Ed's Triathlon

1st October 2008

2008-10-02T08:02:39+02:00

Last ride before the race. Tried a new medium sized route of 7 miles. Was pretty cold and breezey! Won't be able to do too many more road rides before winter kicks in fully.

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30th September 2008

2008-10-01T08:19:01+02:00

Swim again at lunch. The usual 200m, steam and jacuzzi and then another 200m.

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29th September 2008

2008-10-01T08:18:41+02:00

Didn't want to run too far again tonight as it's going to be an 'easy' week before the race on Sunday. Did 2.85km. Surprisingly there were no aches from yesterday.

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28th September 2008

2008-10-01T08:18:10+02:00

The day of the race! Talk about nervous!! lol

You're going to think how the hell can you write so much crap on a race that only lasted 41 mins?!! So apologies in advance...

My 1st Race - Warwick Super Sprint - Sunday 28th September 2008
(200m, "10km", 2.5km)

I was advised to try and sleep lots on Friday night as I wouldn't be able to sleep much the night before the race. I did sleep fine though so that was the first panic out of the way.

What were my worries for the actual race day? Well:-

1) What if my bike fell off the rack on the motorway? (I've never used a bike rack before and borrowed one for the day)
2) What if I get a puncture on the bike?
3) Will people laugh at me in my trisuit?
4) Will I be able to get my swim cap on?! (thanks to a lady on a triathlon forum!!)
5) Will I get lost on the bike / run routes?

Got up at 5:15 to have a big bowl of porridge. (I still think it tastes minging even if I put half a pound of sugar in it!). I'd put the bike on the back of the car the night before to save me a bit of time and thankfully it was still there in the morning! We set off at 6am and got to Warwick just before 7 - bike still on the rack. Man it was foggy!

First impressions were that from the people who were there already, they mainly had mountain bikes so I didn't feel too out of place!

The walk to registration seemed to take forever. And it was cold and I'd lent my fleece to my girlfriend. (She doesn't do getting up before 8am so this was a bit of a culture shock for her. Bless her!)

Signed on and picked up my envelope of goodies. The only thing lacking from the info was a site map but I guess this was on the big screen in the gym so can't really complain. Went back to the car to get my fleece (she put her own one on instead. I'd have worn hers but pink isn't really my colour!) then went for my pre-race nervous poo. Nice!
Had a quick wander around the transition area and made a note of swim in, bike out, bike in, run out etc. I didn't realise that you had to run so far with your bike before you could get on! Had a quick look through the open door to the pool too. Nice bit of steam rising. Looked very inviting.

Back to the car again to get my kit and bike and headed off to transition to set up. Bike on the rack, towel on the floor, helmet with number belt inside, trainers with socks inside and spare towel to wipe my feet. Sorted. Quick trip back to registration to get my number marked onto my arm and leg - 118. So 118 118. Got your number! If I'd have known beforehand I could have worn a comedy moustache and wig for extra effect.

Off to change into my trisuit. I've never been out in public in it before! Had a quick visit to the pool spectators area and then down to pool side for 8:15 ready for the 8:30 start. Or so I thought!! The first fellow competitor that I spoke to told me that there was a 30 minute delay due to fog. Fair enough I thought as it was pretty bad outside. I went to double check with the people in registration and yes, there was a 30 minute delay. We took up position by the pool anyway and just waited. And waited. And waited. Rumours were going around of a further delay. The fog didn't look any better. Eventually the fog seemed to just disappear when the sun came out. Finally there was an announcement by the pool. We'll be starting as soon as they come back from their drive around the course to make sure it's safe. So that bowl of stodge that I ate 5 hours ago was pretty useless then. Wish I'd have had my usual Weetabix!

The first wave of people started at 10am (instead of the original 8:15). I quickly looked to see how many were doing breatstroke. 2 out of 10. Arse. I'm going to look stupid. After a couple of lengths though 3 more had reverted to breaststroke too. Phew! One of the older guys had to stop after every length for a breather and we were all giving him good support. A real inspiration! The guy called for all wave 2 competitors. OK, so now this was going to be real! Quick dash for a last minute wee (how hard is that to do in an all-in-1 lycra suit?!) and it was our turn to line up by the pool. I'd already practiced getting my swim cap on! Into the pool - 3, 2, 1, GO!!

There were two of us in my lane (10 in my wave overall). I apologise to the girl in my lane if I kicked her accidentally! She was soon behind me though and I was in my rhythm. After every turn at the end of the length I seemed to kick (and be kicked!) by the woman in lane 3. After two lengths I was knackered! Damn, I'd got caught up in the moment and gone out too quickly! I'm sure I can manage 6 more lengths though. A few kicks with lane 3 woman later and the swim was over. Climbed out of the pool, swim cap in the bucket and jog to T1. Surprisingly I was 2nd out of the pool!

