This was what the year had been building to. Back in August, a bit of semi-banter had led to John and I entering the Outlaw Half Ironman race. Neither of us had done I triathlon before and I didn’t even own a road bike but this was going to be the start of an epic journey. I’d like to say that the sun rose gloriously over the lake at Hurst Pier Point, glinting off of the unbroken glassy surface as we confidently strode down to transition to rack our bikes. But it didn’t. It unceremoniously chucked it down as we joined the death march from the car park lugging our transition bags packed with all the gear we needed for the following 6 or so hours. Ok so I had everything, it was looking good. Bikes racked and wetsuits on, zipped up and ready to go…except the call of nature has cruel timing, and not the type you can get away with in your wetsuit. So with five minutes to the hooter it was in to the portal and then in to the water. I started at the back of my wave, sensibly, as John and I had agreed. John’s wave was ten minutes later and this was the final time we would cross paths until about five miles in to the run. John later said he started in the middle of the wave and took a beating as a result (which he loved by the way!). I learned that day that I cannot swim in a straight line as I weaved across the lake from one side to the other. As I went around the turning buoys was the only time I encountered any kind of physicality, and that was mainly due to my own inability to hold a line. Exiting the swim, I reached up to try and find the cord to unfasten the zip. I scrabbled around but it just wasn’t there…oh, it was already down! I wandered whether someone had yanked it down but more likely it was a helpful swim marshall, thanks guys! The 53 mile journey seemed to fly by and before I knew it, the last few miles were upon me, those last few cycle miles were no fun at all. The surface became rough, there were a few speed bumps and a cattle grid to contend with along with some great big puddles too. Just as I was coming in to transition a guy in front of me stacked it on to the tarmac, he was only going slow but the combination of a sleeping policeman and the slippery conditions took him to the ground. Fortunately being so close to transition there were plenty of helpers around to get him to his feet and back to the transition area. Back to my bike racking spot, I found another bike in my space! Resisting the urge to relocate it on to the floor I shoved my bike in any available gap and began the change in to running gear. My trainers were again protected bag a high tech polymer ASDA shopping bag so they were dry but the socks I had on were at saturation point. The plan was to change out of them and put fresh socks on but (a) the towel was actually wetter than my feet due to the large puddle it was sitting in; and (b) I couldn’t locate the socks due to someone else’s bike being on top of my transition bag… My right foot felt as though I was running on sandpaper at this point, or perhaps there was a large stone in there? I had to put these thoughts to the back of my mind as if I’d stopped to check I think I’d have not been able to continue. As the finish loomed in to view, I waved my arm at the funnel marshall to show him that I had the full complement of wrist bands given out after each lap. These would allow me page down the red carpet and across the line. Kathryn, the kids and Vicky had relocated to the stand along side the final straight and gave us a cheer to end the race. Relief! I had completed the challenge in 5 hours and 35 minute, well under my target and I was well chuffed with it. John was not too far behind (he just loves it) and then we were reunited with our loved ones. Those who had been patiently waiting in rubbishy weather for the entire day, thank you! | The bag had been packed and unpacked and packed again but I still was not convinced I had everything: Trisuit Wetsuit Goggles Bike Shoes Bike Helmet Gloves Socks x 2 pairs Running Shoes Race belt and number Timing chip Swim hat x 2 Gels Water Energy drink Snacks Gillet Arm warmers Body Glide Sunglasses In to transition it was easy to find my spot near the end of the row. Wetsuit off fairly quickly, a bit of a dry off of the feet, helmet on, jacket on, number belt, sunglasses, socks, bike shoes and then wheel the bike to the mount line before carefully climbing on and pedalling off in to the countryside. I'd like to say that this was a pleasant pootle around but it chucked it down with rain the entire time. The arm warmers I had purchased at the last minute were a stroke of genius as it wasn’t the warmest, highly recommended. It wasn’t pleasant but that’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy the ride. Even though I was overtaken by everyone who owned a TT bike…ever, I still managed to catch up quite a few of the faster swimmer than me and had a few back and forth with various riders along the way, nothing like a bit of healthy competition. I needed to stop twice along the route, once due to the fact that one of my clip on aerobars kept making a break for it; a nice chap at the first aid station, at the top of the only real hill at about 20 miles, sorted it for me. The second was for the call of nature at the second one, doing a little dance waiting for the portaloo as my rivals shot past. At least I was hydrated, it probably would have been difficult not to be hydrated in that weather to be fair. So wet socks off, wet, bare feet in to dry trainers and off I went. Number belt twisted round to the front and off for a couple of laps around the lake. The brick training had paid off. That jelly leg sensation you get from the transition from bike to run was still there but I knew what to expect and my legs just did there thing and carried me. About two mins in I was relieved to see the crew on the side cheering, Kathryn can’t half shout loud you know! High fives from the kids and off I went. The course is a bit of an out and back along the trent and then a lap of the lake, followed by the same again with a slightly shorter lap of the lake. I saw JW a couple of times o the run. The first time we exchanged high fives and a cheer…the second time after seeing the family again, a grunt from John was all that he could muster but now, the end of the race was in sight. The best thing about the race was the fact that instead of a goody bag, you get your medal and t-shirt and are then ushered in to a food tent! Amazing! Your choice of a hot meal and a cake plus a pint of Erdinger Alcohol Free beer flavoured recovery drink to wash it all down with! On the whole this was a brilliant event, really well organised by One Step Beyond and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Well, anyone who wanted to do a half ironman triathlon anyway! |