EUROPEAN TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS – EILAT, ISRAEL

EUROPEAN TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS – EILAT, ISRAEL

Very, very hot.  Very, very windy!

Swim was in the Red Sea and on the borderline of wetsuits/no wetsuits,so a choice.  Most of us went for the wetsuit option, not only for the extra buoyancy but more for protection against the jellyfish bites and the sea lice.  A number of people were quite badly bitten by both these critures!

My main adversary was an American/Israeli lady, Susie Dvoskin.  I had my support team out with their stopwatches and they told me that she was two minutes ahead me on the swim.  There was a very long transition, 530 metres, between the beach and the transition area.  We had to keep our wetsuits on till we were in the transition area. Not a bad transition.  Out on the bike and the majority of the course  was steep-ish uphill on the way out and into a very strong headwind.  Having done the course on the Thursday, I realised it would be OK to put 100% effort in on the way up and out because of the down hill on the way back.  I managed to catch and overtake Susie well before half way. At the turnaround point was a makeshift wooden bridge, to get onto the other side of the motorway. A number of people were fussing, as they do, about the incline and the tight U-turn. I managed to negotiate it with no problem. One of the officials shouted ‘Good bike technique GB!’ Brilliant ride on the way back – I was on a 52/12, legs going like bees wings and really enjoying it.  I guess it’s a bit like cycling in heaven, high speed with minimal effort!

Back into transition.  All went smoothly again. The run was not good.  I can’t run in the heat.  However, I stuck to it and because it was two loops of out and back I could see that providing I kept ‘cool’ and didn’t slow down I would be in first place by the end.  That was the way it panned out and so by hanging on in there and keeping going I finished and collected my gold medal in the evening presentations.

I stayed at The King Solomon Hotel.  The food was first class. I really could have done with another week there to get round to tasting all the dishes on offer. No wine till my final night!  Scary landing at Heathrow - plane nearly landed and then quite suddenly the engines roared and we went strtaight up again!  Eventually the pilot said the landing had to be aborted because he did not havegoround clearance!  I'm only a car and tractor driver but I did think it would have been a good idea to get clearance before nearly touching the ground! We then circled London for another 25 minutes till a successful landing.

One day sunbathing under palm trees and now today back to our British climate, not good!

Look forward to reports on the London Marathon from other NDTC folks.

Krazy Kristmas Kaper

Ever seen a fully grown man running around apark in a childs Batman outfit? Ever seen Mary and the Baby Jesus out for a run? Ever seen a Christmas Present containing two lovely ladies (easy lads!!!)? Hawaiian shirts, men in suits, christmas pixies and sandwich boards all out running together? No!!!! Then it's about time you raced the North Devon Tri Kristmas Kaper.

The recent awful weather in North Devon seemed to scare off many of the regulars to the Kaper this year, but still a hardy field of 43 turned up to brave the elements. Many of those were once again forsaking any hope of a decent time by donning fancy dress and all sorts of seasonal goodies for the 5k run.
The overall race winners were also the two youngest competitors out there. Sam Wordley (pictured below) from Barnstaple Swim Club took the overall title just 19 seconds ahead of Scoob Lark (WSLSC). 3rd home was Mark Alderman (NDTC) who was officially DQ'd for his dress code, but anybody willing to run around Rock Park in the middle of December wearing just a pair of Speedo's always deserves a mention.
1st lady and 4th overall was Belinda Alecock from LSC ahead of Eleanor Parker (WSLSC) and Nikki Barrass (NDTC).

The main talk leading into this race is always of who is going to wear what with the Fancy Dress prizes now holding more kudos than anything else. We were not to be disappointed with many people pulling out all the stops to give us all a laugh and no doubt make those dog walkers on Rock Park wonder what on earth was going on.
Amongst many amazing and inventive creations there were two that stood out above the rest. NDTC Chairman James Marshall once again set the standard with his AMAZING Mary & Jesus (and a pair of Newtons) creation, just look at that contraption - yes he did really push it for 5km. At the same time as James was going proper 'olde school' out on the run course Emily Hutchens and Eva Murphy from Saunton & Woolacombe SLSC's were battling their way around the narrow and sodden run course dressed as a huge Christmas Present, one costume for two people. It must have been interesting sight watching them trying to dodge the deep puddles that covered parts of the course.

