Bala Middle Distance Tri - 3 June 2007

Race Report: First to say it was great to meet so many Pirates and everyone was really friendly and supportive. Pirate humour and cameraderie is really something which is in a league of it's own. Couldn't have asked for better support! Weather was fantastic - the predicted downpour never came at all. Had a moment early morning where I was so nervous I burst into tears. I'd been having major crises of confidence and really felt I shouldn't be trying to do this. How can a novice do this kind of thing...? But then, that's the piratey way. That's not to say that just anyone can do this race because it's very challenging from a novice point of view, especially if you haven't done much hill training, if any at all. It was nice to hear some of the more experienced pirates complaining about the 'flipping hills' (poetic license there!) so that made me feel better. That said, anyone who is confident enough with their endurance (and I was) can do this kind of thing. I knew if I finished the swim, I would finish the race, albeit slowly.

Swim: 1:13:55 Bad swim for me. I was nervous about the cold water because I can't get my breath properly doing FC in really cold water. I'm slow anyhow (56 mins in training for this distance) but was almost 20 mins slower yesterday. Thanks to Mellifera & Iron Wifey for words of encouragement at the start, that really helped calm me. Have to say I don't think it was as cold as Salford Quays last Thursday. But that said, the mass swim start was a bit unnerving for the first time of experiencing it, consequently I stayed right at the back because I didn't want to get in anyone's way. My aim was to finish the swim without drowning. At 8am the lake was like glass - a sheet of clear water in which you could see the distant hills. By 9am the wind had got up and the lake was choppy. This didn't help me as I've never had to swim in choppy water before. So, due to the choppiness of the water I drank half the lake before getting out. Also had cramp from around the last half kilometre. It also didn't help that the organisers decided to change the swim waves and the fast men went off second, swimming over the ladies. That felt really bad being swum over by a shed load of dolphins. I tried not to panic and to just keep going. I think I was last out of the water. Lesson for the swim - swimming lessons for me and more time in the pool/OW.

T1: Came out of the lake with cramp and was feeling dizzy. So ambled back to the bike and was really wondering whether I should go on, considering I had a 48 mile bike ride and a half marathon to do. Slapped on factor 50 suncream (optimism) and my helmet, shoes, gloves and was off. Decided it wasn't over until it was over - and I was still standing. No need to give up until I had to stop or sit down.

Bike: 03:18:15 This is usually my best discipline. Bike chain came off at the mount line so I had to sort that out before even starting! Not a happy camper and didn't bode well. Thankfully that was my only mishap. Was waved off by huge cheers from the pirate supporters and (I hope) I gave them all a big smile as I knew I was beginning to enjoy this. Going through Bala so many people were cheering "Go Pirate!" it brought a huge grin to my face and it felt kinda nice to be included in it all. Was really great to see Jj arrive and holler out of her car window "Go pirate!" Considering I haven't done very much hill training, I thought the time above was a fairly good time for me. In addition to that, I couldn't get the gears to drop onto the granny ring - so consequently did all the hills on the middle ring. It was hard work and for the first time ever, I was out of the saddle alot. My best time in training for this distance was 3:15 so considering the hills, I was pleased to only be 3 mins outside that. The downhills were fantastic!!! I think I've said before, it takes me a good 15 miles on the bike to get warmed up and get going. Once that happened, I was overtaking the back marker bikes. Passed HGL and Symes as they waited for back-up. Didn't stop as I couldn't really do anything but made sure to catch up later. Commiserations to Holly. Hadn't been able to eat much on the bike due to drinking half the lake so that was worrying me. Lesson for the bike - more hill training and re-think nutrition.

T2: Faffed a bit. Got running shoes, garmin and baseball hat on and was off.

Run: 02:35:58. This part of the course was pretty hard. I'd done 8 milers in brick training. So consequently got to 8 miles and the legs thought 'I can stop now' and had to coerce them to carry on. Seeing the pirates coming back on the return leg of the course was brilliant and I was really enjoying myself... huge smiles along the way. Everyone gave a cheer, or a hug. Saw Mr C and even got a snog! The course was really hilly and again, I hadn't done much hill training and it showed. At mile six (ish) I was convinced I was last as it was getting pretty lonely. Until down the hill on their bikes come Iron Rose and Kelly (Mrs IR). What a brilliant thing to have happen. Rosey says a few words of encouragement and I ask him 'am I last..?' he says 'doesn't matter if you are, you're doing it'. So I give a big smile and carried on running. Next thing a few minutes later, he comes back and says 'you're not last, there's a Serpie behind you, keep going'. How nice was that...? That really cheered me up! (Thanks Rosey!) I was to find out later, there were two other ladies behind me. Managed to run all the way to mile 8-ish and then started to get cramp. The lack of nutrition on the bike was beginning to tell. Ended up walking up the hills (and there were lots of them) and then running when the cramp subsided. Final mile and a half I was running again and Mr C comes back on his bike to give some encouragement. How cool is that..?! Finally came into the finish and the announcer stopped the prize giving to allow everyone to cheer me in - really huge cheer for the last pirate home and I had to struggle not to burst into tears because I was so happy. I'd had a great day and was really pleased - wasn't a great time but the way I see it, I can only improve from here. Lessons for the run - more hill training and nutrition.

Thanks to everyone for yesterday, it really made my day to be a part of it all. I really enjoyed myself.

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Iron Melissa

Well, unfortunately I had a bit of a shocker! I felt really good before the event, but it all went wrong from the beginning. Goal 1 was to go faster than last year, goal 2 to break 5 hours 30, and goal 3 to get close to 5.15.

I made a hole in my wetsuit to start with - not cool!

Then the swim was just dreadful. It was quite choppy but for whatever reason I had real trouble sighting - I was sighting every sixth stroke but still zigzagging about all over the place and it seemed to take forever. I got pummelled a bit (I'm used to that) and also my right google wouldn't seal and was filled with water for the whole thing, which made sighting even harder. I never got into a rhythm and was hugely disappointed - swim and T1 were 46.50, almost 3 minutes slower than last year. Psychologically I was just destroyed from that point on - in all my visualisations and everything I had never thought of having a crap swim!

I had a really good fast transition and got out on the bike quickly, and had a pretty good bike ride, coming in in 2.41.51, 9 mins faster than last year. I could have pushed quite a lot harder on the bike, but I was very aware of my lack of hill fitness and also that the first half of the run is a complete bugger, so I stayed off the big ring. I loved the descents - came down one at 40.9mph! Wheeeeeeeeeeee! There was some time though when I was freewheeling when I could have been pedalling in the big ring. Av speed 17.7mph - really pleased with this when I haven't been riding any hills all spring.

Another speedy transition. On the run it took a long time to find my legs, and the first half is brutal. I had planned to try and run it all (last year did one mile run, one min walk) but started to walk some of the uphills after 3.5 miles. The first half of the run is really, really tough (at least if you have been running on the flat all spring!). After the turn around I got a second wind (well,it felt like a first wind actually, since I only started to feel like I was racing at that point) and flew back down towards the lake, still walking the steeper ups but really enjoying it. Neverthless, a tiny bit slower than last year for T2 + run in 2.04.53.

Total: 5.33.34, just under 5 mins faster than last year.

Stuff to take away from this:
Crap stuff: 1) need to learn how to swim in a straight line when I'm in the open water. This is a real problem.
2) Mentally lost the plot after the crap swim.
3) Crap hill fitness on both bike and run.

Good stuff: 1) still finished even though I didn't enjoy any of it except the second half of the run.
2) Finished slightly faster than last year despite all the above.
3) Had a good bike - think 19mph is on for flat Florida if I can do over 17.5 on that course). Did not fall off although came close at one point!
4) Had something left in the tank for the end of the run.

So I'm trying to look on the bright side even though I only met goal one. I have demons with this race now and will be back to do a better job.

Pirate supporters were fab - as were many many other people there. It gave me a real lift, especially on the run.

Special kudos to Melli for breaking 5 hours - awesome babe!

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Symes

Top weekend away with the Pirates, here’s what happened to me:

Swim:
Started off badly and got worse unfortunately. Had my first taste of open water on Saturday afternoon and felt surprisingly at home in it, however when the starter says go it’s a whole different proposition, although one I’m sure I’ll get used to in time. First few strokes were rather haphazard then found I was breathing far too rapidly so kind of stopped and tried to calm myself down. Managed to do that and part front crawled part breast-stoked until the second wave came by and unsettled me again. Finally got to the turnaround and hoped the swell would help me get back to shore but after about another 100-200m I’m afraid I threw in the towel and called the boat over.

Bike:
After a nudge from Hannabelle and Oxy I crept back in to T1 from the wrong end and collected my bike and set off with the idea of making it a hard (and rather expensive) brick session, overtook a few Pirates and others and at around 14 miles found HGL helping another rider with a puncture. Figured as my race was officially over I’d offer to help and let HGL go on, unfortunately she was cramped out and trying to get a signal on her mobile to call for help. ‘Puncture girl’ was struggling with her tyre so I put it back on only for her to snap the end of the valve off when inflating it so although I risked angering the puncture gods I gave her one of mine and fitted it for her. HGL and I set off to find a signal and somewhere for the support crew to stop. I guess it must have been around 30-40 minutes all in all and once I was on my way again at the next check point I found I was last on the road, oh good! I know someone has to be last but I just didn’t want it to be me. Took about 9 miles of chasing and eventually reeled in one rider and passed another 2 before T2.
My split for the bike was 2hr 53 which I was happy enough with, haven’t checked the official one yet!

