Dambusters Triathlon 2013

As it was on the way home, I decided to register the night before so to speed things up in the morning. It was a warm, calm evening, and the water at Whitwell was like a mill-pond. Great I thought, with a slightly cynical edge, hope it's like this tomorrow.

As always, the night was pretty sleepless, and I was up with the lark (actually before them). I stepped out into the garden to get a feel, and was welcomed by gusty cold winds and rain. Another typical Dambusters Tri day, cursed with bad weather.

After a bowl of porridge, and a nice cuppa, I drove down nice and early miss the traffic (1000 competitors means a lot of cars).
The wind was very blustery at Whitwell, making some lovely waves. Thankfully the water temperature had risen in the last couple of weeks, and was reported at 15/16C. After a race delay of 15 minutes (due to congestion getting through the automatic barriers) it was all systems go.
My age-group was now off at 7:45am
Bobs was off at 7:50am, and Louise and Julie's were off at 7:55am.

It was a beach start, but was advised that you walk into the water, as the start was shallow and stoney. I was amazed to see about 40 competitors running along the side of the start along the shore, and getting 200m start, not even going through the start buoys. I have one thing to say to them (THAT'S CHEATING) you all know who you are!!!

It was nice to get out of the water, and it did seem like the air temperature had risen a little.

Us older competitors have a longer transition run than the young ones, just to give em a bit more of a chance, so off I go to the far field to get my steed.

"Star" was waiting for me, and certainly looked ready to go. Off we set into a Westerly head wind, the first 9 miles were a bit of a grind, head down, spin up the hills, keep the legs going.

The next 10 miles into Ketton were fab, tail wind directly behind, slightly downhill. That put the averages up.
A slog uphill then back to A606, and into the headwind again, through Empingham, and back to Whitwell.

Bike done, not too bad, should have eaten more, just had the one Gel.

"Star" had done her job, now time for me to do mine. T2 was okay, but starting off running was uncomfortable, terrible stomach ache, something I hadn't experienced before. I thought it might be a lack of food, so I took another Gel, but didn't finish it. After about 4k I started to feel a little better, I could feel my feet, and my stomach cramps had gone. The run coarse was a little different, no crossing the dam twice, just straight through to Normanton church. Much better I think...

Anyway, as always, it was nice to see the finish line.

All in all, a good days out. Nice event only marred by the cheats at the swim start, oh and can we have nice weather next year please.



Times


http://www.pacesetterevents.com/dambuster-triathlon-live.php

Mark

Bounders in Lakeland June 2013

 

Bob & I went up to the Lakes to explore the first stretch of the forthcoming Coast to Coast epic, staying at the excellent Lutwidge Arms in Holmrook.  The die was cast at 6.00 am Friday morning when Bob stuck his head out of the window and announced “it’s a glorious day, the hills are beckoning”.

And beckon they certainly did, for the rest of the day.  After a pleasant introduction to Eskdale, the vertical wall of Hardknott Pass was a shock, but the descent on the other side was even harder, hang onto those brakes and beware the surface is broken up in places. 

Wrynose Pass was a treat by comparison, and after that the hills were more fun, but continuous.  What made me think the road beside Coniston would be flat?  After a splendid feed at Lowick Bridge (only one feed stop! I was desperate) we explored a number of other rarely visited parts of the Lakes including Subberthwaite Common, Dunnerdale Fells, Duddon Valley and Ulpha Fell, before dropping back into Eskdale Green and thence back to the pub after a modest 60miles, 6000ft, to wage a vigorous battle against dehydration. 

 

 

Fin

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Rutland Sportive 2013

Am sure we are all looking forward to the Rutland Sportive on Saturday, as it's the first big ride of the season for most of us. Looking at the Stating lineup, there are a few friendly faces.
Andy & Julie Kitchen, Bob Haworth, Bob White, Gerry & Louise Hyde, Steve Cropper, and myself.
Lets hope for good weather and a drop in the wind.

Remember that the venue has changed this year.
Giant Store Rutland Water, Normanton Car Park, South Shore, Nr Edith Weston, Rutland, LE15 8HD

Registration details
• Long route Register - 7.30 to 8.30 Ride start 8.00 to 9.00
• Medium and Short route: Register 8.30 to 10.00. Ride Start 8.30-10.00

The most important Phone Number to put in your mobile.
Mechanic Neil Exton 07837 495478

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Here is a link to the long course
Mark

4 Inns 2013

With talk of cancellation due to road closures, it was a relief to get the final ok.

Bob, Richard & I started off from the back of the grid (Team 100), so it was good to get a few miles under our belts, and a few teams behind us.

Richard, Mark & Bob yomping between the snow drifts

Although the snow drifts were deep, the sun was shining, the wind was light, and the rain stayed off. 

Running down into Edale at 21 Miles and 5:45hrs into the race was a nice feeling.

To give you a brief summary of the outing, we made a short video http://youtu.be/K437H_Sy1To

I know my feet were hurting by the time I got to the Cat & Fiddle, and I think Bob's were too, but I don't think Richard was at all distressed, he looked as "fresh as a daisy", even at the end.

It was nice to see the finish, and a time of 10 hrs 47 Mins put us in 14th place overall.


A big thanks to Steve for his support and encouragement along the way.

Mark

Grindleford Gallop 2013

Covering approximately 21 miles and 3000ft of ascent the course takes in the villages of Grindleford, Froggatt, Eyam, Great Longstone, Edensor and Baslow linking them together with paths, tracks and open moorland of the White Peak. 

http://www.grindlefordgallop.co.uk/

It was a cold mass start, with 350 people hoping to get to the narrow pathway along the Derwent before it got too crowded, which it inevitably did, no one likes to queue for the gates or stlyes. After running through Eyam you head over Longstone Moor, passing through a large number of the tallest styles I have ever seen, some of them 4 steps high. Along part of the Monsal Trail, a lovely solid cinder path without the slightest hint of mud, halfway there. :)

Heading to the outskirts of Bakewell, across the golf course (make sure you hit the gong first), and up the steep and extremely muddy forest track, wow that really takes it out of you. A long run down boggy fields into Chatsworth Park, and a welcome change of running surface sees you pounding in the grounds of Chatsworth House along tarmac paths all the way to the final checkpoint in Baslow. The final 700ft climb, not nice at the 16 mile point, onto Baslow Edge leaves you with a 3 mile run to the finish along Froggatt Edge and down hill through woods, and across the bridge into Grindleford. 

Don't forget to dib your dibber, don't want to be disqualified after all that.

Mark Wilson MV40 03:14:59

Robert Haworth MV50 04:08:15

Trigger 2013 Photo

Trigger 2013

Trigger 2013 

Another excellent performance by the Bounders on the Trigger 2013.  A change of start venue to the more luxurious accommodation of Marsden Cricket Club also meant a downhill start.  Very cold and icy at the start with thick mist, which broke up as the leaders crossed Black Hill to give a superb cold clear day with excellent visibility.

Transport, roadside refuelling and random encouragement were provided by the injured Fin. All 3 competitors, Ian, Richard and guest Bounder Alex were within 10 minutes of each other for most of the race, which made supporting a lot easier.  Kinder proved the crux where Alex in his first long distance fell race finally lost some ground on Ian and Rich. 

All 3 put in a fine performance with Ian 45^th in 4.18, Richard 79^th in 4.35 and Alex 110^th in 4.57, all excellent times under the 5 hour mark. 

Fin

Team Manager