North Devon Tri would like to thank everybody that raced and marshalled. you all helped make this one of the most fun events of the year. Thanks!

Links to the full results and pictures from the race can be found at www.northdevontri.co.uk/poolaqua.html we look forward to seeing you all again in 2010.

Merry Christmas :-)

Tales of a World Champ & an End to End Journey

North Devon Tri Clubs Peggy Crome returned from Australia's Gold Coast a Double 2009 World Age Group Champion. After a feature in the local newspapers before she flew out to Oz Peggy was never headed on the way to her World Aquathlon and World Sprint Triathlon double.

Once home she put fingers to keyboard and wrote out some race reports which I've cheekily copied and pasted below.

At the same time Peggy was enjoying the Southern Hemisphere Andy and Maria Hindle were completing their John O'Groats to Lands End bike ride. You can read about how their attempt went at their blog.

Back to the World Champs write ups then. In Peggy's words:

World Championship Aquathlon: 2.5k run 1000k swim 2.5k run.

I entered this to get a feel for the water and to prepare for the triathlon which was 4 days later. With a mass start it is difficult to know how many are in the same age group, although I did notice some skinny, lean, mean running machines from the USA at the start. I managed to get ahead of the couple of USA ladies that I had spotted and to my surprise they did not come back at me. After completing the 2.5k run it was straight into the water where it is often difficult to see because of goggles fogging up after the run. After sighting the first buoy I put my goggles on at the last minute and tried to stay relaxed and concentrated on good technique. Toasty’s advise was running through my head, ‘. . . don’t move your left arm until your head is looking down and you are breathing out . . .’ I wondered whether swim coaches realised what an effect they have on us and their words of wisdom running through our heads even though we might be on the other side of the world! The swim was difficult to negotiate because it was almost a boomerang shape and there were buoys floating around which had nothing to do with the aquathlon course. There were also a number of motorboats that created waves and only served to confuse sighting. At one point I heard a lot of shouting from someone who had become ‘lost’ and disorientated. This was probably the lady in my age group who had a DNF. After the 1000m swim it was into transition and straight into the second run. I maintained a good effort knowing that no one in my age group had overtaken me, (age groups were written on the back of our legs) I had timed myself and made my total time, with transitions, about 56 mins.

Later in the afternoon were the presentations. These were done in reverse order and when the bronze and silver were announced no times were given for them but then he said “And in a time of 56 mins ….I knew I had won it before he announced my name – I couldn’t believe it! I was so pleased and proudly collected my gold medal. Jasmine Flatters took a few photos but she is still out there and I have not yet received them. So a good race and with a gold medal under my belt I was well prepared for the triathlon.

World Championship Sprint Triathlon: 750m swim 20k bike 5k run.

I had to enter this instead of the standard distance because this was the distance I won gold in last year and I was given a free entry to defend last year’s title. Also, £148.00 is not to be sneezed at!

As with the aquathlon, I was not sure how many were in my group because names were listed by country and then in alphabetical order in the programme. This was of no importance because I knew I just had to get in there and push it all the way. About three quarters of the way round the swim, the youngest male group started to catch us and it suddenly became very crowded but they were, on the whole, very gentlemanly and did not try to drown us. The swim was long but much easier to negotiate than the aquathlon because it was an open box shape. It was generally agreed that the swim was long but I was out of the water ahead of a lot of the red caps i.e. the over 50 ladies. As I ran up the beach, I heard the commentator say ‘ . . . and next it’s Peggy Crome from Great Britain, the first 65+ lady . . . ‘ I didn’t hear any more I was then on a real mission to stay in front of anyone in my age group. There was a long transition as there has to be to with the volume of competitors in these big events. The transitions area was very well organised and I ran it a couple of times before the start to make sure I knew the route. A reasonably quick transition time, then off on the bike.

