Done a couple of "big" races lately - another half-ironman (the Vitruvian Triathlon), the Berlin marathon, and my first 50k run - the Royal Parks Ultra. Certainly haven't put my feet up. I'll talk about the Vitruvian here.
This triathlon was the main race I'd been training for all summer. My second half-iron, but I wanted a better time than Marlow as I was feeling much more confident. The race took place at Rutland Water, a lovely part of Leicestershire, and included a 1900m swim, an 85km bike ride, and a 21km run. It's a very popular race, selling out within a day or two (I'd signed up a year ago to get a spot, and now it has become a reality!) and had a good mix of standards (i.e. slow ones at the back like me).
It involved a ridiculously early start, so I stayed overnight in a local B&B - although it was right above a pub and with music and loud shouting going on until past midnight, I didn't get a whole load of sleep! I was fine on the day though, and got to the race start for about 5am (having already racked my bike and got registered the day before).
The race went well - it was not easy but it was fine. The swim wasn't my best though, and I ended up swimming too far at an angle about 1500m in, not heading for the next buoy - meaning I wasted time going slightly off course and having to "curve" back towards the correct heading. The eerils of open water swimming! There was a really odd bit were we had to get out of the water half way round, run (stagger) back through the start line, and then get back in the lake for a second lap. That wasn't nice - it was by no means a restfrom swimming as it was very disorientating trying when you've still got goggles on and bare feet on the shore - I'd rather have just kept on going!
Bike was tough but went ok. It was better than the Marlow half as there were three main hills that you did twice each (each very challenging but at least they were fairly short) and then the rest of the route was flat or slightly undulating. Unlike the Marlow half route which was essential three times up a long, drag of a hill for several miles getting steeper and steeper, then speed down and do it all over again! The road surface was very good too! I get excited by good road surfaces as I am too used to potholes in my neck of the woods! I was happy to finish the bike stage though as it was the longest and most difficult - so I was relieved to have finished the bike leaving plenty of time to do the half marathon at a steady (i.e. extra slow shuffle) pace. More importantly was now confident about finishing the race before the 8 hour cut off even if I had to walk most of the run stage.
The run was great - two out and back loops around the lake. Despite many athletes now hobbling and looking very worse for wear, there was a brilliant atmosphere as the runners were very supportive of each other, and you could hear the finish line music and organisers over the speaker shouting "You are a Vitruvian!" each time someone crossed the line! Mind you I did get a bit fed up of hearing that given that I still had a long way to go! I felt fine though, ran at a slow pace and took walking/stretching breaks at some of the water stations, but it wasn't that much slower than some of my average (stand alone) half marathon finish times.
Finally completed my race though - and became a Vitruvian myself! My finish time was 7 hours 22 mins and I have the medal and finisher's tee-shirt to prove it!
