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Ironman 70.3,  Antwerp

 

It all seemed a good idea one evening last November when I entered Antwerp Ironman 70.3.

 

A few days later I began to panic. A friend had recommended a triathlon coach; Brian Welsh of the tantalisingly named “Just Sweat, No Tears”. I visited his website. Pictures of lean people on podiums with union jack cycling tops nearly scared me off (why would he be interested in someone like me?) but I decided an email was easy and anonymous and sent one.

 

A month later I was on his books. To be fair I think I was less fit than he first realised – but he was ceaselessly encouraging and soon got me doing things I’d never done before. Key to this was joining Clifton Cycle Club.

 

My first few rides with Clifton were really hard. Anxiety was my main emotion as we met in the square and set off on 60 mile rides every Saturday. The first few times I got home and had to “take to my bed” for a few hours I was so exhausted. I was always last, trying to keep up to draft but being dropped on the slightest incline (Railway Bridge!). I was nurtured by Kevin, who leads the slow group, listening to all his advice, eating all his Mars bars and slowly I began to improve.

 

What else did I do? I used the Turbo Trainer. I did weights at the gym. Later in the year I did Time Trails and crazy things such as cycling 30 miles to a 10 mile road run and then cycling home again. Common sense dictated that I must be getting fitter – but a “half Ironman”? It still seemed a long way beyond me.

 

As August 2^nd approached I became very anxious. The run dominated my fears. How was I going to run a half marathon after all the rest of it? Visions of me sitting down and crying (yes I have done that in run races before!) or needing the loo 10 times kept appearing in the night. I focused on the fact I knew I could compete the swim and bike, albeit slowly, and accepted that the run would be painful but couldn’t last for ever.

 

Antwerp was hot the day before. This was a concern but not one I could think about as I found the yacht club to register. I was handed my rucksack and Tshirt and was rather surprised to be asked “white or red wine?” Yes – we were on The Continent and a bottle of wine was mine for the taking!

 

I did what I could to familiarise myself with the course but races were going on all day so there was a limit to what could be done. I met up with a number of NYPTri Club members and we encouraged and shared fears as one tends to the day before a big race.

 

My early night was disturbed by …. Torrential rain. Yes. In was raining. Stupidly I had not planned for this as it was not forecast when I left home. Training in Yorkshire should mean rain gives you an advantage over all the Mediterranean types – I told myself. By the time I arrived at registration I was soaked – and that included my cycle shoes. Yuk! Running in wet socks would be fun! Further disaster was round the corner. I changed my goggle lenses for the grey skies – and broke my goggles! I was devastated! What could I do? I bravely approached the queue of triathletes entering transition and said “Excuse me. I have just broken my ….” And burst into tears. Pathetic. An Ironman marshal took me under his lovely Belgian wing and found someone with 2 pairs. I was sorted.

 

We put on our wetsuits, had a few biscuits, checked that things were as dry as possible (not very) and before we knew it were in our pens waiting for the start. I was lucky to have lots of NYPTri members in my pen (swim waves were determined by age) so we joked, chatted and encouraged. The water was really warm (21 degrees C) and within a minute of entering the water – we were off.

 

I usually enjoy the swim. I am not a good swimmer – but not a terrible one. Previous swim waves have been determined by sex or predicted swim times. This means I am usually surrounded by girls or weak swimmers. This time I was surrounded by 40 year old monster Ironmen. It was a bit of washing machine! I was soon into my stroke as the animals raced ahead. Unfortunately half way round it all happened again as the strong swimmers in the next swim wave swam over the top of me! I was punched in the eye – not on purpose I’m sure – but despite being shocked and sore for a few seconds I checked my goggles were still there and finished the swim.

 

It was long run through transition to the bikes but suddenly I felt good. It was, of course, still raining and I struggled to pull on some cycle shorts and socks. I ate a packet of mini chedders (very quickly Brian! I lost no time!) and was off.

 

I had opted not to put on a long sleeved cycling top as no one else seemed to be but was a bit worried about getting cold. I knew I could be on the bike for 4 hours and it was quite windy. Would I end up in a broom wagon with hypothermia? Within a minute Debs Hassles passed me. She always passes me on the bike – as I am very slightly better than her at swimming. Usually we are an hour into the bike before she passes me, not 2 minutes. Never mind – Go Debs! Go!

