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PSOF Championships 2013 - Challenge Henley
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Fastest Novice 145, I think you'll find
Nice report, great racing.
My day out on Sunday.....
Intro
I’d always planned on doing Henley this year – my original plan was to do the half but then after a bit of thinking I decided the full Ironman distance seemed achievable. So, at 5.30am with the air temperature at 5 degrees, the dawn breaking and early morning fog starting to appear I found myself (with about 400 other potential “Challenge Family” members – as they say) at Henley Business School.
Swim
It was COLD so after checking my precious bike had survived a chilly night outside I killed time until it was time to get “wet-suited” up. Once the wetsuit was on the announcement was made that, due to the fog – and nobody being able to see the buoys, the start was being delayed by 10 minutes. Excellent – 10 more minutes in the cold! Eventually we made it to the water and on getting in the water felt warm but having been drinking coffee and energy drink all morning the inside of the wetsuit was soon much warmer.
My experience of swim starts was limited (ie I’d done one at Marlow) and this felt much worse. There were lots more people than Marlow and at 4mins 26 seconds nothing had improved! I know the exact time because I glanced at my watch and though “what am I doing here – and I wonder at what time the first person pulls out”. Eventually, I relaxed and then, because of the fog, struggled to sight and merrily zig-zagged down the river. Ultimately my watch would record the swim as 2.55 miles. That was about it – the turnaround buoy appeared from the fog I turned round and zig-zagged back until the Business School re-appeared. Total swim time was 80 minutes, which is about what I’d hoped for.
T1 / Bike
On getting out of the water the shivering started but I somehow managed to get the wetsuit off and the bike clobber on – shivering out onto the road after about 10 minutes. For the first ten miles of the bike course I was just pedaling and shivering, so much so that I didn’t notice the first climb to Nettlebed. Once I’d warmed up the bike leg was uneventful, frequent place swapping with fellow Pirate, Goblin Princess – I’d overtake her, get a lead, stop to water a hedge / gate / footpath (delete as appropriate) and she’d overtake me. Howe Hill (the “big” climb on the route) didn’t cause any bother and the route flowed round nicely, so much so I didn’t notice the miles disappearing. My family was out supporting and photographing and it was nice to see them on each lap. I rode conservatively, keeping my HR down in view of my impending first ever marathon. I’d hoped for under 7 hours, so 6hrs 26 was a good result.
T2 / Run
T2 was strange. Apparently I took over 7 minutes. I can’t dispute this and have no doubt the time is correct however I have absolutely no idea what I was doing for the aforementioned 7 minutes. Some of the time was spent trying to find my bag. It was where it should have been but whilst cycling it transpired that I’d forgotten how numbers work and so had no idea that bag 443 would be between 442 and 444. Eventually however, in some different clothes and shoes I was shoving pretzels into my mouth and going for a jog.
The run course again flowed along nicely. The family was still supporting and me that made a lot of difference and the Pirate gear also led to lots of much appreciated shouting. The first lap was a pleasant 6 mile (or so) jog and it was nice to see the Business School and where we’d swam – as I really hadn’t seen much of it in the morning. The second lap was much the same but my back was starting to ache and it was dawning on me how much longer my back and me had to go. I told myself my back didn’t hurt and it was all in the mind. (As I type this, 24 hours later my back still aches so I’m not sure that was right). This was about the only time in the event that it really got to be hard going. The highlight of lap three was a quick chat with the family right at the start and then it was me and my backache trying to run at whatever stance reduced the backache the most. Lap 4 being the final lap meant that I could get to the furthest out point (where even the cows in the next field seemed to be saying “aargh” at the Pirates) and I was on the home straight – and I had less to distance to go than anyone who was behind me – that sped me up and despite the dodgy back I zoomed in (zoomed being a relative term) and met up with my youngest son Ben who, in the weeks prior to the event, had told me he wanted to cross the line with me. As we hit the red carpet he said I’d never beat him and he shot off ahead – not wanting to disappoint I let him win!
The total run time was 4hr 09. I had no idea how long the run was going to take so that was definitely a time I was happy with. Since then I’ve discovered one of my toenails has, as good as, fallen off so I feel like I’m a “proper” runner as well now!
Total time was 12hrs 14. At the start I had no idea about the run so I didn’t have an idea for a total time but 12hrs 14 is fantastic – I’m very pleased with it. I’m doing Outlaw next year and now I’ve got a PB to beat and an obvious target (sub 12).
This thread has been brilliant and inspiring and funny and entertaining throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and, again, to everyone who was out on Sunday.
some greqat reports and times here.well done...
I heard a few reports that although it was closed roads people were getting caught up by traffic.......did anyone experience that
Stuck behind some tit on bike turn around... Its annoying as i was competing for AG placing
I did see people caught behind traffic - but I got a clear run.
I was told (and therefore could be wrong) that residents were still allowed to come and go, so it could be likely that cyclists and cars did mix where it was residential
Cougie, yes that was me behind you when you nearly had the encounter with the Land Rover. If you'd been a second or two earlier....
The traffic got worse as the day went on I thought. I thought people were supposed to wait for escorts - but I'm not sure the escorts always arrived.
(Incidentally, thanks for the "worn out sandals" link you posted. Me and the family were laughing either at or about that all weekend.)
A system was agreed where residents could get access with an escort.
Last year this happened and the escorts weren't very frequent (as you would expect) so I guess this year they made more of an effort which actually resulted in a fair amount of traffice being on the course.
I've said more than once, and tried to open a discussion with JustRacing about, that they need to run a looped, one way, two lap course. That way everyone could be happy. (within reason.) and they could come up with an awesome course ( I am local.)
Anyone who says nothing exciting ever happens in Henley - this might change your mind...
http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=1334520
Tuck and go....didn't see a single resident driving on the Tenby course........I think road closures should mean road closures unless it is an emergency vehicle.......otherwise its more dangerous than open roads
Wow..what a weekend !
Not sure where to start, so probably best to say THANKS, THANKS, THANKS, THANKS for all the help, time and support.
I'd always tried to keep reasonably fit, but then got talked into doing the UK70.3 at Wimbleball last year. I enjoyed it, but something about my time and the word "half" left me feeling like I had unfinnished business.
I felt I had two choices - do the same race again faster, or do another one further.
As most of my posts will prove I am a faffer, and unable to choose I decided to do both.
Things went well - I trained hard, gave up booze for a year and beat my time at Wimbleball by over an hour.
Unfortunately I then got ill - I snapped my tendon in the swim at Wimbleball, and then got Viral Meningitis. I lost some fitness, but perhaps more importantly lost some of my Mojo and confidence.
By this stage I had already told people about Challenge Henley so couldn't face pulling out. The support from many of you on this thread really helped motivate me so I cracked on.
Time seemed to race by, and before long it was Friday 6th September and I was driving to Henley.
I had a very nervous night on Friday, and woke feeling like I had a cold on Saturday. Fortunately I was joined by some mates on Saturday evening and they gave me a massive boost. By this time I had already met a few of you and was enjoying the atmosphere of the event area.
I slept remarkably well on the Saturday, and woke feeling ok, and better than expected. I had a big breakfast and headed down for the....
SWIM
Oh my - how foggy ! Couldn't see much and ended up doing 2.5 miles. Faffed with googles a bit (letting in water), had a few bumps, but enjoyed it. Got out in circa 1hr 20 mins which I was pleased with.
As I got out of the water the cold air (apparently was circa 9 degrees) hit me and I felt very cold. Fortunately I had taken Barlos' advice and was decisive in what to change into. I took a while to get changed (10 mins) but feel I made the right choice. Thanks should also go to Cheggars at this point who helped me find my bike !
BIKE
I really wanted to pace well, and start slowly, but was cold so just pedalled ! I got warm after about 40 minutes and got into a steady rythym. It was great to see so many of you in Pirate Kit. I completed the bike in 6hrs 15 mins and was pretty pleased. I think I could have gone a bit quicker, but was mindful that I had some jogging to do !
I decided to do a full change in T2 - I am pleased I did it - the fresh socks felt lovely (especially as I had followed some other BRILLIANT ADVICE and pre-talced them). This cost me 4/5 mins, but was good for my head and I was out onto the...
RUN
This was a bit of an unknown gamble for me. I have always enjoyed running, but hadn't really done any distance work. My furthest run in training was 16 miles. I started out pretty quick and spent the first couple of miles trying to calm down. By this time the crowds in Henley were pretty big, and I also got the first sight of Mrs Brooko and the two little Brooko's - this gave me a huge boost.
Before I knew it I had done the first lap and exchanged high 5's with Whizz. I walked through one aid station and it hurt almost as much as running so I decided to crack on and get the hurt over ASAP. I found the route very nice - lots of distractions, and fantastic support. I tried to break it down into chunks and mentally told myself the final lap was a chance to say thanks to all the marshalls and helpers.
As I entered the arena for the final time Mrs Brooko was waiting with the little Brooko's she handed them over to me so we could cro
As I entered the arena for the final time Mrs Brooko was waiting with the little Brooko;s and she handed them over to me so we could cross the line together. This was really special. I was also thrilled with my run time of 3hrs 37 mins.
Overall it was a fantastic day, and a great experience. I've learned a lot over the last year and the camradary and support has been truly humbling. The p1ss takes have also been very funny !
One other special moment of the weekend was returning to see / cheer the final finnisher cross the line....I think it showed a real spirt, and it was also fantastic support from the Challenge Company / Just Racing / Organisers.
Anyhow, sorry this is such a long rambling post...I just wanted to say THANKS THANKS THANKS and THANKS again for all the support and encouragement.
Well done to everyone who raced....Take Care
Great race reports all - big respect for the full dist guys & girls.
My biggest issue was the dead-stop turns too tight without cars parked up. Need to practise those well genral bike skills all round would help me. i actually got off at one and picked my bike up to turn it in right direction.
First time I overtook a car, a Fiat 500 tootling along the lanes, good job it was single carriage route.
I may have only done the half but my race report seems to be longer than the full dist guys.
if you have the time heres my report. Warning its a long one.....
http://swimsweatandgears.wordpress.com/2013/09/10/challenge-henley-half-race-report/
A very quick update from me as I worked 15 hours yesterday and am on for 12 today.
Pirate Championship Awards
Best Novice 145 - (shared) Whizkid & Fraggle)
Fastest Male 145 - Whizkid
Fastest Female 145 - Goblin Princess
Best Improver - Goblin Princess
Best Supporter - Siggy
Smiliest Pirate - Goblin Princess (I think this is correct but ive mislaid my notes)
Mincer Award - was very close this year but Gladys just edged it
Does this mean for 13.1 miles Gladys minced MORE THAN TWICE as much as anyone doing a proper race?! At least that's the only way I can think how he only edged it...
Top bombing Goblin Princess - sub 12 next year?
Gladys did as much mincing too actually make everyone else almost obsolete!
Love you really
Right race report time......
Challenge Henley Race Report aka Triathletes in the Mist
This may take some time….
Preamble :
In 2007 I started training for my first IronMan, IM Florida. I couldn’t get past 3 hours on the bike without my back seizing up and me being immobile the next day, and eventually had to pull out. After grumbling along for another year, my back finally went completely. I had ruptured my L4/L5 disc and needed surgery to sort it out; in January 2009 my back was fused and I’m now held together with nuts and bolts. My left leg is now noticeably weaker than my right, and my sciatic nerve easily gets irritated causing pain and muscle spasms. It’s been a long road back to fitness, and last year survived the Half IM at Henley, so decided to go for the big one this year.
Now as the other members of Team Melds are aware my irritable nerve has given me a few problems in training, and that quite a lot of my long rides had been blighted by sciatica and muscle spasms, and this could be a problem come race day.
I met the other pirates on Saturday for race briefing, which helped calm down my feelings of panic. Drove over to T1 to rack my bike and like many others stood and stared at it thinking ‘now what have I forgotten ?’
Went back home (as I’m only about 6 miles away) had steak and chips for dinner, then tried to get some sleep. And failed miserably. Alarm was set for 4am, but I spent most of the night awake and feeling sick and wondering what the hell I was about to do. Told Mr Frag that I could quite happily not do it as I was scared, but gave myself a good talking to and managed to force down some porridge and tea.
Drove to Henley, picking up Scuba on the way, still with that feeling of impending doom and nausea going on. Faffed with the bike, sorted out food and drink then realised it was only 20 mins to the start so wriggled into my wetsuit and dropped my bag. Little Sister was being a star and helping me to keep calm, and then suddenly it was get into the water time.
Swim : Start was delayed by 10 mins as it was very misty. I don’t think the extra 10 mins made much difference as we still couldn’t see much. I started at the back of the wave as I still don’t cope well with lots of people swimming close to me, and to my surprise enjoyed most of the swim. Apart from the odd bump it was quiet and I could just do my own thing. There were moments when I looked up to sight and couldn’t see anyone, but would just have to assume that as the bank was still on my right I was going the right way. After a while the large turnaround buoy loomed out of the fog, and the time was 47 mins, which would be bang on for my estimated time of 1.30-1.40. The return leg was more interesting as the faster guys from the wave after us were starting to come through, then suddenly I saw the large orange buoys and could hear music at the start so knew I was nearly there. Shocked to see 1.31.41 on my watch as I got out, and loved it when the helped hauled me out of the water and cried “Great! A light one at last” and lifted me off my feet.
T1 : Grabbed my bag and ran into the change tent, then took forever getting out of my wetsuit and into shorts, etc as my hands were so cold I couldn’t make them work properly. Impressed Little sister with my roast potato eating abilities and headed off to my bike. T1 11.29
Bike : My bike was not the last one there so that was a bonus J My garmin was playing silly b*ggers so had to switch it off and on again while running to the mount line. Off up the road and it was still foggy and I was cold – this would turn out to be the theme of the day. After the 2 miles to Henley the bike starts on the first of 3 x 36 mile laps.
Lap1 went without incident. There were loads of super fast bikes on the road, and being a lap made up of essentially 4 out and back sections you get to see everyone lots of times. Throughout the bike I seemed to be about 20ish mins behind Barley so we saw each a lot for plenty of waving and Yargh-ing. Saw Mr Frag in Henley, then my good friend E had cycled out to see me near Greys, which gave me a good boost. I noticed from the start that my hips felt a bit tight, but ignored it and pressed on. Howe Hill was OK the first time, though it did hurt a bit. Back downhill to Henley and the start of lap 2.
Lap2 : first half of the lap was good, but then Henley Half-ers turned off, and it got very quiet, and I became more aware of the speedy dudes overtaking me on their last laps, when I still had one more to do. I could feel my lower back tightening, and my left knee was starting to get painful, but it was still bearable.
Lap3 : Mr Frag was there with my boys so I stopped and had a good hug with them. He told me I was 3rd in my age group, which I thought was hilarious and of course totally wrong. E had turned up with her family too, and then of course there were the Pirates with Siggy in particular giving it welly on the cheering front. Up the Fairmile for the start of the last lap and the slog began. By 80-90 miles my knee was rather painful and I now had the odd flash of pain across my lower back and down my left leg. I eased off a bit, as I had Mouses’s voice ringing in my ears from Outlaw “It’s not a duathlon, it’s a triathlon, there’s no point hammering the bike if you can’t do the marathon afterwards”. Howe Hill came and I had to get off and push the bike up the first third of it, which turned out to be a good thing as I got to stretch my back out a bit, I then hopped back on and ground my way to the top. From then on it’s pretty much downhill all the way to T2, so I knew the end was in sight J
Bike time 8.17, had hoped for 7.5-8 hours, but c’est la vie.
T2 : handed my bike over trotted to the change tent and discovered my schoolboy error of the day – not checking my kit properly beforehand. Pulled off my sweaty socks and got my fresh ones out , only to find two left ones. Sod it, sweaty sock were now covered in grass, so I headed out of T2 on two left feet.
T2 : 5.02
Run : The run is 4 laps, and again it’s an out and back course which loops past the finish line each time, so you once again get to see your piratey friends a lot. Again I seemed to be 20-30 mins behind Barley and we met at the same point on the run course most laps.
Laps one and two were good, I walked the aid stations and generally felt ok. My left knee was very very painful and going over the little bridges on the course was hellish.
