the best I've ever heard. I start the run with trepidation, it's always been my weakest discipline and I've not done any brick sessions. The first mile is easy, then I hit the first hill. That looks long I think, and I slow my run to a walk. A power walk, but a walk none-the-less. I had planned to walk, and feel no shame in it, and it pays dividends towards the end of the race. The 4 lap out and back looks tedious on paper, but you go through the crowd dense roads of Tenby 4 times and I relish it on each occasion. Again, I can't describe how appreciative I was of the crowd. I tried to thank everyone who called my name, but it was quite impossible. If you were in Tenby and are reading this, I thank you.
My run pace stayed steady, and helped by my earlier walking I actually sped up towards the end, and my 20th mile was my quickest. It was downhill, but still quicker than the same section on laps 1 & 2. Rounding the streets Tenby on the last lap was unbelievable. The crowd can see you've got all your lap bands, and are calling you an Ironman already. I take it all in running up the red carpet, arms in the air, high fiving the man on the mic, and cross the line ecstatic. I didn't even feel tired the crowd had lifted me so much. The shameful finisher’s photo has me stopping my watch rather than celebrating, but that just goes along with me being an absolute stat geek.
So, all in all, the best and proudest sporting achievement of my life. I finished in 12:32, about 90 minutes quicker than planned, and enjoyed virtually every second of it. 372nd out of 1677 starters. Not bad for a fatty.
To give a bit of perspective, and to go back to DangerousB's comment about my limited training, here are my training this year (Jan 1st to Aug 31st):
Cycling 37 hours, 669 miles - longest ride 93 miles
Running 60 hours, 427 miles - longest run 26.2 miles (Brighton)
Swimming 6 hours 17 mins 20k longest swim 3k
Coupled together with exercise bike sessions, some hill walking (including yomping carrying my son on my back to nursery, and a 19 hour 45 mile 'run' over the 10 highest peaks in the Lake District, I averaged a barely believable 4 hrs and 4 minutes training a week. I doubled checked the maths, and always been diligent in logging my workouts, and it’s accurate. My 10peaks run was nearly 5 weeks’ worth of exercise. I think having a lot of rest days helped.
Clearly, my base fitness was pretty good, I completed a half distance race last year and the Brighton marathon in April (where I picked up an injury). I've built up a good CV system over the years, and my VO2 max tests have shown I've got a very respectable (potential) engine.
I've never finished in the top half of a triathlon before (bar a small 'first-timer' race), so to finish in the top 22.1% on my first attempt is beyond anything I could have dreamed of.
To surmise, IM Wales is remarkable. Tenby is amazing. Ritz biscuits are the best run fuel. I'm built for endurance not speed. What next? Perhaps not judging what is considered a brief race report. And less blowing my own trumpet. But fk it, I’m happier than a pig in st right now.
I set out to write a big race report, but I think these brief paragraphs convey my feelings for both the Wales race and Ironman as a concept.
As with every race, you wish you could have trained longer and harder, and never feel as 'fit' as you had planned to. But I've grown to accept that, so started the (what turned out to be) 6.5 hour drive to Tenby feeling I was as fit as I could be.
The planned 4 hour drive would have allowed time to register and get familiar with Tenby, but some poor chap (I'd never speak ill of those in an accident even though it held me up, it could have been me after all) had his car crushed between two lorries, so we sat on the M4 too long to get to registration. Our 20 month old boy sat screaming in the back did me no good, but my wife tried her best to get him watching In the Night Garden on the ipad.
Friday night, little sleep, our son has caught a cold and is teething (I thought he had all his sodding teeth by now, apparently not). My wife gets up a 4 with him, but I can't really sleep as every waking thought is of my impending journey into Ironman or nothing (I don't really believe it is nothing, just starting the race is something I am proud of).
Saturday, register, sticker up, and rack. Spend the rest of the day on the beach, chasing excitable child along the beach, and trying to mentally prepare my race. Go slow, go slow, go slow...
Race day and I'm rudely awoken at 2am by child, and don't fall back asleep again. No bother really, I'm used to a lack of sleep, and I had slept for a whole 6 hours 1 night about 3 months ago which I hope will carry me through.
So, get to T1 to load my drinks onto the bike, then down to T0.5 to bag my trainers for the 1km run to T1. It's a weird set up, but one that allows you to get your head straight after the swim before mounting a 2 wheeled device you need to have balance for.
Onto the beach, quick dip for a pee, then join the masses on the beach. Everyone looks pensive. The music is loud, the atmosphere electric with nervousness, excitement, chest beating, and the smell of urine. They play the Welsh national anthem. I shed a tear. I have no idea why, I'm from England, but just the emotion running through me and everyone else is too much. And then bang, fist fight time.