 

We had to cycle under the river by a long tunnel and then it was off to the docks and north towards Holland. On the map I thought it might be a nice cycle along water – but of course in docks you don’t see any water – just warehouses and containers. It was still raining hard – and to be honest it was a but grim. As I turned into a headwind I wondered if this was going to be the breaking of me, but kept spinning as cyclists over took me.

 

To be fair I quite enjoyed the bike. The out and back twice course meant you kept seeing people you knew – who were all incredibly encouraging. The rains was grim – but let’s face it I’m used to it – and after about an hour it stopped and the sun even started to break through. I “ate instinctively” (advice from Steve Woods) and drank a bottle an hour. As I approached T2 (the 2^nd transition area which is the other side of the river from the first) I realised I had stacks of time and was unlikely to be kicked out for being to slow. I began to grin.

 

In T2 I changed my shoes stuck on a cap and started to run. I felt OK. I had already decided that thinking “I’ve got 13 miles to go” would be fatal. The run course is 3 circuits so I mentally divided it into 3. I decided to run the first circuit without stopping and then see how I felt. I did this, being passed by encouraging NYPTri members every now and then. After one circuit I sat done to smooth out my wet socks (which were wrinkled and giving me blisters) whist necking some water. Every 30 minutes I took a gel. My strategy was “run until it’s time for a gel or to the next feed station”. Lesley Whitehouse overtook me as she was nearing the finish looking great! Gazelle like! I ran on and before I knew it I was on the last lap. I knew I was going to do it and far from being concerned about making it within the 8h30 cut off I started realising I might make it in less than 7 hours. I felt great. And I felt awful! I was over the moon – but my legs were so heavy. I resorted to mind games. Distract yourself! Remember all the words to Bohemian Rhapsody and American Pie (that took up 15 minutes). Pop into a restaurant for the loo (more physical that one!). Only a kilometre to go. More sugary drink and I’m running into the square! Over the line!

 

I am a God!

 

7h 05. Hardly great on the wider scheme of things but I had done it and far quicker than I had ever dared hope. I was crying and “high fiving” another woman who had just finished. Hoorah!

 

It was a long walk back to T2 to get my bike. On the way I thought I was going to faint so sat down and necked a bottle of water. I later found out there was a transfer bus! My legs would have preferred that!

 

It was a great weekend. I thoroughly recommend it. It has to be the flattest Ironman 70.3 around so is less intimidating than ludicrous races like Wimbleball. Antwerp is a great city. Café culture flourishes in the many beautiful squares and the Belgians were so friendly. I was pretty much on my own at the end of the race but the support around the course never faltered.

 

What next? Well I can barely climb stairs at the moment so I’ll give it a week – but I’m going to do another! I know I can do better in each bit – so that it what I must do! Words like “Vetruvian” and “Steelman” have passed my lips in the last 48 hours. Who knows?

 

Amanda Vipond

 

 

 

 

The Rother Valley Triathlon Festival     6th - 7th June 2009

 

My 7 year old son, Joseph, had been keen to do this Scootathon, his first multi event race, since last year but it clashed with half term and our holiday overseas. As it happens, this years event was a bit of a disaster. Most of the boys ended up doing about 1.5 - 2 miles instead of 400m, as a Marshal seemed to have lost the plot. Myself and a few other parents had to go out and run after them when they had not turned up at transition. I had to vent my Italian temper at the Organiser and his crap organisation and then decided to apologise for shouting at him but at least he did admit that it was his fault and sort of apologised, indicated that I should have behaved in a more professional way, being an athlete myself. It had rained all night as we camped by the lakeside, it had also rained on Saturday morning and now it had all gone wrong on the Scootathon with no reults being published as far as I can see - what else could happen now?  I really felt like leaving and travelling back that afternoon, forgetting about the whole weekend. The only reason I had entered the Sprint event on the Sunday was because Joseph had wanted to do the Scootathon -  at least he did come away with a medal and a really colourful T-shirt and he seemd quite please thinking he had finished second.