Run:
Took more persuading to go out on the run, didn’t really want to leave people hanging around for another couple of hours but conversely if someone comes over to see you do the event you really should make an effort so with the usual shouts of support off I went. Went through the first 3 miles in 24 minutes and met up with Cath further who I ran with for a mile or so and then found Kitana (I think) a mile or so up the road and ran/walked with her beyond the turnaround. Next on my meet the Pirates day out was BtS who I collected at the final drink stop and completed the run with. Thanks to Hollywood for the go on Pirates shout, believe me we were! Felt a bit of a fraud going over the finish line though.
Run split was 2hr 3 which on that course I’d have settled for beforehand I guess.

Congratulations to all the finishers, great effort on and all.

Top evening by the campfire (torch) and who'd have thought the local pizza delivery driver and his assistant would have been Pirates too, good work!

Thanks to all Pirate people for their support before, during and after, it makes it all so much more do-able, who knows I might even do it again one day.

Waffle over :0)

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Crash Hamster

Ok, quick race report...

Bala hadn't, contrary to predictions, been washed away in a deluge overnight; race morning dawned overcast and still. We sneaked down to get marked up at 7am (first lady and first man...a win's a win ;o)) and the lake was completely glass-like.
Of course, by 9:15 someone had turned the wave machine on and it was fairly choppy...

The swim was uneventful, my sighting was absolutely perfect, just not always on the right buoy. I thought my swimming had improved, but I was still passed by the first few senior men from the next wave.

Managed to escape the wetsuit in reasonable time, then off on the bike, leaving behind all the warm clothing that I'd brought for flood conditions. My ride was disciplined, not doing anything daft with my heart rate. Huge thanks to the support crew in the layby, it really was a boost. Waved at a few Pirates as they sailed past...

T2 came and went and I exited about 20 yards behind Mellifera. I thought 'she's a good runner, I'll stay with her'...the first bit was certainly true, as she shot off up the hills and vanished into a little yellow speck on the horizon. Cracking performance Melli, great result.
Settled down to keep my HR at 160, rising to 170 up the big hill. Thanks to the Cap'n Pugwash crew at the corner before the climb. I tried to do a Piratey Jig as I came back past them after the turn, but nearly fell over. It was then a case of high-fiving the ascending Pirates as I ran back down the valley...I even stopped to snog one of them.
You were all looking good, honest ;o)

Finish line, 5:05:31, down from 5:43 last year.

Thanks again to everyone for the support, to Wrecsam Tri for the organisation, to forumites for their collective prayers to the weather gods...and well done to the women's team on their second place.

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Kitana

I have just got home and am pleased to see a good time was had by (almost) all. Bad luck to those who couldn’t finish, I’m sure you’ll do great next time.

Here’s what happened for me:

On the way there I was terrified, I knew I was seriously under-trained and had never even done an open water swim before (or even put on a wet suit). When I saw that lake, I was ready to get back in the car and go home, but thought I would give it a shot.

The swim was awful! I spent the first half of it absolutely terrified, it’s nothing like swimming in a pool. I really panicked and almost stopped but after about half way managed to calm myself down and got on a bit better. But then I started to cramp, I had the most awful cramps in my legs and had to stop using them for ages and just use my arms. When I finally finished the swim and stood up I had the most horrendous cramping pains of my life and kept falling over. Eventually I made the way to my bike wondering how I would continue.

The bike section was actually OK, I was in a lot of pain for the first bit but gradually my legs calmed down and it all went slow but steady. Unfortunately by bike computer stopped working after 3 miles, so I had no idea how far I had gone or how fast I was going. But just got on with it and knew I’d get there in the end.

As I started the run section, I knew I was going to finish even if I had to crawl back to the start line. The first few miles I felt fine but at about mile 4 (ish) I was exhausted, it was about then that I met up with Symes who helped to spur me on and get me through some of those awful hills. On the way back I was really struggling and slowing, but knew I was not going to stop no matter what and dragged myself to the finish line where I was about ready to collapse!

All in all I had the best time ever, it was the hardest thing I have ever done and I wanted to die! But it was also excellent, mostly due to your fantastic support and is an experience I will remember forever. Thanks guys!

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DTs(M.)

DTs Race report

I haven’t read back to see how everybody else did but I will do this evening. I think everyone had a great time, or at least I hope they did! Certainly it looked like lots of people reaped the reward of good training over the spring and took some real confidence boosts from great performances. Well done!

Let’s start with the good stuff. What were the best three things I will take away from this weekend?
1. Seeing all my friends and enjoying a good time with them again.
2. Those 2 Jaffa cakes Hannah gave me after I crossed the finishline.
3. Knowing that every single one of the runners going from 7 to 8 miles who saw me going from 5 to 6 miles and said “Your supporters are around the corner” desperately wished their club had supporters like ours who would be there for them, jumping up and down and cheering like people possessed

To that list you could add so many things such as seeing some of the pirates looking so great on the run, especially Bryan internalising his pain and having a cheery word for everybody, Meldy pushing uphill regardless of her cramps, Iron Wifey looking so strong, Cath and her great big grin, the pirate jig (sorry Carl, why would you think I would want to punch you in a stomach?), holding up the inflatable for the last lady home, etc.

Keeping the other bits short and sweet, if I thought I was under prepared for last year I learnt a new lesson in being under prepared this year. Training since doing FLM – under 10 hours. By comparison I managed over 40 hours in the same period last year so no real surprise that I struggled! I’m sorry if I was a little negative yesterday evening.

Before the race I knew I was going to have a tough day so decided to treat it as a long training day. My swimming has improved from last year and I felt I was run fit from FLM training so the real mystery was going to be how badly the lack of bike training hit me.

Swim

A bit zig-zaggy especially on the way back but relatively uneventful except for swimming into Gumps just before the turn around. Sorry mate!
2007 – 52:52 2006 – 48:04

Bike

Would have been better if I had done a pre-race check and noticed my chain wasn’t on the front ring! DOH! Other than that the first section didn’t go too badly. Took a nice break at the top of the hill to chat with Anna and Symes and accidentally let JD whoosh past me, truth be told he would have come past me sooner or later anyway given the way he was flying, I just might have held him off for a while longer!

Other than that I really laughed when GMI came past around the bottle station where Minnie was working and he was whooping and hollering like a demon. Squishy Lady caught up with me just afterwards and it was nice to have some company into Bala. The support in the lay-by was a real pick-me up and for the next 5 miles or so I felt like I was flying.

Then something really weird happened to freak me out when I had tightness across my chest and heart palpitations as I whooshed down the hill towards the campsite. I thought it probably wasn’t a good place to have a heart attach and crash so carried on to T2 where I might at least be able to play drama queen to an audience! I came into T2 feeling like I was going to vomit and not sure what to do next.

2007 – 3:10:39 2006 – 2:54:45

Run

Well, its not a knitting club so I decided to see how I felt on the run and surprisingly enough I felt really good to start. Off I went and at first all was well. I saw loads of cheerful looking Pirates going in each direction and I thought I had a chance of breaking 6 hours.

The supporters were brilliant at the monument and very much appreciated. I had the good sense to wait until they were out of sight before I started to walk up the hill just past them!

I got to the top of the hill and turned around looking forward to pushing the last half home when BAM! I hit the wall like I have never experienced it before. Before I knew it I was running a minute and then walking a minute. I swore at myself, Shouted out loud. Was overtaken. Thought about Rosie’s “anyone can run the last 3 miles” comment from the night before. Nothing. Had somebody offered me the chance to drop out I would have. The complete lack of nutrition on the run had stopped me in my tracks.

Those last 5 miles hurt like nothing I have ever experienced before. I was not a happy boy! I now really know what it feels like and it is a mistake I won’t allow to happen again. When I finally got to the end Hannah went and found the Jaffa Cakes from my transition box and before I had swallowed the first one I had already started to feel better. I had let my mind beat me and that is a salutary lesson and one well worth learning on “B” race day.

2007 – 2:05:50 2006 – 1:57:43

Total

I knew I wasn’t in proper shape for this weekend but I had expected to break 6 hours, my time wasn’t why I was down, it was the way I had felt so bad and let my mind defeat me. So let this be a lesson – undertrain and feel the pain, undereat and you won’t complete!

2007 – 6:09:21 2006 – 5:40:32

Going forward

I’ve got the Highclere cyclosportif next weekend and I will decide on Austria after that. If I can get through next week and then do a short brick without feeling like death then Austria is still on, if I can’t then I may have to withdraw and do the Big Woody instead.

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Meldy

Swim
2006 1.04
2007 0.57

The knowledge that we were to go before the men did not meet me with great delight but ... I got on with it.
We hovered on the foreshore like a group of malformed great seals and stumbled across the stones until waist height, I soon lost Wifey and Anna co in the bass of black rubber but looked back to see Cath with eyes like saucers. The claxon went and we were off, it was cold but not as cold as last year. I had a bit more confidence with a pair of goggles that fit especially wearing contact lenses but my eyesight is still pretty sh1te without them so luckily I was just following splashing to the first buoy.
Reached the turnaround and caught sight of a yellow hat to my right ...... Feck me they have caught me already! Remembering the words of a wise man the night before I kept out to the right and out of trouble ..... except perhaps a little too much right and had to keep reining myself back in to the left ... In hindsight I should have breathed to the left and been more aware, and also swallowed more of the lake than I did. Not too many problems with the cold as I had about 4 wee's !! Kept my sights on the Tearoom (smallest thing I could see) and aimed for the right hand side.
My swim was quicker but I dont think my stroke was as effective as it should be just not to sure why at the moment.
T1 ..... fairly quick my by standards!

Bike
2006 3.15
2007 3.09

I had a time in mind and broke it down into 3 sections (3 x1 hour) First hour is mainly hills, spin up them nice and easy and save your legs to push on later, they were fine, they came and went and managed to keep my cadence above 80/85 for the majority of the first hour. Passed Anna and a lassy at the side of the road but they were ok apart from Anna needing a lift (tough luck sweetie) It was reallllllly windy on the bike and into a headwind most of the way thinking it will be quite nice when we turn back (as did the wind)
Second bit, the middle bit - push on and work a bit, ate lots, drank enough and found some nice downhill stretches that I could shout 'Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee' on (yes, I did) ..... Pleased that I am still keeping cadence in the 90's and speed not too bad either. Passed by a few pirates and interested to see who was out of the swim after me, played cat and mouse with a blokey in tights and started singing to myself.
Third section and the last bit is the push for home, only an hours bike to go ..... passed by more pirates and then rounded the corner to see 'Pirate Hedge' complete with bunting, the statutory abuse and on up the hill, soon passed by JD and GMI and kept them in my sights for a fair way before they dropped me on a long drag. Was trundling up the hill having a slurp when Rosey and Kelly jumped out of a hedge at me ... Cheers guys, nearly dropped my bottle!
How pleased was I when I saw signs to Bala!!! Flat speed was good round about 45/50k at one point and cadence in 100's (sorry I am boring you now)
I had a little 'Cougie moment' when I saw Bryan ahead on the bike ....... 'feck me he HAS had swimming lessons!'
T2 in sight ........ another swift transition from yours truly and off

Run
2006 2.41
2007 2.33

Well sort of off .... took a while for my legs to work - the initial surface is dire, like running on a compost heap. Wasnt long before I met Mr Meli on his last few miles and swiftly followed by others about 3 miles in my quads started to seize, never really had cramp but I suspect thats what it was, I stopped to stretch and grabbed my foot to stretch back and my hamstring said 'ohhhhh no you dont' ... so it continued, running was actually a bit more comfortable than walking but I couldnt actually run the whole way, the downhills were interesting to say the least! Developed a strategy to run every time I saw a Pirate but then they became a bit too frequent so that went out the window! I was so close to stopping ATO for a quick rub down on the run but thought perhaps that wasnt very fair on him (I didnt think about asking Crashie for a quick filling either) As the others have remarked the amount of people who told me that 'Your lot are just up the road' were numerous and I think they were glad of the support as well, although 'Just up the road' ranged from 3 - 5 miles. Soon spotted Rosey as the advance party and really thought about pushing him off his bike and nicking it, swiftly followed by the support group FANTASTIC as usual, then ran half way up the hill to some more abuse, It was the following downhill where I thought that was the end, I really couldnt walk/run/crawl down it ....so I had to do an Aunt Sally straight leg sideways walk (sooooo glad I was out of sight!) The turnaround came after about 10 miles and off I toddled back again
Please dont take this wrong but I was really pleased to see some pirates on the way back, it boosted a little bit of confidence although I could hear Squishy breathing down my neck. The run felt stronger and the walk breaks less frequent and an excuse to talk to the mad bloke on the bike again whilst having a walk. Squishy passed me with about 2 miles to go, I could hear the tannoy ...... Left the lakeside road and over the bridge towards the finish, I could see Squishy a few hundred metres ahead of me and the decided to hunt her down !!! It probably wasnt a pretty sight but I huffed and puffed my way to cross the line together but she certainly deserved the glroy having run the whole course without walking - hats off to you girl!

what have I learnt this year?
Pirate Supporters are the best.
Swimming in a straight line is a quicker way to the finish
The bike was stronger and better paced and allowed me to take 10 min off my run time although I would have hoped for a quicker bike I must take a positive from that.

Overall 21 minutes quicker. Next year??

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Ato

Firstly, a huge thank you to all pirate racers and supporters. You made my 1st middle distance triathlon a day to remember. Stratford was good, Bala upped the power levels considerably.

The Race

Expectations for the day were to (a) enjoy it, (b) finish the course and (c) go sub 6hrs.

Swim

This was my 1st 'mass' start and it was 'interesting' to say the least. Multiply by 10 for Austria <check>. Water was cool(ish), OK f*ckin cold, and colder than I'd practiced in before (ie the thermal baths at Datchet). Panicked a bit early in the swim; don't know why as I'd covered the distance and then some in OW training. Eventually settled into a steady rhythm, made the turn and headed for the No 6 metal drum!! It held nicely in my sighting stroke, right up to the point that I thumped it with my left hand. After a few strokes, trying to decide if the hand had suffered any damage I concluded that it hadn't, and if it had then the ice water was doing a great job at nulling any pain. Began sighting on a new bouy, and wondered why I was swimming 'alone'! a quick check right found the main group, and I was heading for a bouy from the outward leg! zig-zagged back to the right side of the course and finished the remainder of the swim uneventfully. Staggered into T1, shed the wetsuit, cycle kit on then out onto the bike course; obviously forgetting to hit the lap timer... so:

Swim, T1 and 400m cycle: 49m 02s (planned time for Swim and T1: 50m)

Bike

Pretty uneventful bike really. Hills weren't as bad as I'd been expecting, and I just had to remind myself to eat and drink. Great support from the fellow competitors, and all the pirates whizzing past me. Pirate supporters at mile 38 were a great help, and gave me a much needed boost up the hill. Superb, many thanks [Mental note to self: don't take both hands off the handlebars and wave when your speed is decreasing on a hill otherwise you might fall into the supporters and look a t*t]. A mile or so later, saw Rosey and remembered my mental note so kept one hand on handlebar and waved; much safer! Powered into T2, changed and hit the run course. Remembered to hit lap button on watch.

Cycle: 2hr 43m + T2: 1m 4s. (planned time: 3hrs)

Run

Set off at a steady pace, but wished there had been some loos around the transition area! Plodding along at around 8mm pace, and started to see the familiar Pirate tops in the distance. Just past mile 3, with 4 pirates in sight I was distracted by a layby portaloo, and took a 4 minute break from the race. Whilst I was slightly lighter on returning to the race, my legs had experienced the short break in movement and were starting to object to this running lark; still jogging up the hills though. Excellent pirate support again on the run course. Both outbound and inbound pirates and tritalkers gave plenty of encouragement and then there was the happy band at mile 'whatever it was'. Around mile 7 the wheels started to fall off the wagon, and by mile 8 the horses were giving up too. Not enough in the tank, so must sort out what my body will process PDQ! I'll also need to re-load my internal music system, as between miles 8-10, I had the Boomtown Rats 'I don't like Mondays' in my head permanently; and no matter how I tried I couldn't find another track. Eventually I found 'We are the champions' by Queen, which lifted my mood, and enabled me to jog the last mile.

Run: 2hr 07m (planned: 2hrs)

Total: 5hrs 41m 45s

Thanks once again for the outstanding support. My goals in Bala were achieved and I head into my final weeks before Austria in good spirits.

Finally, many thanks to the pirate supporters who looked after Dis and Katie for the day.

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An Accelerating Tri Tractor Boy

I would also like to thank the supporters which gave you the encouragement at the point in the cycle and run when you needed it.

Swim
My swim was about the time I was aiming for 50 minutes (time from person next to me in transition), that was with a bit of zig-zagging. However I must have spent about 7 minutes in T1 from my race split time. I did put my HRM on and a cycle top in addition to the standard things.

Cycle
I was pleased with the cycle and over took a few people even going up some of the hills. I was glad I put open a cycle top to keep a bit warm, I completed it in 2:45.
I would also have to agree about the 6 stages of the cycle that was posted last week, the support was in the right place as I was starting to get board with the cycling!!

Run
I (mistakenly) thought the run was right next to the lake and therefore flat. However it was a good hill session for about the 10 miles of hills. I was feeling quite good for the first part of the run. However just before the turn around I was getting stomach aches due to what I ate on the bike. I than walked bits of the run on the way back. I did the run in 1:58 which I was pleased with due the route.

I finished in 5:42 which is 31 minutes quicker than the only HIM distance race I have done.

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Flying Ant

The first panic of the day, as I put my bike together and tested the brakes most of the rear cable snapped leaving only a few strands left to operate the brake. As there was nothing I could do to improve it I just decided I would have to be more careful than usual with my braking so as not to brake the ramaining strands. In the end I only used the brakes twice all day.

The swim was ok, I had only swum 2k nonstop twice before so I took it fairly easy (probably to easy) and apart from thinking the first buoy was where we were going to turn my sighting overall was great. Finished the swim and T1 in 55:36 with at least 5mins in T1 trying to find my socks and applying more suncream.

After the panic about the brake the bike went ok but I did suffer a bit after turning to come back to Bala, passing the pirates at the side of the road came just at the right time. I was aiming for an average of at least 16mph and finished at 16.03mph with a time of 3:01:21.

I was hoping to do the run in under 2hrs but after forgetting my watch in T2 I had no idea how I was going. I also got warned by another runner to look good as the pirate support crew were just around the next corner. :o) As my thighs were aching so much in the last few miles and my run had slowed to a shuffle, I decided as completion was the main aim I would just see what happened. In the end the run was survived rather than run as a race. I finished the run in 2:06:09.

Overall I finished in 6:03:06, if I had remembered to put my watch on I might have gone under 6hrs, another lesson learnt.