Bike route was pretty boring; two laps of a flat straight motorway (closed!). There was blatant drafting with large groups of about 20 chaps (90% of them being Australians). I think that a lot of them were ‘two-footed’ and even more given penalties. Nothing interesting happened on the bike leg, I managed to negotiate the360degree turns neatly without tipping up. There were a number of accidents at the turns but it was just a matter of taking a wide sweep, concentrating and looking where I was going. I made sure that none of the people who overtook me had 65+ on their calves! I was also surprised to be overtaking quite a few myself. So I kept my head down and did my best to concentrate.

Into transition and I heard one of my friends names being called by the commentator and my concentration was interrupted and I ran right past my number alley. Bugger! After all the practising to get it right, what would Tim say? Quickly back tracked and found my bike. Didn’t stop to put on clowns kit but did a smooth and speedy change. As I ran up the hill to start the run, I realised I had not put my number belt on. I took a chance and did not go back for it. No one stopped me and I guess I was all right because the timing chip kept me on the map. By this time the heat was a problem, even though it was early in the morning. I kept the run easy and relaxed and knowing that I only had to keep going at that speed as long as no one from my age group overtook. If they did my plan was to stay with them to the last 50m and then do a sprint finish which I have practising through the winter. Luckily no one bothered me and I finished in 1:34:36 which was not a bad time with the long swim and long transitions. The commentator did not say that I had won so I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t until Jasmine Flatters, Team Manager, told me that I had won. I really couldn’t believe it. Two gold medals! She also told me that I was the only one to get a gold in the sprint distance. Eventually when the results were up I realised there was only one other in my group, Pauline Wiltshire, who I knew about because she had won ‘Triathlete of the Year’ in Western Australia for her personal achievements and for her input to triathlon. Since returning, I have done a bit of number crunching and out of all the ladies I finished ahead of 27 of them – so I was well pleased with the results.

The medal ceremony was in the evening at the Great Australian Barbecue – a brilliant evening but the live music was a bit too loud and I found it difficult to hear. Is that a sign of old age?

Now, if anyone had read all this epistle you deserve a gold medal!!

Racing not blogging!

Well it looks like we've all been a bit slack in keeping the blog up to date so here's a few thoughts from the beginner end of the spectrum on Year 2 of tri for me and the exploits of the Green Army -ND tri not Plymouth Argyle!

Where to start..........so much has happened...... so a selection: The Green Army have been blasting their way through Hayle, Swanage, Bedford and Plymouth Olympic races; the Bude Sprint and of course the Gold Coast Aquathon. Muzzer continued his marathon challenge at the Swiss Alps and club members dropped into the Barnstaple Race for Life, St Ives, Helston, Burnham on Sea Tri's, as well as the Two Moors Sportif and Dartmoor Classic on the bike. Special mention must go to those who toughed their way through the Half Ironman at Wimbleball (espcially Damo in raising lots of money for charity) and to Bidemark for completing the Ironman UK in Bolton. At all these events club members have taken honours (too many to mention) or achieved personal goals but a read of the results section on the website shows how competitive many people are and how successful at getting through races if that is their own goal.

We've also had a couple cracking training session in Bude at the sea pool and in the surf which went from flat calm at the first one to some quite challenging swell at the second, we also did either a run or cycle afterwards these were great fun, very sociable and great to be out enjoying our environment.

I should really mention the women's section of the club where Maria, SallyP, Peggy, Suz, Helen, Rosie and Fi have all taken honours in multiple races and given the blokes a run for their money in terms of club honours and profile. However, as ever a key point about the club remains that for those of us who don't trouble the scorer the support is just as fulsome and the Green Army supporters are there rain or shine (seemingly mostly rain!) cheering us all on and taking photos to record all our efforts.

There is still alot of racing to come through August and into September/October with another club outing at Dorney to look forward to.

As for me I completed Bude and was quicker by 6minutes so very happy with that, took part in the Woolacombe long swim, that really was an experience in some challenging conditions surf wise and weather wise and having had some holiday just completed the Hayle sprint. This was my race where I felt "best" last year so really looked forward to it again this year. I think the holiday and lack of racing told and I was slightly slower this year but with quicker bike and run so I reckon if I get myself organised I can continue to improve inch by inch. This certainly taught the value of racing regularly and about being "race fit" and race ready - didn't quite feel like my head was around it this time whereas last year I really focused on this race. So as ever its a real learning curve.

So its back to work for me now which oddly may mean a clearer focus on training......I'm hoping to get to the Great North Swim but this may depend on the latest family addition - a Labrador puppy named Beth - its a bit if a trek to Winderemere, it may have to be next year! But I'm really looking forward to the Dorney relay and the chance for a team green outing - lets hope the weather is similar to last year - that has probably jinxed it!

Hopefully no frogs in the tent at Dorney :)

A Big Weekend

There was a full complement of racing on this weekend so I thought I'd post some race reports rather than concoct something totally new and original (I'm lazy like that).
Before I start all that however there's just enough time for me to remind you about the GOLDCOAST BEACH AQUATHLON next weekend. Click on the link to find out more. A race with a Festival thrown in as part of the shwag bag, what more could you ask?
Back to the race reports then and the big one of course was IMUK 70.3 where in his first full year of triathlon Damian Railston was taking on the distance in memory of his son Nathaniel (Please click here to find out more about his story). Racing alongside Damian were Alan Ward, Tony Read and many other friends of the club. Also out there making a HUGE amount of noise were the NDTC support crew, so apologies to any athletes returning from the race with damaged ear drums :-).

DAMIAN'S WIMBLEBALL REPORT
First of all... Thank you to everyone who supported and sponsored me! You got me through the run... without that motivation lap one might have been the only one I did!!

So the day... Misty on the lake so the start was delayed about an hour and a half?? I wandered out to the lake when called, following Toasty to the left hand side of the field. He was in the water and away like a fish and I got battered!! The swim was the proper distance and I was out the water in about 31 mins on my watch. The run to transition was a 'mare! Out on bike feeling good. Stuck to my feed strategy all the way round and it worked. Got overtaken by gizillions of people - stuck to my strategy and beat my beat time by 10 mins. Think I took the wrong bike - but hey ho - no flats or mechanicals. All good. Happily wound my way back to transition and changed for the run.
So with injury and wot not I've not done enough training for the run... and it showed. The first lap hurt badly... The second was better... and I felt ok on the third. A nightmare split but I did it.

I was running down 7 hours and it flicked by on my watch. I was a bit gutted but kept pushing for the end. Turned the corner to the finish line and saw I was going to be under my target of 7 hours. I remembered that I started my watch a few mins before the start and locked the keys... lapping it when the gun went off.
Doh 6:58:24 I'm a (sort of) Ironman!! Again... thanks to all who shouted for me today... It made such a difference.
Green Army!!

COACH TOASTY'S (ALAN WARD) REPORT
Well as Damo said a very delayed start which led to a second breakfast of a slowly munched Powerbar and some Gatorade provided by organisers.
Got in swim and started far left front row, staightest line is quickest and figured I would only get kicked on one side. I swam straight for the first buoy and everybody else went off to right to have a fight, lovely jubbly. Got to first buoy feeling a little groggy in tummy and then around and into sun. Some feet came past as we reached halfway to final turn so jumped on and stayed there til last 100m, palms against feet most of way, bit more comfortable and eased stomach. Probably should have gone round but figured there was plenty of time to make up a minute or two.
Run up to T1 buggar! Steady T1.

Very relaxed on first lap able to talk comfortably going over the big climbs, maybe too relaxed. Support from Team towards end of lap was excellent much appreciated! Passed here feeling good. Finished lap 1 in 1.35 so time to up pace a little for second lap, decided to race a little here and pick some riders to stick with. No talking up big climbs this time. But still felt good coming past support crew to finish Bike. 3.05 Bike measured it at 57.75 miles.
Took my time to dry my feet off in T2.