 

Registration was at 6:00am Sunday and I ended up being there queuing. The 3 waves for the Standard event went off first. I was in the Over 40 wave for the Sprint event setting off at about 8:30am – the second of another three waves. I took the lead early on and expected someone to go past me as one person had done at Hatfield Sprint last year but it actually never happened!! I exited the water first in my wave for the first time and Sue said I was quite a long distance ahead of the second placed person. The cycle was 2 laps of a fairly hilly course which I am glad I had scouted the previous day. Running on anger from the previous day, I put my head down and sliced through the field at a good pace. I was also determined to get off the course as soon as possible as, since the Standard distance event competitors were doing 4 laps on the same course, I was sure it was going to get congested on some of the narrow hilly roads.

 

I got off the bike and was amazed at how much energy I had – I think from now on I will be moving down to shorter distances and stick to Sprints. Why people move up to Ironman Triathlons I will never know. I literally flew round the lake in a time of 17:55 for a 5k (I don’t know how accurate it was). It was the 3rd fastest time of the day and only a 16-24 year old, who finished 7th overall in the race, did 16:42 and a 30-35 year old who finished in 34th (17:53). My final time was 1:14:00 and I was only 32 seconds behind the winner Jason Broadley from Wakefield Tri. I was first in the 45-47 age category and second overall – I had actually overtaken everyone except one person from the first wave of the Sprint event. I was really pleased and was relieved that the weekend had not been a total waste of time and money.

 

Will you see me there again next year? I really don’t know. If I do I will camp at Clumber Park and make sure I volunteer my services at the Scootathon. They had about 70 prizes over the Sprint & Standard events with Plaques for first 3 finishers in all the Age Groups. I received a smart plaque, a £25 voucher for Total Fitness and a multipack of Wrigleys Airwaves which taste disgusting. The weekend ended alot better than it had started.

 

WALTER BUSUTTIL

 

 

 

Caledonian Etape; Tack Attack in Perthshire!

 

A group of us did the Caledonian Etape yesterday. Britain's only cycling event on closed roads it is 81 miles long with just less than 2000m of climbing. Starting in Pitlochry it weaves through beautiful countryside around Loch Tummel and Rannoch. It then climbs Schiehallion and returns to Pitlochry. The exhilaration of cycling on closed roads without the fear of petrol heads round each corner, the unexpected dry weather and jovial atmosphere were all fantastic. Suddenly the road was full of stationary cyclists as far as I could see. Chinese whispers said that someone had covered the road with tacks to protest about the shut roads. The race was stopped for 90 minutes in which time 3000 cyclists were stuck in a tiny village. Everyone remained cheery - despite the fact we were all edgy on caffeine gels as the "big climb" was just round the corner. Eventually we were told that the road had been swept and the police declared it safe.

 

It took some time to get 3000 cyclists back in the saddle! Eventually I started the climb - to find the edges of the road strewn with people mending punctures. I cycled hopefully - but the inevitable puncture hit me just short of the top. I mended it skillfully and proceeded to the end - many hours later than I had hoped.

 

This proved a horribly effective way of disrupting an event! In my group of 8 we had 10 punctures! My husband got 3. Someone was met who had 7! The short stubby carpet tacks just sat in the tyres! Cyclists were sharing pumps and tyre leavers, grateful for patches that had been put in the saddle bag years earlier, never expecting to be needed because "I'll just use my spare inner tube". The support vehicles ran out of innertubes and cleared the stock rooms of Pitlochry.

 

The organisers were faced with a real nightmare. They handled it as well as they could. 3000 cyclists 30 miles from town is not an everyday problem. I fully recommend the event - for the beauty, the joy of closed roads and the friendliness of all the locals I met and that cheered us on.

 

 

__THE CLEVELAND RELAYS 2009__

 

 

I will leave it to somebody else to write a report on this one but it was a thoroughly enjoyable day out in the Cleveland Sun and a great way to meet up with fellow club members. Well done to all those who came along and raced so well. If anybody wishes to write a piece about the day please feel free to do so below. Posted by Mark Rees

 

From Lesley Whitehouse posted 01.10.08 by Tim

 

Spottie (the dog) and I did a 10K trail race on Sunday at Harewood House organised by Harrogate Trail races (It was 2 bobbies raising money for a school in Harrogate). The course was fantastic, with some great views and a great shot of Harewood House in the sunshine. The race was well organised, well marshalled and goody bags were stocked with refreshments for afterwards. There was a kids 2K fancy dress race beforehand and tracks and trails were brilliant, would recommend this one for anyone wanting to do it next year.

 

 

Ripon Muddy Boots 10k

February 8^th 2009

 

My first running event! Oh well, I thought, the 10k should provide me with a good indication of how well the winter training has worked.