Not bad as I could hardly swim a length in March last year.

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Squishy Lady

My report - bit of a long one - sorry!

I had never been more terrified on the morning of a race than I was at Bala. Crashie had given me a pep talk that morning, telling me I could do it.

We arrived to be marked at 7am and I was really chuffed to see the lake looking like a mirror. The day before it had been choppy, and I'd struggled to swim in it, but at least it hadn't been too cold.??

I actually managed quite a hearty feast considering how sick I felt, and we then walked back down to the leisure centre, where people were starting to arrive. Mellifera came up to me and gave me a hug and lots of reassurance - thanks Melli, it really helped. I must have looked a bit worried though! Lots of pirates arriving now, and lots of people to talk to and wibble to. Big thanks to Debbo, my mentor, for the words of encouragement. I looked across the lake again and could see a few ripples starting to form....then somebody turned the wave machine on again and I began to panic. It was getting choppy.??

We racked the bikes - mine was under the only tree in transition - hoorah, I'd be able to find it easily. I faffed around, then wandered around in circles in a trance carrying my wetsuit and not really knowing what I was doing. We had the race briefing, don't think I really took any of it in. Crashie and I went in for a quick dip. It was freezing! The water temperature had dropped alarmingly. They had also swapped the waves around, so all the women and 'old' men were off first, and the fit young blokes were second. That chuffed me no end to, because I knew I would be swum over when the second wave caught me!

We went through the pens to be counted, and then we then waded into the water, the hooter sounded and this was it!??Off I went. The first couple of minutes were a bit erratic while I found a rhythm, then I calmed down and just swam. Counting my strokes as usual, sight on the 8th stroke, keep relaxed. Melli had told me not to worry if I felt I was alone in the water, as I probably wasn't. The water was quite choppy, keep swimming, keep sighting, relax. Took ages to get to the first buoy, which I thought was where we turned, but there was another one way beyond that, which looked about a mile off! Jesus Christ that was a long way, oh well, keep swimming. Ohhh there's a yellow hat, here we go, the second wave are coming! Another yellow hat, and another.... then a whole crowd of them. Just keep swimming. Hooorah, the turning point, and I almost brushed the buoy with my left arm. Brilliant sighting – I was pleased with myself. The swim across the lake to the second buoy was really choppy and I was bobbling like a cork. Turned to head for the shore again, better, much better. Really got into a rhythm, I think I was actually smiling now, I was loving this, it was easier. I then decided that I needed a wee. I pushed and pushed, but I couldn't go. I wasn't stopping, I was in a rhythm. The shore was getting closer and I was panicking, I needed to wee now. It was all I could think about. I seemed to just relax a bit, then managed to go, the warmth was lovely in my wetsuit! Then I had cramp in my right calf. Had to stretch my leg out until it wore off. Then I was there, 'crawling' along the bottom because it was too shallow to swim. I attempted to stand at this point, but wobbled so much that I just hit the deck again and dragged myself to the mat at the pontoon, and a nice man helped me stand up. Wobbled a bit to T1.

On with the cycling kit and to the mount line, clipped in, lots of cheers and racket from the pirate supporters and I was off on the bike leg. First part of the bike was hilly, and windy, and hilly... and quite windy. Heck. Ate a Powerbar within the first 10 miles, then continued to stuff my face all the way round! Felt okay. Stopped very briefly to check that Holly was okay, and another pirate with a puncture, and I think it was Symes helping out. Caught up with DT's and cycled behind him for a while, being careful not to 'draft' but we were just within shouting distance. The ride was pretty uneventful, thankfully. Amazing pirate support in the layby - thanks guys, it really gave me a boost as I was starting to flag a bit. On the road back into Bala now, and DT's started slowing and shouted that he'd hit the wall and to overtake him, which I did. Past the campsite, not far now, phew. Suddenly saw the cops in the road stopping the traffic and I was there, back at the leisure centre, more cheering from supporters, unclipped and into T2.

Arrived at my rack under the tree where I discovered a HUGE bird poo on my wetsuit!!! I knew there would be a downside to racking under a bliddy tree!! On with the running kit. DTs shouted at me as he left T2 - I was still faffing!?? Legs felt surprisingly good. Left the lakeshore and headed off up into the hills. Lots of people coming back the other way, and lots of pirates. Stopped to snog Crashie in the middle of the road - he was having a flyer - he'd have been a few seconds quicker too if he hadn't stopped for that!! The hills were tough, but I kept plodding and felt okay. I could hear the racket from the pirate support group before I even got there!! It was amazing - thanks guys, and the Captain Pugwash tune made me grin! Had another wee in a gateway, then caught Meldy, who said her quads were killing her. I said I had to keep running, I hadn't walked once and I wanted to run as much of the course as I could. Back along the shore of the lake, Crashie and Ant yelling at me. Nearly there. Had a sprint finish with Meldy & we crossed the line together! Well done Melds!??

That was it! I had done my first middle distance triathlon. Strangely I didn't have the urge to yell "wwaaaaahhhoooooo" at the end or anything, I was just glad to finish.

Thanks again for all the support on the course - it really helped, without you it would have been much harder. You realise when you take part how important it is. Thanks guys!

THE END (phew)

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Mellifera

I had great fun a Bala. This might be a rather long report.
The swim seemed to go on forever, especially on the way back when I wasn't really sure whether I should head for what I took to be the finish or follow the buoys which seemd to be a longer route. I dithered between the two and zig-zagged my way back. I was very happy to see the fast senior men come through. Lots of cramp - is it the cold? Eventually I saw the jetty, looked at the nearest person and it was Holly_G - always great to see a friendly face in the water. It didn't feel like a very good swim but since I exited the water with Melissa and MrM (F and MV had a 12 minute head start) I thought I must have had a very good swim. I later found out they both had bad swims! So not a terrific swim for me but faster than last year and to be honest I'm always glad when the swim is out the way. Time with T1 was 46:43, overall position 242, 28/59 F.

spent the first 10 miles of the bike trying to keep my HR down. I was planning to ride no higher than 156 but I had to be really restrained to keep to this - it felt ridiculously easy and lots of the senior men were coming past. It took great discipline to stick to my plan but it really paid off. I would have ridden a lot harder in the first 15 miles without it and completely overcooked it. Overall, I really enjoyed the bike. There was a little wind but mainly on the downhill sections and it's a beautiful course. I played cat and mouse with a number of senior men who worked hard to catch me (and make up the 12minutes start) but who couldn't maintain it. In general they would pass me on inclines as I was controlling my HR and then have to freewheel down hill to get their breath back as I came past again. We were incredibly lucky with the weather relative the forecast (torrential rain) and not a drop fell all day. It pissed it down all afternoon 11miles down the road at our hotel. Time on the bike was 2:27:51 - a bit down on what I thought I might be able to do but still very happy as I felt great at the end (legs included). I did the 6th fastest female bike :) and was in 150th overall at the end so I netted 92 places on the bike - and not just because I'm a rubbish swimmer!

Fannied around far too long in T2 but legs felt good starting the run. I had some pain in my abdomen which was there on and off throughout the run. It's not something I recall having before - it wasn't stitch though pressing on it helped a bit - and it wasn't the kind of pain that I felt was going to result in my bowels declaring an emergency evacuation. I can still feel it a bit now as though I have done some new abs exercises so I wonder if it might have been from using my core more (or differently) in a wettie swim. Since I was otherwise feeling good, and I was managing to work at the right HR I didn't let it worry me too much. I enjoyed the run - great to start seeing other Pirates - MrM was the first coming in the other direction and that was a great sight. A couple of miles behind were TeamSNORKS and Hollywood pretty close together. It's a real boost to see members of your team every few minutes or so. I ran much of the return leg with a Chester Tri chap who I met in Germany - that really helped keep my mind off the abdominal pain that was worse running faster down the hills. Turning on to the off-road track for the last half mile and hearing the tannoy announcing finishers I knew I would make it under 5 hours. I made up a further 21 places on the run (now in 129th overall and 13/59 F) to run the 11th fastest F time in 1:43:20 (includes T2). Overall I was 13 female and 149th finisher in 4:57:54.

I''m very happy with that. I think I could have pushed it a bit harder on the run and possibly very marginally on the bike and swum smarter rather than harder but I executed a very well-paced and controlled race and had enormous fun. The Pirate supporters were as vocal and welcome as ever - it's a great feeling to suddenly come upon them round a corner. My recovery has been very good - my quads were a lot less sore than last year. It was wonderful to meet up with people again - or for the first time. I would really like to thank all the people who came to support - I didn't get to meet all of you (or I might not have match up names with forum names) but you were all terrific. I didn't know Hannabelle and Dave-the Ex-Sparten were there at all! Did we speak? We need name badges! So many other competitors told me how great our support were.

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Gumps

My slightly longer report. After being surprised by my performance last year I was equally surprised this year.

Swim – stopped for lots of rests and had a bit of a cough. Swam over Bryan whilst trying to drowm him and disappointingly failed. Did the same to Dts and failed. Got to the turnaround in 27 mins Swim time 53 odd. 13 mins down on last year

Bike – passed a few people, could not keep HR down so ignored it. Was a bit slow could not use tribars and wimped the downhills. I caught IW in the last few miles and was convinced JD was ahead – how could that happen? ;-)

Run – was a bit tough, HR still high but as I was going slowly saw a bit more of the course than last year. Ran the last bit back with a lady from the host club.

Felt a bit rough after and must have been unwell as I only managed 2 slices of pizza.

