Last event of the season and finished with a win!
Not over confident at the start given that I had spent the previous day lounging about with a hangover.
Bit nervous at the start of the 750m pool swim as I had put a predicted time down of 12 minutes thinking that it would force me to train to that standard. The serious training never really materialised so I knew I wouldn't do it. Gave it my best shot and was pleased to hold my position and not get caught by the person behind.
Transition was a long run away and I raced for the first time ever with a jacket on as the air temp was 8c when we arrived. Not super aero on the bike, but I passed quite a few people anyway. I certainly wasn't hot so it was probably the right decision to wear it.
Really unique XC run through woods that was very undulating, but probably suited me. Just tried to keep pushing all the way as it was only 6km.
Finishing time of 1.10 was good for the win by 3 minutes.
Jennie also had a good event improving on her previous time and beating quite a few people. She even overtook someone in the swim with her fast improving freestyle.
A perfect end to the season at a venue that is superb for sprint distance triathlon. Nice friendly club event.
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
IM Switzerland
Back home after successful first IM in Zurich last week.
Achieved aim of beating 10 hours with a finish time of 9.37.
Swim start was really chaotic. I was still standing in the crowd on the shore as the first swimmers were pulling out. It seemed a much too narrow start for 2200 athletes and we were bumping and thumping all the way round. The funnel in to the island at the end of the first lap was so crowded we were wading through the waist deep water. The second lap was slightly better but still busy at the bouys. 1.11 swim time was slower that I'd hoped, but at least I didn't dig too deep.
Glad to be on the bike and the pace was 40k+ for the first flat 30km but slowed a bit after that as the course went inland and got hillier. Lost my seat bottle to a pothole in first 2km so had to rely on feed stations for drink but they were good so no problems there. Realised I didn't have a disc valve adapter so would have been in trouble if punctured but luckily didn't. Got back ache after 140km so had to keep stretching it out. Glad to be off the bike in 5.05.
Took time in T2 to prepare for the run with some compression socks and some vaseline under my arms. Felt OK at start of the run but opted for a tactical toilet stop as I felt I may need one later. Took a while to get my bearings on the 4 lap figure of eight course, but kept the gels and fluid going in and never really had any bad moments. Had enough left to raise the pace in the final mile to finish in 3.14.
Final time was good for 24th in my age group and 3rd brit. I felt like I had a good race, but I've obviously still got a way to go to make the grade at IM distance.
Achieved aim of beating 10 hours with a finish time of 9.37.
Swim start was really chaotic. I was still standing in the crowd on the shore as the first swimmers were pulling out. It seemed a much too narrow start for 2200 athletes and we were bumping and thumping all the way round. The funnel in to the island at the end of the first lap was so crowded we were wading through the waist deep water. The second lap was slightly better but still busy at the bouys. 1.11 swim time was slower that I'd hoped, but at least I didn't dig too deep.
Glad to be on the bike and the pace was 40k+ for the first flat 30km but slowed a bit after that as the course went inland and got hillier. Lost my seat bottle to a pothole in first 2km so had to rely on feed stations for drink but they were good so no problems there. Realised I didn't have a disc valve adapter so would have been in trouble if punctured but luckily didn't. Got back ache after 140km so had to keep stretching it out. Glad to be off the bike in 5.05.
Took time in T2 to prepare for the run with some compression socks and some vaseline under my arms. Felt OK at start of the run but opted for a tactical toilet stop as I felt I may need one later. Took a while to get my bearings on the 4 lap figure of eight course, but kept the gels and fluid going in and never really had any bad moments. Had enough left to raise the pace in the final mile to finish in 3.14.
Final time was good for 24th in my age group and 3rd brit. I felt like I had a good race, but I've obviously still got a way to go to make the grade at IM distance.
Monday, 19 July 2010
Bec CC 25 18/07
Start of wind down for IM Switzerland.
Did this 25 to keep a bit a speed in my legs.
57.11 for 14th place. Not a pb but not too bad.
Did a quick run when I got back.
Feel good for next weekend. Can't wait to start really...
Did this 25 to keep a bit a speed in my legs.
57.11 for 14th place. Not a pb but not too bad.
Did a quick run when I got back.
Feel good for next weekend. Can't wait to start really...
Monday, 12 July 2010
White Oak Triathlon 11/7
Final warm up race before IM Switzerland.
Good steady swim nearly catching the guy that started just after me.
Winding bike course was interesting. Included one very minor country road that thankfully was traffic free as it was only single track. Met the Dartford half marathon coming the other way which caused a traffic jam that I had to negotiate. Couldn't believe that I came across a set of traffic lights a mile or so from the end. I reckon it cost me about a minute as it was 3 way and I was stopped for ages. No marshall to credit time and the referee at the finish said that the lights had supposed to have been turned off. Didn't really change the final result but I still feel a bit annoyed about the stop. Had a good run without killing myself and finished in a time of 1.18 for 4th overall and 1st vet 40.
