H10/8 Charlotteville CC "10"

Racing pose

On a hot tip from Anna that fast times were likely down on the Bentley 10 mile time trial course, we duely entered a race there. It was a bit different from the usual "just turn up" situation Maidenhead CC operate on a Thursday night. We had to go enter online and pay up front. It cost a bit more but there was free cake promised. It was also a Saturday weekend ride, in the afternoon. So many changes.

It was quite a nice day, but rain was forecast. In the end we both managed to finish before the rain started, but it was a big field of about 100 riders.

Anna had her turbo trainer with her, and got started on the warmup after we had collected our numbers. I haven't managed to get any kind of structure to the pre-race, so just rode around a bit, eventually getting 15km in before my start.

The course is very like H10/2 in Maidenhead - you cycle down a main road in a fairly straight line towards a roundabout, turn around, and come back passing the start a little to the finish. This is a dual carriageway however, and a better road surface. The Garmin says 39m of climbing, versus 35m in Maidenhead, but it didn't feel like that.

I started with a climb, but it was fast, then some rolling terrain, and watching my average speed I could see I was slightly above my usual pace. I can't remember that much now about the rest of the race, except that I managed to stay fast. Maybe it was the smoother road conditions, or the wind direction, but as I approached the finish I suddenly noticed I was very closed indeed to 24 minutes, which is about a minute faster than my 10 mile TT record. I pushed towards the line, which was slightly hard to see so I wasn't quite sure when I would get there.

I actually got a time of 24:01 which I am massively pleased with, a new PB by a long way. I am not that disappointed to have missed the 24 target, a 23:59 would have been nice, but I have a target now to aim at - I never expected to get even close to 24 today.

I cycled around a bit to warm down, and went to a bridge overlooking the course to watch Anna going past. The women's starts were later, and I don't think the conditions were as good, but she still did a great time of 25:36.

We did get a small piece of cake afterwards :)

I came 58th out of 87 in the senior men category - it would be nice to be higher, but a PB is a PB and this one was a good one.


Results TimeTriallingForum Strava
Photo currently here Blinkmanphoto

Windsor Triathlon 2013

Hot on the heels of my Dragon Ride last week, I had another race that I knew I wasn't prepared for. you have to enter these things so far in advance, sometimes you forget why you did it. Something about it being my local triathlon club's main race, and having lots of supporters, and being part of the whole experience.

I live right next door to the start, so it was an easy walk down to transition this morning. This was my sixth Windsor triathlon so there aren't many nerves - I know the drill. I wasn't looking forward to the swim, and had done not nearly enough training, but the current wasn't particularly strong this year, so I would manage.

Swim 40:41

I set up my zone, and made my way to the river  - jumped in - waited for the signal, and was off. I have a lot of problems with my right shoulder, and had a small operation on it a couple of years ago, but it still hurts and I only get about 40% power with that arm when swimming. Neverthless I was expecting to be a bit faster than I was. Waves of swimmers leave every five minutes, and as my wave moved further and further ahead of me, quite a few of the swimmers in waves behind caught up and overtook.

T1 1:50

Quite a long run to my bike - not a particularly fast time.

Bike 1:09:07

Nothing much to report here, I wasn't feeling fast, and didn't do a good time. Tired from the swim, or the Dragon Ride maybe.

T2 1:33

Standard transition, no problems.

Run 50:21

Since my problems with running last autumn, I've only been in my trainers once, for the Grim Challenge, and that was just for a bit of a laugh really with friends. With no run training, my expectations were low. I thought I may even get some kind of injury and have to walk a lot. I started slowly, and walked quite a bit in the first lap (of three).  I felt OK, and gradually increased the ratio of run/walk, until the third lap where I decided I would probably make it to the end, so ran the whole way, as fast as I could.

Evolution triathlon club camp out by Brown's Restaurant, and get to see everyone going past six times on the run. Obviously I ran confidently when in view :) I've done this course before in just over 42 minutes, but 50:21 isn't bad for someone who hasn't trained so I was quite pleased.

Total time 2:43:34

This time is quite respectable for the amount of training I did, so overall a good result. I was 652nd out of 1442 finishers, 113th out of 225 in my category. I hated the swim, a lot. I don't know if I want to do that again. And as the prices are now so high (over £100) that's another disincentive, which is a shame. I have said it before, but maybe I will stay away from Windsor Triathlon until I actually sort my swimming out.

