Hi all,

 

Abi, Lawrence and I took part in Weymouth Middle Distance race yesterday, here is my review of the race.

 

Conditions were very good, nice change to see some summer weather. There was an off shore breeze and the sunshine made it hot work, particularly on the run.

 

I had a comfortable swim, I think the course was long, I was 38 mins out of the water and had been 34 mins at Hayle in rougher conditions. The Hayle course had been measured by GPS before we set out. So I think Weymouth was a little long.

However, I used a race strategy of resting on the swimmer in front's feet then when I saw a gap to the side, pushed on to swim through them to move up the pack, felt good and got out of the water fairly fresh.

 

Bike - I hate the Weymouth course - the first 90 mins are an out and back on dual carriageway - I believe we live in a beautiful country and would like to enjoy some of it whilst racing, mile after mile of dual carriageway does nothing for me. Plus it unnerves me cars passing you at 70 mph.

I felt strong on the bike, however, my Ironman training has taken some of my speed away, I climbed the stiff climb out of Weymouth on my big ring and was pretty comfortable.

I was passed by a lot of cyclists and by the time I finished I was ready to declare myself in last place, however, in reflection happy with an average of 21mph. I will work on my speed after my Ironman race in 5 weeks.

Got off the bike feeling very good and really up for the 1/2 marathon.

 

Run - I broke my own rule and didn't change my socks before the run, big mistake and I blistered between several of my toes and although I ran through the pain at the time, today I my suffering and it will effect my ability to train this week - lesson learnt there!

Had a strong run, Weymouth is a tough course, not really any steep hills, but you are always either slightly climbing or going down hill, there doesn't appear to be any flat!

Averaged 6:52 minute mileing so please with that and the fastest run time of the day for my age category at 1:25 hrs.

 

Overall time was 4 hr 41 min, 5 mins quicker than last time I raced the course two years ago. Sixth in my age group.

Bring on the Ironman, five weeks to go.

 

Jon