At the end of lap 2 I was offered a head torch and stupidly refused. Now it wasn’t dark yet and I didn’t want to carry it so I thought I’d get one next time round – idiot! By the turnabout at the far end of the course it was now dark. There were plenty of arc lights stationed around, but some parts of the course were quiet dark. The part along to towpath back into Henley was very very dark, and although there were glowsticks kind of marking the path and any obstacles, it was slow going and I was getting pretty pee’d off. Back to Henley and I saw Little Sister on the bridge and asked i
Well what can I say ? The support of my friends family and pirates has been truly amazing. You can’t put into words on how much extra you get by wearing the yellow and black. Special mentions must go to all the other pirates racing on the day, esp Little Sister who saved my bacon on more than one occasion J
To Siggy, Schmunks, Rafi, Bassy Mrs Cougie and the Brooko, Cheggers and Scuba families (with apologies to anyone I’ve missed!)
And of course team Melds, without whom I don’t think I’d have got through all this. Nursey my fabulous Iron-Sister and super Mentor Meldy who dished out advice and butt-kicking where needed.
And as a special bonus, I got 3rd in my age group, a once only, never to be repeated event lol
Nice one Iron Fraggle!! That has a ring to it, doesn't it!!
Good work, excellent racing (you age group podium placers are giving the Pirates a bad name!) and great report!
Well done, but savour this, it was you and all your work that did that. Your training and your will power. You overcame your injuries. So, just think what you're capable of now!! Kona?!!!
Ha ha Kona!
Nice one siggy 
She's a starlet, isn't she? Takes a good photo too. That Bella Baylis looks haggard by comparison.
Well done on overcoming the back-butcher's best efforts. Will you take a day off before you start your next training? I hear that the pointy headed one is back on his bike again already.
Well he can't have 'left it all out on the course' like you guys! I mean, if he had, he'd have won his age group wouldn't he and not only come second!
But I'll tell you what. That's the closest my kit's ever going to get to a podium finish!!!
Well done fraggle but you seem to be missing some of the report
Sorry - here's the run bit properly !
Run : The run is 4 laps, and again it’s an out and back course which loops past the finish line each time, so you once again get to see your piratey friends a lot. Again I seemed to be 20-30 mins behind Barley and we met at the same point on the run course most laps.
Laps one and two were good, I walked the aid stations and generally felt ok. My left knee was very very painful and going over the little bridges on the course was hellish.
At the end of lap 2 I was offered a head torch and stupidly refused. Now it wasn’t dark yet and I didn’t want to carry it so I thought I’d get one next time round – idiot! By the turnabout at the far end of the course it was now dark. There were plenty of arc lights stationed around, but some parts of the course were quiet dark. The part along to towpath back into Henley was very very dark, and although there were glowsticks kind of marking the path and any obstacles, it was slow going and I was getting pretty pee’d off. Back to Henley and I saw Little Sister on the bridge and asked if she had her headtorch with her, she said she did and would have it ready for me when I came back if I didn’t get given one by the event crew. On to the end of the lap and Mr Frag and the boys were there so hugs all round and I was off for the last time with a ‘see you in about an hour 20 or so’. No headtorches left so I was very grateful to see Li’l Sis on the bridge and I could get motoring again. This last lap was cold dark and lonely as there were only a handful of us left out on the course. The fog was coming in again which made it a bit hard to see where you were going. By now I had those wonderful “any b*gger can run 6 miles” type thoughts, and I knew I was going to finish. Saw Swiss Bobby who said ‘you’ve got an hour and a quarter to get round before the cut-off, you’ll easily do that” and I was feeling good. Thanked the aid station people and got my last fill of oranges and bananas (honestly, I think I ate my body weight in bananas and orange quarters on that run course!) and headed off to the finish. The dark towpath was easier now, and I could see and hear the finish area on the other side of the river. Got to the Thames Bridge and was amazed to see Little Sister and Scuba waiting for me. They offered me hats and jumpers as I was cold but I thought sod that, it’s only 5 mins to the end I just want to get there. They ran with me to the finish area where I grabbed the hand of No2 son and we ran down the red carpet with the pirates cheering us on.
Run time 5.37.59
Finish time 15.44.02
What a superstar you are Fraggle. Well done you. I'm so very proud to know you.