can we start to add race reports onto the website? It only has to be few short lines with a rating and whether value for money. If you check out runners world they have a blog.
This would be good for any of the club members who might be interested in a race. It is always good to have some details. Plus we all know the sort of terrain and races each like, so can recommend.
First did this race in 1993 ( blimey.... that's a long time ago. I bet most of you weren't even born ). First time I've done it for 4 years.
It's a fast flat ( 2 little climbs up motorway bridges between 7 & 8k ) course, good for a pb as long as you don't start to far at the back as there is usually a large field ( 800+ finishers this year )
Got to Birchwood at 0915 with Karl, my mrs and the kiddy winks ( 7 & 15.... not much of a kiddy now ). Wife and kids entered the fun run at 0945 and seemed to enjoy it. Started our warm up at 1015 ( consists of a wheezy jog down the road peppered with conversations with anybody unfortunate enough to catch my eye ). Got quite near to the start line with Karl at 1025 and waited for the gun.
1030 BANG, race off down the road far too quickly and reach the first k in 4:03 . Reach second k in 8:10 and Karl begins too inch away as I pay for the early daft pace, Water station between 4 and 5K. Get to 5k in 21:35, slowed down a bit now. Karl is about 15 secs in front and I'm struggling. A gradual down hill from 6 to 7k, got a bit of recovery and pushed up both small climbs between 7 & 8K and seemed to make a little ground up on Karl. Got to 9k and decided to pick it up too see what I had left ( not much ! ). Got to 200m to go and was almost up to Karl. I craftily put in a spurt when he wasn't looking ( and had no time left to respond ) and finished in 43:35. Was quite pleased after the race as I'd been hoping for sub 44. Oh, got a lovely ' luxury ' bath towel for a prize.
Not done much short stuff for a couple of years as I've been doing daft IM races and all my training has been stupid long stuff.
Must say I'm enjoying it so far, just need to work on my speed ( and stop eating custard creams at every available opportunity ) and hopefully I'll get near some of my pb's !
I think you could make every race sound exciting with that commentary
Sounded like a good race though, but how does karl feel about you passing him at the last moment?!!
In few weeks I can tell you all about this flippin'austrian run that I am doing (I have constant butterflies in my stomach when I start thinking about those hills...) Yikes!
Rach wrote:but how does karl feel about you passing him at the last moment?!!
No comment
Don't worry about the race! its that dodgy propeller plane i'd be worried about (iv'e got some flying goggles & a rubber ring if you want to borrow them)
This race is approx 5.3 miles and is hilly, I suppose the name of the race would be the big clue.
If any of you have done the Parbold Hill race, harrock is virtually the same and covers a lot of Parbolds course
Race Report
After my triumph at Birchwood 10k could Karl avenge his defeat.... read on !
Met Karl at the Farmers Arms ( race HQ ) at about 6.30. Had a good look around the car park and got quite worried. Lots of wirey, rugged, beardy types in club vests....and that was just the women . No fun runners here ! Jogged down to the start about 10mins away. The start is at the bottom of a hill ! At 19.30 we were of. Karl immediatley put the pressure on and danced off into the distance. The first climb lasted about 4mins for me, at the top I was breathing like an asthmatic ant with some heavy shopping. Not good, not good at all. The route then becomes a mixture single tracks, fields, undulations, styles... err, lots of styles actually. About 20 mins in I can just see Karl ahead ( about 30secs ). He has the audacity to stop and take his shoe of and remove a stone/twig/cow s**t. I half expect him to sit down and let me catch up.... so he can run off again and show me who's boss. After about 25mins there is a climb up parbold. Race bears left before the church back up a climb over fields. At this point it all gets a bit too much for me and I have to walk a bit. Legs are heavy..... not sure if it's a hang over from Birchwood on Sunday... could be the 22 miles hard cycling on Tuesday.... but, it's more likely to be the steak pie, chips and beans I had at 5pm. Perfect pre-race food for a hilly race eh ! Why do I do it to myself . Anyhow, the race does a bit more undulating, more styles.
Now at this point I was getting a little tired. I'm not sure whether I lost concentration but as I approched one style, for some inexplicable reason, I thought I could just walk through it.... and hurtled into the post at full speed, winding myself in the process and sort of falling over into some cow s**t Didn't hurt myself, just ended up looking like a pillock but i'm used to that.
The course then starts to wind back down, the paths are a little tricky, quite rocky and you need to pick your course well. I let myself go from here as I can smell the finish. Crossed the line in 44:25. Karl was a couple of minutes infront, so my reign over him lasted exactly 3 days and I was put firmly back in my place.
Overall, it's a good race. Only £3 to enter. It's quite tough and challenging in places but, enjoyabe. There are a series of 4 races over the summer, this was 4/4. I'd consider doing the series next year, it's good hill training.
You know I might start to come and watch you two race against each other as it sounds highly amusing!!
Seeing as you both like hills so much, come and do Shaley Brow with us on bank hol monday, 7pm. The hill is worth it as the view at the top is pretty good. A few of us are going to go anyway. Meeting at the Red Cat car park in Crank (this isnt a race- just for fun!!). At least you were in front for three days... and you probably had him worried!