Links

Strava - for bike section.
Results
Photos

Wiggle Dragon Ride 2013

Le Grand Depart

The Dragon Ride is an iconic part of the British sportive calendar, and one everyone serious about a cycling distance challenge needs to have a go at. So this year I entered early for the Gran Fondo distance, 130 odd miles of gruelling Welsh hills.

I hadn't anticipated other commitments, and ended up the week beforehand lazing on the Mediterranean island of Malta, with no bicycle for last minute training. I only got back home late on Saturday afternoon so had to decide last minute whether to actually go to Wales or not. Some friends posted weather reports from Port Talbot, a hot ride was guaranteed. I love cycling in the heat, and who knows when this opportunity will happen again, so the decision was made.

Four or five hours is not much sleep, but I needed to set off by 5:30am to get to the ride on time. The traffic was very light as expected for a Sunday morning. Arrived at 8:15am, quickly assembled the bike, stuffed my pockets with food, and raced to the start line. Managed to press ‘Go’ on my Garmin 800 at 8:30am as Helen Jenkins blew the starting horn.

After 10 days off, my legs were actually feeling great. I cruised for a couple of hours, keeping the cadence up and the effort low. Although I had other friends from my triathlon club competing, I was cycling alone. So I moved from group to group of other riders, drafting a little, sometimes moving forward to the next group on the inclines. I have done a lot of long rides over the years, and it’s tempting in the beginning, when you are feeling good, to push a bit too hard. I knew there were some serious hills to come so held back.

The first aid stop came at 48k. Not tired at all, but quite hungry, I wolfed down Jaffa cakes and salty boiled potatoes by the handful. A refill of water (no energy drinks here sadly) and I was on my way again quickly.

I had, as usual, hardly looked at the course map or elevation profile. I just knew there were hills. I was really amazed when I turned one corner and saw Black Mountain rising up in the distance with bikes as far as the eye could see. This was my perfect climb – not steep, so no need to use your lowest gears or get out of the saddle, but long and very steady. I got into a really good rhythm and moved my way through the field, passing loads of other riders. Kept looking over my shoulder, but there was no one behind coming up faster. The view from the top was just as good as below, but I didn’t have any time to stop and admire it. Some people were taking photos, with all the bikes it’s a great picture. Maybe I’ll come back and do the Dragon Ride as a social occasion next time and take a camera. No, I was quickly flying down the other side of the hill trying to get my average speed back on track.

Going down hill fast

I ride on average speed. I work out what average I want to finish with, and keep that on target during the ride. I picked 25km/h for today as I had a mistaken idea that there was a 8 hour 30 cut off for a medal time and reckoned this would do it for me. (there was no such time – more on that later). So on the big hills, when my average dropped to 24.4km/h, that meant I had to make sure I pushed hard enough down the other side to get it back up to 25km/h again, or more if I could. I managed this all day.

There was another hill before the 96k food stop, and I was still feeling good. Hard to believe I wasn't even half way though. Completely ravenous by now, I stuffed potatoes, cereal bars and cherry Bakewell tarts into my face with little decorum, and all mixing together in my mouth for some interesting taste sensations.

So far I’d been riding just under four hours – the easy bit. From here, for the next four hours, it was to be relentless climbing and descending. It’s not always, or even usually, that your body that first gets exhausted by this – it is also a mental challenge. There was one timed climb, very steep and narrow, with sheep staring from both sides. This wasn't a long one, but I just didn't have the mental power for it for some reason. I was quite disappointed with my performance, and pulled myself together a bit after that. Nutrition is very important. I ate a banana as I was doing this climb, but perhaps I was already low by then and it was too late. I also tried to drink more than I usually do, as the weather was hot, but I still only had about 3 litres for the whole day so maybe that was also a factor.

