Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to Excel?
Xeeny and my's weekend at the London Triathlon. Sadly, there are few photos of the event as it was much bigger and spectators couldn't get as close to the course. Actually, some might say luckily - everyone did a very good job of talking to Xeeny and I at eye level and not letting their glance stray down the skin tight lycra delineating every piece of our anatomy. Warning: Long narcissistic entry
Pre event Saturday
The missus and I arrived into Gatwick about Sat lunchtime. Had to wait a while for the suitcase and my "hair products container" as it became known - the oversize trapezoidal case with my bike inside, in bits. Of course the DLR was not running from the City to Excel, so it took longer to get to the venue than expected. Managed to get there hot, sweaty and disgruntled and hooked up with the X-posse.
Whilst putting my bike back together, I snapped a bolt on the stem head and sheered the thread in the stem in the process. Lesson: Tighten each bolt in turn gradually and don't over tighten. No one had a stem in stock, but Tri and Run had a Dr Bike alike there and promised to bring me one for the next day. No stress there then, eh? Checked in, got my numbers and retired to Shad Thames and Pizza Express for some nosh.
The X-posse was joined by the ex-Russian mafia/scary White Russians, as I believe they have been known, the jonnycowbells's on a break from world domination, alacerus, Bretski, and Mr Potts.
As Mr Cowbells notes, xeeny and I were a) slightly pre-occupied b) Drinking neither grain nor grape and c) Eating for England. After satisfactory calories were consumed on our part, we sadly had to depart before sufficient conversation could be conducted on all parts, Xeeny to Guildford and the Missus and I to Canary Wharf to a friends there.
Pre event Sunday
Sunday dawned hot and humid, but without the rain forecast. My friend in CW also had another triathlete staying, who competed at 07:00 on Sunday. He reported very hot conditions and rumours that the run might be cut to 5km because of safety concerns, after he finished his event in a sub 2:30 time by 09:30 as I was getting up!
Nipped back to Excel, sweet talked the marshals into getting my bike back out of transition, got it fixed by Tri and Run. Result! Thoroughly recommend them for professionalism and customer service. Just generally nice guys - let me use their tools, pump, helped me with disassembly etc.
Rest of Sunday was horrible. Competing first thing in the morning may feel bad at the time, but it’s actually much better than waiting the whole day for the event. I got progressively more and more keyed up. My resting HR at lunchtime was twice what it normally is. Light pasta fuel about 2.5 hours before the event finally got rid of my headache. Drank lots of energy drinks in the morning too.
Body Glided up at CW - covered every available skin surface with the stuff (which prevented chafing in all but one most intimate area). Sexy Lycra on, back to Excel. Laid out all my stuff in transition. For the Tri geeks, for T1 I had my bike shoes on the bottom, number belt on top of them (undone) and bike helmet upside down on top of shoes, with straps laid out. For T2, I had my running shoes slightly behind them, with socks rolled in each shoes and optional running hat behind that. Towel at front to stand on while putting shoes on.
By this time, was getting pretty nervous. Xeeny helped me into my wetsuit - went on a lot easier with Bodyglide, and I pulled it higher on the legs and arms (for that too small school uniform effect). Torso wasn't nearly as restrictive as on the trial swim thank goodness - just very, very hot.
Swim
Piled into the Swim assembly area with 10 mins to go. There was a guy working the crowd with a megaphone, exhorting us to shout and grunt in displays of primitive masculinity. All good stuff to get pumped up, but I actually didn't bother shouting as I was busy saving my breath. Poor bloke next to me asked for help doing his suit zip up, as it wouldn't work for him - reason was the zip had come off. Doh! He went in anyway with just the neck done up.
Down the steps, last wave to the Missus on the upper level, and into the water with 5 mins to go. Gentle swim out to the start line. The turn buoy (in the shape of a Michelob Ultra bottle. Great sponsor, huh?) looks a looooong way off. People are generally friendly, but it’s crowded. I pick a spot in the middle of the line, 2nd row back. Gentle floaty moment…and the gun goes.
