Starting in the last wave of 4 15 minutes behind everyone and not amongst many of my agegroup.
I however managed a 29.58 swim and posted the 36th fastest of the day overall which included a short run up the beach knocking over everyone in my way. This is no time to be taking pictures for posterity.
After meandering past everyone and hurdleing them in the change tent I put on my helmet and shades and ran the full length of the football pitch to get to my bike. I was one of the first out of the water in my wave and therfore found most of the bikes still there. Out onto the mnount line once again pushing aside the stragglers from the previous heats. If your slow get out of my way on race day!
The bike was fantastic and despite the climbs as can be seen in the profile I managed a 2.26 a somewhat slower bike mainly due to the peletons forming in my way most the time. A few quality crashes worthy of TDF and all without any sympathy from me.
Now the run. Starting well untill I managed to hit 5k and then the foot cramp came. I see a foot specialist every few weeks and realised I have missed an appointment being here so my fault. Running in an oven with no wind and agony contributed to a slow 21.1k time but I am pleased to have finished especially after the last 2k of support from the town. the road just closed in on me and before I knew it I was at the top.
So 288th overal. 79th in ag (the winner was 16th overal) and a top 36 swim...and only 5 girls beat me.
well done mate, sounds like a good race, how do you think it will do as a full LD race in October, what was the accom and food like? i am looking at racing the Long distance
ReplyDeleteThe course is able to support a fast IM bike but the swims can vary with the swell of the water to as much as adding 10 mins per lap or in worst case requiring a resue from tiredness or poor practice.
ReplyDeleteThe run was on a sand track constructed that week with the local road workers and you could feel the heat from the ground. No shade and little wind.
As long as the starts are smaller and more ability orientated then there will be no problem of drafting *over 200 DQ's at the half for that.
I booked my accom through the site and have a great 3* hotel. I also have free access to the CMR which is great facilities including entry to the spa, 50m pool and others I just never took advanyage of really. If I were to do it again I would book with them and only go B&B as the evening buffett was not my cup of tea.
You can easily go under 11 here as long as you complete the swim. Lots for the familt do to on the day in the right place and plenty of support especially on the last hill to the finish.
cheers mate, sounds like its worth havin a crack at!
ReplyDeleteWell done mate good performance:) got to be pleased with the swim!!! Thats Ace!
ReplyDeleteTake it easy on that foot and get it sorted!
:)