Still a good event and I hope to go back next year and go around about an hour quicker

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Cougie

Started off on the Friday by riding down to Bala - only 50 miles so a nice pootle. Unlike last year when I caned it and raced down there I thought I'd take it nice and steady and have fresh legs. So I did take my time and even so I thought it was a b*gger of a ride. Lots of hills and too many eedjits in wide 4*4s and maniacs. Don’t think I'd bother next year.

Onto the campsite to join the Pirate Throng - except there was none. My Bro in law was gonna do the swim and bike - medical condition means he cant run, but he wasn’t gonna let that stop him having fun. So he had already bagged the only double area for tents as the site was busy. And it did have a tree to raise the Pirate colours.

Later on Melissa and JD and Claire arrived, so it was getting a wee bit more piratey.

Saturday - went and registered and then went down to the lake for a swim. It was pretty windy by now and I didn’t like the waves at all. Not as bad as 2005 when it was hideous, but worse than I wanted. Just splashed round more than swimmed and generally made myself more nervous of the swim than anything.

Sunday - Day dawned for me about 3am as I couldn’t sleep. Thought I must have had a decent sleep until I realised the birds werent singing and it was dark. An hour later the real dawn hit. The countryside is bl**dy loud - easier to sleep on the hard shoulder of the M6 I think. Birds Singing, Sheep Baahing, Ducks Ducking, Cattle Lowing, all we needed was little baybee jesus to awake...

Lake was a mirror when we racked and then with all the faffing round the breeze was getting up. I was willing them to get on and start the damn thing but they didn’t. Still when we went off it wasn’t too bad. I was in the first wave with the vets and women - so I took up my usual position at the back and paddled gently off into the distance. Water wasn’t too cold - seemed to be fine. Felt the swim wasn’t going too bad really - seemed to be lots more hats round me than usual but it took ages to hit the first buoy. My sighting seemed to be OK but I was a bit disappointed that it was the first buoy and not the turnaround one. Never mind carried on and got to that one just after the Yellow hats came slicing past me. They all looked very impressive.

Got a bit choppy out there for a while and then we turned for home. I seemed to keep veering off to the left and the yellow hats were on my right - but still made it through and very happy to see the bottom of the lake appear and then I can crawl and stumble out.

Swim 56 mins vs 53 last year - but I felt better ? Don’t think I was any better a swimmer - just that more slower swimmers than I have discovered tri. Fantastic !!

Out onto the pontoon and Dan is behind me - he's made up 15 mins on the swim. Must be the beard.

Lots of noise and shouts from the Pirate Massseeeeve - no idea who is where but all good fun. Check to see if my bro in law is out and away yet - phew he's not, but I scan the hats coming in to see if he's there as I get ready. At least this year I put my bike shoes on rather than my run shoes….

He's not in sight, should I stay and see he's ok ? Naah - if he's drowned I'm sure to find out at the finish. Why spoil the race ? ;-)

Anyway - the bike and I feel at home again. Start powering past people from the get-go. Whizz thru Bala streets and then onto that first hill - oooh - legs not quite ready. Loads of people in front for me to catch and I was enjoying that lots. Was it Bryan who shouted 'Crap Swimmer' as I passed him ? Tee hee hee.

Didn’t really notice too many hills - a few gradients but nothing too bad. I notice how many people coast when they should be pedalling or don’t use the tribars into the wind - losing lots of time there straight away.

About a third of the way round I'm out of the saddle and feel my front wheel 'bottom out'. Not another flat ? I try and ignore it but next time I'm out of the saddle its still there and more noticeable. At least its only a slow flat. I'd lose too much time changing tubs. I take it easy on the bends as I don’t wanna roll a tub and its here that one of the Welsh triathletes keeps coming past me. I've already passed him two or three times on the flat and hills but mysteriously he comes past me as soon as I back off. I'm guessing the git was on my wheel as soon as I passed him.

I stop to refill tub with my CO2 cylinder - it works well and I'm off again. I soon retake the welsh guy and give it a good dig so he cant jump on this time. Thru the feed I take on a Hi5 as I'd finished my one bottle (whats the point in carrying extra weight round the course with you ?). And I get a free bottle - bonus !

I remember that I'm meant to be eating as practice for IMDE so force 2/3 of an energy bar down me in sections - leave the rest in my pocket for transition.

Great to see the Pirate Mini and Pirate Posse at the layby - you are all quite quite insane and I love you for it. That put my speed up a good notch or two !

Route is getting a bit busier now with caravans and we get a bit blocked. Eases out through the bends and then we're climbing again. Out of the saddle and the tyre is getting flatter. I know theres a nice steep descent so need the tyre hard for that so I pull in just before the top of the climb.

Damn - CO2 is empty so have to put new one in. Faff faff faff. All the time I'm doing this I get a barracking from some supporters up ahead. I'm back on the course just before Ava can catch me and I'm off like a scalded cat as my Welsh drafter has passed. As I pass the supporters - its Rosey and Kelly - damn - if I'd have known that he could have done the bike for me ! Only a few miles to go now and I'm focussed on catching my nemesis. Feeling strong after my rest and I know I'll get him. As it happens the Leisure Centre comes up too quick and I catch him by out breaking him into T2. Er, very smart. So no spinning small gears or anything to get the legs ready for the run. Oh well. Least I got him.

Bike 2.29 vs 2.25 last year - so probably a similar speed if you take out my stops.

Getting a tad better at these Transitions now after my first Tri in Zurich when people didn’t need to take snaps of me in Transition - they had enough time to do an oilpainting as I faffed round doing dog knows what.

Out on the run before Welshy - ha and I'm feeling good. Surface is crap and I'm still cautious of my glass ankle so apologies if I didn’t see people - I was looking where I was going. Catch a TTer for a chat (hi caesar) but I'm running well and he lets me go. (all those bricks are paying off).

Run seems a lot better than last year when it was too hot. I ease into it for the first few miles and someone passes me. After a few mins I've decided that I didn’t like that so catch him and leave him to diiiiiieeee. Like a doggggg. Feeling strong running all the way through the uphills legs are a bit stiff but not too bad - walk thru the water station as I need a drink to wash my gel down. High 5 - not the hair variety. Mess round putting it in the bin bag and then curse myself for wasting 5 seconds there.

I'm racing the downhills too - no extra effort - just let your legs go - so pass lots of people that way too. Damn - should keep quiet on that.

I get passed by a waif of a lady - surely she must be the runner on a relay she's sooo fast ?

I start to see Pirates come the other way so that’s great to see - Mike looking very strong. Cant see Gumps though ?

Up towards the turn and the Pirates are there again - hooters megaphones god knows what ! So no chance to walk the uphill as they would see.

Up to the dead turn half way up the steep hill - that just seems a bit mean and I tell them so until they threaten to make me go round the turn point again.

Back down past the pirates and I'm doing my 'freerunning' thing so I'm going much faster than I really should but its fun. Wheeee !

I'm high fiving pirates like crazy (So many of us out there - it’s a great sight) and cheering them on. Much to the annoyance of the runners I overtake. Tee hee hee.

Before long its 3 miles to go so I feel like I can push on a bit from here and up the pace. I calculate that I can beat last years time when I died on the hot run. I start reeling in the guys in front of me and I think only a couple of runners came past me in the whole run, so I'm pleased with that.

Small cockup when I pass 2 guys and then we miss the way onto the lake - spectator seemed to be in the way of the sign. So we double back a bit and onto the marsh. Keep expecting these guys to take me, but they don’t. Before long it’s the finishing funnel and I'm looking for lil cougie to join me to race for the line and prepared for the sprint - last year he beat me - this time I'm ready and its at least a tie. Or maybe his inflatable cutlass slowed him down a bit.

Run 1.45 vs 1.58 2006 Think the heat played a big part last year though.

Overall 5.11 vs 5.17 2006

Great race. Perfect Weather and the best spectators any one could ask for - thank you all so much for coming and travelling for 100s of miles- you are heroes !

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Hollywood

-- swim 2km - bit slower than last year - maybe 34 minutes? Huge postive kudos to all those who did this - it was a cold and fairly rough swim - by far the toughest I've done. I kept way out to the right on my own (which was a mistake in those waves), had some puke issues (Lucozade sport - tastes disgusting going up and down), stopped briefly with a cramping calf in the last 300m - it's always awesome to complete an OW swim of that length but my performance was a bit weak (stupid?) really and I was glad it was over...
--- T1 - a bit slow - cramp spread to my right shoulder so I couldn't get my wettie undone, then cramped in my calf again, but while I was putting on my shoes I got to watch Mr Melli, Melli and Mel all leaving for their bike.
--- cycle 78km - started really fast - caught Mel and Melli on the first section of the hill, had some cramp again (oops), then caught Mr Melli and Shiraz before the top of the hill, raced Mr Melli for a while, then faced the tanker of doom (he was definitely bigger than me), then faded a little - did enjoy watching some draft cheats get caught (Mr Melli will be glad to know that I recognised at least 2 of the numbers in the DQ list), second hill was hard, found I just couldn't eat my flapjack and felt really off the lucozade sport again... pirate support at 35 miles was excellent - yellow umbrellas superb - go pirates! Last section dragged on... my back hurts still today... Finally made it back to Bala spot on an average of 20.0mph - 2:23ish - around 10 minutes faster than last year :-)
--- T2 - for the first time ever I took my shoes off while still on the bike - managed not to crash, but I suspect it didn't make me any faster - then quickly got my running shoes on, grabbed my buff, grabbed yet more Lucozade, got my Garmin and I was off.

