What a fantastic day of racing. I had only two plans for today at the QE2 Sprint triathlon at Woodhorn Museum, Ashington, Northumberland. 1) To thoroughly enjoy myself racing, and B) to try and get back on the podium and win another trophy or medal for Freya's memory box.
Today was a big success on both accounts, and then some............
Today was a big success on both accounts, and then some............
The bronze medal was awarded for finishing as the 3rd Male Senior in the event. And the trophy for 3rd place overall in the race. I've said a couple of times now, that although others may differ in opinion and prefer a prize, I think a presentation medal and or trophy are far more meaningfull when you look back on your year. So far I'm doing alright this season, so lets hope it continues.
........... So the day started as it usually does, however on this occasion it happened to be about 45minutes after it should have. Nobody likes to sleep in but this morning I was knackered. We had had a broken night sleep with Freya and for most of the night after she had decided to toss and turn. Anyway, moans aside, a new breakfast of rice pudding easily slipped down, a hell a lot easier than my usual muesli. It was something that I used to eat straight from the tin as a young cyclist after school and before evening racing. I can honestly say, it was exceptionally well tolerated and pretty nutritious. Arriving at the race that little bit later than I am used to just cemented why I like to be early. The queues for both registration and the portaloos were too much to handle.
Lesson learned: Getting your rest is equally as important as training.
But just as importantly as my own preperation being important to spend the time on, I also need to juggle this with being equally relaxed with and having the oportunity to intergrate and spend pre race time with my two most important supporters. They both put a lot of time aside as I have mentioned before, so it is essential to keep them involved and show my appreciation. I am sorry that today was more of a rush and I did not get that opportunity, but I hope that you enjoyed your BBQ afterwards.
So we gathered by the waters edge to be informed that the water temp had dramatically improved, around 15 degrees was to be relatively tropical, however reality was, the outside temp had dropped and it felt pretty cold in the pond to me. Being told that there was going to be a mass start was a different set up to last year, and with around 220 starters, it was going to be relative chaos again. I positioned myself towards the far left of the field and raced off hard to clear the mele before settling down into my stroke and finding the feet of some faster swimmers. Coming out of the water again left me with a little bit of work to do, however I was feeling fairly comfortable, I was starting to feel that my tiredness was starting to leave my body. I set off hard and again settled down. Dropping the gears into a 53/14, I was pushing on well and beginning to pick my way through the field. I was using my new hydration system again for only the second time. It only had tobe half full just to wet my mouth down but worked wonders again. I can honestly say that I would highly reccomend the bar mounted Speedfil A2 from A1Multisport. I started to eat up the field and after a lot of hard work, I came into T2 4th place, leaving again out on to the run in 2nd.
........... So the day started as it usually does, however on this occasion it happened to be about 45minutes after it should have. Nobody likes to sleep in but this morning I was knackered. We had had a broken night sleep with Freya and for most of the night after she had decided to toss and turn. Anyway, moans aside, a new breakfast of rice pudding easily slipped down, a hell a lot easier than my usual muesli. It was something that I used to eat straight from the tin as a young cyclist after school and before evening racing. I can honestly say, it was exceptionally well tolerated and pretty nutritious. Arriving at the race that little bit later than I am used to just cemented why I like to be early. The queues for both registration and the portaloos were too much to handle.
Lesson learned: Getting your rest is equally as important as training.
But just as importantly as my own preperation being important to spend the time on, I also need to juggle this with being equally relaxed with and having the oportunity to intergrate and spend pre race time with my two most important supporters. They both put a lot of time aside as I have mentioned before, so it is essential to keep them involved and show my appreciation. I am sorry that today was more of a rush and I did not get that opportunity, but I hope that you enjoyed your BBQ afterwards.
So we gathered by the waters edge to be informed that the water temp had dramatically improved, around 15 degrees was to be relatively tropical, however reality was, the outside temp had dropped and it felt pretty cold in the pond to me. Being told that there was going to be a mass start was a different set up to last year, and with around 220 starters, it was going to be relative chaos again. I positioned myself towards the far left of the field and raced off hard to clear the mele before settling down into my stroke and finding the feet of some faster swimmers. Coming out of the water again left me with a little bit of work to do, however I was feeling fairly comfortable, I was starting to feel that my tiredness was starting to leave my body. I set off hard and again settled down. Dropping the gears into a 53/14, I was pushing on well and beginning to pick my way through the field. I was using my new hydration system again for only the second time. It only had tobe half full just to wet my mouth down but worked wonders again. I can honestly say that I would highly reccomend the bar mounted Speedfil A2 from A1Multisport. I started to eat up the field and after a lot of hard work, I came into T2 4th place, leaving again out on to the run in 2nd.
If I could just maintain my pace on the run I felt I would be in good shape to certainly finish on the podium. At this stage I honestly didnt think I was in second place. I knew that I was going well as I had passed some good guys out there on the bike, and started to put some good distance in between them and myself. I've never classed myself as a runner, and those of you who read the article in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle about sibling rivalry will realise that that was probably the reason I started cycling in the first place, but I was starting to feel like one. I'm running a lot better now and I know I have a lot more to come out of these legs.
Beginning the second of the two laps I heard the cheering but not just for me, I could also hear cheers for Daryl. Daryl Oguona was pretty close behind me now and coasted past me. I had managed to stay with him for about half a mile but then the elastic snapped. But I was close to home. I pushed hard and buried myself. One thing that Elliot has taught me on race day is to just hurt, and again thats what I did. As I closed in on the finish I could only see two others behind the finish line when realisation kicked in that I had achieved my goal. To get back onto the podium but most importantly to have a bloody good day and enjoy it.