Stay calm and be methodical. Stand on towel. Race belt on. Helmet on. Wipe feet. Socks on. Trainers on. Is that it? Have I forgotten something?! Nope, quickly get the bike off its rack and run to the transition exit!

Struggled to get my feet into the toe clips as I usually ride in my other trainers, not my running ones! There was someone not too far in the distance so that was my first target. First surprise was that there were hills! Nobody mentioned hills!! There wasn't anything major though although I was down to 8.5mph on one of them! Managed to catch them up on the 2nd incline and saw someone else in the distance. Target 2! Another couple of miles passed and another person overtaken. Not sure why but my legs were aching. All as I could think of was how am I going to manage next week when the bike is 23km instead of this 10km one?! Quick look at the bike computer. 5 miles. 1 mile to go. Within a minute or so the entrance to transition appeared? Huh?! So the bike ISN'T 10km? More like 9km. Hey ho, get on with it.
Dismount (with a struggle to get my trainers out of the toe clips!!) and jog to T2. Got overtaken by another guy en route.

Stay calm again. Methodical. Not much to do this time. Bike on rack, helmet off and run!

Out of transition and over the timing mat. People standing offering drinks of water or orange? OK, I'll have some water. Open topped cup, water splashing around. I can drink that while running! Took a quick swig and it splashed up my nose and I inhaled it all and nearly choked! I don't want to stop so I'll forget the drink. That needs practice!

There was a married couple running not too far in front of me. My first goal was to catch them. They ran at a similar pace but I soon tagged onto the back of them and ran with them for 400m or so. Once past them there was the old 'swimmer guy' from before and another woman just in front of him. The run course was quite windy through lots of taped off areas. If I'd have had nobody to follow I probably would've got lost! One guy shouted "Go on! Chase them down!" at me. It's amazing how people can shout things and it makes you feel so much better! I eventually caught them both up and passed them on the stretch along the road. How much further?! Back into the school complex and lots of arrows to follow. Wait, that's the finish! Quick burst of speed and across the line! WTF?! There's a professional photographer there. What if I'm showing my 'O' face?!! (Thanks to people on the triathlon forum!!!) Try and smile!!!

So now I'm officially a triathlete. I was disappointed with my ride but overall I don't think that I could have done much different to improve my times apart from more training! Well, I hadn't swam, ridden or run since I left school 18 years ago until 9 weeks ago...
I was pleased at how smoothly the transitions went. I was even 2nd quickest in T2! Overall 10th out of 40 was better than I imagined I would do. Next week at Stratford will be a different matter...

I was also pleased with the glass 'Warwick Triathlon' tankard. Much better than a t-shirt that I'd never wear that's for sure. I don't know why but I was also a bit embarrassed at only having done the Super Sprint instead of the Sprint but you've got to start somewhere!

Swim - 4:47 (14th out of 40)
T1 - 1:35 (12th out of 40)
Bike - 20:52 (15th out of 40)
T2 - 0:26 ( 2nd out of 40)
Run - 13:51 (13th out of 40)
Overall - 41:33 (10th out of 40)

My conclusions are:-

1) Stay calm during transitions and they will be fine
2) Train using the gear you will use on the day!
3) No matter how old or young the woman, if you walk past them wearing lycra they WILL look at your nether regions!
4) Super Sprints are alot of fun. Breaststoke, mountain bike, baggy swim shorts - you'll see them all there!
5) I want to do more!!

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26th September 2008

2008-10-01T08:15:33+02:00

Final training session before the first race!!!

Did another brick session. Only a short one though as I don't want to be too knackered before Sunday - 5 miles on the bike and a 1km run.

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25th September 2008

2008-09-26T08:11:52+02:00

Swim again at lunch time. 2 x 200m with a sauna / jacuzzi in between. Seems to be becoming the new 'norm'!

Both sets of 200m were actually under 5 mins for the first time so quite pleased.

Only 3 days to go now and I'm still bricking it!

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24th September 2008

2008-09-24T07:56:56+02:00

New watch arrived so I'll be playing with that all day at work. Well, they can't expect me to do any actual work now they've told me I'm redundant, right?

Also had the start time through for my first 'practice' triathlon on Sunday. Now it all appears very real so I'm starting to shit myself even more!
8:30am start so will have to be up before 6am to get ready and travel down there. Yikes!

