Vitruvian Triathlon Half Iron distance Triathlon

 

So the Vitruvian was a not a race I had not planned to do this year as all I wanted to focus was the Outlaw Triathlon. The Vit was full and in early May I decided to e-mail them to see if they had any spare spaces that I could take. Not even an hour after I sent my email I had a reply saying that they have opened up the website again and if I wanted a place to be quick. Straight I was signed up and I was happy that I had an event to look forward to.

 

Throughout August I never really trained much this was due to me completing the Outlaw triathlon and that I had taken everything out of me. I had done a couple of open water swims and about a handful of runs. I hadn't even looked at my bike at all. My TT bike was still needing cleaning and it was the Thursday night before the Vit that I finally got time to clean my bike.

 

I went down on the Friday to collect my race pack and take in the atmosphere. I knew we could rack the bikes the night before but I decided that I would rack it on the day. There was loads of people racking up their bikes and I did have a little doubt that maybe I should of brought my bike down.

 

Race kit all ready and I managed to get 5 hours sleep before I had to leave my house at 0330hrs to get  to Rutland waters.

 

Bike racked and I'm all ready to go. I had decided that I wasn't going to race this event but I was going to go out and enjoy my last triathlon of the season.

 

 



Picture above is whilst everyone is at the race brief, I was just taking my time and enjoying the quiet time before it all kicks off in the swim.

 

 

I was looking forward to the swim even though last time I swam in this lake at the Dambuster Triathlon I had a nightmare with people swimming in to me or pulling me back. This time I positioned myself further to the side and I knew that this would be better for me as I would be able to swim past the slower swimmers quicker and hopefully I won't get caught up in what seems like a mass brawl in the middle. The swim was two laps which involved getting out of the water and running back in. I had never done this before so was looking forward to getting out and running back in and try and look professional when I dive back in.

Swim went with out any issues and I was happy with time of 35:30 mins

In to T1 and I could tell I felt really relaxed as I even stopped to have a energy gel. T1 time 2:16 mins

The bike course is really enjoyable as you get a good mixture of hills and fast straights. You do two laps of the course and when you finish the first lap you head back down towards the lake to go through the feed station. I never picked up an extra water bottle and I wished I had as towards the end of the bike I could feel a bit of cramp coming on.

I managed to push it a bit harder on the series of hills on the second lap and I was looking forward to see what I could do on the run as on my last half Iron distance race my legs was in bits from pushing it too hard and my running suffered.

Bike time was 2:49:46 hours

 

T2 went well as my bike was on the end of the rack so had no issues finding my spot and I was soon out on the run T2 time 1:49 mins

 

On to the final discipline the run. The run course is flat and fast and the weather was perfect, no wind and the sun was out.

On the first lap of the run  running towards the church I could feel a light breeze which was great in keeping me cool. the problem was when we had to turn round at the church and we were running with the wind. This became hard work as there was nothing to cool me down apart from the water at the feed stations. I felt nice and comfortable on the first lap and was still feeling quite relaxed and never really focussed on my overall time or what pace I was running at. I was secretly racing some one the course as they started the run about the same time as me and we were running the same pace. The second lap I wanted to try and push away from the person I had stayed with on the first lap but I think he had the same idea and he was soon pulling away from me. I didn't react as I didn't want to over cook it and ruin my race. Coming back towards the finish with approx. 200 metres to a go and there was loads of people cheering everyone in and was a great atmosphere.

Pleased with run time of 1:45:02

 

Overall time was 5:14:03 hours.

 

 

On to my last event for the season for now which is another crazy idea Equinox 24. A 24 hour endurance race.

Tallington Lakes Olympic Triathlon

So races have been coming thick and fast recently, all in preparation for my main event of the year the Outlaw Triathlon. One event I wanted to do was the Tallington lakes triathlon as it was again just down the road for where I live and it was a new event that I wanted to try out.

I was on twitter one evening and I saw a picture of Tallington lakes so I retweeted the picture and like it. Not realising at the time I had just entered a competition for a place at the race. I week had passed and I receive a tweet saying congratulations you have won a place in the Olympic distance race. Was really chuffed with this as I never usually enter competitions on line.

This race was to be used to have a good race but not to break any records as I wanted to stay fresh and fit for the OUtlaw Triathlon. So I was using this race for some conditioning and to make sure that my transitions are quick with minimal disruption.