Good steady swim nearly catching the guy that started just after me.
Winding bike course was interesting. Included one very minor country road that thankfully was traffic free as it was only single track. Met the Dartford half marathon coming the other way which caused a traffic jam that I had to negotiate. Couldn't believe that I came across a set of traffic lights a mile or so from the end. I reckon it cost me about a minute as it was 3 way and I was stopped for ages. No marshall to credit time and the referee at the finish said that the lights had supposed to have been turned off. Didn't really change the final result but I still feel a bit annoyed about the stop. Had a good run without killing myself and finished in a time of 1.18 for 4th overall and 1st vet 40.
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Big training week
Bala blisters just about healed. Final big week before IM Switzerland.
Did over 5 hours on TT bike on Saturday and felt good. Think I've got the position pretty well dialled in.
Quick swim this morning then 13 mile run tonight. Very quick recovery so pretty pleased.
Open water swim tomorrow.
Did over 5 hours on TT bike on Saturday and felt good. Think I've got the position pretty well dialled in.
Quick swim this morning then 13 mile run tonight. Very quick recovery so pretty pleased.
Open water swim tomorrow.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Bala Middle Distance Tri
First big race of the season.
Drove up the night before and slept lakeside in the back of the van.
Typical Welsh weather in the morning i.e showers.
Got in the lake well before the start to try and get used to the temperature. Not as choppy as last year so had a better swim. Still way off the pace of the leaders but I'm used to that by now.
Glad to see the finish as usual and started reeling people in on the bike.
Went for 808s rather than the disk as the course has a fair amount of climbing in it. Steadily reeling people in and managed a top speed of 68kph on a descent.
The course is out and back- over a moor down the other side then back again. Good fast finish into Bala, but had schoolboy error in jamming gears on a climb by whacking both levers when trying to shift too late from 53 12. Had to jump off and back peddle it. Probably cost me at least 30 secs.
Quick T2 foregoing socks and didn't feel too bad going into the run. Settled into a steady 6.30 pace up to the turn then picked up to closer to 6 for the run back. Caught most of my age group, but 3 ahead at the finish.
6 minutes quicker than last year in 4.16. Pleased with 1.19 run at the end which was top 6 for the whole race. Not so pleased with the massive blisters though! Had a bit of food at the finish then had a lovely 5 hour drive home on my own mostly in pouring rain.
Drove up the night before and slept lakeside in the back of the van.
Typical Welsh weather in the morning i.e showers.
Got in the lake well before the start to try and get used to the temperature. Not as choppy as last year so had a better swim. Still way off the pace of the leaders but I'm used to that by now.
Glad to see the finish as usual and started reeling people in on the bike.
Went for 808s rather than the disk as the course has a fair amount of climbing in it. Steadily reeling people in and managed a top speed of 68kph on a descent.
The course is out and back- over a moor down the other side then back again. Good fast finish into Bala, but had schoolboy error in jamming gears on a climb by whacking both levers when trying to shift too late from 53 12. Had to jump off and back peddle it. Probably cost me at least 30 secs.
Quick T2 foregoing socks and didn't feel too bad going into the run. Settled into a steady 6.30 pace up to the turn then picked up to closer to 6 for the run back. Caught most of my age group, but 3 ahead at the finish.
6 minutes quicker than last year in 4.16. Pleased with 1.19 run at the end which was top 6 for the whole race. Not so pleased with the massive blisters though! Had a bit of food at the finish then had a lovely 5 hour drive home on my own mostly in pouring rain.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
First tri of the season
East Grinstead tri.
500m pool swim which went OK. I wasn't really expecting much from the swim but it went OK- nothing special.
18Km bike (5th fastest) felt OK got a bit blocked by cars going into Forest Row so forced to overtake. 50k+ down the middle of the A22 passing cars isn't the safest way to spend Sunday morning but it probably didn't cost me that much time.
5km run (but I think it was short) 2nd place so no complaints.
5th overall and 1st vet, so I managed the podium at least.
500m pool swim which went OK. I wasn't really expecting much from the swim but it went OK- nothing special.
18Km bike (5th fastest) felt OK got a bit blocked by cars going into Forest Row so forced to overtake. 50k+ down the middle of the A22 passing cars isn't the safest way to spend Sunday morning but it probably didn't cost me that much time.
5km run (but I think it was short) 2nd place so no complaints.
5th overall and 1st vet, so I managed the podium at least.
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