Did my first run with any kind of hill tonight too. Only 3.5km but it was a good chance to try the watch out. I actually beat my virtual training partner. Will have to choose a faster one next time.

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23rd September 2008

2008-09-24T07:56:20+02:00

Had bad news at work about them not renewing my contract when it runs out in 4 weeks time so couldn't really be arsed. Managed to blag a 'band' at the sports centre so I had free steam and jacuzzi in between my 2 sets of 6 lengths (2 x 200m). Timed the second set and it was 4:51! Didn't seem that quick but a new record nonetheless.

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22nd September 2008

2008-09-24T07:56:03+02:00

Another 3 mile run tonight with my mate. He had to walk a couple of times so the time wasn't too quick but I ran all the way round again. Feeling alot easier now so maybe ready to up it a bit more and run a bit further. After the race that is!

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21st September 2008

2008-09-22T10:28:45+02:00

Brick Breakthrough!

Did my first brick session today where I didn't have to walk on some of the run! Maybe it's because I've upped the running a bit and I was used to it a bit more? Anyway, did a 5 mile ride and 2.8km run non-stop which I was pleased with. That's about the same distance as the first 'practice' race next weekend so now I know I can do it.

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19th September 2008

2008-09-22T10:28:01+02:00

Another run again tonight. The way I ached I thought that I'd have to walk some of the new 4.8km route but managed to make it all the way around. Felt pretty slow but still knocked a fair amount of time off the first attempt - 26:55.

Ordered a new watch too (will sell my old one) which you can programme your required pace into and it'll tell you if you're better or worse, how far behind / ahead of schedule you are etc and there's even a virtual training partner so you can race against them and see them on your screen! Int gadgets brilliant?

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18th September 2008

2008-09-22T10:27:33+02:00

Swim at lunch. Was going to do another 800m session but ashamedly to say I couldn't be arsed!!
Did 200m, went for a steam and jacuzzi and then did another 200m.

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17th September 2008

2008-09-22T10:27:10+02:00

Did my first ride around the usual route with the new tyres on. Was looking quite promising time-wise until the wind got up near the end and slowed me down a bit. Still managed to knock a minute off my previous best though.

Dist - 13.70
Max - 22.56
Ave - 16.54
Time - 49:34

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16th September 2008

2008-09-17T12:55:49+02:00

As I'm planning on upping my triathlon distance next year to a 'Sprint' which is a 400m swim I thought I'd try and swim 400m non-stop. Managed it pretty easily although the pool was quite busy so had to weave in and out of a couple of people. Did it in 10:45 so that's my benchmark for when I start having front crawl lessons later in the year.
Also did another 400m (2 x 200m) so 800m in total which is the furthest I've ever swam!!

So in the last 4 days I've cycled the furthest since I was about 17 (when I did a 100 mile round trip to Wrexham and back and went swimming while I was there), run the furthest I've ever run and swam the furthest I've ever swam!

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15th September 2008

2008-09-15T13:00:09+02:00

New bike arrived today. Haven't opened the box yet but will check it over later. Pedals don't arrive until later in the week! Promised not to ride it until AFTER my first triathlon. Would prefer to come last on an 18 year old mountain bike than a new road bike! lol

Another run in the evening. This time an even longer run around one big block. Just under 5km. Took it VERY slowly, didn't stop and did it in 28:43.

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13th September 2008

2008-09-15T12:59:41+02:00

Saturday is usually a rest day but my new 'slick' bike tyres arrived and I had nothing better to do so decided to swap them over and cycle to my parents house 24 miles away. What I did learn that it's not my legs that will give up first, it's my back!! Had to stop twice due to bad back ache for a minute or so each time. Overall time was just under 1 hour 40 mins. Enjoyed it though and would do it again.

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12th September 2008

2008-09-15T12:59:22+02:00

Another run tonight. Did the two big laps in 18:52 so another 30 secs off the record.

Badminton again later that evening for 2 hours on and off.

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11th September 2008

2008-09-15T12:59:01+02:00

Swim again at lunch. 3 x 200m with 1 min rest in between. Split times of 5:02, 5:08 and 5:08.

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10th September 2008

2008-09-11T08:58:41+02:00

Am cutting my training down from today. No swim at lunch.

Bike ride in the evening. Bit of a breeze going on so the 3rd and 4th splits hurt quite alot. In fact my legs hurt pretty much all the way around!