--- run - beastly, beastly, beastly hills - far steeper than they were last year I'm sure - started off feeling OK, stopped after 200m in some long grass for a comfort break (amazingly pee was not Lucozade orange in colour), started running again but had a sharp stitch which made it uncomfortable going, found I was running between 8 and 8:30 per mile, found some civilians to run with and chatted away for the next 4 miles of undulations. Stitch finally vanished before 3 miles was up, got to mile 6 and the yellow support crew were out loud and lovely ... then up the big hill, spotted Mr Melli coming the other way (he said it wasn't far - he lied!), then Team Snorks overtook me (although he stayed and chatted for awhile - thanks!), made it to the turnaround and then flew back down the hill... only to discover Mellifera was coming up right behind me. The plan had always been to try to speed up for the second half and having Team Snorks in front and the MelliMonster behind really helped. I managed splits of low and mid 7's for the next few miles despite laughing at the pirate supporters who'd found a way to play the captain pugwash theme tune through a megaphone... lots of high fives with pirates coming the other way - including Shiraz who was clearly not loving the hills. As the tiredness increased I really valued all the high fives - thanks so much to all the pirates who played along... finally the 7s caught up with me and I hit a wall - my thighs cramped, mentally I started to wibble, I struggled to 9:30 for mile 11... pulled myself together a little when I got to the one mile sign but was really suffering as I hit the bridge in to Bala... I turned to see the Mellinator maybe less than 1 minute behind me and pushed the final 800m home... no more looking back... fell across the line in 1:44 - so the run was 8 minutes faster than last year.

4:46 overall - 16 minutes up on last year... very happy, but with plenty to think about ahead of IMA... more than double the distance, will have to slow my pacing and work out my feeding - also really need to find a cure for biker's backache.

Huge thanks to all - especially Squishy for the magic anit-rain devices which really worked a miracle yesterday - the rain on the way home was amazing! Bala was my first pirate fix last year and this year was even better :o) Go pirates!

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Shiraz

Last Tue we practiced the bike course and I wanted to cry at about 15miles,
I was knackered and my bum was killing me!! I think it was supposed to help
me plan my race or something it made me want to drive in the opposite
direction quickly. Hwood suggested I not do the run so I only did 2 miles of
the course and the so called flat bit felt like Richmond Park!! So by
Saturday night I was a wreck and I did not sleep very well if at all.

Race day - the lake was like a mill pond at 7am but by race start their was
a nice steady breeze making some sizable waves. However, we were cheerfully
told that if the lake as looking that rough it was a sign that the bike
course would be very windy - yippee! The swim went really well for me I
tucked in behind someone to avoid the choppy open water but gave up on that
when a man kept trying to drown me by swimming over my legs. However once
we got to the turning point it was like surfing back in and I got out of the
water in about 10th position including all the old men- it could only get
worse - but definitely not down hill.

Transition was tricky I had no feeling in my hands but I eventually got my
trainers on - I headed off safe in the knowledge that I was the fastest
person so far without proper cycle shoes!! As I huffed and puffed up the
hill still out of breath from the swim everyone started to overtake me but
with lots of words of encouragement as I looked like a complete beginner
compared to the rest of them. After about 8 miles H came past having set
off 15mins behind me - some things are just not fair. At least drafting
wasn't an issue with everyone disappearing into the distance so fast. On
the biggest down hill I managed over 40mph which is not bad for a scary
cat!!

The bike was a huge success, I averaged 16.4mph and finished in less than 3
hours - 15mins quicker than I predicted. At this rate I was going to go sub
6 hours even if my half marathon was slow, all I needed was my knee to
hold!! I had lost count of the numbers going past me on the bike - probably
about 200, but at least I got to check out lots of bikes, and mens bodies!!

The run started well, I tried to run steady and a 9min mile seemed OK for a
start. However, they got progressively slower but I was still quite happy
chatting to fellow pirates along the way. After a quick detour to the
middle of the road to see Stu at 5 miles and a warning that it was about to
get tough but 'I could do it' we started to climb. I say we - me and the
girl from Chester Tri club who I had stupidly condesended with a well done
as I overtook her at 2 miles. She overtook me back at mile 4 but stayed in
my sites. For the first time ever, I walked in a race - my calf muscles
felt like lead and I just couldn't do the 300m climb any other way. At the
turn around point I saw Kanga who looked even worse than me and I had a more
realistic target than Chester Tri girl. However, moments later I knew how
Kanga felt when a friend who I beat at Windsor last year came running
up the hill like she hadn't done anything much for the last 4.5 hours. I
kept ahead of her until mile 9 when my legs and knee decided enough was
enough and she flew past. I did overtake Kanga but never got the chester
tri girl. Hwood started to cheer me on a mile from the end, but it just made
me cry - I could blame the knee but it was mainly the lack of sugar. At the
end I ran straight through the line and to the St Johns Ambulance to get
some ice for my knee and to avoid too many people see me cry!

Amazingly the run which I thought had to be mega slow due to the walking was
2hr5min, I found out about an hour after finishing that I did manage to go
sub 6 hours infact (some might say I was a sandbagger) I managed 5hrs35mins!! Yipee!!

What can I say why do people do this? I have no idea. I am glad I did it
but most of all right now I am glad it is over! I have discovered new
muscles in my body today that I didn't know I had because they have never
hurt so much. NO I AM NOT GOING TO DO AN IRONMAN!!!!

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GOM(P.I.T)

Race Day.

I think if truth be known my race started at about 4am on Sunday morning, when I woke up for the first time, and suddenly realised that today was the day that I was going to tackle my second ever triathlon. From this point on I was either laying a wake wondering what the day would bring or heading to the toilet to pee again.

Before I knew it the alarm was ringing and it was time to drag myself out of bed, the OH was up before I knew it and heading to the shower. There was no turning back now.

The plan was to get up drink around 750ml of PSP and eat a light breakfast. Truth was, tried to start to drink and felt like I was going to throw up at any second. I knew I had to eat but couldn’t face the thought of heading to breakfast, so when for the second option instead. This was to consume at least two bagels which I had the forethought to have in my room. Started to eat the first one, and again it just wasn’t happening, but I knew I had to eat. So with the helpful words of the OH ‘Well you have to eat something!’, I managed to force one down.

The time had to come to leave the hotel and head for the lake. It was a only a short walk from the hotel to the lake, but this morning it seemed to go on forever and a day. But the sight that meet us as we rounded the corner to the lake put a smile on my face that I couldn’t believe. The lake was flat, no not flat, millpond like, it was like a sheet of glass. This was going to be a good day.

The rest of the time was spent walking around chatting with fellow pirates, setting and getting marked up ready for the day.

Then it was time!

Swim + T1 46:39

In the time from us turning up at the lake to the start of the race, some b8st8rd had turned on the wind. If I find out whom it was I believe I may have some very strong words for them.

Women and Vets went off first, then it was the turn of the senior men to enter the water. I entered the water feeling ok, and thought to myself this isn’t going to be too bad. I had a bit of a quick swim and it seemed ok. I moved to the back off the pack, to make sure I was out of the way, and then just stood there waiting for the off. At which point I discovered just how good it is to pee in a wetsuit :o)

Then we were off! I started to swim, and almost at once started to struggle! I couldn’t make out what was wrong with me. So I stopped, look around, and thought to myself this is right. So, started off again. I have no idea what I was doing, I just wasn’t thinking my swimming was going to pieces and I wasn’t thinking right. So I stopped again. But this time, I had ago at myself, I had not come this far to not give this ago. I looked for the second bouy and set off again. This time, I just kept going, just before reaching the second bouy the water was swelling quite strongly. But I knew at this point I had it sorted. I just needed to get around the bouy, after which it was just a case of making it home. The return leg, was good, and I started to focus on my swim, and I started to pull back a few places after my poor out swim.

I was out of the water and into T1

Bike + T2 2:49:18

The bike leg, was the one that I really wasn’t looking forward to. My biking over the last few weeks, I have to say has been poor and I really haven’t put the hours in that I should have.

But anyway, the plan was to ride the race and see how I got on, not to push it just ride it. The other part of the plan was to eat and drink well on the bike.

This is something I really do still need to work on.

Within the first few miles, I managed to catch a few people on the bike, but it wasn’t too long before I was being caught on the bike. This I just put to the back of my mind, with the thought, these are people that I will try and catch on the run.

I went pass Holly and the other lady, sorry can’t remember her name. I didn’t realise the problems you were having otherwise I would have stopped. Sorry.

The next few miles, were just a case of head down and get on with it.

Then it happened first Rosey and Kelly shouting and cheering form the side of the road. Which put a smile on my face, then a few more miles down the road there was the pirate support, so much noise and cheering in the middle of nowhere. I t really put a smile on my face and the last few miles just flew by with the picture in my mind.

Then within a little while I knew where I was, and at any moment I would be heading into T2. So, the plan was to undo shoes, slip feet out ride the last little bit with feet on top of shoes. Done!

Came into T2, dismount before line. Ran into T2, straight to the right row. Run down row, put bike onto number. Sh1t, wrong place, run down a bit further, No, still the wrong place. Right this must be it. Stick bike onto rack. Hang on, no that isn’t mystuff. Where is my stuff, some b8st8rd has moved myself. Sh1t, no, wrong number again! This is 252, I’m 242, at which point I look up and along the line and see my stuff sitting in a pile just a few feet away.

I grab my bike quickly run to the right place, rack my bike. Change socks, slip on shoes and head out onto the run!