Out onto run and feeling very good for first 20mins then on long out and back at North end of Lake started to feel rotten and took me 15mins to sort it out, walked for a footstep on steep hill at start of Lap 2 felt horrible, no more of that! Hard to pace not knowing course exactly, is difficult to work out the whole thing before the day! Jan and Dick were awesome down by Dam made me smile every lap.
Lap 1 in 33min even with rubbish bit shows how good I DID feel. Lap 2 went quite well in 39min, ankle starting to feel sorer and sorer. Start of Lap 3 felt ok still, gravel section was felt like even deeper sand on this lap but go through it with some very short strides. Out and back at North end of Lake got me again though, longest section without aid station and the heat started to get to me and before I know it I am walking up last hill like a drunkard, eyeballs rolling in my head stuff. Mince / Jog up to line though for 5.44:52 Lap 3 46min ish 2.02 for run happy with that considering problems I have had this winter.
Put simply I need to be a stronger runner. But overall very happy to finish and pretty much pull off the plan, especially on the Bike.
Well done to Damo a well executed race I think! Tony Read as well who was very nervous beforehand especially with delay. Ross McDonald had a cracker as well finishing 10th overall, in first Pro and Half Ironman Race, I think it was with 4.45ish. Only beaten by one Age Grouper..... Kit Stokes.
Supporters Legendary couldn't have done as well without you,
ThankYou.

Away from Wimbleball there were Triathlons at St Ives and Burnham-on-Sea this weekend. A Burnham report will appear on my blog soon so I won't use up club space with it. Sue White's report from the St Ives Sprint Triathlon is below.

St Ives Sprint Tri.
Carbis bay looked like the carribean at 7 am, sun shining, warm, golden sand and turquoise sea, and barely a ripple on the water.
It was very chilled out race, only 45 in sprint and 45 in standard. I was on my own which was a bit strange, but soon saw a familiar face in Helen Dyke, who introduced me to her new fella, Tim McDowell, they went on to win 1st male and 1st female in the standard distance race. Helen looked really happy with him, and he is a good-looking fit young man who is into sport as much as her, good luck to them!
Anyway 8am we set off, an hour after the standard race started. The water felt very cold but soon felt warm with the effort and was pulling strongly and siting well, came out fairly high up, with two other gels. had a bit of trouble undoing my neck as hands a little numb, but reasonalble t1.
Then straight out and up the very steep hill.. thank god for granny rings, didn't find it too bad. 22.5 km bike with hills and poor surface meant a slow bike split and as i didn't have jan there to race against (or Fi!) I pootled along, much too comfortably. But my legs were still sore after thurs TT and friday 6km run at woolie. stayed relaxed as came into t2,
Walked up the footpath steps at start of run and then gradually wound it up. picked off 3-4 runners on way round and then back to the beach where we had to run the length of it 1 and half times on soft sand. Pleased to see Steve who had foregone climbing to come and support me and he ran alongside me ( very comfortably) as i picked off two more women in the last 200 metres.
So slow time, but so was everyones, sw 16.29, bike 1.06, run 29.51, plus trans =1.54.59.
4th woman, 1st vet woman but very small race!!

Congrats to everyone.

Click here to see NDTC's vast gallery of race day photo's. Who know's you might be one one or two of them.

A contrasting two weeks........

I guess if you take part in Triathlon in the UK you have to learn to deal with a variety of weather conditions and this was clearly exemplified by the last two weeks of racing. Tiverton, sunshine cracking the pavements.........Wellington downpours and blowing a gale, so undoubtedly this just adds to the challenge! So start at the beginning.....Tiverton was for many the first race of the season ( not discounting the toughest event, the In-club version) and this saw a cracking turn of 30+ NDTri members and lots of family and friends to support. The event had a sizable novice entry so over the six hours of racing many a NDTri suit (and others) could be seen swimming, cycling or running. We also got to to admire the newest female junior NDtri member, Roxy :), sensibly she seemed to sleep through most of. Results showed congratulations needed to go to Helen, Rose and Fi for dominating the FV40 category , Maria 2nd in FS , Simon E for 1st in MV50 and Dick 4th , Peggy 1st in FV60 and of course to all the chaps who came 7/8/9/10 in the MS led by Toasty.

