Broken Wheel |
TriathlonBox all packed and ready |
The day started at a more reasonable time, my start time was 0850 hrs but I had a race brief I had to attend at 0745 hrs.
The ever trustee TriathlonBox was packed and along with the now fully repaired bike was loaded into the car for me to set off to Winchester.
I had a feeling that the day would be a good one.
My confidence in my own abilities was ever growing and I was feeling great. Also I knew that I would have lots of support as Georgie (my wife) and Freddie (my son) along with Lucy (my mother in law) and an old friend, Smithy, would there to see me race again. The weather was looking good for the race too and perhaps for the first time this year I'd be racing without any strong winds!
The ever trustee TriathlonBox was packed and along with the now fully repaired bike was loaded into the car for me to set off to Winchester.
I had a feeling that the day would be a good one.
My confidence in my own abilities was ever growing and I was feeling great. Also I knew that I would have lots of support as Georgie (my wife) and Freddie (my son) along with Lucy (my mother in law) and an old friend, Smithy, would there to see me race again. The weather was looking good for the race too and perhaps for the first time this year I'd be racing without any strong winds!
Busy Transition |
many were taking part. I parked up and grabbed my kit from the car and made my way to registration. Once I'd registered and collected my numbers I took myself to one side and set about sticker the relevant race numbers in the right places. Having done this I made my way through to transition to rack my bike and sort my kit out.
Already transition was heaving with people and it was becoming apparent that there wasn't going to be much room during the race. We were racked in Waves. I was in Wave 6 so about half way down on the left hand side. Once in the right area it was a free for all to find some space. I found a spot and sorted my kit allowing room for others but allowing enough room for myself.
All racked and ready I went back into the hall and listened to the race brief before getting ready for my swim.
All racked and ready I went back into the hall and listened to the race brief before getting ready for my swim.
The Swim
The swim took place within the grounds of the school the event was being held at. It was a 6 lane pool and there was 4 people to a lane. Each of us had different coloured swim caps, Blue, White, Yellow and Orange. Blue would go first then the others would follow in order at 10 second intervals. We were briefed on the pool side that if we caught the swimmer in front to tap them on the foot and then that swimmer should get to the end of the length and allow the swimmer behind to pass. Everyone got that!!! Easy! Nothing hard nor difficult to remember, tap foot and wait! Simple.
I was a blue hat so in my lane I was to set of on the first whistle. All four of us got in the pool and waited. He we go again - 3, 2, 1 GO!
I was off - again! I got into a steady flow and kept the pace up. After 100m I was still in front and I was meeting the other 3 swimmers half down each length so I knew I was going well. I started to catch the others at around 300m in. I passed the first one with no problems as we met at the wall on the turn and they just let me past. Half way down the next length I caught the next swimmer and gave the obligatory tap on the foot. Now I'm no Olympic swimmer but at this point I was having to swim breaststroke but in the style of a elderly gentleman out for is afternoon swim. The wall was approaching and I got ready to get by and smash the last 75m. However, the chap in front had other ideas because at the wall he just turned and carried on. So I gave him another tap towards the end of the length again. But yet again he just ignored me and turned at the wall ignoring my request to let me past. I was losing time badly.
With the wall approaching for my last turn he was still in front so I made the choice to just force my way past and try and get some time back down the last 25m. So at the wall I got along side him and turned before he did. But as I did the guy actually grabbed my foot in an attempt to pull me back. Naturally I was in the middle of a stroke so I 'strengthened' my kick and he soon let go. I powered down the last length and climbed out of the pool - a little annoyed but not much I could do now the swim was done and I was making my way out to T1. Official Swim Time - 00:09:00.
Transition 1
I made my way out of the pool and ran down to transition. I was still angry after swimgate and I lost my bearings. At first I couldn't find my slot. Thankfully my TriathlonBox gave me a good indicator and having ran past it I turned and made my way back. On went the helmet and race number followed by my shoes. I grabbed my bike and made my way down the long transition area to the mount
line. Official T1 Time - 00:01:39.
line. Official T1 Time - 00:01:39.
The Bike
The first part was reasonably flat and the pace was high with some slight downhills it got even higher. I was getting up to speeds of over 50kph and I was feeling good. That was all about to change very quickly. The lumps and bumps came thick and fast. Although only short they were steep and my speed was dropping fast. As fast as the hills approached the downhill the other side of the climb also arrived. They were a blessing as the speeds got back up to 40-45kph without having to pedal too. But the hills kept coming and they were leg sappingly steep. Some had nice downhills and some just levelled out. For 3-4km at a time the pace dropped to under 20kph and it was becoming a struggle and this was only LAP 1!!!
