I've just been reminded that my next free weekend is May 18th. Thats ten races in nine consequtive weekends. Then, I will be back at it for another two weekends before flying out to Turkey for the Euros. Not sure what i'm going to do that weekend yet, but im sure we will find something to fill it with.
The latest installment came on Saturday, this weekend. Cleveland Triathlon Club put on a fantastically well organised, fun charity duathlon all in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. It may have all been for fun but a race is a race and the racing was still fast and furious.
The latest installment came on Saturday, this weekend. Cleveland Triathlon Club put on a fantastically well organised, fun charity duathlon all in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. It may have all been for fun but a race is a race and the racing was still fast and furious.
As it was the weekend before the North East multisport season opening event, Stokesley Duathlon, this was a great weekend to test the legs again following Dambuster last weekend. Using this race as training was still the main aim but every time I step up to the line, I like to think I can look back knowing I have performed the best I possibly could on that particular day. This race didnt start in the usual way as I was told I'd have to continue through my training prior to the race at lunchtime. I cant repeat what the content of the response was but in reply I was informed by Elliot that he wasn't trying to nobble me as he would be doing the exact same thing. So, as i've always done with my coach, I trust him, I followed his word to the letter, and I climbed on the turbo and got on with it. Now we were ready......
A phone call about which pushchair to take for Freya, identified that there was a significant amount of off road running in this race to warrant a pair of trail shoes. However as you can see in the picture above where I'm seen leading out Coach, Team Mate and eventual winner Elliot Gowland for the first run we both chose racing flats to ensure the best start possible. This choice paid off, along withtwo relay runners, managed to open up a significant lead over the remainder of the field by the end of the short fast 3KM 1st run.
A phone call about which pushchair to take for Freya, identified that there was a significant amount of off road running in this race to warrant a pair of trail shoes. However as you can see in the picture above where I'm seen leading out Coach, Team Mate and eventual winner Elliot Gowland for the first run we both chose racing flats to ensure the best start possible. This choice paid off, along withtwo relay runners, managed to open up a significant lead over the remainder of the field by the end of the short fast 3KM 1st run.
We also chose to race on road bikes, why? 16 laps of a 1km tight closed road circuit, meant that there would be very little time to actually get down into time trial position but also there were going to be a lot of other non experienced participants on the circuit and having a bit more control on the corners and weaving through the field would be priority.
Top Tip... Dont underestimate the grip on your racing slicks. get used to your bike and understand the limits you can actually push it to. after my little tumble last year after a training spin with the boss, i've not got to grips (quite literally) with what i can do with the bike. I bottled the first few laps and by around lap 3 or 4, Elliot flies past me and I knew I now had my work cut out. If he was to pull ahead of me to fay, I would find the second 2km off road run to short to reel him back in to take the lead and inevitable go on to win. I fought to stay in contention but not hard enough. I was out of the fight at thes point, and an advantage, or disadvantage of of an open short tight circuit, is that you can see your competition. but i could see the elastic snap, and Elliot was getting away. I worked hard and Paul Brown (3rd Overall) caught me but I stayed with him and entered transition just ahead of him.
Top Tip... Dont underestimate the grip on your racing slicks. get used to your bike and understand the limits you can actually push it to. after my little tumble last year after a training spin with the boss, i've not got to grips (quite literally) with what i can do with the bike. I bottled the first few laps and by around lap 3 or 4, Elliot flies past me and I knew I now had my work cut out. If he was to pull ahead of me to fay, I would find the second 2km off road run to short to reel him back in to take the lead and inevitable go on to win. I fought to stay in contention but not hard enough. I was out of the fight at thes point, and an advantage, or disadvantage of of an open short tight circuit, is that you can see your competition. but i could see the elastic snap, and Elliot was getting away. I worked hard and Paul Brown (3rd Overall) caught me but I stayed with him and entered transition just ahead of him.
Not only was chasing Elliot down a major priority, but holding Paul off to maintain a Coalfields RT one two on the podium would be great, especially when its your coach and coachee. I've put the race flats back on!!!!! That was the next mistake. Id left my trail racing shoes in T2 for the second run which was all off road, and followed the same route as Run 1 so by this time would be cut up under foot. Absolutely nothing that I can do about it now i thought so went for it. Shouting to Charlotte, a positive response of he is not far ahead was greatly received. I could see him, but the run was to short. Elliot had stormed the bike and done enough to hold me off for the run. I have no doupt that like Dambuster last week, had the run been that bit further, I would have had a better opportunity of catching but it wasn't to be. It was a great race, and although a training one, it was an opportunity to blow the cobwebs away and prepare for next week.
To top it all off, we had a great team turn out again with Coalfields RT, and not only a 1st and 2nd in the Male race, we saw Georgia Campbell, our team mate winning the ladies race (Far Right below)
To top it all off, we had a great team turn out again with Coalfields RT, and not only a 1st and 2nd in the Male race, we saw Georgia Campbell, our team mate winning the ladies race (Far Right below)
So all normality resumes on Sunday. This is the anniversary of the race that started it all two years ago. The first of the north East Multisport season and one that is usually raced under glorious spring conditions. The forecast, do I need to tell you that? good job that the weather does not bother me one bit.