Message from the BQA Chairman

Despite the economic and social difficulties this year, 2011 has been a reasonable year for Quadrathlon. With: 6 Quad events in the National Trophy series [running the length of the country]; a large charity Quad; various World Cup Race around Europe and a winter Quad series the sport of Quadrathlon is a live and kicking.. We even had two World cup races in the UK, hosted at the Brigg Bomber and The Awsome Foursome in Bude.

One of the highlights of the year was the British Team travelling out to the World Championships in the Czech Republic. The team was lead by our new GB Team Manager [Steve Hook] who has recently been selected as Vice president of The World Quadrathlon Federation. The team came back from the World Champs with a handful of trophies and some World Champion age group winners [full results on the BQA website]. Well done to all.

In the National Trophy Series, Steve Clark narrowly beat Mat Stephenson to take the men’s trophy with Alison Dykin taking the title in the Ladies event. Along
with, Phil Binch, who won the Eric Hatliff Trophy [for Endeavour] they each will received £300 of vouchers from our sponsors:Thule

Looking forward to 2012, it promises to be an exciting year. Linsquad have introduced two sprint races to run along side their middle distance events: The North Lincs Adventure Challenge and the Brigg Bomber. There is also a strong possibility of 2 more sprint races on next year’s calendar. One new event is proposed to run on the Isle of Wight, including a paddle around the Needles [sounds great]. Also in the pipe line is a sprint Quad to be tagged on to the newly formed Shrewsbury Triathlon.

We hope that a Kayak Triathlon will be running up in North Wales in September, featuring: an ascent of the River Conway, a fell run and finishing of with a mountain bike ride all in the beautiful surroundings of the Snowdonia National Park.

Along with the National Trophy Series and the European World Cup Races, the future of Quadrathlon has never looked so good in the UK.

However the British Quadrathlon Association [BQA], who works hard on your behalf, needs your help. You can support us by signing up to the BQA for a mere £15.00. We need the funds to keep the BQA well oiled machine [some may say] working. The funds raised from the BQA Membership ensure that we can continue to run and organise the National Trophy Series and represent the interest of the sport in the UK and on the World stage. Membership forms for 2012 available on our website now.

It would also be very helpful if as many people as possible could sign up to our facebook page [link from BQA website]. In this modern, busy, high tech world, Facebook and the internet are readily available and is an ideal way to keep intouch with fellow athletes and find out all the up to date information about
Quadrathlon. Along side our website you should find all the up to date information.

It just leaves me to say a big thanks to all the event organisers, BQA committee and competitors who have made our interesting and diverse multisport event such a success this year. Make sure you keep up your winter training [why not try out the Wadenhoe Winter Series] ready for a good racing season next year.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas a happy and successful sporting New Year in 2012.

Mark Pryor

LINCSQUAD AGM

The club AGM will take place on Thursday 12th Jan 2012.

It is to be held at King William IV, Scawby Brook, Brigg.

Starting at 7:30pm.

All members are welcome, this is your chance to have your say and get involved in the future of your club.

 

The Beast Dodger Laughton Duathlon

Spiky dark hair, a mean temperament, short stumpy legs and a hunched back…. nooooo not Rob Wood. Despite the similarities it also describes the beast of Laughton thats been spotted recently!

The 21 duathletes needed to be fast on their feet and quick on their bikes if they were to avoid becoming its next victim. Last years winner Duncan Wright was looking to repeat his success but trying to stop him were the Lincsquad Wolfpack of Rob Wood, Chris Spavin and Phil Robinson. Hoping their recent Cyclocross outings would pay dividends were Andrew Lawson, Ville Titola and Chris Ware. Adding to the strong male line up were Team White Van Man. Andy R, Andrew B and Chris W. The Crafty Foxes with no known form were Jason Fieldsend, Dave Burton, Mark Clements and Andrew C…would their MTB skills make up for a lack of running?

In the ladies race the claws were out in a six way cat fight! Recent Lincsquad Female of the year winner Nicky Robinson would be battling with Becky Bowen, Amanda Clements, and Summer Duathlon winner Emma Phillips. Jane Taylor and Claire Blewitt completed the line up and both were looking forward more to the run legs than the bike section.