 

To my horror I spotted a marshall with ‘Last runner’ emblazened on his hi-viz gilet! Not only will I have to suffer the ignominy of puffing along behind everyone else, there will even be a bloke to make it all the more obvious.

 

Despite the freezing conditions, 304 runners actually made it to the start line at St Wilfrid’s school in Ripon, a building I had not visited since being a student 18 years ago! Keeping to the roads as the paths were ice-clad, I jogged along somewhere near the back of the pack, happy to be generating some heat.

 

As we passed the 2km sign, I was surprisingly happy at the progress I was making, passing many colourfully-vested club runners, even conducting a short breathed conversation with the only other competitor I knew. The run was now leaving Ripon’s tarmacked streets and heading past the barracks into the frozen fields.

 

The run became harder, with conditions underfoot throwing up various challenges, such as slippery snow covered paths, grimy mud and puddles that were frozen just perfectly so that when you inadvertently trod in them, the freezing water gushed into your shoes. Around 5 or 6km were out in the fields, which I have to admit, looked beautiful.

 

Back onto the tarmac, and runners were picking up the pace looking at hitting their target time. I had set myself the goal of an hour, which was looking almost perfectly timed until I passed the 10k marker! Probably another ½ km to go. The welcome snow covered finish line witnessed my 59’ 08’’ and 187^th place.

 

I can’t believe how much easier 10k is, even given the difficult conditions, when you have not swum and cycled first!! The winning runner finished in 38’32” with the first female close behind in 38’ 47”. My target next year? 51 minutes – the top 100!!!

 

Paul O’Rourke 

  __IRONMAN UK 2008 - IRONMAN TRUELY ARRIVES IN THE UK AT LAST!!!!__     SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS ON CHANNEL 4, Sat 18th Oct 2008 ( time to be fixed )

 

 

Another year, another IMUK..... well not quite! Yes there was the rain in the days leading up to the race, yes the car parks were water logged and it did resemble images of Glastonbury at times as I looked across the camping field BUT there was more to IMUK this year, more Razmataz, more competitors, more spectators and more atmosphere. They are working hard at it and they are getting there. It was not a chore this year, not another notch on Reesy's quest to 'do em all' till I drop.... it was a pleasure, a proper race, a proper Ironman.

 

No longer the run up and down a dual carriageway but a run through the streets of a town where residents and supporters flocked in their thousands to line the tight town centre roads. There was the atmosphere around the castle as you ran past 6 times in total and the lakeside was chocker block with enthusiastic Ironman supporters from 5 am in the morning. No it's not quite Klagenfurt yet, the grandstands are smaller and there are no fireworks as the clock hits 17 hours but as one of the race coordinators said to me ' we need 2 or 3 big sponsors and we will make it even better'. Yes they have PowerBar and Gatorade promoting their fuel but they dont have a Ford, A Subaru or a Mazda. It needs a big car firm or the like to inject some cash, some wedge, some serious wonga, and then the UK will have the Ironman it deserves. Brits travel the world, Ironman mad, yet it is us that struggle with the Police, the highways authorities and the local councils to get such events off the ground and not the Europeans, the South Africans or the Americans. With no shows again making up 20% of the entries ( yes its the same world over ) there is the scope for taking more entries and I really hope they do ( and more cash to pump into the race ). I really hope that the powers that be allow it to grow because from what I saw the organisers and volunteers worked their Butts off at this one. Theres a responsibility with the UK athletes though as well to support this race and as 2012 approaches I really hope to see 2000 plus in that lake, fireworks at 2300hrs and a flock of NYP Tri Fastran suits crossing the line by then. The NYP Tri feather flags and our new banners will fly high at this one next year for anybody who wants to join me. May even take a team Gazeebo down for the supporters!?

 

The race itself. well done to New Member Mark Williams for finishing in under 13 hours and to wife Kate who cheered Reesy on time and time again as I went from town to castle grounds and back. well done also to Andy Merrick, now of Tri Team Gloucester ( But still NYP Tri at heart... its in his blood!! ) who pushed on and did a great 12.30. His girlfriend Anna, who many will know from Ironman Nice, kept my Dad company at race start and cheered us all on throughout the run section. A big thanks to her. Well done to my mum and Dad, an annual pilgrimage to IMUK would not be the same without their support, and to Anna , Ironkid UK Scarlett and Arthur who are of course my inspiration and purpose.

