Southwater Tri-Relay
Right peeps - haven't posted my recent training, but there was a big bike ride Friday - more details to follow. Anyway, for now, here's details of today's activities!
A few weeks ago I slightly reluctantly decided to try and get a team together for the Southwater tri-relay, with each of the team of three doing all three disciplines. After much to-ing and fro-ing (none from the final team) we had a three, and were all set to send in our entry, but I got an email from Hollywood saying that the event was full. Pleading with the organiser was to no avail, so yesterday I was sat, minding my own business, when Hollywood suddenly made contact to inform me that a spot was available for a team, and could I get a team (any team!) back together? I decided to give it a go, and spent about £25 on my mobile phone frantically texting and ringing. Most of the people I’d rung had the good sense to have their mobiles switched off, but after an hour or so, we had a three, or rather two definites, one probable, and Lindi offering to cover if she was needed, but “I’m going out and may have a hangover!”. Anyway – that was the hard part, I emailed the organiser the details and Tri-Curious was going to the ball!
So – Nicky (HappyChap) picked me up at 6:15 (many thanks) and we headed down the A24. We arrived, racked the bikes, met up with Fliss (Flipper) and Stumpy, and an assortment of other pirates. There were long discussions of what kit to wear, when to lay kit out as rain was threatening, and so on. The announcer started a panic by saying the race briefing was in one minute, but transition was closing in ten, so all of us who had delayed laying our kit out rushed to the transition area, only to be told it would open as soon as all the first leg bikers had gone through! Anyway – after a lot of trying to work out the logistics on my part, and everyone else calmly knowing what to do, we were ready for Flipper to head out on the first leg. I won’t go into any detail of the first two legs as Fliss and Nicky may write their own reports, but suffice to say they both looked good in the water and on the bits of the run that I saw. We were near the back of the pack but I really wasn’t too worried about winning – just wanted the experience.
Time went by, and Nicky came round at the end of her first lap, so I dashed off for a last minute wee (not easy in a tri-suit, and remember to take the number out of the way first!). I handed my coat and shoes to Shiraz (thanks) and headed to the point where Nicky would hand on to me. She soon rounded the bend, I thought “I need the loo”, but there was no time; I was off, goggles in hand. I ran down onto the jetty, sat on the edge, and stuck my goggles on to rapturous applause and cheers from the pirates. Then I encountered the first problem – I’d pulled my swim hat down so close to my eyes that there was no space for the edge of my swim goggles to “seal” onto, so I wasted about a minute trying to roll that bit up without taking the hat right off. I slipped off the jetty, had a momentary cold rush, and set off, feeling good. I was having trouble with my usual breathing, and the lack of visual feedback (this was a last minute thing so I hadn’t had a chance to try sighting) really screwed me up, even underwater. I stopped every few strokes, but seemed to be keeping a pretty straight line. This went reasonably okay up until the buoys at half way, but after that really went to pot and I think my path on the return leg probably approximated that of a drunken dolphin (no offence Flipper!).
Anyway – after zig-zagging across the width of the lake, and with much help from the kayakers, I was approaching the jetty. Hands reached out to help me out, and I realised why they were there, as I quickly felt giddy. I got out of the water okay, but was really disoriented as I walked up towards the transition area. Nicky walked up to transition with me, and looked after me. I sat down and changed very slowly – my time for T1 must be abysmal. I’d been tempted to try peeing in the water, but missed my chance. I decided I might try peeing on the bike. Nicky told me that there was an uphill just outside transition, so to get the bike in not too high a gear, which was useful. When hunting my bike shoes last night, I realised that a cleat was bust – no idea when this happened, but I decided not to risk it, as I knew I could cycle okay in trainers, and I wasn’t planning on wellying it in the wet conditions. Anyway – this proved a great strategy for running out of transition, but the cleats were wet from the rain, and my feet slipped at first. After a bit that resolved itself, and I climbed towards the main road and then down to the A24 roundabout, where we turned back on ourselves.