At 10am (ish) the race training session got underway. Steve Lormor acting as travelling marshall led the group around the opening lap. Having seen enough wildlife documentaries showing how easily animals get picked off from the herd no one wanted to be at the back. At the end of the first run section Duncan led the runners into T1 in 10min 41s beating his time from last year of 11min 04s. Hanging onto his tail as best he could was Rob with a 11.02. Tony Philbin 11.24 and Andrew L 11.33. Would their off road skills be a match for Duncs legendary road bike legs. All who competed in last years race training session on the same route beat their opening run times.

Last years Results

http://www.lincsquad.co.uk/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1298807332

In the girls race training session Emma grabbed hold of the opening run leg like a Mother Grizzly Bear defending her cubs posting an opening run time 1min faster than Jane T (13min 53s vs 14min 56s). Little separated the other girls as everyone made it to their bikes without incident.

At the halfway point of the bike leg Dobber Sports Photography, Jo Walker and myself watched for the first rider to come through. Before the leaders appeared scooting up the main track was Rob with the rear duraileur hanging off the bike. On the night ride a week earlier Rob hit a fallen tree branch and despite this time having the luxury of daylight and a clear track in front of him he’d done it again.

My mate was out of the race..(oh forget it…). He’d taken the lead early on from Dunc and had been pulling away. His bike was wrecked and I was sat right there with mine ready to go. There was only one thing to do…..

Laugh mock and generally take the p……

Luckily for Rob I was feeling generous and a quick swap of bikes later he set off back the way he came and rejoined the course where he broke.

Meanwhile the 1st riders appeared out of the woods and into view. It was too far to tell exactly who it was but it definitely wasn’t Dunc. As the rider dressed in all black drew closer initial guesses were either Chris Spavin or Chris Ware.

It was neither.

Tony Philbin had turned a 43s deficit into a 15s lead as he crossed the main track. Dunc knew he had to keep close and use his good running if he was going to beat Tony. Andrew L was the next to appear as I made my way back to the start.

It wasn’t too long after I’d got back Tony was also making his way into transition. He’d not only stayed ahead of Dunc but had increased the gap to nearly a minute. Too much for even Dunc to make up in only a 1.5km loop.

Tony Philbin begins his run as Dunc enters T2

Once again the South side of the forest section was claiming victims with the “Bus Stop” sand section claiming Jason, Becky and Jane who all missed a right turn junction. Luckily the edge of the wood isn’t that far and all three got back on course to finish. As well as Robs mechanical issues Andy Calpin suffered a snapped chain but repaired it by the side of the track.Andrew B seemed to be having gear selection issues on his carbon Y framed special and his bike time suffered. Phil Robinson demonstrated how slippery fallen branches are when you ride over them by laying down on the ground next to one.

By the time myself and Steve had swept the course for stragglers, signs and barrier tape everyone had made it back to the finish for cake.

Despite a few (errrr a lot!) of bloodied and scratched shins from brambles everyone was happy but that may have been the sugar rush from the cake.

Big thanks to team Dobbers for timekeeping and photo duties. Liz and Rob for help setting up and especially Jo and Steve for the help on the day. Also Thanks to all who chipped in the loose change which as it was Remberance Sunday will be given to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Post cake fest a few of us went and did the Drop of Death but after surviving the Beast in Laughton it doesn’t seem nearly as scary now. More pics to follow after I’ve dropped my film off at the chemist

Results

LAUGHTON OFF ROAD DUATHLON NOV 2011

2011 Lincsquad Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the winner is

Male of 2011     –  Steve Clark
Female of 2011  –  Nicky Robinson
Youth of 2011   –   Jack Garner
Most Improved   –  Steve Dolby

Race Performance of 2011    – Steve Clark (Czech)
Newbie to Quadrathlon 2011 – Steve Dolby  
Ironman 2011    – Lewis Purcell

Lincsquader of 2011    –  Phil Binch
Club coach of the year  –  Jeff Chappill 

Sunday ride Village Sign sprinter  – Phil Binch
Most motivated to train ward  – Phil Binch

Prettiest bike award  –  Dave Hinch 
Most dramatic bike dismount/crash award –  Rob Wood
Make a splash award –  Rob Wood

Blogger of the year (who posts the most on the forum) – Dave Hinch
WAG of the year  –  Clair Dolby
Sexiest bottom in lycra award  –  Lisa Purcell
 


 

 

 
 

 
 

 

Winter Club Runs on Sunday Mornings

It’s that time of year again when the racing has come to an end and the training once again begins for next year.