I felt fine on the rest of the climbs, and only stopped very briefly at the third food stop for the usual smorgasbord and drink refill. There were fewer riders in groups now, most of us doing our solo battles.  There didn't seem to be any flat sections, just long slow climbs and fast descents. With 40km to go I saw the final food stop. My mental calculator was telling me I was cutting it fine for the 8:30hrs finish time. I was out of energy drink, but I had 500ml of water in my second bottle that I’d been carrying all day. I also has a cereal bar and a gel. So I skipped the stop.

look mum, one hand

I really had had enough climbing by now, and cursed my lack of preparation, as here came another one. I asked a cyclist near me if this was the last hill (I’d heard someone earlier saying that the final 25 was downhill or flat, but did he mean km or miles!). Confirmation came and this gave me a bit of a boost. I was tired though, and on this hill got overtaken on an ascent for the first time in the day. I tried to console myself by thinking maybe they were riders on the shorter course, as our longer route had re-joined theirs now, but this is probably wishful thinking.

Finally over the other side, I found a second wind and pushed for home. I was hoping to find some other riders to share the work, but I was overtaking most people too quickly. One group of three came past me, but too fast to let me jump onto the back. My 25km/h average was back after the dip on the last climb, and I manager to keep it rising. Some traffic lights in a town about 10k from home frustrated me, but then I was pushing hard on more open roads.

And then with about 6k to go, it was all uphill again, with the wind in my face. I didn't expect this. I tried hard to keep to 25km/h, almost managing it, and finally the entrance to the park arrived, and I was in the finishing chute.

Anna and me at the finish

I made it in 8:18:35. The cut off time I then discovered was 9:30, so skipping the food stop and my mad 40k dash had been totally unnecessary. But I was really pleased to see that my time was best for the day amongst my friends, and without the deadline pulling me on that wouldn't have been the case.

My strong finish in this kind of event is unusual. I wondered if I’d really been trying hard enough. But I think my pacing was just right to get this result. Faster in the beginning would have left me too drained later on and I would have lost more time.

I had had an awesome day, and finished still feeling as if I could do more, and am really pleased with the result.

Links:

Strava

Human Race Results

Photos from Sportcam seem to be removed - only available for 6 months. 

Correction: On the race results page there is in fact a medal table. So for my age group, I did just manage a Bronze medal after all...

Grim Challenge 2012

Barbara and Pal

My friends Barbara and Pal Skogtjarn were coming over from Sweden for this event. They tried last year, but were foiled by the weather. I wanted them to come and stay with me the night before, and also offered to drive them down to the venue, so it seemed only polite to do the race as well. My legs were not in good run shape, and I hadn't been training, but there is a lot of stopping to wade through mud and rivers, so I hoped that I would make it. I haven't stopped cycling, so I'm still pretty fit aerobically.

We all met up the night before, and Pal was particularly keen to try some beer. I was surprised when we only stopped at drink number four and hoped this wouldn't affect his running too much - I didn't care that much about mine.

I don't remember that much about the race; I was pretty OK for the first 20-30 minutes, but felt some of the familiar ache in my thighs after that. I was right about the conditions helping though; wading in the freezing water took the pain away. I just kept going, and really enjoyed being out in the countryside running again - I do miss it. I got very muddy, but the water washed most of it away, especially the big pond at the finish. I've done this race before, so when I got close to the noise of the announcers at the finish, I knew there was another extra loop so didn't sprint too early this time. Finished feeling pretty good and went to look for my friends.

I finished with a time of 1:10:36 which isn't really important in these kinds of races. The placing is important, and I came 324th out of 2922 finishers which pleasantly surprised me. Even more pleasing was that my friend Pal came 1st overall - an awesome result. Seems like I should have four pints of English beer the night before every race..

Results here on the Grim website, unfortunately  I didn't record my time on any Garmin, due to the mud and don't seem to have any photos stored anywhere either except the one above of my friends at the start.

Belfast City Marathon 2012

This race was a real mistake.

Having been really disappointed at the London Marathon, and with all the work I had put in to get fit, I decided last minute to go over to Belfast. I'm not really sure now what I was thinking. Mary Ann Billingham was coming over from Canada with her husband Greg. She is a distant relative, and Greg is a marathon runner. He had included running the marathon as part of his itinerary, and my mum suggested it would be nice to join him. Like a fool I agreed.

By the time the day arrived my legs were feeling OK, though my feet were not. The brand new Newton Gravity trainers therefore went back in the box and I raced in my old Newton Sir Isaacs.

Even at the start line, I had no clear strategy. It was a cloudy day and rain was likely, but this isn't much of a problem in marathons, in fact it is usually preferable. I started way back in the field and for the first couple of miles tried to keep it slow, but I found this tedious and so went back to my usual running pace.