The miles passed easily, although there were a few climbs in there that made my work hard. My quads were hurting from the previous ride (31 miles - no taper as I didn't know I was doing this tri until the last minute), but oddly that went off after a bit. I wish I’d reset my bike computer to zero at the start, as I had not much idea of how far I’d gone. About ten minutes in I passed a cyclist. Nicky had said that were two people not far ahead, but I think the second one must have been further ahead, as I was very happy with my bike section. My target time was 40 minutes, so I based how far I’d gone on that – half way at 20 minutes, even if I wasn’t! Shortly after that I had a removal van coming the other way overtake some parked cars, and leave me about the bike width plus 15cms to get through. Nice! There was a build up roadside, so I had nowhere to go, but fortunately got away with it. It was around here that I passed the only person I passed all day- but everyone was pretty spread out by that stage. I kept up 16mph plus for the vast majority of the ride, except the steep uphills (dropped to about 12) and downhills (pushing 30). I did have one hand on the brakes though as there were some twists, and having to go over to the other side of the road at high speed in greasy conditions wasn’t a good plan!
Anyway – before too long I hit the A24, and a sign suggested I had about two miles to go. I checked my watch, and was hoping to beat 35 minutes (wow!) but those two miles are a slow, steady climb, and I couldn’t keep up the pace. I did really push it on the half mile from the A24 back to Southwater, which in the end wasn’t clever as I started the run with oxygen debt, and there’s quickly a nasty climb! Anyway – before that I had to go through transition, which was very quick as there were no shoes to change – just rack the bike and take off my helmet. I snaffled a last drink of water and headed out. My legs were a bit heavy but not as bad as I remember from Concorde two years ago, and I got another load of pirate cheers as I came out of transition. You guys really made the day just soooo much more enjoyable, so huge thanks to everyone.
Shortly after this there’s a nasty climb on chalky paths, rough underfoot and none too pleasant. The oxygen debt kicked in, and I walked for ten yards in a couple of places. I realised at this point that I hadn’t swivelled my number round from the bike, so did that, and kept running. The legs were feeling better, and I settled into a decent rhythm. My goal for the run was 20 minutes, but I had no idea of how far I’d gone on the first lap. The route had another climb, and then went out onto the road. You don’t stay on that for long, and turn back into the park, down a steep hill, and past a second lake. I overtook someone a lap ahead at that point. One more short climb, and then I could see the buoys at the turn of the swim, so I knew there wasn’t far to go. The lake seemed a lot shorter running it, and I picked up my bit of orange rope to signify that I’d done a lap. I completed the lap dead on ten minutes, and since my legs were feeling strong I thought that twenty minutes was on as a target. Knowing the route also helped. The pirate cheer again perked me up, and I yelled out a request for a coffee at the finish!
The climbs were still nasty, and again I walked briefly, and still wondered whether to take a pee! I decided to wait until the finish, as it was only eight minutes away. Once out onto the road, the run went really well, and I was running strongly. Back into the park, and this continued, and I felt sure I was ahead of my previous lap. It was great running into the finishing straight. I realised I was going to be close to nine minutes, but just missed it, but I really didn’t care! I crossed the line with a loud pirate “ARRRRRRRRRGH!” to yet more massive cheers from the wonderful pirate support, and also the crowd in general, who really seemed to like the pirates, their daft kit, their daft names, and general sense of fun and enjoyment. A fabulous day, I want to do another one. Just got to get the open water sighting figured!
