It’s that time of year again, CRA town bumps are upon us. Once again I’m rowing in the beer boat.
Tuesday – 1st Night
City VIII overbumped Champs VII.
Wednesday – 2nd Night
City VIII row over.
Thursday – 3rd Night.
City VIII bumped Champs VI.
Friday – 4th Night
City VIII bumped X-press IV.
Overall a good week, we didn’t get blades but we went up 5 which is pretty good.
It has been decided. A few friends and I are going to race the New Forest.
The Forestman is an iron distance triathlon, comprising of a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike, and a 42.2km run. For those of us that prefer good of fashioned distances: 2.4 miles in the lake, 112.5 miles in the saddle, finished off with a marathon.
Entries aren’t open yet, but we’re resolved to look out for opening day and getting our names on quickly. Should be an interesting year.
Well I had a whale of a time. My provisional time is 1hr14, that is from starting the stop watch 5 seconds before the swim and stopping it as I crossed the run finish line. The transitions went perfectly, I genuinely don’t think I could have done any better/faster.
The cycle was incredible – a four mile climb to start with which hurt a lot (I don’t have any hills to practice on), and then a steep down hill on which, according to my cycle computer, I clocked a top speed of 44.5mph!
I then ran a ~22 min 5k which ordinarily would be terrible, but again it was hilly (where do they get those from up north anyway?) but I’m happy with it on a recovering leg and for a first Tri.
What a great experience, thoroughly enjoyed it – I will definitely be doing more.
Despite something in my brain screaming restraint, I’m signed up for four Triathlons now. Though the Ely place isn’t confirmed as they have a small field, I’m registered for the other three.
So I’ve entered my first triathlons in the upcoming months. I’m doing the South Sea Classic in August (1.5km/40km/10km swim/bike/run) and as means of preparation decided that looking for an earlier event would make good sense.
And so I found the Todmorden Sprint Triathlon (400m/20km/5km). My aim is to try, nothing else – get experience of the transitions, see if I can get round and properly condition each leg so that I don’t blow up on the run – a distinct danger as I’m likely to give it some on the cycle. This is on the 4th of July, I’d like to think I’m prepared – the distance is easy, I’ve practised transitions. I’m hoping to finish in a competent first-go time.
The same has to be said for the SSC in August (14th), it’s a much longer distance, especially the swim which is my weakest discipline. And it is a wetsuit swim in the sea, which will be a real challenge for me. Still, looking forward to finishing and getting round in at least a competent time, with eyes on the bigger prize of Ironman distance next year with any luck.
If I ever realise one of my goals of opening a running shop, I’ll create a sideline in clothing with this catch phrase. I was thinking this running last night. Coming off a slight back niggle, about 4 miles into the run I was considering stopping because my back felt sore. Sensible in many cases, but I am not sensible. So I did what I’ve done many a time – told myself that I could worry about it hurting later, and took it easy for the next mile. I think that this is the only way – within reason – I’ll achieve my goal of having an injury free year.
I’m a kit whore.
Feel free to buy me some: Wiggle wishlist.