Athlete            Overall  Swim T1    Bike      T2     Run
Mark Blokland  5:40:44 32:24 2:24 3:07:49 2:15 1:55:49
Ian Merrington 6:21:42 39:49 5:18 3:24:11 3:40 2:08:41

Not so much as phew what a scorcher, but hmmm, how wet can you get?  A long(!) race report from a soggy cow man!

 

Start was odd - they let you in early to swim around, then tried to get everyone back to a sort of start line, but then let every one go before they got back, so quite a few were a long way out in front.  But not me I hasten to add, I was at the back - sensible chap that I am.  Well I thought I was - where did all these people come from???  Not used to quite such a mash up I quite enjoyed it really, after the first turn I just relaxed and took it steady.  The water was very murky - but a two loop swim around the lake which i quite enjoyed - (oh and Sarah, I had perfect form i am sure!!!).  The sun shone for about 10 mins just when I was swimming into it, which made sighting really difficult.  Lucky for me that was the last I saw of the sun....

 

Out of the swim in 39:49 which has to be a PB for me, really pleased.

T1 - Hmmm, a relaxed T1 for me.  Very relaxed.  5:18.  Yep, 5mins 18!!!!

 

Bike - Two big loops and one small loop, 58ish miles.  I think this could be really fast, and quite a scenic ride - but the weather was grim.  The wind felt like it was blowing into you on the up-hill and behind on the down (which was mighty fast!!).  It was also wet, lots of showers, and one really heavy outbust.  All in all I didn't enjoy this too much; even though I had my waterproof top on (aka my parachute!!! - only a yellow one this time)  I stopped twice - I just can't bring my self to 'go' while on the bike - and lets face it - it's not going to make much difference to my time!

I fed every 20 mins, alternating a gel and 1/4 of an energy bar - not sure if this was quite enough and will need to think for my next middle distance.  I was very pleased to get to the end.  The amount of gel wrappers around the course was not nice - made sure I took mine back with me!

I would also add that there looked to be lots of drafting going on, so interesting to see if there are any time penaties in the results at all.

 

Bike - 3hr 24

 

T2 - Oh so pleased to be off the bike - and hold on - it;'s stopped raining!  3 min 40.  Yeah, more faffing around! 

 

Run - this is 4 loops, you get to go past the finish turn each time - makes you feel very envious of people running in, while you pick up a band each loop.  You also get to go past the transition area and past the burger van with all the folk eating chips.  If I had my running legs I'd have pinched some for the run - but I don't think I'd have outrun anyone yesterday!

 

Actually the first two loops were great - I felt really strong and ran them in around 25 mins each.  At loop 3 my legs left me - heart rate was fine, but just no go in the legs.  I was really pi$$ed off at this as the same happened in the New Forest last year.  It wasn't quite so bad as the NF as I was still able to run/walk - but was utterly fed up with myself - why couldn't I run?  I had two gels on the run, water no problem, heart rate was fine - just no go - any clues very much appreciated as to what I need to be doing in training or racing please!  So a naff run of 2hr 08.

total of 6hr 21.  This is still about 20 ins faster than the NF - and grotty weather, so not bad - but could have done better!

 

Race highs

Race lows

Ian.