So it’s time once again to bring back the Sunday Club run from the Ancholme Leisure Centre. The rides will vary depending upon who turns up and the weather, as always nobody gets left behind. So what’s your excuse?

Meeting Every Sunday (Ancholme Leisure Centre, Brigg) at 8:45am and setting off at 9:00am.

For those not familiar with the Sunday morning club run it is a steady training ride with a view to building up to higher mileages for the early spring/late winter.

Ride EssentialsFor the comfort of your fellow riders you should ideally fit mudgaurds and ensure you carry spare innertubes, pump and ideally a mobile just in case. Helmets are compulsory as with all Lincsquad group rides, however you don’t have to be a club member.

Jeff Chappell is also running some novice rides from Scunthorpe which range in mileage and an excellent introduction to group riding if you are new to cycling.

If you have any questions then please feel free to comment below.

Lincsquad win Team Prize at Humber Sprint

Lincsquad take Team Prize at Humber Sprint.

In complete contrast to last year’s flood drenched conditions competitors at Sunday’s SIS Humber Sprint enjoyed perfect racing weather as their 2011 triathlon season came to an end. This little gem of a sprint organised by Toro oozes a local, family atmosphere pitting the regions premier Tri clubs for one last blast before the winter training(hibernation) starts.
The early start for this one is needed especially for the mathematicians and misers, as once the realisation that handing over your cash to the Bridge guy will now cost you £6 in total the extra waiting time is used for planning a different route back!
For the non mathematicians the long pool at the South Hunsley School means a short count of just 12 lengths before taking in one of the longer (14.5 mile), more hilly of bike courses with some long drags leading up to some very fast descents. The run you either love or hate but it’s certainly unique in it has you running over a ramped motorway bridge four times. It’s quirkiness has you trying to fathom out how close your rivals are? As the crow flies they’re just a matter of metres away? But what if you actually laid the ramps out end to end then that would be….?
First into the water was Jack Garner. Jack did this race earlier in the season so had the opportunity to gauge his progress. Jack and his entourage including family and Lincsquad Youth Academy coaches weren’t disappointed as Jack along with guide Pete Chappil crossed the line in a personal best by over 12 minutes (136th 1:35:47) I don’t know if Jack realises how inspirational he is to the rest of the Lincsquad team and how his positive attitude and determination make him a pleasure to train (and of course makes for some proud Coaches).

After falling off his bike during last week’s Homecraft’s Brigg Sprint, Steve Grocock was determined to finish the season on a high note. Setting the day’s fastest bike time meant carrying a narrow lead into the run leg. Losing a few surplus pounds and some extra run training meant holding on to third place overall and first in his age group, only 30 seconds behind the winner in a time of 1:03:47.

Steve’s (3rd) placing along with Phil Gibbs’ (9th 1:08:45), Chris Gibbs’ (10th 1:09:08) and not wanting it to go to a Judge’s decision Chris Spavin’s (11th 1:09:44) was enough to secure the Team prize. With just a minute separating these three, next year should see some hotly contested races.

It was great to recapture the title after allowing the competitive ’We love Mountains Racing Team’ to take the early season honours. A massive box of muffins were shared out among the remaining team members. Apologies to those who had to dash and missed out on the photo and cakes but they just looked too nice not to eat!

Just as the Gibbs brothers have stamped their authority in the Lincsquad Hall of Fame with their running speed, two more siblings in Steve Ornsby (36th 1:15:34) and Lee Ornsby (64th 1:19:05) are already beginning to ruffle feathers in their maiden season. Both brothers have knocked great chunks off their times in every discipline as they try to hammer each other, all whilst trying to maintain the, ‘I don’t mind if he beats me’ personna, Yeh right!

