Week 18 started good, I managed to run before swim coaching on Monday. After doing the Olympic tri the day before I was really chuffed to have done 5k. Huge thanks to Vicki and Danny for this.
On Tuesday my family were back from their travels and my cousin Sarah really wanted to go for a bike ride. So we did a really nice 16k ride and enjoyed the sunshine. It was a easy pace but nice to spend time with family.
Wednesday and Thursday was spent in London with my family before they flew home. Didn’t manage any training but did walk lots!
Friday was another night off, not great for my training I know. However friends and family are priority. It was our best friends birthday so we spent the night in Norwich.
On Saturday, slightly hungover we ran a test of the Waveney Wildman run route. It was tough, hot and there were a few stinging nettles. However I really enjoyed it.
Sunday was the club ride and we rode part of the Wildman bike route as well as to and from Beccles. When I got home i did my first brick session for a while. It was only 1k but was pleased to have ran off the bike.
Totals for week 18
6h 57m total
Swimming – 0h 0m
Cycling – 4h 35m
Running – 2h 21m
Week 19 didn’t have such a great start training wise. Monday was swim coaching. Tuesday I was on a training course so got home from work late. Was going round my friends for dinner and by the time I got home I had to leave straight away. Lovely evening with a great friend though.
Wednesday was the club run to Geldeston Locks. What a funny night this turned out to be. The field to the pub was flooded and as such the locks were shut. We decided to run anyway and head to the Wherry. The run was so much fun, going through mud, ditches and huge puddles. Covered 12k all in all.
On Thursday I went out with the work running club and did a nice steady 5k. In the evening went for a swim.
Friday night was a friends house warming party so again didn’t manage to do any training.
Saturday I did Lowestoft parkrun and was a pacer for Boo.
Sunday was Waveney Wildman Triathlon. Review below.
Totals for week 19
9h 28m total
Swimming – 1h 39m
Cycling – 3h 09m
Running – 4h 38m
Waveney Wildman – Almost middle Distance 2016
This race was put together by fellow club members (both Waveney Valley AC and Beccles Triathlon Club) Richard Aukland and Paul Grant.
It was only £10 to enter, which covered the cost of hiring Fritton lake, lifeguards for the lake, bike racking and water bottles.
The route was sign posted however there would be no marshals on the day and it was really down to each individual to know the route.
There was also no timing chip but someone was at the finish line to write down the time people finished.
It was so relaxed and fun. No need to register or worry about race numbers. There were around 15 of us competing which meant it was nice and friendly as we pretty much knew everyone. It did also mean though that parts of the race were lonely.
The race started quite late which was a really nice change. Arrived at Fritton for 10am and the race briefing was at 10:30.
We had plenty of time to get into the lake and get ready. The starting gun went off at 10:48.
The swim was 3,000 meter. Which was 4 laps of the big loop. It was lovely swimming in the lake, so warm and sunny. Was really enjoying it. Part way through the second lap I lost my swimming hat though, so annoying. I didn’t tie up hair up very tight and my hair bobble slipped off. This meant my hair went all over my face when I was swimming. I should have just taken the time to stop and sort it out. However I was worried that we only had the lake for a certain amount of time and that I was last and holding everyone up.
Finally finished the 4th lap and exited the lake. A nice steady jog up to transition. Took my time a bit and eat a banana and dried my feet. Before heading out onto the bike. I managed to leave Fritton with Kerstin, Karim and Mitch. I kept with them until we got to Haddiscoe dam and I lost my legs. I just couldn’t keep up with them. Was a bit gutted as it would mean a long, lonely ride.
I gently pushed on though, Phil came past me not long after.
Made my way past Beccles sports centre and onto Ringsfield. Turned right to follow the course and thought I heard Squirrel call me name. However I knew she was a good 5 min ahead of me and a strong cyclist so put it down to me hearing things.
Then I heard a group of cyclists come up from behind. I look around and though it looked like Kerstin, again I thought it was impossible as they were ahead. However, it was them and Squirrel. They had taken a wrong turn and ended up behind me. It was so nice having a group to cycle with.
I managed to eventually catch my second wind and kept up with them all.
It turned out to be a really lovely ride. We finished back at Beccles sports centre, where I had an energy bar to eat before heading out onto the run.
The run was mostly off road, with some sections with quite bad stinging nettles. I walked through these bits, and also walked a couple more times to take on gels and water. It was really hot.
However I just kept putting one foot in front of each other and kept moving. With 2k to go I saw Duncan and Mitch just ahead of me. This really spurred me on, I picked up my pace and caught them.
Then they ran off quite fast up the hill into Beccles, I had to walk. When they got to the top they had to walk so again I jogged to catch them. Mitch and I then ran the last k to the finish together. Which was really nice.
I have never been so happy to finish a race before. That hurt. It was my longest distance race by almost double. Over the moon to have finished.
My final time was 5 hours and 44 mins.
Details
Location – Start was at Fritton Lake, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 9HA. Transition and finish at Beccles Sports Centre, Ringsfield Rd, Beccles NR34 9PF.
Type – Open water Swim (4 laps) 3,000m, cycle on public roads (1 lap) 40 miles, and an off road run (1 lap) 10 miles
Entry Fee – £10
Medal – Yes and male/female winning trophies.
Goody bag – No. Two free water bottles.
Event facilities – Toilets, free parking.
Chip timed – No
Start Type – Everyone started together
Would I do this event again? – Yes
Overall Score –9/10
Summary
The only improvement I can see if to finish at the Waveney house hotel. Cheap, friendly, relaxed event. Just hard!!