Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
Options
Training for a shorter Tri
The materials in this website are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian or nutritionist Runners's World, Part of the Hearst UK well-being network © Copyright 2017
Comments
Nice one on the FC,
Pippi - well done on the swimming.
I was planning to do my long ride today as tomorrow looks like rain all day but my leg is feeling it a bit and it'd be the third day cycling in the row so have decided not to. Bit of a shame but health/recovery does come first. Will try to fit it in on Sunday though we were planning to do a walk instead. See how it goes.
Have a good weekend's training everyone!
cake - great reports! Might think about Eyam next year.... close to me
had a great swim last night but it was obvious I hadn't swam for a while...
Maths I'd take a look at buxton as well they are both very special races. Along side White peak come to think on it. Just not easy through, with some speed bump's.
just noticed the tissington trail half while I was googling the Buxton one, sold out for this year but might fancy it next year
Hi all,
Great holiday too much food and drink and not enough exercise will get back at it tomorrow well done to everyone really enjoyed all the race reports.
Holidays are for enjoying Glasslegs!
Cake - you and Buttercup are getting lethal for findings events for us 'to do'
I love it!
A run cut short this evening by some wicked chaffing
New shorts required. 7 miles instead of 9-10. Most annoyed. Off to Bala in the morning 
MrsD - are you competing or supporting at Bala? Have a great weekend either way
Digger is doing the running in a relay with the Divas and I'm supporting! Looking forward to it. Woop woop!
Although could be sleeping in the van! 
morning all
9 hours sleep and I am still tired! Anyway, decided to go back to my old routine of spin/gym/swim - haven't been to the gym for ages so expect to be achy tomorrow!
Got an email last night saying the swimsmooth sessions are going to stop on 30june till September because they are doing work on the pool
it is my favourite session of the week
apparently there is ow swimming and track cycling at mallory park on Friday nghts - it is a little far for me but if any of you east midlands people wanted to meet up (EP/Buttercup?) it might be worth the journey and a good start to the weekend. I'll find out details
I'm squeezing myself into black and yellow this morning and taking on ming the merciless. I've been practising my arrrgghhhhs and holding my tummy in for the photos and the start line.
Go on Pete... Give it LARGE! Arrrgghhhhh!
well done Pete,
Go hard Pirate Pete!
Go pete!
too late for a good luck, but hope it went well pete
cracking morning for me, I am obviously recovered from all the lurgies now. Bit of a treadmill run, but it was too hot (didn't run outside as there was a massive thunder storm at the time) followed by a spin class which I beasted, followed by a bit of strength work in the gym, then masters swim! The swim was great too. Planning to slope off for a nap though!
had wanted to do an ow swim this afternoon, but thunder storms are still forecast so will skip that and go for a coffee and cake with OH while youngest is at his guitar lesson
Wow, that is a comeback exercise session MC.
I had a very nice lie in this morning, just what my body needed I think. Although it seems to want an afternoon nap as well. Lower leg still not fully fit and hip flexor is very tight so will take things easy.
steady - have the afternoon nap too!!
I tried to nap but didn't manage it
Warning race report coming up and you may want to sit down with a cup of tea.
Outlaw Half
The week before was quite eventful, starting with falling off my bike on the Sunday and ending up with mild concussion and bruising to the shoulder and leg. The bike seemed OK, just re-position the gear/brake lever. So extreme taper was the order for the week, try a bike ride on Friday and maybe a swim to see how I was recovering.
Friday I went out after work for a short ride, the shoulder seemed to be holding out and the new helmet was comfortable, but on the return home, going up a small hill I realised the gears were not changing cleanly and making a dreadful noise. Too late to go the LBS that night, so concentrated on packing everything needed for camping and racing (seemed to be all but the kitchen sink).
Saturday was a frantic start as I had to load the car with camping bits then the bike and go to the LBS for when they opened at 9am. Brilliant service, they put it on the stand and fixed it free of charge after I had explained that I was desperate as I needed to be in Nottingham by the afternoon to register for the race. Went back to the car and put the bike back in, next problem arose. Some idiot had parked very close to the driver’s door, so I had no option other than to clamber over from the passenger side, not easy when the footwell is full, my shoulder had to take my full bodyweight in doing major contortions to get in. *%$£$% and *&%$** were uttered in pain, so decided to nip back home and take a couple of paracetamol and grab an ice pack from the freezer to put over my shoulder.
Eventually got onto the M25 and headed off, up the M1, stopping at the services, to grab a drink, then after what seemed ages, got to HPP. Parked up and wandered over to register. Saw and spoke to various pirates and went in to the 2pm briefing. I was feeling fairly positive but a little unsure how the shoulder would be for swimming. Afterwards I headed back to the car and went to the campsite. I paid up for one night and went down to the far end, parked up and then cheekily asked some other racers if they could help me put the tent up, they did and I thanked them. Fish and chip supper my usual routine, then an early night after faffing around making sure I had everything ready for the morning.