As for me, a mixed day, chip came off in the pool so a la childhood swimming lessons had to duck dive to retrieve and put back on again in transition, bike enjoyable, run less so but happy to get through no.1 in one piece in not too bad a time and have fun whilst doing it.

And so onto Taunton. I tried to have a sensible training/taper week as per Toasty's top tips not having tried the challenge of two races a week apart before and felt ok. Start time for me was 11.10 so quite a leisurely start to the day and enough to get the porridge down. Arrived in decent time, with darkening sky's and got kit ready and talked to Liz convincing her it was a great idea to do Tri. Ventured into pool and the chip stayed on hooray........swim fine, a bit of a mare getting swim hat off, and outside..............into a huge downpour. Bike and kit was very soggy but got going and sadly quite enjoyed it....looking forward to doing the cycle in dry! I guess I enjoyed it more as it was more similar to cycling at home and had quite a good tussle with another lady from my wave, I dropped her just before the turn round........I even over-took other people, shock horror! Back ok and safely, couldn't see for rain, clinging on in the wind but got feet out of shoes ok as per plan but did miss racking first time so that took a few seconds longer than I'd hoped. Key problem with the run..............numb feet, took the first lap before I could feel them again and was glad to have that bit over. I didn't find t too cold in the rain but I could see why people chose to put rain kit on for bike & run, however photos would seem to confirm some people may have had dry weather.......how unfair.

Onto results then......Helen won FV40, Suz W FV50, Jan third FV50, Coach Toasty 4th MS and & 7th overall, Tim 7th MS and 12th overall, Milzey 13th MS and 22nd overall and lots of other good placings. Results over the last wto weeks would seem to suggest NDtri ladies section rocks!!!

Special mentions should go to various people, Liz for completing her first ever tri and sticking with it on a day that it would have been easy to pull out, Sally for NOT getting a puncture, Claire competing her 2nd Tri, Gary S going really well again in his 2nd tri and Maria and Andy for not competing but cycling from South Molton to Wellington in hideous weather to support. I hope you enjoyed that hot chocolate, much deserved before the trek back!

As ever thanks to the supporters who braved the weather and the usual top photography from the Milzey's, evidence on Flickr I would imagine. Both were really enjoyable races, very different experiences but I'll have both on my list to do again next year. Time to get the wetsuit on now for some sea swimming, bude up next for me on June 20th, I'm looking forward to that but slightly less rain and wind would be helpful!

Let the Games Begin!

Today I once again found myself not short of a few words on the forum... oops!

Hopefully some useful stuff in there!

A sort of end has come to the winter swim sessions as priorities change. These sessions have built on last year with additional lanes new members and new coaches. Running sessions with Tim have really helped to build on the swim sessions and expand the club in a new direction, this week with an additional Transition Tips Twist! (Try saying that 5 times fast)

So I think it is safe to say winter is definetly dead Race Season is here! Yes at last swords can be drawn and blood can be spilt in the name of Victory! Ok so maybe not the swords but knife like racing machines and not so much of the blood but litres of Sweat!

But when it comes to the Victory part...

NorthDevonTri has grown beyond recognition in the past 18months or so and although for many the personal satisfaction and enjoyment of getting of that sofa is a VERY enjoyable experience. They and the competitive folk have the chance to take home the trophies this year. A few members out there are concerned and worried as they dip there toes into their first or even second season. I'm not concerned for any members (with the possible exception of Iain and Dick), training has been done and a team spirit has emerged as well with socials and group training popping up everywhere. Many of these last minute nerves are unneccessary. I think there will be some impressive performances from all members this year, nerves are part of this grasp the adrenaline and run with it. This is what we have trained, planned and spent to enjoy. Time to go have some fun!