 

The Swim

 

Accurately measured I reckon this year, always thought it was amazing when Bryan Rhodes got out in 40 something minutes in 2006 or 07. The water was chilly, they reckon 16 degrees but felt cooler and just like a cool May morning in Ripon. No great bun fight and I think plenty of space for more entries. Bring it on! Spectators everywhere, great support, thousands more than in the past 3 years.

 

The Bike

 

The 3rd time they have changed the route. Only a tweak this time to miss out Dorchester and the rain soaked Dorset County Show. A good tweak I reckon albeit the 4th quarter of the figure of 8 course we did 3 times was never ending, and the wind.... well suffice to say, it blew! I felt better however when I saw the Pros were about half an hour down on normal I.M times. The pleasure of a 3 loop course is always the sight of the leader, this time for me at my 48 mile point, on his 3rd loop while I battled on my 2nd. It was Bayliss, the eventual winner, working hard with non other than the legend that is Spencer Smith sat about 7.000000000008 metres off his wheel with a motorcycle draft buster glued to his side. Spencer seemed to have 40 inch legs, a perfect V torso and no number on his shirt ( this was Spencer Smith.... no need for a number ! ). Yes for a time, it seemed like minutes but was probably only seconds, I sat 7.000000000008 metres from his wheel in total awe. The draft buster never caught Spencer inside Bayliss's 7 x 2 metre draft violation box and it was as if Spencer was playing with him, teasing the draft buster and impressing the likes of me but his eventual 4th tells a different story. Perhaps he was resting and in need of rest and with his great experience was able to draft from outside the 7 metre box?. Anyway I completed the rest of the race with the iconic vision that Spencer had smashed the field apart in his quest for Kona glory at Hawaii later in the year and yes it inspired me. For athletes such as myself, who can remember only once seeing the winner running an Ironman as I started the run, it was a great privilige to see these guys and girls hurtle past and its a tick in the box for IMUK. I thought I had a puncture at one point and at that moment felt for Debs Hassell who the day before was robbed of a Vitruvian finish due to a puncture ( don't worry Debs, your not alone.... I need a bike maintenance course more than anyone! ) but I added some air to my rear tyre after only 10 miles and it stayed up. A miracle!! or I forgot to close the valve when I pumped it up? Probably the latter!!?? There is one very fast decent on IMUK and I pledged to take it easy every time around. I did this but still travelling at about 35mph, some do 60, when I faced a common grey squirrel running across the narrow road on my 3rd loop. It sensed me, it looked back, then changed its mind, and changed it again as my front wheel approached it before finally deciding in a 'life defining moment' to scurry back from whence it came. If it had run through my spokes not only would Ironman aspirations be history but I would have been history. It was one of those moments I will never forget. Life is never more vivid than when completing an Ironman. I can remember specific and clear moments from all 9 I have competed in and completed and, like the squirrel, those memories will never leave me.

 

The Run

 

What a great route, well done again IMUK. Its a Roth bike ride type run route with spectators almost touching you as you run by them. On that dual carriageway loads of people always walked. Not in the narrow street of Sherbourne inspired by the support. I saw far fewer walking. I was strong... well for me anyhow, and I ran well and I ran happy. I ran with a smile... most of the time, and I ran with a feeling of well being and a feeling of achievement. For those that question the price of entering such events its not bad value you know if you work it out on an hourly rate!!

 

The Finish

 

A good finish funnel, nearly as good as Nice.... not up to Austria YET but in the finishers food and care tent there were not just sandwiches and sausage rolls but CURRY, SAMOSA's and bottled BEER! Bloody marvellous, yes that was the defining moment...... IRONMAN TRUELY ARRIVED IN THE UK AT LAST.

 

Thank you all for your support and your Text messages and E Mails Reesy 9/9 ( 10/10?....... Bring it on!! )

 

FOR PHOTOS OF MYSELF ( bib 985 ), MARK WILLIAMS ( bib 174 ) and ANDY MERRICK ( bib 543 ) JUST VISIT iron.ironmanuk.com HOME PAGE AND CLICK ON 2008 photos then the bib number, be inspired, be an Ironman!