I was doing fine up until about 10 miles, and was OK up the big hill in the middle of this course, but my legs started to really hurt again like at the end of London marathon and it started to rain, and the wind along the coastal path was strong, and I even had to stop and walk a little at times. I took a couple of ibuprofen, but it didn't help. I could feel my toes hurting as well, and started to wonder what kind of state they would be in by the end.

The good news was, frustratingly enough, that I did not feel tired at all. Perhaps it was the climate, or the taper from London, but unlike that marathon, I never had any issues with my endurance. I was angry with my body for letting me down, felt mentally strong, but each stride was difficult and there was nothing I could do.

Any sensible person would probably have stopped, but I don't like to and have no DNF (Did Not Finish) marks on my racing record.  So I ran on in the wind and rain, punishing myself, stopping occasionally when the pain got too much, and I was very relieved indeed when the end finally arrived.

I finished in 3:15:50, which is still a  respectable time, and Greg came in about an hour later. In hindsight, I really shouldn't have been there at all so soon after London, but I had done it.

Photos and finisher video are still online at Marathon Photos here - I look terrible! Gregs here

I recorded the race on my Garmin Forerunner 205 here. Unfortunately the detail seems to be missing, but I did press the lap button half way, and am pleased to see that my pacing was exactly the same for both halfs of the marathon.

London Marathon 2012

So my big race day finally arrived. Over a year of training, who knows how many miles but I've worn through my Newton Sir Isaac trainers. I have new training shoes, Newton Gravity. I tried them out at Reading Half and got a good time there - they are very light, but a little more aggressively forefoot than the Sir Isaacs.

I slept very badly the night before, but got up on time and made my way to the train station. Ate and drank normally as with Belfast Marathon last year. There was no change in my plan and I should have been OK.

I met Libby on the train who was coming up to support me and some other friends and she helped my take my mind off the race. I was very nervous; I was chasing a time of three hours, and had put a lot of pressure on myself.

I had a good for age place, which means getting in a spot to start near the front. It was all very exciting. Warm and sunny, lots of other fit people ready to go.

We started and I stuck to my pacing, no sprinting, but things were just not right. After three miles I was feeling tired - I should have been fine. In training I do six miles without thinking even about it. I'm also never thirsty and had planned my first drink at about 10 miles. I took a bottle of water at the first opportunity.

It was fun being in the race, but I was suffering physically. I tried to enjoy it, just kept pushing, and watching my average speed, but I was tired. I made it to the half way point almost on schedule (1:30:32) but I was slowing. At about mile 16 my feet were hurting, and my thighs were burning. I took a couple of painkillers but they did nothing. I started thinking about the state of my feet, my left big toe was worse. The pains running down the front of my legs were making it hard to keep moving, and I counted down the slow miles one by one.

I knew I was going to miss my target, I also know my secondary target of beating last year's Belfast Marathon time of 3:05 was also out. I struggled to the line in 3:11:39, very sore, and very disappointed. I know it is still a respectable time, but from my training I knew I was capable of more. Perhaps I trained too much. Perhaps the new shoes were the problem (my big toenail has gone black, as have a couple of others).


Links
Results 03:11:39
Photos - now seem to be removed, sorry.

Muddy Mo

26th November 2011

Muddy-Mo at Swinley Forest.

https://www.mo-running.com

According to my Facebook Post - http://muddy.mo-running.com/results/ - 1st in age group - 4th overall - more track training required for those sprint finishes.

I went here with Rachael and Zoe in a new pair of trainers, and did pretty well.

Do not seem to have any photos and the results are not online any more sadly, as with many races.

Ironman 70.3 Pays d'Aix 2011

looking too happy on the run

Suddenly decided that I'd do a Half Ironman. Some friends were going, and I was feeling quite fit, so it seemed like a good idea. I entered on 31st July 2011, less than two months before race day on 25th September 2011. It's nice to be race-fit and to be able to do things ad-hoc like this. Not only would it be a race, it would be a long weekend in the sun when the British summer was over. For my friends Scott and Joanne this was their first long distance triathlon, and part of their ramp-up for Ironman Austria next year. I think it was more just some fun for Amy, Mark and Jo who made up the rest of our party and were doing it together as a relay.