Thanks to
Congrats to
New Things Tried on Race Day
New Things Not Tried on Race Day
A few weeks ago I slightly reluctantly decided to try and get a team together for the Southwater tri-relay, with each of the team of three doing all three disciplines. After much to-ing and fro-ing (none from the final team) we had a three, and were all set to send in our entry, but I got an email from Hollywood saying that the event was full. Pleading with the organiser was to no avail, so yesterday I was sat, minding my own business, when Hollywood suddenly made contact to inform me that a spot was available for a team, and could I get a team (any team!) back together? I decided to give it a go, and spent about £25 on my mobile phone frantically texting and ringing. Most of the people I’d rung had the good sense to have their mobiles switched off, but after an hour or so, we had a three, or rather two definites, one probable, and Lindi offering to cover if she was needed, but “I’m going out and may have a hangover!”. Anyway – that was the hard part, I emailed the organiser the details and Tri-Curious was going to the ball!
So – Nicky (HappyChap) picked me up at 6:15 (many thanks) and we headed down the A24. We arrived, racked the bikes, met up with Fliss (Flipper) and Stumpy, and an assortment of other pirates. There were long discussions of what kit to wear, when to lay kit out as rain was threatening, and so on. The announcer started a panic by saying the race briefing was in one minute, but transition was closing in ten, so all of us who had delayed laying our kit out rushed to the transition area, only to be told it would open as soon as all the first leg bikers had gone through! Anyway – after a lot of trying to work out the logistics on my part, and everyone else calmly knowing what to do, we were ready for Flipper to head out on the first leg. I won’t go into any detail of the first two legs as Fliss and Nicky may write their own reports, but suffice to say they both looked good in the water and on the bits of the run that I saw. We were near the back of the pack but I really wasn’t too worried about winning – just wanted the experience.
Time went by, and Nicky came round at the end of her first lap, so I dashed off for a last minute wee (not easy in a tri-suit, and remember to take the number out of the way first!). I handed my coat and shoes to Shiraz (thanks) and headed to the point where Nicky would hand on to me. She soon rounded the bend, I thought “I need the loo”, but there was no time; I was off, goggles in hand. I ran down onto the jetty, sat on the edge, and stuck my goggles on to rapturous applause and cheers from the pirates. Then I encountered the first problem – I’d pulled my swim hat down so close to my eyes that there was no space for the edge of my swim goggles to “seal” onto, so I wasted about a minute trying to roll that bit up without taking the hat right off. I slipped off the jetty, had a momentary cold rush, and set off, feeling good. I was having trouble with my usual breathing, and the lack of visual feedback (this was a last minute thing so I hadn’t had a chance to try sighting) really screwed me up, even underwater. I stopped every few strokes, but seemed to be keeping a pretty straight line. This went reasonably okay up until the buoys at half way, but after that really went to pot and I think my path on the return leg probably approximated that of a drunken dolphin (no offence Flipper!).
Anyway – after zig-zagging across the width of the lake, and with much help from the kayakers, I was approaching the jetty. Hands reached out to help me out, and I realised why they were there, as I quickly felt giddy. I got out of the water okay, but was really disoriented as I walked up towards the transition area. Nicky walked up to transition with me, and looked after me. I sat down and changed very slowly – my time for T1 must be abysmal. I’d been tempted to try peeing in the water, but missed my chance. I decided I might try peeing on the bike. Nicky told me that there was an uphill just outside transition, so to get the bike in not too high a gear, which was useful. When hunting my bike shoes last night, I realised that a cleat was bust – no idea when this happened, but I decided not to risk it, as I knew I could cycle okay in trainers, and I wasn’t planning on wellying it in the wet conditions. Anyway – this proved a great strategy for running out of transition, but the cleats were wet from the rain, and my feet slipped at first. After a bit that resolved itself, and I climbed towards the main road and then down to the A24 roundabout, where we turned back on ourselves.