 

 

 

 

 

Allerthorpe Classic Triathlon 2008

 

The weather

 

We left home at 07:00 with evil weather; torrential rain for much of the night showed no sign of letting up. Roads were flooded and sanity was questioned. A car overtaking us with a couple of carbon frames on the back suggested we wouldn’t be the only two showing up but we were secretly hoping it may be cancelled.

 

 

In true Yorkshire style the car park was full. I climbed out of the van and said to our neighbour “it’s a bit grim!” “Is it?” came the straight faced reply. Chastised I shuffled to registration. The smell of bacon sandwiches from the café was more appealing than my race hat and number!

 

 

On the way back to collect kit we met the Hassles. Simon’s mood seemed more in tune with mine, growling “I’m not racking up if it stays like this”. Debs, on the other hand, looked up for anything.

 

 

Incredibly the rain stopped. It would be a lie to say I needed the factor 50 sun screen I’d optimistically packed but the bike leg was dry. What more could you ask for?

 

 

The race

I found the swim a nightmare. Usually my favourite part of a triathlon the swim was …. technical! “Swim round 5 buoys keeping them to your right, then 2 on your left, then head for the canoes. Get out, accept a coloured band for your wrist, get back in and do it all again!” I was confidently telling my swim wave all this whilst waiting for the off. Once in the water I was clueless! It was shallow and people kept standing up. Flat light made it really difficult to see and there were buoys everywhere. At one point I looked up to see white hats heading towards me, yellow hats away from me, buoys everywhere, canoes everywhere and someone standing up waving his arms about!

 

 

Eventually I made dry land and was off for my bike. Dead flat! Definitely an opportunity for PBs. Mine was a PB but still far too slow to mention. Perhaps if I got a carbon frame or tri-bars …One point of amusement was about 5 miles in an NYP Tri shirt was pushing his bike back to the start! I expressed sympathy to which he grinned and said “Broken chain! Thank goodness!” We passed through a number of pretty villages I’d never seen before and there was hardly any traffic. A few hills could have made it a bit more interesting but ..

 

 

The run was an “out and back”, the majority along the Pocklington Canal path. Not the easiest terrain for my tired legs but returning triathletes were encouraging and I plodded on. The final kilometre was around the (now detested) lake – on a hideous pebbly path which my legs couldn’t handle. The end was in sight however so there was little left for it but to go for it.

 

 

Slices of melon at the end hit the spot and overall it was a very well organised and friendly race. Not as good as Ripon, of course, but I’ll be back next year as it’s local. The weather should be better.

 

Amanda Vipond

 

 

 

 

Antwerp Half Ironman 2007

 

As the club is considering this event for 2009 I can note my experiance of this event from last year. Please add any questions you may have below and I will try to answer them here.

 

This was my first attempt at this distance and I wanted an event which was not too far away and for the course to be as easy as possible. A steady drive to Dover and then only a couple of hours from Dunkirk on the other side.

The swim was in a slightly salt water lake and was one of the warmer open water swims around. There was certainly a great atmosphere by the lake with helicopters above sending live tv coverage across Belgium. Out of the swim and into the first transition (which is a different location to the second transition - and do not be fooled, they are close on a map, but there is a big river between the two and a fair ride through a tunnel). The cycle takes you along the edge of the main river and then you cross via a tunnel. This was the most frightening part for me as I wore prescription sun glasses. They were too dark to see in the tunnel and when I looked over the top of them my vision was so poor I had to follow the lights! You then encounter the only hill of the course, the rise from within the tunnel. The cycle course then heads out of Antwerp into a very drab dock area. It is very flat, but you soon reach the first problem - several light railway tracks to cross. I did note a few cycles with highly inflated tyres puncture at each of the crossings. I was ok and for me was flying, but I had reached Holland and it was time to turn around. This was when I encountered the famous winds. I battled on back towards Antwerp, through a small village with cobbles which test how well you have everything secure on your cycle. At this stage of the course you pick up some sights from earlier in the course and then turn again to complete another lap towards the Dutch border. Just as my own reserves were low I had the joy of turning back into the wind, back over the cobbles with the knowledge of the railway tracks ahead. I had forgotten about the half marathon.

 

Back into Antwerp, not a cloud in the sky and it was about 35oC. The transition was in an old market place near to the registration HQ. The run was either 3x4 or 4x3 miles that was a lap which took you through the finish area each time. It is a great run for support as the runners loop up one side of the road and return on the other. There were many other British athletes, a few noticed my Black Sheep Ripon Triathlon cap!