Arrive nice and early and bike was racked and kit all set up, Swim was a deep water swim and the swim course was straight forward. the horn goes and the race is off. I took it easy at the start as I didn't want to have too many people round me and barging in to me. I soon got up to pace and I soon realised I was quite near the front of the overall pack. From what I could see there was 7 or 8 people in front of me. I thought to myself that I was going too fast and I needed to slow but I thought I would continue at this pace and carry on. On the back straight on the swim I managed to sneak past two people and on the final two turns I could see a small group of swimmers in front of me but I knew I wasn't going to catch them. I managed to finish the swim in 5th position and I knew this would be short lived when I got out on the bike. Swim Time 25:40

T1 went as expected and I was looking forward to the bike course which had a last minute change to the course, but since I didn't know the course I wasn't too bothered about any changes as it was the same for everyone else. The bike course was well marshalled and it was good to see people of there houses on the side of the road cheering us on as we passed. You don't really get many people on the side of the road cheering us on local events so it was nice to see and added to the whole experience.

The bike course good and the roads were in good condition. as usual it wasn't long till the faster bikers were passing me and all the hard work on the swim was going to waste. My bike strength and power is something I need to work on over the colder months. Bike time 1:24:48.

I was in to T2 and just over 30 seconds later I'm out on the run. I have managed to master T2 with speed. the time and effort has paid off in doing brick sessions with transition set up in the garden at home. On to the run and the is very little wind and the course is pancake flat. I knew early on that I would be on for a good 10km time as I took it slightly easier on the bike. The course takes you 2.5km out round one of the lakes and back to a turn point and then repeat. I was really pleased with my time and of 40:20 seconds. Under a year ago this would have been a personal best time for on just a 10km road race. So over the months I have been really please how my running and swimming has improved and my cycling has got stronger but it is still my weakest discipline.

Overall time was 2:32:33
finishing 12th overall and 2nd in my age group. The first time I get a podium for my age group they are not giving out prizes.

Dambuster Olympic Triathlon

Dambuster Triathlon based at Rutland water was one of the races I wanted to as a training session so I know what the course is like in preparation for the Vitruvian triathlon that I have planned for the end of August.

So I drove down the day before to get registered just so I knew how long it would take to get to location on the day and so I could have a quick look at transition and see how it was all set up and to have a look at the swim course so I knew where I would be going.

Day of the event was pretty straight forward. I had my usual breakfast and coffee and I am feeling pretty good in doing my first Olympic distance race. Even though I have done a 70.3 triathlon I was unsure how hard to push myself for an Olympic distance. I have been told to race it like a sprint tri so with that in mind I was going to attack it from the start and see how I hold up.

Bike is racked and everything set up and I'm waiting around to get going. At the race brief everyone just wanted to know what sort of start we would be having. It turned out it was a beach start. I had never started a race from the beach all my races I have been deep water starts, so I was unsure how this would go. I positioned myself quite near the start line and I soon realise that I just about on the front line and before I could do anything the race has started. I hated the start of the race as I have people everywhere around me and I got in to a little panic attack as I was unable to move out of the way from anyone. Approx 500 metres in to the swim I finally find some sort of rhythm and I soon find myself overtaking people and it wasn't long till I was at the front of the pack I was in. I was determined to catch up with the next group of swimmers and with the last 100 metres to go I finally got on to them and was able to draft and relax a little till we got out of the water. Swim done in 24:57

In to T1 and it was straight forward and I was soon on my bike. I decided that this time I would put my bike shoes on first and just in run in them till I get on to the bike. I just didn't want the same problem that I had in my previous race in trying to get my feet in my shoes. Straight away its a slight up hill until we get to the main road and the start of the bike course. started off on the bike at a decent pace and I was pleased of my average speed. and I knew that I would have the ribbles to tackle. The ribbles are a series of small hills that just take all the speed out of the bike and you need to put the work in on the bike to successfully get over them without dropping my average speed. The bike course is quite a fast course with no real major issues.
so in to T2 and it couldn't have gone better in transition. Before I knew it I was out on the run and looking forward to the last 10km. Bike done in 1:18:09

I find my pace quickly and I start overtaking the cyclists that always seem to fly past me on the bike and my body is feeling quick. The run course is a very basic as you run towards the dam, run across the dam get to the church and run back to the finish line. the run course is completely flat and I was hoping to get very close to the 40 minute mark, but I knew I would to pull out something special to achieve that. I always have a plan when I run now, start of steady and increase the pace and then push on hard for the last 1km. I finished the run in 41:39 and I was happy with how I felt. I do wish that I push it harder for longer on the run, but that is something I need to work on. In training I need to start to push harder for longer towards the end of my run and this should give me a stronger finish on race day.