Run 01:54:49

B8ll8cks, as I run out of T2 heading out on the run. I had run out and with all the messing about had forgotten to pick up my nutrition. This was going to be a long run!

I started out nice and steady and didn’t want to push it. It fact me and another guy left T2 at almost the same time and we ended up running the first few miles together. Which, I have to say really helped as it meant I didn’t push too hard, and we ended up chatting about the pirates and the wonderful kit we wear.

After a little while are paces started to differ and I slowly ran away from him.

It was too long after this I started to spot other pirates coming back along the route, which as always was a sight to be seen. Each and everyone that passed by either said hello, offered words of encouragement or a high five. Then the next thing I knew, the kind words of abuse, whistles horns and the theme from Captain Pugwash was being played. The support had moved from the bike course to the road course to once again be the most encouraging supporters. With this ringing in my ears, it was time to head up the last real climb of the run, which I managed to run up most of the way, but the last little bit was just too much so decided to walk. At which point Barley saw me walking, and once again offered kinds words of encouragement.

Reached the turn-a-round point. This was it, I was nearly there, just had to keep going now. There was no plans now, it was all just a case of complete the race. I started to feel good again, so started to push on a bit with the running. I remember seeing AATTB on the way back, along with IW, Ergo (Sorry I didn’t put the kettle on). I ran and walked with Kanga for a little while as well. Then I saw the sign, it showed I only had roughly 2 miles left to go. That was it, I wasn’t going to walk again, I was going to run the last 2 miles.

Running into the finish area, with the support of everyone there was the best finish to race that I have ever had. To see so many pirates there cheering and clapping made the whole day.

Total Time
05:30:46

So to which end, I would like to say sorry for such a long race report. But hey it is my first real one! But, also a big thank you to all of you for making it such a brilliant weekend, with the best support I or any one of us racing could have asked for.

On another note I would like to say, a huge amount of respect goes to the likes of Symes and BtS, who didn’t complete the swim. But had the strength to go on and complete the course.

And finally, I think it is worth saying a big thank you to all partners of the people racing over the weekend. They put up with us spending long hours out training, and then do it all again when it comes to the races at weekends. Thank you.

Ok I’m finished now :o)

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Vixim

A big thanks for Oxy and Holly for persuading me to do this and do it in Pirate kit. and for Sweetie_ for not complaining too much that I've taken up one of his hobbies.

This was only my second Triathlon and my first open water swim.
A quick summary of my race.

I didn't feel nervous at the start of the swim. Those early mornings at Datchett and Heron definitely paid off. I was upset to see the yellow hats behind me just after the turn around but I made sure that I kept to my pace. I'm looking forward to seeing my swim coach and telling her that I made it despite what she said!
My brain wasn't working in transition so I forgot a couple of things. The start of the bike I felt really good and I sailed past a fair number of people. Then disaster struck in the form a puncture. I'd already had one on the way to racking up so I was pretty quick to change tubes but then I could not work out how to use my fancy new gas pump. It was not a problem because almost all of the hundreds of people who passed me while I was there offered to help. D74 was a hero and sorted it all out for me, thanks very much. In the meantime Holly had arrived looking in a lot of pain and said she had decided to stop, it's a real shame.
The rest of the bike I was convinced that I was going to get more punctures and my race would be over so I took it slower than I would have done otherwise.
Not long after I got going again I came across Sweetie who had the same fate as me. I was relieved to see him overtake me again at around the 35 mile mark. The Pirate support in the layby was fantastic and made me smile all the way back to T2.

Before I knew it I was breathing a sigh of relief that I was back in Bala and the only thing that could fail me now was my body.

The run was uneventful and once I got my legs back it felt pretty easy going, despite the hills. It was great to see everyone going the other way and to get so much encouragement. I felt pretty proud too when non Pirates said things like, 'your lot are waiting for you just over the hill'. I must have gained a good few minutes thanks to all the encouragement.

I really enjoyed myself. right up to the 10 mile mark on the run where I lost the will to go on as I was on my own and needing a drink. I ran/walked the rest of the way until I managed to pick up again and run the last 500m into my mum's arms (awww (bleurgh)).

Again thank you all for letting us join you for the weekend without having posted once. I hope this exceptionally long post makes up for it.

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Bryan the Snail

Pre Race

I have been getting swimming lessons in a vain attempt to swim in something resembling a horizontal position and having had a bit of coaching the previous couple of weeks in the sea at Lanza thought I had a vague chance of getting round Bala but was not confident. I had had a few lessons from Gary and later from Nick and actually felt the swim was starting to work for me - OK it wasn't pretty and it wasn't efficient and I wasn't using my legs but at least I was managing to swim. I was doing about 300 - 350 metres in about 9 minutes and repeating it over a 45minute period so I reckoned I could possibly get round the Bala swim albeit pretty slowly.

My traing had been somewhat sporadic to say the least but I had doen a few runs and bike rides and had completed an Audax earlier in the year. I figured it was all going to be a long hard slog but do-able.

Got back home late Thursday night from Lanza and duly set off for Bala early Saturday arriving on the Saturday afternoon. The combination of the drive down and being stuck on a plane on the Thursday wasn't doing my back any favours at this point, however no time to worry about it had to get the tent pitched, go to registration and pop my toes into the lake.

At registration I spoke with the race organiser and advised him that I was unsure of my swimming abilities having just made a small breakthrough in salt water the previous week but wanted to try the event in any case. He was quite happy and assured me that if I pulled out of the swim I could carry on and complete the rest of the event with my times not counting.

I then got into the water with the rest of the pirates and tried to swim. I don't think the cold was a problem - OK it definitely wasn't Lanza temperature but I seemed to have enough fat around my body to feel comfortable enough. Things were not going to script though - my feet which in spite of not kicking had been high enough in the water for me to swim comfortably in Lanza were not playing ball in fresh water - I was ploughing on with my stroke, moving very slowly with my feet dragging on the bottom of the lake. I tried kicking but my stroke just disintegrated into wild thrashing in the water and my breathing which had started to become comfortable in Lanza was now panicky. Things were definitely a bit more doubtful for completing the event. I tried to shrug it off and put it down to choppiness of the water making my poor stroke even worse and things might be better in the morning.

Deb and I drove up the first part of the bike course so that I could get a preview of the first hills - OK it was going to be tough but I thought it looked easier than I had remembered from driving down it the previous year. Back in to town where I grabbed fish and chips (probably not the ideal pre race nutrition but I had a lot on my mind and didn't fancy faffing about cooking pasta when I got back to camp).

When we got back to camp other pirates were gathering outside the Eden Project and SHOCK!! HORROR!! they were drinking beer - had to do a quick trip back to town for some beverages to join them but limited myself to one can. Spent the evening faffing about trying to organise myself for morning - Deb decided to help me and as a result of her assistance and advice from other pirates I ended up not putting my wedge bag on my bike with my nutrition in it and not taking my camelback on the run with some carb drink in it ("You won't need it there will be plenty of stuff handed out").

Race Day

Attempted to sleep that night and got up at 0630 to try and ease my back off before the race. At this stage my back was saying "Who the f*ck do you think you are kidding?" but nonetheless I proceeded to panic and faff and ate some instant porridge and a couple of coffees to wash down my first dose of painkillers (Codydramol). Got most of my kit ready and then we were off to the bike racking.

Found my spot and dropped off my bike and box of kit (I am thinking of changing to a transition bag for the future for reasons which will become obvious) then went to help Deb find Carl who was bringing her bike. Having rescued Deb's bike I went off to get numbered and was handed a couple of tins of Red Bull thought that would do fine for a caffeine boost before the start. Back down to transition where I started up my GPS to get a signal lock and then switched it off ready for me coming out of the water. Bike helmet on bike with gloves and number belt in it and under instruction from Deb put gels and oat bars into my shoes for the bike and run (socks were already in complete with talc) so reckoned that I was probably near enough ready. My back was still telling me to f*ck off so I tried to hit it with a stronger pain killer (dihydrocodeine) washed down with the Red Bull. Got the wetsuit on and made my way with a lot of other nervous pirates towards the swim start.

The Swim - NOT!!

The lake had been like a mill pond when we had first arrived to set up transition but was now starting to look a little bit choppy and the nerves and doubts were getting more prominent but I wasn't out for a gentle Sunday stroll so told myself to just get on with it. Deb was telling me to swim with Symes as he was struggling with the swimming as well. The women and the geriatrics were going off in the first wave so we were very quickly into the water and before I knew it we were off, or rather they were off and I was struggling along at the back. I couldn't get settled into a stroke, my breathing was all over the place and no matter how much I told myself to slow down and settle down it wasn't happening.

OK - plan B - told myself to try a bit of breast stroke to get settled and then go back to crawl so tried for the next while to swim a bit of breast stroke and then try a bit of crawl but was very quickly at the very back of my swim wave. I kept plodding away trying to get things going but very quickly saw some caps from the next wave going past me. I thought that this might be a good time to swim over to the side rather than have them going right over the top of me and pulled over to the right. I was bemused to see some of the second wave further over to the right passing me with their head, shoulders, chest, and torso out of the water. My befuddled brain eventually processed the information that they were actually jogging along the bottom. I then became aware of somebody hitting my feet, panicked, looked round and saw Gumps, shouted at him that he must be a really crap swimmer to try and draft off me - he later claimed he was trying to drown me to put me out of my misery - in retrospect I might have thanked him for that.