 

Was it good value? Yes, Would I do it again? Yes.

 

MORZINE MAYHEM TRAINING CAMP UPDATE 020508-050508

DAY 1

I have recieved confirmation by text that Simon '5 belly's' Hassell did make it on to the flight to Geneva today despite paying an excess charge for weight and the intrepid 3 prospective Ironman Nice athletes ( Simon, Mark Neal and Jon Cooper ) did mange to cycle from Geneva airport to Morzine this afternoon with rucksacks on their backs. They are now contemplating a ride around Lake Geneva ( I hear its a big lake! ) tomorrow if they get over the hang over tonight. Its more 'Panic Ironman Training'. Too little too late or just enough in the nick of time.....Not long until we find out!

DAY 2

They reckoned to have cycled 125 miles in 8 hours around Lake Geneva today. Impressive stuff from the 3 Ironman France contenders ( Especially on a hang over! ). Reesy managed 6 miles in an hour with a 5 yr old, a 9 yr old and a 10 yr old BUT looking on the bright side they did ask me to slow down so that they could keep up. I must be getting stronger!!??

DAY 3

They rode again and pasted Cooperman before riding back to Geneva Airport on..................

DAY 4

with 279 miles in the bag for Mark and Simon ( a few less for John ) and Mark Neal has ordered a short sleeve cycle shirt after being fined for not wearing one on the Training Camp photo!!

 

 

 

 

IM 2007 by Richy (our Army friend )

 

Firstly I would like to say a massive thank you to all of NYP Tri personnel and family

(john`s, mark`s,Nic,Andy & Simon) who were down at sherborne this weekend

and made me feel welcome. i went down there knowing only Mark Rees and Nic

Clay. so i was quite nervous meeting a new circle of people i didnt know and

with probably the biggest and hardest race of my career luming over my head.

from the moment i showed up to the time i left all the people i was involved

with were absolutley brilliant. there put my nerves at ease. gave me a few

last minute top tips and above all they made me feel welcome. which normally

is unheard of when meeting a group of new people. An absolute credit the NYP

Tri club and the Triathlon community.

 

The race, I had a not to bad swim nice and easy 1hr 19mins took my time in

transition 8 mins (a bit to long i know) the bike was a long hard slog. i

was losing time hand over fist. stopping to go to the toilet and helping out

another person who had a puncture i came in on 8 hrs 20 mins another quick

transition of 8mins. i was now starting what is my strongest discipline the

run. i thought i could of smashed out a 4hr 15- 30mins basing my average

marathon time in the past on 3hr 30mins. how wrong was i!! i ran up to mile

4 before i started vomiting every 1/2 mile and then not being able to keep

any fliuds down at all. this is when Reesey came to the rescue and we

ran,walked, plodded, jogged and hobbled back into the castle where i came an

ironman for the first time. ( mark rees absolute gent many thanks again

fella). What I will say to anyone who is thinking about doing an ironman, just do

it! remember "Don`t judge those who try and fail but judge those who fail to

try" i finished the race in 15 hrs 28 mins. i am throughly glad that i have

achieved the accolade of being called an ironman. the feeling when you

finish is awesome its relief, pleasure, emmotions are high and you want to

tell everyone that you are an ironman. Finishing on another high just to summarise thanks very much to all from NYP

Tri who help me out this weekend much appreciated i hope to see you all

again soon all the best Richy IronMan finisher (sherborne) 2007

 

White Rose Classic (2007) was a tough day out to say the least.

 

Me and Simon Hassell met up as arranged at 7:00am (called Reesy only to find him on the bog at PK's house and not coming for another hour!) So we set off.

Norwood Edge was a breeze compared to what was to come and I hadn't fully appreciated how tough the ride was going to be. Simon nearly killed me on the descent down from Norwood Edge as he decided he didn't want to follow the directions and tried to turn off the route right in front of me, with no warning from about 35-40mph! I locked up back wheel and went sideways to avoid him! Nearly game over after 10 miles!