Coming in to T2 |
I lost a bit of time on the hills but they were done and I was now on the final stretch in to transition. No such luck at the lights this time though I got stuck for a few seconds on red but thankfully it was the junction for the school so it was a welcome stop. A short blast up the road to the dismount line and I was back! Official Bike Time - 00:51:22
Transition 2
I had my feet out of my shoes before the dismount line and ran round to the rack to hang up my bike. Off came the shoes and on went the trainers. Helmet off and I was on my way out of transition. Official T2 Time - 00:01:14
The Run
During the pre-race brief the organisers had said that the run was 'cheeky'. During the 2nd lap of the bike I had seen some of the first starters on the run along the same road that we were riding on. The first section was along a bark type surface underneath some trees and then out onto the path. The route then turned left and the road started to rise slightly. My legs felt pretty heavy at this stage the ride had taken a lot out but I was starting to get a good rhythm going.
At the top of the hill the route headed down a narrow track. Ahead I could see some of the other runners on the other side of the fence running down a field, I assumed to be the school. About half way down, the track became very steep. The run just got really difficult. People ahead of me were walking it was that steep. I just kept the legs going even though the pace dropped to just under 8min/km. Once the hill had peaked the route turned into the grounds of the school and the hill we just ran up was now going back down. To be honest it was difficult not to fall flat on my face it was pretty steep.
The inevitable downhill became another uphill and the field turned to the right. Ahead I could see the finish line but I knew this wasnt the end as the run was also a 2 lap course. I ran past the finish line and made my way through the barriers which marked out the run through the school grounds.
Once through that the run went past transition and back down to the start of the run for lap 2. The crowds were amazing and cheering anyone and everyone all around the course. It felt great.
Lap 2 was very much the same as lap 1. I caught a few more on the hill into the school and knowing the route now I saved a bit for the sprint finish.
The finish was approaching and just off to the left I could see Georgie and Freddie clapping and cheering me home. Couldn't miss Fred in his STAR T-Shirt. I gave everything I had left to the sprint finish and crossed the line!
Official Run Time - 00:25:33
It was over! My fourth triathlon and Challenge 7 of my Charity Challenge Year done! I can honestly say that to date it was the hardest Triathlon I had done. A tough swim followed buy a very hilly bike course and a cheeky run all accumulated to a Official Finish Time of 01:28:49!! Overall I had finished 55th and I was 9th in my age group. To be honest I was delighted with that considering how hard I had found it! The support of my family being there meant the world to me and as I was handed my medal and a bottle of water I turned to see my little boy running
towards me and jumping into my arms. No matter how mu ch pain I was in he always makes me feel good! With all the photos taken it was time to get changed have coffee and get ready to go home were me and Fred had a day of Star Wars ahead of us! What a way to finish a great day.
Once again I ask all of you that read this to remember why I'm doing it. To date with your help I have managed to raise £1025 which is past the halfway mark. So please keep giving where you can and share this with your family and friends for them to donate too. Visit my Just Giving to donate or alternatively text KOMS99 plus your donation to 70070.
It means so much to me that so many people take the time to read this so thank you
Next up is Cycle Wiltshire, 100 mile ride across the hills of the Wiltshire Downs on May 9th so look out for another blog soon.
Thanks you all.
On went the trainers |
The Run
During the pre-race brief the organisers had said that the run was 'cheeky'. During the 2nd lap of the bike I had seen some of the first starters on the run along the same road that we were riding on. The first section was along a bark type surface underneath some trees and then out onto the path. The route then turned left and the road started to rise slightly. My legs felt pretty heavy at this stage the ride had taken a lot out but I was starting to get a good rhythm going.
At the top of the hill the route headed down a narrow track. Ahead I could see some of the other runners on the other side of the fence running down a field, I assumed to be the school. About half way down, the track became very steep. The run just got really difficult. People ahead of me were walking it was that steep. I just kept the legs going even though the pace dropped to just under 8min/km. Once the hill had peaked the route turned into the grounds of the school and the hill we just ran up was now going back down. To be honest it was difficult not to fall flat on my face it was pretty steep.
Lap 2 Begins |
Once through that the run went past transition and back down to the start of the run for lap 2. The crowds were amazing and cheering anyone and everyone all around the course. It felt great.
Lap 2 was very much the same as lap 1. I caught a few more on the hill into the school and knowing the route now I saved a bit for the sprint finish.
A Painful Finish |
The finish was approaching and just off to the left I could see Georgie and Freddie clapping and cheering me home. Couldn't miss Fred in his STAR T-Shirt. I gave everything I had left to the sprint finish and crossed the line!
Official Run Time - 00:25:33
Me and Fred |
towards me and jumping into my arms. No matter how mu ch pain I was in he always makes me feel good! With all the photos taken it was time to get changed have coffee and get ready to go home were me and Fred had a day of Star Wars ahead of us! What a way to finish a great day.
Once again I ask all of you that read this to remember why I'm doing it. To date with your help I have managed to raise £1025 which is past the halfway mark. So please keep giving where you can and share this with your family and friends for them to donate too. Visit my Just Giving to donate or alternatively text KOMS99 plus your donation to 70070.
Its getting full on the medal front |
Perfect |
Next up is Cycle Wiltshire, 100 mile ride across the hills of the Wiltshire Downs on May 9th so look out for another blog soon.
Thanks you all.