Why did I say at the start thet I had achieved my goal and then some? Remember the fear of the open water? Nothing, I didnt even let it phase me. I have been back in the open water at every opportunity to beat this and I think it has just about done the job.
So 3rd place overall and 19 seconds off second and 70 Seconds from first? Yeah, I would certainly have taken that at the start of the race. So torture test it is again on Tuesday in the shed of pain with Elliot and then my new training block starts. We agreed we were going to try something new and experiment a little and we certainly have some surprises up our sleeves. Bring it on!!!
Oh and the GBR kit ? in a local race? it was for my Mam, Charlotte and Freya. They never had the oportunity to see it in Israel and it is the JUBILEE weekend afterall!!! Luv-i-lee Jub-i-lee......
ENJOY.........
Beginning the second of the two laps I heard the cheering but not just for me, I could also hear cheers for Daryl. Daryl Oguona was pretty close behind me now and coasted past me. I had managed to stay with him for about half a mile but then the elastic snapped. But I was close to home. I pushed hard and buried myself. One thing that Elliot has taught me on race day is to just hurt, and again thats what I did. As I closed in on the finish I could only see two others behind the finish line when realisation kicked in that I had achieved my goal. To get back onto the podium but most importantly to have a bloody good day and enjoy it.
Why did I say at the start thet I had achieved my goal and then some? Remember the fear of the open water? Nothing, I didnt even let it phase me. I have been back in the open water at every opportunity to beat this and I think it has just about done the job.
So 3rd place overall and 19 seconds off second and 70 Seconds from first? Yeah, I would certainly have taken that at the start of the race. So torture test it is again on Tuesday in the shed of pain with Elliot and then my new training block starts. We agreed we were going to try something new and experiment a little and we certainly have some surprises up our sleeves. Bring it on!!!
Oh and the GBR kit ? in a local race? it was for my Mam, Charlotte and Freya. They never had the oportunity to see it in Israel and it is the JUBILEE weekend afterall!!! Luv-i-lee Jub-i-lee......
ENJOY.........
Report Courtesy of Tri Northumberland and VO2 Max Racing Events
National Duathlon Champion 2012 and World Silver medallist 2011 Anna Turvey once again dominated he female race finishing in 1:21:10 with Manchester Tri’s Sarah Rose in second closely followed by Joyce Mark. The fastest bike saw Turvey take the lead onto the run and with the fastest run too, saw her comfortably over the line first. Mark put herself in contention with the second fastest bike split but it was Rose who put together a great bike and run to take second place from Mark. A bright future in store for first U20 Robyn Waugh, with the fastest swim and second fastest run saw her take fourth overall and victory in the U20 age group.
Racing was absolutely terrific and the leading places across the age groups and overall was changing until the last moments of the race. The 750m swim in the 18 degree lake was fast, with U20 Daniel Johnson, Ryton Tri first out the water, followed by Phil Aiston, Tyne Tri a few seconds later. The chase group containing Wilson, Jones, Wylie, Downes and also Robyn Waugh, the first female, closely following
the lead pair.
A quick transition saw them out onto the 24Km bike course and with very little wind,urned out to be very fast. It was David Barker, Tri Northumberland, who started to make his move through the field, and entered T2 with a commanding lead. Would it be enough? The chasing pack of Oguona (who posted second fastest bike split of 36:24 to arrive with the lead chase group) Walker and Wilson are known for
their running ability. Despite Oguona posting the second fastest run split for 6km it just wasn’t enough and Barker was comfortable in victory, his patience in training paying off with a very well deserved first place. Garry Walker just missed out,finishing in third place and Junior Daniel Johnson, despite the
fastest swim and run, just missed out on the overall medal finishing in fourth – what a great racing future this likeable young lad has.
Female Overall
Male Overall
National Duathlon Champion 2012 and World Silver medallist 2011 Anna Turvey once again dominated he female race finishing in 1:21:10 with Manchester Tri’s Sarah Rose in second closely followed by Joyce Mark. The fastest bike saw Turvey take the lead onto the run and with the fastest run too, saw her comfortably over the line first. Mark put herself in contention with the second fastest bike split but it was Rose who put together a great bike and run to take second place from Mark. A bright future in store for first U20 Robyn Waugh, with the fastest swim and second fastest run saw her take fourth overall and victory in the U20 age group.
Racing was absolutely terrific and the leading places across the age groups and overall was changing until the last moments of the race. The 750m swim in the 18 degree lake was fast, with U20 Daniel Johnson, Ryton Tri first out the water, followed by Phil Aiston, Tyne Tri a few seconds later. The chase group containing Wilson, Jones, Wylie, Downes and also Robyn Waugh, the first female, closely following
the lead pair.
A quick transition saw them out onto the 24Km bike course and with very little wind,urned out to be very fast. It was David Barker, Tri Northumberland, who started to make his move through the field, and entered T2 with a commanding lead. Would it be enough? The chasing pack of Oguona (who posted second fastest bike split of 36:24 to arrive with the lead chase group) Walker and Wilson are known for
their running ability. Despite Oguona posting the second fastest run split for 6km it just wasn’t enough and Barker was comfortable in victory, his patience in training paying off with a very well deserved first place. Garry Walker just missed out,finishing in third place and Junior Daniel Johnson, despite the
fastest swim and run, just missed out on the overall medal finishing in fourth – what a great racing future this likeable young lad has.
Female Overall
- Anna Turvey 1:21:10
- Sarah Rose 1:25:26 Manchester Tri
- Joyce Mark 1:26:09
Male Overall
- David Barker 1:13:30 Northumberland Tri
- Daryl Oguona 1:14:21 Tyne & Wear Fire Service
- Garry Walker 1:14:40 NE31 Tri