Soon after that I was aware that there was very little splashing round about me, looked round and saw that the nearest swimmer from my wave was about 100 metres in front and I was the last swimmer in the water. I thought about keeping going but the way things were shaping up I would just be holding all the safety crew up waiting for me to finish and would probably get out of the water to knackered to do anything else so made the decision to pull out of the swim and try to take something from the rest of the race. I signalled to the safety bloke behind me and swam over to the safety boat. Once I was aboard I looked over at the people still swimming and reckoned that the way things were going I would have been about 30 minutes behind the last swimmer so it was probably the right decision but I felt more than a little gutted. I had covered about 2/3 of the outward bound leg of the swim which is more than I would have thought possible when I went out to Lanza so on the whole it was probably another step in the right direction but it took me until today to see it in that manner.

T1 & Bike

I was deposited back on the quayside about 35 minutes after I had gotten into the water and walked up and spoke to Nick and a few other pirates who were waiting at the transition exit, explained what had happened then wandered in to transition checked in with the officials and then wandered over to start getting ready for the bike leg. I was feeling pretty crap and the leaders were starting to come out of T1 and I didn't really want to exit with them and have people thinking I was better than I am so faffed about taking my time in transition. Took another couple of medium strength painkillers, washed down with more Red Bull, switched my GPS on and then found that I had to stop my watch to get it to synchronise with it so lost my swim times (such as they were - have to sort that out for the future). Managed to get ready for the bike but must have put my gloves down and forgot to put them on and made my way out of transition.

Heard the announcer say "Bryan Milne another of the strong pirate contingent leaving transition" and thought "Who the f*ck are you calling strong?"

Started off on the bike course feeling relatively comfortable going slowly for the first mile while I negotiated the town, chomped an oat bar and swallowed some diluted gels then started to settle in for my time in the saddle. Did the next 26 miles at an average of 15mph and thought things were going relatively OK. I was overtaken by most of the field and greeted a few pirates with the traditional but very much tongue-in-cheek shout of "Crap Swimmer" as they overtook me.

My back was again starting to cause problems and I took another dihydrocodeine, kept taking the diluted gels and water and eating the oat bars but was definitely feeling that the wheels were coming further off the wagon. By the time I reached the pirate support my average speed had dropped to below 14mph and I was not comfortable - I was struggling to stay seated in the saddle for more than a few minutes at a time and wondering why I wanted to do this in the first place. The support gave me a lift and I gritted my teeth and pushed for home completing the last 7 miles at an average of 19.5mph. Meldy went past me on this stretch so she must have been pushing on as well.

T2 & Run

Into T2 and I have never felt so glad to get off my bike. I heard the announcer acknowledge Meldy leaving transition as I was changing my shoes. I checked my kit and faffed about wondering whether to take gels with me - decided to take 2 in spite of Carl's earlier assurance that I would get High5 on the run, decided I didn't want 2 the same and scrambled through my kit for a different flavour, washed down another couple of Codydramol, then left trying to sort my Buff on the run.

I went out on to the run course and stopped at the first drink station to get some High5 but was told they only had water so gulped some down took one of my gels and carried on. I was soon joined on the run by Squishy and soon left on the run by Squishy but I figured I wasn't going to up my pace as I was confident I could keep going at 11-12 minute miles and finish even if I was last one home. Started to see pirates coming back and exchanged greetings and "high fives". Got to the second drinks station and asked for High5 to be told "We only have water" - I was starting to see a pattern here and thinking I should have brought my Camelbak.

Kept trundling out the miles but was really starting to have problems with my back. My lower back was now just one solid lump of pain but I knew that there was a drink station at the end and I would be able to wash down the last of the dihydrocodeine I had with me. Some of the runners going back were now starting to tell me that the Pirate supporters were not far ahead and then Nick appeared cycling back down the course. He gave me some words of encouragement and I asked him to see if somebody in the support had some water I could take painkillers with - he cycled off and a few minutes later I saw the support staggered over and washed down my painkiller with some diet coke (thanks Hannah) - I would have drained the bottle if it had been full fat stuff.

Barlos told me it was only 400 metres to the turn around so onwards and upwards. I am pretty sure that he has severe problems with depth perception/spacial awareness because that is the longest 400 metres I have ever run - shouldn't have expected anything else from somebody who confuses 4" and 8". Got to the turn and exchanged pleasantries with the marshals took on more water and my last gel and then set course for home.

Passed a few runners who had still to get to the turn including Symes who was running with Kitana? and Cath and gave them words of encouragement. The support had gone by the time I got back down to them - probably just as well as I may have tried to explain to Carl how far 400 metres was.

Got to the second last drinks station to find one of the runners who had passed me earlier was sitting looking completely washed out trying to eat some of the marshals picnic and take on more water. I was a bit pleased at getting back past him as he was sporting an ironman tattoo and had offered some friendly advice about saving a bit for the run when he had gone past me. I grabbed a bit more water and carried on at my snails pace.

Shortly after that I heard footsteps behind me and thought "bugger he is going to go past me again" only to find it was Symes. Symes picked me up and dragged me through to the finish - thanks Symes I needed somebody to keep me going by then.

Post Race

We got to the finish with cheers and congratulations from all the Pirates. JJ came over and said "Tick" - sorry JJ I know what you meant but at the point all I could think about was how crap I felt, how I had DNFd the swim, and felt as if I was going to start crying. I left the supporters as I felt that I would be better on my own at that stage and went to recover my stuff from what was left of transition and get it put away in the car. As I was struggling back Nick came over and gave me a hand - trying to balance a box on top of the bike to get everything back on your own isn't easy so will definitely look in to a transition bag for the future.

Stuck my stuff in the car and rejoined the rest to wait for our final finishers. I should probably have had some of my remaining gels or gone hunting for something else to eat as it would have helped my recovery but couldn't summon up the effort to do it. Having seen Cath and Kitana home we made our way back to the campsite where I mostly sat about like a zombie for the rest of the day - couldn't even summon up the enthusiasm to eat more than a couple of slices of pizza when the delivery service arrived - thanks Mr M and Mrs Mr M.

Lessons learned:-
1) It is OK for Barlos and Oxy to "blag" an Ironman on little training as they have a reasonable level of background fitness - it is not OK for an overweight unfit 50 year old to try the same at Bala.
2) There is little point in trying to do a triathlon if you can't complete the first of the disciplines.
3) 50 miles on the bike and running on your own at the back of the field can be a lonely experience when you are not feeling good about the way things are going.
4) Triathlon fitness is not just about having strong legs and being able to swim - when the rest of your body is crumbling round about you things can get pretty difficult.
5) Pirate support and camaraderie is without doubt one of the best things to keep you going when the going gets tough.

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C1POL

The Swim

I adopted my usual approach to avoid drafters by swimming some fetching zig zags whilst swallowing the other half of the lake that Cath couldn’t manage. At the turn the proper young swimmers started to gain on me after my 15min headstart and this gave me a bit of a fillip so I pushed the home swim and emerged 47mins later.

T1.

What a palaver I made of getting out of my wettie…I spent over 4 mins faffing about but eventually left T1 to the welcome noise of the Piratey gangs. I still had wet hair and everything..

The Bike

Having been warned by Crashie that the run was anything but flat, I tried hard not to compensate for my shite swimming by pushing it on the bike so took the first section reasonably carefully. I then played pass the parcel with some bloke who didn’t have the benefit of my aero gut. When we climbed, he overtook me, when we were flat/downhill, I took him. Again, like the other reports, it was great to see the roving pirate supporters making such a noise…top stuff guys! I tried to scoff as much as I could, whilst forgetting FB’s top tip of tearing open the enery bars to make life easy. I whizzed past a few pirates and gave the customary “arrggghhh”, but not being a longstanding pirate I think I sounded more like a Cornish farmer. The descents were cracking but the slow steady climb in the last third did catch me by surprise. In the last mile I whizzed past a pirate, who I later found out was Shiraz. Was pleased with my bike time but disappointed I’d forgotten to stick some brave soldier in my bits. Sore.

T2.

Better than T1 but still a bit slow. Indeed Shiraz and Mellisa both exited quicker than me.

Run

As per usual I started too quickly, and Shiraz, I can confirm you were doing sub 9m miles for the first few till you lost me. I ran with Mellisa for a while but sadly didn’t have enough energy to ask for some detailed insight into Harold Wilson. As I stumbled up a hill, I noticed Crashie bundling down it in the other way. We did a “high five” that I think could be heard at the finish line. It was great to see the pirate support crew and boy was it nice to see the turn point. By this time I think I was dehydrated as I was as keen to pour water over my head than drink it. The return leg of the run was less taxing on the pins but I’d already taken too much too early so did end up with the a run/walk strategy. I then saw the pirate supporters and courtesy of RW must qualify for the knobbiest picture on the website. For the record, I was trying to ensure that some non piratey fit whippet didn’t get in the way of what would clearly be a contender for July’s Mens Fitness. Bumped into Kanga on the return leg, plus ATO who’s legs seem to have the same desire as mine – to stop running. The final couple of miles were ok and could almost be described as flat.
Was pleased to do sub 6hr and whilst the run was hilly, with it being a shortish bike course, I’m under no delusions of the challenges I’ll face in Austria.

The pirate support was excellent and it was good to see familiar faces. Well done Symes for being a gent – I hope your shoulder is ok to see you through IMA.

Thanks to the supporters and the Burger boys, including the new trainee, Candy. JJ…nice to say hello..and big arrggghh…for coming up. Such commitment..!

Well done the ladies for the prize, and for everyone who took part…..For those who completed their first “half”…bloody well done. You finished and compared to Jo Public, we’re all in the Elite section.

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