As often happens in triathlon with wave starts, but not apparent at the time, you can finish just seconds in front of your team mates. This was the case for Ironman Paul Ralph as his 12 second advantage over Steve Ornsby meant the two finished 35th and 36th without actually seeing each other during the race.

In her final triathlon in Lincsquad colours Kate Lahart narrowly missed out on a trophy finishing 4th female and 48th overall (1:17:22). In Kate’s short Lincsquad career she’s been a regular at Circuits, swimming, TT‘s, running sessions and of course, the odd social night out. Kate, you’ll be sorely missed but we all wish you the very best in your new career (and in the world of multisport). We hope you’ll make a special guest appearance next year at one of our events.

Two more Lincsquad newcomers were looking to build on their Brigg Sprint performances. David Gibbs (74th 1:21:05) and Andrew Read (133rd 1:33:12). Apologies guys if you didn’t receive the full Lincsquad support (or cakes) but we’re still trying to put faces to names so don’t take it personal that someone in a Lincsquad tri-suit walked right by you without acknowledgement. Hope to see you both at the Firework night to get introduced properly. Lincsquad take Team Prize at Humber Sprint.

Results here  http://www.torocsc.com/index.php/features/event-information/event-results/67-the-sis-humber-sprint-triathlon-provisional-results

Homecrafts Brigg Sprint Triathlon – Results

WOW, what a great race.

Many thanks to all the competitors, especially all the first timers, well done you are now triathletes.

Also a huge thank you to the registration team & many marshalls out on the course, we’ve had lots of comments from competitors thanking you for the great jobs you all did, as well as all the cheers of encouragement you gave.

We must also mention the unprecedented support at the race set up sessions on saturday afternoon and 6am sunday morning aswell as the tidy up session after the race, you all made the job so much easier, great teamwork.

Final thankyou to the Lincsquad Events Committee, you know who you are, great job, simply awesome, THANK YOU.

And so onto the results;

OVERALL
1st   Stephen Lormor   (Lincsquad)           56:29
2nd  Finley Thompson  (Grimsby Tri Club) 57:55
3rd   Phil Binch            (Lincsquad)           58:10

OVERALL FEMALE
1st Jo Walker              (Lincsquad/ TFN)   59:15
2nd Lauren York          (Lincsquad)        1:07:33
3rd Fiona Beard           (York Triathlon)  1:09:03

1st under 18 age category (on roll down as Finley Thompson & Lauren York both under 18)
Josh Jones (male) & Mia Larkin (female)

18 – 29 age category
Chris Lormor (male) & Kate Lahart Female)

30 -39 age category (both on roll down as Steve Lormor & Jo Walker both 30-39)
Paul Noble (male) & Debbie Drinkall (female)

40-49 age category (male on roll down as Phil Binch 40-49)
Paul Thompson (male) & Kate Velly (female)

50+ age category
Chris Gibbs (male) & Karen Hames (female)

Novice category (first triathlon)
Anthony Philbin (male) & Kathy Palmer (female)

For full results, click on the link below;
BRIGG TRIATHLON 2011 RESULTS

Don’t forget we are meeting in King William IV, Scawby Brook tonight for a few drinks, Tom & Nicky (landlords) are going to put a few nibbles on for us, so come along and share your race stories and find out more about Lincsquad. See you at the bar!

Lincsquad Members 2011 Brigg Sprint Triathlon

More photos available through Flickr

 

Bude Quadrathlon European Championship’s

There were 120 competitors, from as far afield as Czech Republic, Austria and Germany, at the Lower Wharf, Bude Canal, for an morning start for this ultra-extreme event. The race makes the most of the dramatic North Cornish coastline and the historic canal.

Photo: Paul Carvill, Alison Deykin, Dan Broughton, Steve Dolby, Phil Binch, Steve Clark & Josh Hook

The course begins with a 1,000-metre sea swim, within the partial shelter of the Bude Breakwater, then a 30km cycle ride, including some of the steepest coastal hills in the country, then onto the canal for 10km of canoeing and a final 10km cross-country run to finish.

The athlete’s braved the tough conditions as the remainder of Hurricane Irene hit the South West coast of the country making all 4 stages of the race a real challenge.

This year’s winner, Michal Hasa from the Czech Republic, completed the course in two hours, 33 minutes and 11 seconds to be crowned Europeon Champion closely followed by Czrch teamate Lous Rousavy 2nd and Steve Clark GB in 3rd.

Steven Dolby (aka Dobber) tells his story…

After being persuaded to compete in this event after already signing up for the Great North Run I was actually looking forward to it, being my 3rd points scoring event for the nationals.

A long drive down to Bude, followed by a reccie of the course left one thing to do!! Eat some of Em’s award winning Lasagne as a pre race carb boost. (Forgot to say that the reccie of the course left me with a rather sleepless night, having nightmares and cold sweats about the 30% Hill/Mountain climbs)……

Awaking bright eyed…ish to such a relaxed atmosphere was positively strange. No transition set up!! No markers on the course!! No competitors mingling around!! Talk about laid back….Must be the Cornish style…  It was now time for the pre race breakfast and getting ready. This was followed by a relaxed meander down to registration and transition set up. Race briefing was next followed by “You all need to be in the water in 10 minutes”…..I hadn’t even got my wetsuit out at this point, so a quick dash back to the cottage to sort that bit out. Paul Carvill shouted over to me “Have you got a spare swim hat?” “I’ll bring one over”. In to the cottage I went greeted by Steve Clark, just putting the finishing touches to his race face!! Wetsuit in hand I realised that I had left my goggles in my swim bag…..340 odd miles away… Wow, this was going to be fun, Sea swim in 27mph wind with white horses as big as I’ve seen……..with no goggles!! ……….Few!! Clarky had a spare pair….problem being they was back in transition and the race now started in about 4 minutes!!

Off Mrs Dobber ran like a gazelle to retrieve the spare set only to have missed the start and off I went with my eyes closed!!!!! (Not much fun). Swimming in the sea with the current/wind/waves etc is something of an experience. The feeling of swimming as the sea drew you back was nothing less than a tad scary but with lots of RNLI bods around I knew it would be OK in the end….

Lap 2 soon came with Emily holding out Clarky’s spare pair of goggles for me! Nice one I thought, get back in the sea and give it all I had!! How wrong could I be, 5 seconds in and the right lens had filled up. 10 seconds later and the left lens had steamed up.  Oh well, off with the goggles it was and just grin and bear it!! Thankfully the bike leg was next.

Bude Sea Swim

When I finally got into transition it was a quick off with the wetsuit and on with the bike helmet. Steve Hook (GBR Quadrathlon Team Manager) was stood watching me. His exact words to me were “So is the bike your strong leg then”? I guess he had noticed that my bike was very lonely on its own still standing in transition and that swimming was not my favoured discipline!! Well those words rung in my ear for the next hour as I set off on the mountain expedition bike route!!

Over taking quite a lot of people I had made quite a bit of time up!! Dan Broughton was one lincsquadder who was now in my sights. We had a great battle over the next few miles with Dab steaming past me on the up hills only for me to take advantage of the downs. I did however manage to put a minute or two in to Dan at this point. Another learning point for me was not to change the saddle before a race without trying it first!! I’ll learn one day!!

Low bridge made paddling difficult!

Off the bike and into the Kayak (above one of the low bridges you have to go under)…..Well a little more haste and less speed was required here as SPLASH……I was in….. Looked up as I got out of the water to the applause and cheers of all 500+ spectators….Boy did I feel stupid!! Oh well, nothing I could do about that now. Nursing my pulled shoulder (this happened as I fell out) I had to crack on with the 10k canal route. I’ve never seen a canal with white water on it before!! That’s a first, and it certainly was trying to keep up right as well. Thankfully I did manage to stay in the boat until diving for the bank at the end. I’ve got to say that a little commando role out of the kayak is the way forward!! The good oldmarshall’s dragging your kayak and paddle out of the water worked for me!! Not a bad Leg after a dismal start, maintaining my position with just a few position swops up and down the water.

