London Calling ! 2nd in Age at Deva Tri

Qualified for the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in London this September by finishing 2nd in my Age Category at Deva Triathlon, Chester.  A little disappointed with 2nd as I thought I'd won it - but then when you are racing in multiple waves it is difficult to tell just where you are.

I was worried the river was going to be freezing - it was cold but two swim caps and a rash vest proved a good combination.  Starting with just athletes of my own wave was very civilised - not much bumping and barging on the front row.  I slotted in behind the lead swimmers and came out of a swim that seemed to go on for an eternity in third place. Pleased with that - nothing conceeded, but could I have gone faster ? Overtook one of the guys running up to transition and then out onto the bike course.

Kept my head up and watched the other guy - from Farnham, and passed him pretty soon.  So I'm in the lead - I worked steadily at it, and only after about 15k was I caught by one rider #828.  Lifted my tempo to keep him in sight and although he crept away a little in the last 10k he probably got no more than thirty seconds ahead. Dismount and run into T2 was interesting - feet like blocks of ice still - felt like running on stilts.

I'm fairly certain no one else came past on the bike - one guy I overtook from previous wave, re-took me and then I went back past him and I think he stayed fairly close behind.  So after heading out onto the run I came out of T2 with #828.  Measured my pace initially and then once going over the bridge I decided he wasn't going fast enough so I pressed on.  I think I'm in the lead - no one will catch me on the run.  But not running so great - did I leave too much out on the bike course?  Took my last gel after 3k and pressed on - nagging headwind on the gravel path was not the best sensation.

Gravel in my right shoe: migrating ball of foot, middle of foot, heel of foot and back again like a record on an endless loop.  Stopped on second lap to remove it before it shredded my foot.  Second lap felt a bit better - pushed on a bit more and finish line approached. A modest clenched fist salute - as I thought I'd won (I feel silly now).  Picked up my printed result ticket - What ! 2nd place?!?

Had to wait for full results and it seems the winner - Pete Egglestone of Tri Force swam a minute slower than me, biked 2 mins faster, and ran a bit slower than me too - to beat me by about 30 seconds.  Still don't know where he came past, which by rights should have been half way round the bike course.

Not such good luck for Jon Greenfield who punctured 30k into the bike course and that effectively ended his hopes of getting 2014 Commonwealth Games qualifying points.  Ian Le Pelley though had a solid race finishing 16th overall and 5th in his age.

Boardman Air TT off to it's first tri at Deva

Blue skies and clam seas - van loaded with bike for trip to Deva Triathlon in Chester - with Jon Greenfield and meeting Ian Le Pelley there.

Bronzed !

The sun shone at the Hampshire Track & Field Championships and with a combination of weak field and a steady pacing strategy I was able to plod my way through to bronze medal in the 5,000mtrs in 16:03.52  A pleasing time ahead of Deva Triathlon next weekend.

Early season road races

Now I am dropped down to Div2 I am a bit more competitive - in my first race of the year - 6 laps of Reservoir I was able to get off the front of the group a few times, bridge across to a break, but it was only the last lap attack with Paul Brehaut that stuck.  We worked together well until my legs blew and then I drfited back and he hung on for the win, whilst I just about sprinted to stay clear of the bunch - see first picture.

Second road race of the year was Liberation Day and 6 laps of L'Eree with the big boys.  After a 'neutralised' first lap things took off and the Div 1 riders and Nathan Gosling disappeared up the road.  The Div2 bunch broke up a few times and again only the last climb of the Imperial caused the last selection.  This time despite great work from Dave Crosland we could not dislodge Chris Le Page who duly went on to win the sprint from our bunch and the Div2 prize - I was third.

Fab photos from Serena Tremlett.  Top - working with Dave Crosland on the Imperial Climb - Liberation Day, bottom sprinting for 2nd on the Reservoir

Rennes Triathlon 5th May - 11th place

First tri of the year - Olympic Distance, drafting race in Rennes.  We had a really warm day, the lake which I was worried was going to be cold was in fact quite warm and pleasant.  Shame I failed to make the correct turn on the second lap of the swim after dropping off the back of a group - cost me some time but I felt I swam well.

There's a long transition to pick up the bike and ten a rapid 6 lap drafting bike course. Legs felt great was was consciously trying to hold back but the trouble was as I started lapping people so they would jump on but not be able to contribute much.  One chap I caught who was on the same lap as me was doing his turns but not good enough so I had to ditch him and jump away rather than give him a nice ride to the finish.

Out on the run my legs were really feeling spenty and it felt like a death march, but it was 6th fastest run and I only dropped one place so it wasn't that bad.  11th place overall and 2nd vet, first V2.

The rest of the Guernsey guys did well - Gail King won the overall women' s race, James Gower was 20th and Sean Murphy in his first away race was mid field.  Jersey laid down an ominous marker with their guys coming out of the swim first with Tom Perchard going on to place 4th, Doc Snook 7th. The following day was warm and sunny again and we enjoyed a cafe ride out to Combourg and back. 
(Pictures by Ian Scholes)

Virgin Money London Marathon

Katie's last race of the winter season was running for the South East England team at the Virgin Money London Mini Marathon.  Racing for the last time as an u15 girl over the last 3 miles of the marathon course she had a great run to finish 5th and first of the South East girls - leading them to 2nd placed team.

London was resplendent - a gorgeous day barely a breath of wind and cool temperatures - although it did get warmer later.  I felt a twinge that said I should have been doing the marathon. Hmmm maybe!

2013 English Schools Cross Country

16th March 2013 - A great result for my daughter Katie - 4th place in the Inter Girls race, she ran a very smart race and came through the field as the race progressed, cementing her 4th place in the final half mile.  Winner Annabel Mason is a GB Mountain running international and Harriet Knowles-Jones, winner of the u15 Inter Counties XC was second.

Katie now gets to run for England in the Home Countries  International match being held in Llandelio, Wales  on 23rd March.

My son Alex as not so fortunate as he was spiked early on and half lost his shoe and sustained a cut to his heel - fortunately only superficial. He finished 151st.  Danyy Ray was solid with 93rd in the Inter Boys and Ed Mason had a great run for 61st in the Junior Boys.