Enjoy reading your race reports but please dont train custard creams, sorry but it has to be fig rolls/bourbons/jammie dodgers,then watch yourself fly good luck may see you monday on shaleys
Blithfield Triathlon ( 1500mtr Swim, 40km Bike, 10km Run )
26/8/07. Approx 200 Competitors.
This is a new event for 2007. Blithfield reservoir is located about 9 miles from Uttoxeter. My swim wave was off at 8.10am, which meant I was up and out of bed at 5am to drive the 70+ miles for a 7.15am registration. Aren't you supposed to relax during a bank holiday ?
Race Report
Following registration there was the usual faff of setting out your gear in transition.
Number sticker on bike. Race belt. Bike... ah yes bike... that's important. Wetsuit. Goggles. Swim hat. Body glide ( don't ask ! ). Cycle shoes. Running shoes with stupid elasticate thingy mybobs laces. Running hat... hmm, can hats run . Towel ( supposedly to dry feet...but mostly used to cover wet feet in freshly mown grass cuttings from transition field ). Water bottle. Arm warmers ( on tri bars ). Cycle gloves ( on tri bars ).
It's not like my pre race routine for running ! That's usually ' Net ( wife ) wer've you put my running shoes ? ' ( usually she hasn't put them anywhere and I've left them in a long forgotten corner )
1500mtr Swim
Into the water at 8.05am. Walk in to my waist and do a big p**s in the water ( I know, disgusting aren't I. All triathletes p**s in the water before an event. It's primeval, marking your spot.... and nothing to do with cold water hitting an over hydrated bladder. They might not admit it but, they all do it ). Float around with all the other ' green hats ' waiting for the off. At 8.10 the hooter goes off and we're away. Now, I should say at this point that I am a poor poor swimmer. I am no ' Thorpedo '. The first buoy is 600m infront and I'm soon near the back of the swim wave. Get to the buoy and turn left.... straight into the sun. Can't see where the next buoy is so start to doggy paddle to sight the buoy. Looking around me is a comical sight. People are swimming all over the place, some in completely the wrong direction ! Eventually reach the next buoy and turn left again for the swim to shore. About 50mtrs from shorere, did another p**s.... just for the hell of it.
T1
The transition to the bike is about 300mtrs from the swim exit. The road has the most painful surface I have ever walked on, I literally couldn't run on it in bear feet . Get to transition field, tread on a nettle ( £$%& ! ). Sit on backside near bike. Use towel to cover wet feet in grass cuttings. Wrestle dry socks over wet feet and grass cuttings. Put on silly bike shoes. Feet look like worzel gummidge's. Put even sillier pointy ' aero ' helmet on and race belt. Un-rack bike and aimlesly run around transition looking for the exit. Mount bike ( NO not that kind of mount ! )
40km Bike
Wobbled to a ferocious pace down the road whilst simultaneously trying to put on arm warmers and gloves. Looked like some sort of escaped circus act. Tried to get into a strong pace and move up the field a bit. Hit the first climb, changed down the cassette and grind up. Fly down the other side. Another climb, change down the cassette and grind up. Fly down the other side. Another climb, change down the cassette and grind up. Fly down the other side. Err, Repeat for 40km. The only change was that the ' grind ups ' and ' fly downs ' got slower as my race progressed.
In the course literature it was stated that the bike course was ' undulating '. My A**e. It's one of the hilliest course I've done. You just can't get into a rhythm and it wears you down.
T2
Re-rack bike. Sit down. Get more grass on feet and roll around trying to get running shoes with stupid elasticated laces onto feet. Pick up cap. Force tired, protesting legs to run start.
10km Run
The run is 2 loops, nearly all off road and flat. Good surface to run on and quite scenic as the route goes along the edge of the reservoir. I was goosed by this stage and just wanted it to be over.
Finish
Crossed the line in 2hr 48min. I'm a bit disappointed with the time as it's about 20mins slower than my pb. I enjoyed the race but, I don't think I'll do it again. Too hilly for me on the bike and too far to go for a 8.10am start. There are much better races over this distance IMHO.
You've runied all my illusions about triathlons with the p****ing in the water bit Sarge.I couldn't possibly do one without a full swimtsuit,facemask and oxygen bottle now
). First time I've done it for 4 years.
). Wife and kids entered the fun run at 0945 and seemed to enjoy it. Started our warm up at 1015 ( consists of a wheezy jog down the road peppered with conversations with anybody unfortunate enough to catch my eye ). Got quite near to the start line with Karl at 1025 and waited for the gun. 
. Reach second k in 8:10 and Karl begins too inch away as I pay for the early daft pace, Water station between 4 and 5K. Get to 5k in 21:35, slowed down a bit now. Karl is about 15 secs in front and I'm struggling. A gradual down hill from 6 to 7k, got a bit of recovery and pushed up both small climbs between 7 & 8K and seemed to make a little ground up on Karl. Got to 9k and decided to pick it up too see what I had left ( not much ! ). Got to 200m to go and was almost up to Karl. I craftily put in a spurt when he wasn't looking ( and had no time left to respond 
) and finished in 43:35. Was quite pleased after the race as I'd been hoping for sub 44. Oh, got a lovely ' luxury ' bath towel for a prize.
. Anyhow, the race does a bit more undulating, more styles.
Didn't hurt myself, just ended up looking like a pillock but i'm used to that.