I'm a strong swimmer if not quick, so I start nearer the front 1/3rd and simply stick to my stroke without care for anyone else for the first 200m. I bang some heads, get banged myself, but find myself behind a man mountain, and he's swimming my pace. Perfect. I settle into a rhythm, only once having to elbow someone who tried to muscle in on my tug boat. We finish the first lap, and said tug boat doesn't run on the beach, and short of giving him a kick and being rumbled as his shadow I quickly dash round and dive into the water once more, and set off on my own. Uh-oh, I'm now the spear head for an increasing triangle of ankle biters. I don't look back again, and manage to join another group ahead. I am 572nd (out of 1677) out of the water, which I was chuffed with.
I finish 37 seconds quicker than planned, but I let myself off. It's going to be a long day if I'm not talking to myself.
So, T0.5, wetsuit off, shoes on, 1KM run dispatched in a crowd fuelled euphoric few minutes, and a casual change and out onto the bike. I opted not to put on my (PH) jersey, but stuck my arm warmers on knowing I could stuff them in a pocket if I got too hot. And that was the best decision I made. It lashed it down. For the first lap I got colder and colder, and stopped eating and drinking as it was making me feel sick with all the shaking. I don't think I've ever been that cold. Anyone who has had a look at my photos will know I'm well insulated, so this experience into the unknown had me a little worried. However, the proverbial sun shined down upon me at my lowest ebb, and as I warmed I began to eat and drink and felt well again. The second lap was much better.
I should talk about the hills, but to be honest they weren't that bad. I 'only' train on the Surrey Hills, and (for those who watch the Tour of Britain on Saturday) the toughest hill really isn't all that (Barhatch). The Welsh hills were short and sharp (18% steepest sign I saw), but the crowd just keep you pushing. 'Heartbreak Hill' in Saunders Foot was one of the most amazing experiences I've had in my life. You just see a wall of people in front. They part with each rider, screaming at the top of their lungs. It's like nothing else I've ever experienced, and makes you feel like you're the absolute nuts. I can't quite describe it beyond the b
k related synonym of my stunted vocabulary (where’s derestrictor when you need him). I finish the bike in 318th, I've overtaken 254 people on the bike. Into T2, and I'm feeling quite tired, but again the crowd in Tenby are the best I've ever heard. I start the run with trepidation, it's always been my weakest discipline and I've not done any brick sessions. The first mile is easy, then I hit the first hill. That looks long I think, and I slow my run to a walk. A power walk, but a walk none-the-less. I had planned to walk, and feel no shame in it, and it pays dividends towards the end of the race. The 4 lap out and back looks tedious on paper, but you go through the crowd dense roads of Tenby 4 times and I relish it on each occasion. Again, I can't describe how appreciative I was of the crowd. I tried to thank everyone who called my name, but it was quite impossible. If you were in Tenby and are reading this, I thank you.
My run pace stayed steady, and helped by my earlier walking I actually sped up towards the end, and my 20th mile was my quickest. It was downhill, but still quicker than the same section on laps 1 & 2. Rounding the streets Tenby on the last lap was unbelievable. The crowd can see you've got all your lap bands, and are calling you an Ironman already. I take it all in running up the red carpet, arms in the air, high fiving the man on the mic, and cross the line ecstatic. I didn't even feel tired the crowd had lifted me so much. The shameful finisher’s photo has me stopping my watch rather than celebrating, but that just goes along with me being an absolute stat geek.
So, all in all, the best and proudest sporting achievement of my life. I finished in 12:32, about 90 minutes quicker than planned, and enjoyed virtually every second of it. 372nd out of 1677 starters. Not bad for a fatty.
To give a bit of perspective, and to go back to DangerousB's comment about my limited training, here are my training this year (Jan 1st to Aug 31st):
Cycling 37 hours, 669 miles - longest ride 93 miles
Running 60 hours, 427 miles - longest run 26.2 miles (Brighton)
Swimming 6 hours 17 mins 20k longest swim 3k
Coupled together with exercise bike sessions, some hill walking (including yomping carrying my son on my back to nursery, and a 19 hour 45 mile 'run' over the 10 highest peaks in the Lake District, I averaged a barely believable 4 hrs and 4 minutes training a week. I doubled checked the maths, and always been diligent in logging my workouts, and it’s accurate. My 10peaks run was nearly 5 weeks’ worth of exercise. I think having a lot of rest days helped.
Clearly, my base fitness was pretty good, I completed a half distance race last year and the Brighton marathon in April (where I picked up an injury). I've built up a good CV system over the years, and my VO2 max tests have shown I've got a very respectable (potential) engine.
I've never finished in the top half of a triathlon before (bar a small 'first-timer' race), so to finish in the top 22.1% on my first attempt is beyond anything I could have dreamed of.
To surmise, IM Wales is remarkable. Tenby is amazing. Ritz biscuits are the best run fuel. I'm built for endurance not speed. What next? Perhaps not judging what is considered a brief race report. And less blowing my own trumpet. But f
k it, I’m happier than a pig in st right now. Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff