Ringwood Triathlon Race Report

So, first tri outing for me of 2011, and I was going into this race feeling fit and strong but unsure of how I'd perform as I have done little in the way of specific training this year. The last 4 weeks I have done a few shorter run sessions and a couple of short swim sets, but the biking has been limited to turbo and roller efforts as I haven't had the time to get any outdoor miles in.

Mr B senior was along to support so I had to go and give it some welly!

Venue for the swim was Ringwood leisure. Registration a simple affair at 6am and then off on turbo for half hour to get the legs moving. And the rain came! It had been raining heavy in the night so a lot of surface water as well, I wasn't looking forward to a lot of rubbish washing down onto New Forest country lanes. But everyone has to do it so I just focussed on what I would be doing. Umbrellas are very useful things, and I was sat up holding on to one whilst spinning my legs on bike!

Racked at 7:30am and then got myself over to poolside for a 600m swim. I was in 1 of 5 lanes with the fastest wave. My predicted time of 9 minutes was a little hopeful but it was an attempt to get myself into the faster wave so I would have something to chase on the bike. Off we set, and I was almost immediately passed by Michael Phelps, who I later found out swam a 7' 50". I swam solid and exited with no idea what time was. But looking across at the other lanes, I noticed I was still up with most of the competition so I was very happy with that. Running out into the car park the rain was pounding down, so a shrug of the shoulders and helmet and shoes on, bike in hand I legged it off pretty sharpish and got into my riding quickly. Couple of tight turns in a residential area of Ringwood and out onto the main course proper. 1 mile gone and I hit the front, passing 3 of the front runners and set my targets on chasing down Mr Phelps!

I passed the eventual race winner after about 7 miles and then a couple of miles up the road Phelps was overtaken. So I had some clear road and I got the bit between my teeth and pushed on. I was feeling great and all the time trialling this season has really made me strong. Through Burley and had to negotiate a Subaru car rallye meeting! Then stuck behind a New Forest Land Rover who was waiting behind one of the slower riders from an earlier wave. But got round ok. Negotiating cattle grids in the wet slowed me up a little, but I was pushing on well, now that the rain had cleared and the sun was threatening to come out. With 22 miles to go I looked at bike computer and I was on for a 1hour 10 ride which was about what I wanted to ride. If I could hit that then I was certain of hanging on in the run and maybe sneaking a win. And then.......PUNCTURE!

Well, air turend a lovely shade of blue, purple and any other dirty colour! I didn't bother with a spare tub as it was only a 28 miles bike and if I did puncture then race over. So I slowed right down to a halt, hopped off and walked along with bike thinking I had at least got in a good training ride and swim. The I thought well, it's about 5 miles to the finish so I'll jog in with my bike and then at least finish the run if I felt ok! Well half a mile later and I stopped running and walked. By this time all the front riders had passed me and I was just enjoying the New Forest and the sunshine! Then I happened across an athlete who had had a nasty crash on a tight wet bend. I made sure he was alright and I was prepared to sit there and wait with him for the van that was coming to pick him up. As we were talking he asked me if I wanted to borrow his rear wheel as his race was over. After a brief discussion I thought well, at least I can finish even though I was out of the running. So a swap over and I got going again, and by god were my legs tight! What should have been a lightning quick last 5 miles, mostly downhill, was a bit slow and I eventually ended up in transition with my dad looking puzzled as to why I was so far back. Into my running and I felt surprisingly good. In fact I have never run better in a triathlon. I was picking off runners and eventually caught up again with Michael Phelps who had passed me again earlier on the bike when I had punctured. I pushed on and made the most of the very fast and flat course, clocking 37' 14" for 10k. Now it was actually a bit short, so more like 9.5 I think. But that said I was delighted to finish so strong after what had happened.

So I met up with my dad, had a bit of a chat with a few other people. Found the athlete who lent me his wheel and made sure he was alright. Swapped wheels again and then got myself home.

Overall, very very pleased with how I went. And I really enjoyed getting back to racing. I am so glad I had a break from it all year. Last year was tough and I struggled with feeling ill and not getting enough rest and recovery, and a bit of a stressful time all-round, with getting ill at Roth and a very disappointing result at Outlaw Triathlon. It was good to get out and out a performance in despite the puncture. I'm very philosophical about it all and these things happen. Next time on a wet New Forest surface I shall go for some different tyres!

So results were out and I was pleasantly surprised. I was 9th overall, had a 9' 38" swim, run with transition was down as 38' 30", which was 4th quickest run only a minute down on the first place run. I was 10 minutes down on first place overall and had I biked a 1 hr 10 it would have bagged me the win by a couple of minutes. But that's the beauty of racing, you never know what's gonna happen! Big thank you to Michelle Noble and the Results triathlon team for putting on this great event. Race results

This bodes very well for next season. I'm off to find some duathlons to race over the next couple of months and I'll be planning a race schedule for next year. I'm back!!!

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So, I have not managed to last the year before signing up for a race! Ringwood triathlon on the 18th September, my first of 2011. Feels a bit strange, having not trained all year for anything specific other than time trialing. Running shoes have been on a couple of times over the last few weeks and I have swum a little. Out on the bike a bit more over the last few days, and I have to say I am feeling in pretty good shape, I think a rest has done me the world of good.
So I'm going into this one with no idea how I will do, no expectations and no pressure, just going to go out there and have some fun and remind myself why I love the sport! Although, I think it might hurt a bit!

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Nothing to report

Having a break from the blogging at the moment. Nothing of any note to report, steady progress on the time trialling front, with a 10 mile PB on a windy night, bit of running and training. May do a triathlon in a few weeks' time, just to keep my hand in. Bu that's about it, sometimes you just have to switch off!
Back soon.

Poole Wheelers Club 25

Wet, windy, only 9 turned out! Me and James Gilfillan rode out to sign on and watching the group huddled round the sign on car, we feared the worst, a cancellation!
However, not to be and the ride went ahead. James was off number 8 and followed by me at number 9. For those not experienced in time trialing then we go off at minute intervals. So I had my incentive to try and keep up with Mr Gilfillan. And for the first half of the race I was not losing that much ground, 3 loops of the dual carriageway and I was able to keep an eye on progress. Mile 15 to 20 I found tough, as the hard headwind on the fastest section of the course, slowed me right down to a snail like 22 mph in places, whereas normal speeds would be up around 34mph.
I tired over the last 2 miles, but finished in a respectable 57' 26". Second behind James who rode a very solid 54' 20ish". I was riding well and felt stronger in the legs today, heart was tired from hill runing at Forest Fit yesterday.
After the race, me and James rode out for an hour, a quick loop of Wednesday's club 14 mile TT. Hopefully I am back to some kind of form, and nice to feel some strength returning to my legs.
James is off to Alpe d'Huez triathlon in less than 2 weeks, and I quite fancy his chances of coming away with a podium finish, such is the strength of his riding. http://www.alpetriathlon.com/2011/AN/index.html

Not that quick

Disappointed. 10 mile TT last night and I was feeling ok. I went as hard as I could but it just felt a bit slow. Couldn't push my legs any harder and that was that. 21' 31" on the night, 4th behind James Gilfillan, Terry Icke and Gary Dighton. But I was 30 seconds back on Gary( 20' 58") and a 40 seconds back on Terry. This left me a bit confused as to how I rode, as there have been a couple of seconds between the three of us over the last few rides. Whether I was tired from more training and having done circuits and run at lunchtime, maybe my legs were a bit fatigued. Dunno, just disappointed. I was held up at a roundablut and lost momentum but that's only a 10 second loss, so no excuses. I went as hard as I could, just not good enough on the night. Back to the drawing board!

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The pursruit for more bike speed continues and I have been back on it a few times over the last 10 days, a few turbos and an Open 25 event at the weekend. BJW 25
Had a decent ride, but took me 14 miles for my body to loosedn up, I was stiff in the shoulders, neck and back and legs, and felt pretty rubbish all over. In the end I finished pretty strong and was 7th on the day, picked up the team prize with gary D and Terry again, so not a bad morning's work.
Forest Fit is going very well, more great Saturday and Monday evening sessions.
I am wanting to race again, and keep seeing all these performances at Ironman races and really want to get stuck in. Challenge Roth was at the weekend, and I was a bit envious of people racing as I went there last year and got ill the day before the race. I did enter for this year, but withdrew back in January after I sprained my ankle and decided that there was not enough hours in the day for me to commit to such a race. i don't want to go there and not give 100%.
I was looking at my performance at the Outlaw triathlon last year, and considering I was still poorly and not recovered for me to do 10hrs 33mins, is not bad. At the time I was bitterly disappointed with the whole Ironman thing and not having got to do one when I'm at my peak makes me determined to get one done! Maybe IM UK next year and see what I can do. Although I think for next season I might have a good go at 70.3 races and see if I can crack 4hrs 50 at Wimbleball.
When September ends( and this is a favourite song of mine by Green Day) I will get into some serious run training and get my legs moving, shifting from a bike focussed summer. Bike legs are definitely much stronger and this will set me up for a good season next year. I better start saving up for race fees!

2 seconds for second

I went to Wednesday's 10 with the bit between my teeth and just wanted to ride hard and see what I had in the tank. I rode a good 50 minutes to warm up and was fully prepared to go hard. Got into my riding early on and was feeling pretty strong. In fact, I was up on Terry Icke just before halfway( he went off 2 minutes before me) and I was confident of really doing a good time. Then the driving gods got the better of me. Slower rider ahead and 3 cars pulled infront of me and behind said rider and would not pass him. With nowhere to go I was forced to slow down and wait for them to go passed which didn't happen, so being aware of losing time I sneaked inside of the first one and then managed to get passed the front 2, but it was slow and I then had to work very hard to get back up to speed. 300m later and the same 3 cars passed me again and then came up on another slower rider and did exactly the same thing! This time I could not pass and waited for what seemd an age for them to finally overtake and I could get through. So valuable time lost, and energy wasted getting up out of the saddle to sprint back up to speed.
I came back pretty strong and put in a long sprint to the line, but I knew I was well down on time.
Very pleased with how I rode, and without any hold ups I would have been substantially quicker, but thems the breaks and could have happened to anyone, so onto the next one. 23' 04" on what was not a particularly quick night. 25 next Wednesday evening as a preparation for the Open 25 on 10th July. Time to start putting in some proper training.

Frame for sale

My old Scott Plasma framset is up for sale. More info will follow and a pic as well. Anyone interested then get me through this website.