Dist - 13.75 miles
Max - 27.54 mph
Ave - 15.54 mph
Time - 53:04

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9th September 2008

2008-09-11T08:55:21+02:00

Swim again at lunch time. Only 14 lengths this time. Actually planned ahead and wore my watch for the swim so I could get an approx time for my 200m splits. I'm aiming for 5 mins for the race and the two that I did were 5:03 and 5:08 so not too bad.

Run again in the early evening. Two big blocks in 19:35. Didn't think I was going to make it round cos I was so tired but somehow managed it.

Squash later in the evening. 35 minutes in sauna like temperatures!! Managed to win despite having no energy.

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8th September 2008

2008-09-09T08:27:28+02:00

Another 600m swim at lunch time. (3 x 6 lengths). Struggled to stay awake all afternoon! I think that now that my swims are getting longer I should maybe stick to the recommended training plan of swim one day, bike the next day and run the next instead of swim / bike one day and swim / run the next...

Another bike ride in the evening. Tried alot harder right from the start and it hurt all the way around!
I did pump my tyres up a bit more so maybe that made the difference as I knocked 3 mins off my record.

Dist - 13.76 miles
Max Speed - 24.36 mph
Ave speed - 16.31 mph (new record)
Time - 50:33 mins (new record)

Split times (2.75 miles each)
1st - 9:44 mins (new record)
2nd - 10:02 mins (new record)
3rd - 11:09 mins
4th - 9:50 mins (new record!)
5th - 9:48 mins (new record)

When I got home from the ride I was knackered but my mate wanted to go for a run so I quickly changed into my running shorts and trainers and did a slow run around the small block with my jelly legs! Took it very slowly!

This was the first time that I'd done a swim, bike AND run all on the same day. Now I just need to do all of them straight after one another and for even longer!

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7th September 2008

2008-09-08T08:42:23+02:00

Run again in the evening. Two big laps again. Quicker pace this time and a time of 19:25 so just over a minute quicker!

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6th September 2008

2008-09-08T08:41:48+02:00

Rest day. Well, when I say rest I mean stress day!! Being an usher at a wedding where the bride writes you an A4 sheet list of things to do is not relaxing! lol

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5th September 2008

2008-09-08T08:41:17+02:00

Swimming at lunch time. 600m! 3 x 6 lengths. Now I'm back at work and want a nap.

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4th September 2008

2008-09-05T07:57:49+02:00

Tried to run further tonight by doing twice around the bigger block. Took it really steady and got all the way around without stopping in 20:32. Haven't run for that long non-stop since I was about 14!
Total distance was approx 3.7km which is 1.2km further than what my first race will be.

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3rd September 2008

2008-09-05T07:57:20+02:00

Another bike ride this evening. Was very windy weather and the split times show it! Faster for the first two and then a killer 3rd one into the wind and uphill!! I did mumble a few expletives. :XX" class="middle" border="0">

Dist - 13.80 miles
Max Speed - 30.70 mph (new record!)
Ave speed - 15.32 mph
Time - 53:54 mins

Split times (2.75 miles each)
1st - 10:03 mins (new record)
2nd - 10:45 mins (new record)
3rd - 12:25 mins (new SLOW record!)
4th - 10:46 mins (new SLOW record!)
5th - 9:54 mins (new record)

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2nd September 2008

2008-09-03T14:49:17+02:00

Did a brick session tonight. Longer than the last one (which made me ill!). Bike ride of 31:45, transition of about 30 secs then a run of 10:30. Ashamed to say that I had to walk for 30 secs after 5 mins of running then ran the last 5 mins. I was just too knackered! :eek

Total time - 42:45

35 mins of squash later on in the evening too.

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1st September 2008

2008-09-02T10:41:40+02:00

Swim again at lunch. 14 lengths. 1x6, 2x2 and 1x4. Didn't feel tired at all really by the time I'd finished.

Run again in the evening. Did it in 14:40 mins so 27 secs quicker than last time. Which was nice. Absolutely hammered it down though and my white t-shirt was completely see-through by the time I'd finished!

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31st August 2008

2008-09-02T10:40:28+02:00

Bike ride in the morning. Lucky I went then as it rained all afternoon and all evening! Bit slower than last time although it didn't feel as bad.

Dist - 13.78 miles
Max Speed - 21.85 mph
Ave speed - 15.58 mph
Time - 53:03 mins

Broke it down into 1/5 ths as well (2.75 miles each)
1st - 10:40 mins
2nd - 10:58 mins
3rd - 10:53 mins
4th - 9:57 mins
5th - 10:35 mins

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29th August 2008

2008-09-02T10:39:29+02:00

Swim at lunch time. 15 minute run when I got home (new record of 15:07) and then 2 hours of badminton in the evening!

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