Total time 2:27:46
Pleased with my time for my first Olympic distance tri and I really enjoyed racing at this distance.

Dambuster Triathlon is organised by Pacesetter events and is very well organised and every one who helped organised this event were very helpful and I look forward to take part in this race in the future.

Outlaw Half Triathlon 70.3

So I have competed my first 70.3 triathlon and I chose to do the Outlaw half which is organised by one step beyond. One of the main reasons why I chose this event was that it's not far from home and I heard that the bike course is fairly flat and the run is flat, so would be a good one to start off with.

A friend and I decided that it would be best to stay over the night before so we didn't have to worry about getting to the venue on the day and something going wrong. We hired a campervan and stayed in the campsite right near to the start line. Was glad we stayed over as it meant I could just concentrate on getting ready for the race and not worry about a journey and forgetting something. 

Woke up nice and early and straight away the kettle was on for coffee and to add hot water to my porridge. Also had a banana & peanut butter wrap which has become one of my favourites recently. It was then time to get changed and a quick set up of the bikes and then head down to transition.

Got in to transition and I find myself overthinking everything like I always do. I have I got enough gels and how to set up my transition space. This is something that I shouldn't do as it makes me nervous about the race and I start to forget to do stuff. I had planned to open all my flap jack and malt loaf bars wrappers so when on the bike it would be easier for me to access and I wouldn't have to worry about opening anything. Well since the fact that I forgot to do this meant I didn't eat what I should of done on the bike. 

Start of the swim, my wave started at 0640hrs and I felt really good, I felt ready and I knew that my swimming has become one of my strong points. So the race begins and straight away its a mad panic to get going and straight away I feel someone actually grasping at my ankles, physically holding on and trying to pull me back. I soon put a stop to this and started kicking in anger, there's no need to grab hold of people. As the swim continued I was struggling for lace and decided it would be easier to swim out to the left and get some clear water. 200m later it all calmed down and I found myself swimming alongside someone. I soon realised that I was swimming the exactly the same speed as him so decided to get behind him and draft off him to make it a bit easier for. By the time the swim was coming to the end I felt really good and finished the swim in 32:13 mins. Straight in to transition and on to the bike the weather at this point was wet and cold, but I decided to stick with just my trisuit on and hope the weather got better throughout the bike.

I soon get in to a very good rhythm on the bike and was enjoying it was hitting a good average speed and was able to ride at a good speed considering the weather. Had a reality check about 15 miles in where we were approaching a tight left hand bend. The guy in front of me over cooked it and the bike went a way from him causing him and his bike to slide across the road. This then made be be a bit more careful on any corners. The whole bike course was really good and I really enjoyed it. The only thing I wish I did differently was to take my feet out of my shoes earlier as trying to take your feet out whilst going down hill over speed humps is not fun. Bike time was 2:51:27 hours. This was the fastest that I have bike that distance and my legs knew it. 

In to T2 and I could feel my legs. I put my bike back in to the rack and bend down to put my socks and trainers on and that's when I realised I had pushed it too hard in the bike. Cramp in the front of my thighs. Great, I have ran before with cramp but usually with only a km to go and I can push through it. So I set off on the run and felt ok and then 5 miles in that when it became hard work, pushing hard on the bike was now causing me problems on the run (my favourite discipline). I tried to grin and bare it but it was hard work, every food station I got to I had to have a quick walk and drink some coke to try and help. This was a steep learning curve that I probably needed. Managed to get the run done and it was a great finish. The atmosphere was great and the crowd cheering us all in with incredible. Finished the run in 1:49 hour. 

Total time took me 5:16:36.

For my first 70.3 event I was really pleased with my time and with some changes to my training plan I think I could shave a bit of time off. This was a training event in getting me ready for the full outlaw in July