Race day
Up at just after 4am, got ready including putting contact lenses in, so then could just about read my Garmin. Walked over to transition with the bike and kit bag, set up, then back to campsite to finish breakfast and get into lower half of wetsuit. Back to transition and met up with Buttercup, bit more faffing, got told by some other women that my bra strap was twisted, thanks Buttercup for sorting me out, then suits up, a few more hellos to other pirates and head to the swim start.
Swim
No bashing my toe this year, but the water was cold, I did not notice the smell as I had my noseclip on. Started in the left hand pen towards the back, a bit nervous of getting bashed on the shoulder. Off we went and found it so cold, but managed to avoid any collisions, although I did find myself going off course to the left, I couldnot pull evenly because of the shoulder, so ended up zig-zagging down the lake, then straight across and finally back down which I somehow managed to do a bit straighter. Up the ramp with a quick look at the time, 49 minutes, damm, I was hoping for under 45 but at least I felt OK for the bike ride.
T1 – 10 minutes, no cup of tea.
Struggled a bit to get out of wetsuit, still feeling the cold, cycle top and armwarmers on, socks, shoes, helmet, glasses and gloves and trot out to the mount line with teeth chattering.
Bike
Set off, so glad I had made sure I was in an easy gear to start, dodge the geese around the lake, decide to take some gel from my gel flask. Crunch, managed to break my front tooth, more swear words thought but realised no searing pain, so carried on, out onto the roads. At that point I was thinking, just give it a go and get further than last year, steady effort required.
Buttercup flew past me and we exchanged a few words, I remembered the route quite well but still have to get used to roads that go for so long without junctions and then those are managed so no stopping needed. Cycled along then looked down, bike computer not giving me my average speed, so just went on perceived effort. I was cautious having had the accident the week before so when I got to Oxton bank and the HRM alarm went off about ¾ of the way to the top, followed quickly by the sensation of going light headed, I bailed out and walked the last little bit, got back on and carried on to the aid station. Stop there, get more water, 2 gels opened for me and consumed, pick up nice new drink bottle.
Carried on, saw motorbike ref go past, no stopping me this year, but I did get shouted at to keep the pace up as I started the second loop. Whoohoo, beaten last year, off into country roads, much more like the sort I am used to, hardly any other bikes seen. Had to keep telling myself that I could do it, but clung on to the fact no one was stopping me, in fact I was getting fantastic support from the marshalls and spectators. Back to HPP, thinking that I had missed the cut off and wouldnot be allowed out on the run, daft but also thinking at least it feels better than last year. Through the horrible surface by the Hall and had to call out to get pedestrians clear the road for me at times. Finally back into transition, 4:06.
T2 – 3 minutes
Checked with marshall that I was still OK to go out for the run, yes, had a hand racking bike as the other bikes had left no space. Helmet off, cap on, change shoes and off.
Run
I trotted out nice and gently which lasted all of 200m then the walking started, decided that I would just run when I could as I knew the run would be mainly walk. Passed loads of supporters and got plenty of Arghs and go pirate, out onto the towpath and pirates galore. Thanks for the hugs and the jelly babies, carried on walk/run. It was getting hot, so pleased to see the other pirates, high 5’d a few then realised my shoulder did not like it one bit, so had to alter than style of greeting. Down to the bridge and turn around, so glad that it was just a half marathon not the full, then back along, more support, grabbing food and drink, urgh, it was so hot and no shelter from the sun going around the lake. I managed to jog a bit when going past the finish line and out on to the second lap. Definitely walking only for this one, my left ankle was feeling sore and the right hip flexor was tightening up. So onwards, saw all my pirate mates again, thinking to myself afterwards that on the return I would ask if anyone could walk with me. Within seconds of the thoughts Dawn Shadow and Cake appeared and escorted me, it really helped and along with your convincing me that I had time. By now my lower back had joined the painful bits, so a power walk was all I could do. We were then joined by the sweep on his bike and another of the event crew whose role was to go with me to the finish. One woman, four men, 5Km to go, a purposeful walk.
At the last 500m the crew person, sorry forgot his name, radioed ahead to say I was on my way, the others peeled off to get to the finish line as spectators. I walked until I saw the clock and the carpet, so I then launched into a jog, which instantly became a hobble as I cramped up, first in the calf, then the thighs, waved to the crowd but carried on as until I crossed that line I would not believe that I had done it. Raised my arms, which ached, crossed the line, then got passed an enormous ice cream with 2 flakes in, thanks Cake, it was nectar from heaven.
8 Hours 45 minutes and 54 seconds
Thanks to all that were there, the support was great, sorry if I have not mentioned you by name.
Naaw you were the shiz Steady - so freaking proud of you - you're a star! What a win for mental toughness chook - ((HUGS))
Thanks Buttercup,
I seem to now have a little smiley face inside me with the name of Mrs Invincible.
My inner person is shining through or it could just be the Taurean bull that is stubborn once I have a goal to get.
Relentless forward motion is what is required Steady and you did it. Well done!
Great report Steady and well done on finishing!