The miles passed easily, although there were a few climbs in there that made my work hard. My quads were hurting from the previous ride (31 miles - no taper as I didn't know I was doing this tri until the last minute), but oddly that went off after a bit. I wish I’d reset my bike computer to zero at the start, as I had not much idea of how far I’d gone. About ten minutes in I passed a cyclist. Nicky had said that were two people not far ahead, but I think the second one must have been further ahead, as I was very happy with my bike section. My target time was 40 minutes, so I based how far I’d gone on that – half way at 20 minutes, even if I wasn’t! Shortly after that I had a removal van coming the other way overtake some parked cars, and leave me about the bike width plus 15cms to get through. Nice! There was a build up roadside, so I had nowhere to go, but fortunately got away with it. It was around here that I passed the only person I passed all day- but everyone was pretty spread out by that stage. I kept up 16mph plus for the vast majority of the ride, except the steep uphills (dropped to about 12) and downhills (pushing 30). I did have one hand on the brakes though as there were some twists, and having to go over to the other side of the road at high speed in greasy conditions wasn’t a good plan!
Anyway – before too long I hit the A24, and a sign suggested I had about two miles to go. I checked my watch, and was hoping to beat 35 minutes (wow!) but those two miles are a slow, steady climb, and I couldn’t keep up the pace. I did really push it on the half mile from the A24 back to Southwater, which in the end wasn’t clever as I started the run with oxygen debt, and there’s quickly a nasty climb! Anyway – before that I had to go through transition, which was very quick as there were no shoes to change – just rack the bike and take off my helmet. I snaffled a last drink of water and headed out. My legs were a bit heavy but not as bad as I remember from Concorde two years ago, and I got another load of pirate cheers as I came out of transition. You guys really made the day just soooo much more enjoyable, so huge thanks to everyone.
Shortly after this there’s a nasty climb on chalky paths, rough underfoot and none too pleasant. The oxygen debt kicked in, and I walked for ten yards in a couple of places. I realised at this point that I hadn’t swivelled my number round from the bike, so did that, and kept running. The legs were feeling better, and I settled into a decent rhythm. My goal for the run was 20 minutes, but I had no idea of how far I’d gone on the first lap. The route had another climb, and then went out onto the road. You don’t stay on that for long, and turn back into the park, down a steep hill, and past a second lake. I overtook someone a lap ahead at that point. One more short climb, and then I could see the buoys at the turn of the swim, so I knew there wasn’t far to go. The lake seemed a lot shorter running it, and I picked up my bit of orange rope to signify that I’d done a lap. I completed the lap dead on ten minutes, and since my legs were feeling strong I thought that twenty minutes was on as a target. Knowing the route also helped. The pirate cheer again perked me up, and I yelled out a request for a coffee at the finish!
The climbs were still nasty, and again I walked briefly, and still wondered whether to take a pee! I decided to wait until the finish, as it was only eight minutes away. Once out onto the road, the run went really well, and I was running strongly. Back into the park, and this continued, and I felt sure I was ahead of my previous lap. It was great running into the finishing straight. I realised I was going to be close to nine minutes, but just missed it, but I really didn’t care! I crossed the line with a loud pirate “ARRRRRRRRRGH!” to yet more massive cheers from the wonderful pirate support, and also the crowd in general, who really seemed to like the pirates, their daft kit, their daft names, and general sense of fun and enjoyment. A fabulous day, I want to do another one. Just got to get the open water sighting figured!
Thanks to
- Fliss and Nicky for being a fabulous team, and for stepping in at the last minute, and providing hugs, cheers, lifts and loads of other good stuff
- Hollywood – for sorting it all out, and nagging the organisers for the place
- Anyone who got me coffee/cake etc – Shiraz, Stumpy etc
- Amphibians 2 for organising it – I’ll be back next year, hopefully with more pirates
- Pink for coming and cheering, and everyone else who made cheering on the pirates as much a part of the day as doing the event
Congrats to
- Everyone, but in particular the tri-virgins – Green Eyes and Stumpy (and probably some others who I didn’t realise)
New Things Tried on Race Day
- Competitive open water swimming
- Wearing my pirate tri suit
- Some new energy bars
- Cycling in my Kayanos
- Carrying a piece of orange string to indicate the lap – never even done coloured bands before
New Things Not Tried on Race Day
- Peeing in the swim, on the bike, or during the run.
posted by XFR Bear @ 9:24 pm
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