Gone off the rails a bit the last two weeks, haven’t been sticking to my plan.
I think I am in denial about how close the Monster middle really is. However when checking back, I am there or thereabouts in terms of each discipline. Just need to make sure I am getting that brick session in.
Must stick to the plan on week 18!
So week 16 started in it’s usual way with Swim coaching. It was the day after the triathlon and everyone was on a massive high. It was fab.
On Tuesday Vicki and I cycled over to Fritton Lake which was lovely. I swam two big loops for the first time and felt good. We took advantage of the nice weather and cycled there and back.
Wednesday was the penultimate beginners session in Beccles so I helped out with that.
Thursday was the lunch running club. In the evening I cycled over to the GYCC time trial and got a PB, which I was really pleased about.
Saturday I did parkrun but didn’t feel great so took it easy. Then went swimming with Jo.
Sunday was a longish club ride. We checked out the Fritton Triathlon route and stopped for cake.
Totals for week 16
12h 7m total
Swimming – 1h 20m
Cycling – 7h 58m
Running – 2h 49m
Week 17 was a taper/holiday week for me. My family was visiting from the US and I had Fritton Lake Olympic triathlon on the Sunday. My first time at that distance.
I did manage to go for a great run Tuesday evening along the beach.
On Wednesday Beccles Triathlon Club helped marshal the first sprint of the Women’s tour. It was great fun and had a nice ride there and back. In the evening got a bit of running in helping out with the last beginners week.
Saturday was a long tiring day. I had my 3rd LTO shadow at Fritton lake for the Sprint race. This went well and Peter managed to sort out me doing my 4th and final shadow in the Super Sprint race that afternoon. This was my assessment shadow which meant I had to take the lead. I managed to pass my assessment and subject to paper work I can now officiate at local races. Was so chuffed to have passed this, however standing in the cold for almost 12 hours wasn’t the best pre race prep I’ve had 🙂
Sunday was race day. See below for details.
Totals for week 17
5h 55m total
Swimming – 0h 31m
Cycling – 3h 3m
Running – 2h 20m
Fritton Lake Triathlon – Standard Distance 2016
Originally we were told that we could register the night before but this was cancelled which was a shame. However when I arrived at registration the queue wasn’t long and it moved very quickly.
Managed to get all my stuff sorted nice and quickly and headed over to transition with Vicki who was also racing.
Set up transition and tried to chill out and relax before the race. I didn’t feel that well the night before and was feeling really nervous for some reason before the race. I think as always I was putting ridiculous pressure on myself, given this was my first time at this distance.
The race briefing was late, which didn’t really help. However finally we were on our way to the lake. I got in the water and managed to have a little bit of a swim around. I found a nice space and was feeling happy. Then everyone started to move to the left. I followed and ended up in the middle of the pack and before I knew it and without warning the race started. I didn’t have time to properly start my watch and didn’t know for the whole race what my time was.
The swim was a bit of a nightmare to start with. I took in a lot of water and really struggled to clear my throat and breathe. For a split second or two I really thought I would have to pull out. I had a lot of people pulling and pushing me under the water. However after a very slow breaststroke for a minute I was off. Breathing every stroke for a while but eventually I managed to get back into bilateral breathing. Can’t say I relaxed as was a bit on edge after that but enjoyed the second lap much better than the first.
Exited the water and headed to transition. Managed to get my wet suit off pretty well, considering this was the first time I had to do this in race conditions and headed out on to the bike course.
I felt comfortable on the bike as I knew the route pretty well. Felt like my speed was okay and no major incidents happened which I was really pleased about. Over took a few people and had loads of men and a few women over take me.
Finished the bike course and headed back to transition where again it was pretty smooth. Then onto the run. Oh the run. The first k or two felt alright but after than it just got harder and harder. Being off road and having to keep pace on very tired legs was tough. I also couldn’t catch my breath very well. Having my watch to know my pace helped so much though, it really did. I again felt like I wasn’t moving on the run, however when I looked down and saw my speed it was reassuring.
The support on the run course really helped get me through and finally I started the third lap. Was feeling okay-ish up until 8k where it felt like everything started to shut down. I could feel bad blisters on my feet and my timing chip was rubbing. It was getting really hot and a couple of ladies over took me with 1k to go. However I gave myself a talking to and tried to finish as strong as I could.
I had no idea of my time and really wanted to be under 3 hours. Which I was. 2:48:30.
Unbelievably I finished 1st in my age group.
Full results here. They include relay teams a individuals at the moment so looks odd. Any number over 189 is a relay team.
Details
Location – Fritton Lake, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 9HA
Type – Open water Swim (2 laps), cycle on public roads (2 lap) and an off road mostly trail run (3 laps)
Entry Fee – £60 (£55 with BTF* membership)
Medal – Yes and age group trophies.
Goody bag – No just a free, non printed swimming hat.
Event facilities – Toilets, free parking, food and drink. Tri-harder stall, organic milkshakes and a massage tent.
Chip timed – Yes
Start Type – 2 waves. Females, relay teams and males under 30 in wave 1. Everyone else in wave 2.
Would I do this event again? – I think so
Overall Score –8/10
Summary
Great friendly event organisers, fantastic marshals, lovely location. Swim start could have been better.
* British Triathlon Membership