On to the run I went and I managed to track a couple of people down. It wasn’t long though before Dan had got his revenge as I heard “Now then feller”. Yep that was Dan……..There goes Dan and it wasn’t long before he was out of sight. I only had the hills and the wind to battle against now as I started to cramp up. It must have been the most scenic race I’ve ever been in. Not sure I should have been taking the views in but hay!!

I managed to get in to a rhythm and paced myself against another competitor. Over taking her on the uphill’s and losing ground on the downhill’s, knowing that the flat canal finish was when I was going to put the hammer down. Cheers from the support crew and indeed the Lincsquad massive (who had already finished). Spurred me on to a sprint finish and over the line it was!!

It was over…….My first season of Quadrathlon had come to an end. What a fantastic event and indeed a superb season.

Huge thanks to all who have been with me on this journey!!  Here’s to 2012…….Bring it on!!

Overall Winner and Lincsquad results

Pos

Name

Sea Swim

Cycle

Kayak

Run

Overall

1st

Michal Hasa

00:16:46

00:55:29

00:44:29

00:36:27

02:33:11

3rd

Steve Clark

00:15:37

 00:52:04

00:50:41

00:36:10

02:34:32

11th

Phil Binch

00:17:07

 00:57:57

00:55:20

00:42:44

02:53:08

17th

Paul Carvill

00:19:05

00:58:43

00:54:59

00:47:25

03:00:12

26th

Dan Broughton

00:20:23

01:00:45

01:00:04

00:45:09

03:06:21

27th

Steve Dolby

00:21:09

00:58:45

01:00:08

00:49:45

03:09:47

4th (fem)

Alison Deykin

00:21:15

01:25:22

00:58:24

00:59:55

03:44:56

Below: Podium, left Lous Rousavy, Michael Hasa, Steve Clark

This race was also the last race of the British National Ranking series and the World Ranking Series.

2011 final standings can be viewed here.

British Standings

http://www.britishquadrathlon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2011-Final-Trophy-Results1.pdf

World Standings

http://www.quadrathlon-online.de/ergebnisse/2011/11-W-Cup.pdf

Overall Results in Full

http://www.shorelineactivities.co.uk/Quadrathlon%20Results%202011.pdf

 

Bala Triathlon

I’ve Always fancied a go at Bala and being unable to do the VIT the week before I  Pennines and into North Wales. My Sat Nav would only pick up the nearest town to Bala in England so I decided to wing the last 20 miles which was a bad mistake as my own instinctive direction was to take me on a route that doubled the distance.

Arriving At Bala I quickly found the leisure centre and registered. The goody bag contained a cool towel and an even cooler sticker sheet which contained every sticker for me, my bike helmet etc for the race. I had only brought a book with me so the sticker sheet was going to be something to look forward to in the van tonight.

A quick coffee later and some directions to the campsite I set off, but again in the wrong direction and rolled up to the campsite half an hour later (campsite was actually 3 miles from the leisure centre). Backing into my hard standing spot I had been told to park in I decided a cup of tea was the order of the day to calm proceedings down a little, but within 3 minutes was having a England/Wales confrontation with my neighbour who told me I had parked in his friends place, By now having been driving for nearly 4 hours my usual mild manner had disappeared and in its place now stood a 5’10” Paul Carvill clone. I will not go into detail as we probably haven’t reached the watershed when you are reading this but all I would say is that he never gave me eye contact from then on. Adrenalin pumping I ate my tuna pasta in record time then settled down with my book and sticker sheet, “Happy Days”!, then an early night.

All night the wind caught the side of the van swaying it from side to side, rocking it about like some small fishing boat in the North Sea with rain “lashing” down like ball bearings on the roof, glad I’m not in a tent tonight!

Up early and breakfast had, I headed back down into Bala and parked up at the leisure centre early.
The wind was blowing straight down the lake and was producing some interesting conditions to say the least. Transition was set up quickly, then back to the van for a brew before heading back to transition for the race briefing.

I knew we were in for some testing racing as the wind now “whipped” up to 35-40mph. Standing there, wetsuit on, watching the first wave of swimmers set off, my confidence was knocked a little when over the tannoy we were told that conditions the day before were pretty grim for the 2 scheduled charity swims but today’s conditions were “hazardous” in comparison.