I arrived on Thursday and after finding everyone we had a nice dinner, with just a few glasses of red wine. Joanne's parents were here too, with a campervan, and they very kindly took us on a tour of the bike course the next day. This was really useful, and also a nice trip around the region.

Unusually, the swim and the run route were far apart; we would be exiting the swim and cycling to the run start 20km away. So we packed everything in our transition bags and cycled over to the lake to stretch our legs. Quite a lot of hard thinking was required to make sure nothing was forgotten - it wouldn't be good to pick up your run bag and find no shoes in it. It was warm and sunny, and we had some time, so we tested the water - it was really nice to have a swim. We then had quite a tough time getting back to town as the buses promised didn't materialise and we had to try and get taxis.

Another nice dinner, some carb loading, and definitely some more relaxing red wine.

Race day arrived with thunder and heavy rain. Coaches were lined up in Aix to take us to the start and we trudged the 15 minute walk over to them at about 5am. I hadn't packed for wet weather, but I wasn't worried for some reason - I probably should have been. But the rain stopped, and the sun came out and everything was fine in the end.


Swim 00:43:16 - 963rd

I actually didn't mind the swim. The lake water was clean and warm, and my wetsuit helped with buoyancy. 1900m is only a bit further than Olympic distance 1500m, and I knew I'd have no trouble finishing. We waited on the beach in a huge crowd listening to the music, the announcer, and trying to stay calm. After a rather shambolic start, lots of confusion with ropes and people jumping the gun, we were off and I kept to the back as usual. It is a long thin lake, and we swam to a buoy near the far end, across the lake to another, and back to complete the third side of the rectangle. I fell further and further behind and by the end there were not many people near me. This is borne out by the result - I only beat about 25 people - I didn't mind too much, 43 minutes is good for me, but there was a lot of work to do.

T1 00:05:25

Even the fastest people were taking 3-4 minutes here. I stopped at the loo so that I wouldn't be uncomfortable on the bike.

Bike 02:56:52

I was hoping to beat three hours on the bike, but the previous day's course review revealed quite a lot of hills, so I wasn't sure if I could make it. I saw someone at the side of the road after only a few minutes, not realising it was Scott mending his first (of two) punctures of the day. Climbing a hill a short while later, which was beginning to get quite tedious,  I came across Joanne and Mark talking together. I said 'Hi' as I went past, and Mark decided he would join me.

We spent the next hour or so leap-frogging each other. My most fun descent to date is this one, where we raced for ages trying to gain an advantage, swerving across to left and right, not caring about cars and just using the entire traffic free road.

Eventually we hit a flat section and Mark pulled away from me. I couldn't afford to try to follow, as I had a half-marathon coming up. Mark was doing the relay, so wasn't running. The final third of the course had quite a tough hill but we were soon descending into the town of Aix for transition two. I managed to beat my target, very pleased with my time here.

T2 00:03:58

Another loo break means my transition is slower by about a minute than it could be. I'd rather lose time here though than at the side of the road during the bike.

Run 01:29:11

Some nifty watch manipulation was needed to get my Garmin 205 restarted for the run, but I managed it (you can see links to both activities below). The course is three laps around the town, and was supposed to be flat. I ran well but it was very hard work, and very hot in the Provence afternoon sunshine. We ran as far as a park where there was some shade, and I took on some water there. on the way back to town there was a hill, not much to look at on the elevation chart, but I hated it. This section was two-way, so a chance to see my friends occasionally.

I was hoping for a time just slightly slower than a normal half marathon - so something like 02:35. I ran a very steady race, watching my average speed, getting very tired but knowing I'd make it. I had a bit of confusion at the final roundabout on the third lap - I couldn't work out where the exit and almost ended up going round for lap 4. But I found it and was very pleased to get a time under 1:30.

Overall 05:18:44

I was 473rd out of 993 competitors. I thought I'd have done a bit better than that. My swim let me down very badly. My bike was good, but needs to be faster - I should not be content with a 30km/h average speed on a race this distance. My run was the best section for me, 232nd overall in this - I can't think how I'd improve on that significantly.

We finished at a reasonable time of day, unlike with a full IM race, which was nice. Some more food, lots of relieved chat that it was over, and definitely more red wine.


Results - Garmin Bike - Garmin Run - Ironman Site - Ironman Individual Page

Photos - Video still available at Mysports but FinisherPix photos are removed.