 

We pootled on to Grassington at 41k for the first time check having negotiated quite a few climbs - for me anyway - already. Completed in 1:51! Quick potty stop and a bite to eat at the wells stocked feed stations and then off again towards Hawes. A Peloton af about 30 riders cam past us shortly after Grassington so we tagged along wioth them for the next 10 miles or so until the road went up again, when they cleared off and we were on our own again. Then we hit Fleet Moss - at that point it was the longest and hardest climb I'd ever done. I dropped into my specially purchased 27T and wound my way up. There was a strange clicking sound coming from Simon's pedals on the way up and when we reached Hawes at teh Kudu Feed station he found his pedal had basically come apart. Hundred quid and 45mins to an hour later he had a brand new set of Look Keos - I enjoyed the rest. Off we went again Up Garsdale Head, round Dent Station etc.... it weas getting hot and after about 6 hours in the saddle and anout 7 hours elapsed I started to stop enjoying the ride quite so much.

 

Had another potty stop at Stainforth - the previous night's nutrition (curry) was acting up big time! Ran my head under a tap too!

 

At 106 miles they sent us through a place called Beamsley and up a hill called Langbar. No walk of shame for me here as I ground it out all the way to the top - there were plenty of people walking by that stage. The it was pretty much down hill and flat all the way to the finish.

 

Simon and me finished in 9:10 but we dilly dallied at the feed stations and Simons mechanical cost us a good half hour. (I finished in a much better shape than Simon H to be honest but I think that was more an indication that I chose the right gears for my bike than anything to do with our cycling abilities). When I rode in this am my bike computer said 7:50 ride time elapsed and an average of 14.5 mph. It was a beast of a ride with absolutely no respite. Some of the downhill sections were so steep and twisty, I didn't think my brakes (or my hands) would be able to handle it. I saw 50mph on my speedo at one point, but I saw 3 or 4mph alot more. If you want a challenge. Enter it next year.

 

Regards,

Jon Cooper

 

 

 

 

 

__The STOOP FELL race Sunday 16th December 2007__

 

 

This was an all time epic. 4 NYP Tri athletes and Reesy ( once a great athlete! ) turned up at a bleak moor top in -4 degree temperatures and biting 20mph winds. This was a proper mans race, albeit their were plenty of lady fell running types in vests and shorts too. Race HQ was the bleakest cricket club in the UK and to cap it all we each had severe hang overs from a party the night before. It was without doubt a crazy idea but one of those you look back at with a smile! 3 quid entry fee on the day, as many cups of Tea and Coffee as you could drink, some delicious broken buscuits, a race goody gift which was a 'curly wurly'.....remember those!!?? and a running shop stall which had 2002 Flora London Marathon embosted woolly hats ( thank goodness and thanks to Simon Hassell for buying myself and Jon Cooper one...we owe you our lives! )

 

Pre race facilities included a bucket in the corner of a very smelly cricket club toilet ( where the toilet was taped up as out of use ). No prizes for guessesing what the bucket was for! Anyway myself, The great Raffi, Mark Neal, Simon 'The Hoff' Hassell and Jon 'Cooperman' Cooper set off with nearly 200 others towards a frozen bog ridden moor and I for one was just repeating the word 'Why?'. Less than a mile in and as back marker of the 5 I came across Simon The Hoff rolling about in agony on the moors with the other 3 NYP Tri mob trying to assist him. Simon is now on crutches with a badly torn calf muscle, we wish him well and I would like to encourage him to eat heartely before Ironman Nice to give us all a chance! I ran back and got Simons car, drove it as close as I could to his location by which time he had hobbled back with the others ( apart from Raffi who had seen his chance of taking 4 NYP Tri scalps in a single day and had carried on ....good old Raffi. As we shovelled Simon into his car I was all ready for a bacon and sausage sandwich and a cup of tea, race over for us all. The back marker was out of sight and a jog to the edge of the moor, a jog back to Simons car, free coffee, Tea and buscuits plus a 2002 Flora London Marathon hat seemed good value for £3! Anyway, I was told by Simon we had to carry on, so very reluctantly I did and somehow managed to finish one of the muddiest, coldest and harshest races in the world. I somehow managed to catch 3 runners, they were of course the 3 slowest runners in the Norhern Hemisphere and I met up with the others back at the bleak cricket club that I had left well over an hour earlier on the 5 mile bog hopping event. I will look back fondly at my day on Stoop Fell as I run down the promenade Des Anglais in Nice in June. What a day!

 

Posted by Mark Rees 171207

 

 

Teesdale Tri by Andy Senior