I was in the third wave which meant I had a good look at wave 1 & 2. The first thing that struck me was how busy the safety kayaks and safety boats were. People were getting pulled out left, right and centre and we were only 15 mins in. Telling myself that the distance was only half of what I glad swum in the Ancholme 4 days earlier I was herded through a ‘transition gate to be counted into the water. I asked the question why were they counting us in and the ominous reply was to make sure the same number came out!!!!!

Setting of  on the swim reminded me of the film castaway, except I didn’t have a raft and a friend called Wilson. I had swum maybe 50 yards and already had I panic attack after being hit square in the face, 1 straight after the other, by the 3′ swells that were pounding straight into the swimmers. Doubts of whether I could actually cope with these conditions were starting to appear in my mind and I hadn’t even reached the first buoy!!!Transition Bala
The swim was basically an out and back course, the first section being straight into head wind. I could see rescue kayaks flashing past just in front of me with swimmers grasping for safety, coughing and spluttering with arms aloft. I had now got into some sort of rhythm, trying to ride the swells and now only swallowing water every 10 breadths or so. Eventually I reached the furthest buoy, cut across the lake 50 Mts and then started to head back. One of the worst things was trying to sight where you were actually swimming because every time you sighted it seemed all you saw was a wall of water before it hit you in the face. Now I was swimming with the waves, now surely this would be easier. I had the idea of spreading my legs out to catch the current, (I’ve watched Hawaii Five O) but this didn’t really work as I had thought as it ended up upending mw somehow. Imagine a cat thinking a washing machine is a cool place to sleep just before a 40o wash, then waking up tumbling over and over, well this was me. So reverting back to my usual crap style I managed to survive the swim back to shore. Entering T1 I glanced at my Garmin, 40 mins it had taken me and normally I would have been totally PxxxxD off with seeing that but I skipped across to my bike like Fred Astair, thankful that I had survived the hardest Tri leg that I had ever encountered.

The Bike and run section paled into insignificance after the swim, but again both legs went out into the wind first returning with a back wind. The Bike had around 300Mts of climbing in total and with a head wind and now rain was a bit like pulling teeth but the second part really made up for this. Back wind and downhill made for a really quick second leg, with speeds well over 40mph.

The run leg was undulating but after the swim and bike legs was pretty flattish, again with a back wind made for a quick second 5km.

My overall splits were:-

SWIM      00:40:31

TI           00:02:53

BIKE        01:05:26

T2          00:01:07

RUN        00:46:11

TOTAL     02:36:09

The winning time was 1:53:44 by Mark Threlfall of Total Fitness, Bath. The winner of both the male and female category picked up a whopping cheque for £ 600.00

With over 30 people being pulled out from the swim and even though my swim time was disappointing, I came away from the event pretty chuffed that I had completed it.

Start Times – Homecrafts Brigg Sprint Triathlon

Start times are now available on the following link for the Homecrafts Brigg Sprint Triathlon on Sunday 25th September 2011.

START TIMES

RACE INFORMATION PACK – FINAL

Registration opens
– Saturday 5pm – 6pm
– Sunday 6:30am – 7:30am

Race Briefing
– Sunday 7:30am

The first competitor starts at 8am, with the last competitor is expected to finish at around 10:40am, an awards ceremony will follow shortly after all competitors have finished, it will take place at the finish line (subject to weather conditions).

Awards are available for competitors in the following categories;
– 1st, 2nd & 3rd (male & female)
– 1st under 18 (male & female)
– 1st in the 18 to 29 age group (male & female)
– 1st in the 30 to 39 age group (male & female)
– 1st in the 40 to 49 age group (male & female)
– 1st in the 50+ age group (male & female)
– 1st newcomer to triathlon (first triathlon) (male & female)

Please bring along your family & friends to cheer all our triathletes home.

Many of us are gathering at King William IV pub, Scawby Brook for post race drinks at around 7pm/ 7:30pm on Sunday evening, everyone is welcome, please come along, share your race stories and find out more about Lincsquad, Triathlon & Quadrathlon. The landlords Nicky & Tom have kindly offered to put some nibbles on to help us all with our post race munchies.