Suddenly, its madness out there. The guys in front of me have shot off, and the ones behind me are trying to swim over or through me. Spray and arms are flying. Its impossible to get a constant rhythm going, so I let a few eager would be beavers pass me, and try to find a clear patch. Not much chance. Over the next 500m, I am clobbered on the head, legs pulled, jaw slapped, and, the piece de résistance I find, punched between the legs. Charitably, I'll say it was accidentally just a lucky shot. I get into a rhythm and concentrate on breathing. It starts to feel like we've been going a while, and then the turn buoy is there. Bunched up around it, but no fighting. Everyone gets a little boost from that, which quickly fades as the exit dock seems to get no closer, and we swim past an endless floating hotel. I get a minor cramp or muscle spasm, and back off the pace for a bit. Then, suddenly, I can see people are leaving the water ahead, and it all goes nuts again as we jockey for position. The last few metres take for ever, and then I'm grabbing for a helpers hand who hauls me upright with one hand, and yanks my zip down with the other. What a star!
T1
Right legs - your turn. Up some steps, wetsuit arms and chest down, glance at watch - 29mins and something? Woot! Ah no, hang on, this means a 2:30 is not unachievable. This is going to hurt. Grin at supporters, can't spare a wave. Grab a plastic bag, stop, legs off (bl**dy timing chip on the ankle...). Run. Dodge marshal who thinks my suit isn't in my bag far enough as I run into the hall. It’s a big hall. The swim entrance is at one end; my bike is at the other end, 30 rows away. We start running on mats, but quickly give way to a lethal slippery painted floor. Whose clever idea was this? I risk a fast trot and pass a few people who are being sensible and trying to avoid a cracked head.
Find my row, leg it down it to my spot (glad I took bearings on the ladies loo earlier). Hang on, when did I take my cap and goggles off? I dunno, but they’re in the bag. Dump bag. Helmet on and clipped first. Number belt on. Slam in shoes and do up the 3 fasteners per shoe that seemed such a good idea in the shop. Ignore feeling of doubt that I have missed something and leg it for the door, which is luckily close to my spot as cleats on hard wet floor not a good stability thang. Pass mount line, clip in right, swing leg over, and YES! Sweet...get clip on first try on left. Hard rock kicks in inside my head as I pump out of the building, down the ramp and take the first corner at unwise speed.
Other people take it slower - particularly the guy ahead of me who is busy doing something to his helmet, is not looking where he is going and has no hands on the bars. He swerves from the far left of the course to the far right in a second, just as I zip past. We clash, handlebars and peddles only I think. He swears at me, I don't waste the energy.
Bike
I just want to put it on record that although I really enjoy cycling, I suck at it. Suck suck suck suck suck. This is evidenced by the people cruising past me as I puff and pant like a steam train at full speed. It takes me 5 minutes to spare the breath to grab a drink, as I am seriously thirsty. Iso stuff, topped off with water. Also slip the shades on, as its getting pretty sunny out there.
The vast majority of guys passing me are on tri bikes - aero frames, tri bars and special wheels. I take some comfort from the fact they accelerate faster downhill even without power - I figure the wheels must have better bearings or something. Of course, there are the Mr Gates's of this world who power past on some hybrid thing grinning insanely. I'll see you on the run...
The bike course is 2 laps of 20km, and is going to be the longest bit of the race. Somewhere between 1:06 (twice my Short tri time and unlikely) and 1:30 (my training time, with stops and junctions). Ended up being 1:13. Xeeny mentioned the word "soulless", and I think that summed it up. It was described as "mostly flat". Whilst this is true of the docklands area, it does not encompass the myriad flyovers and underpasses (and one long tunnel) we went through. Docklands consists of roundabouts linked by such things, which does not a pleasant ride make. It was called the "Tower Bridge" route, but I certainly didn't see it. The turns at the end were also very tight - perhaps intentionally. They made them on single carriageway roads and didn't use the roundabout at one end.
My first lap was OK. I resigned myself to being passed, and found a few guys who I could "eyehook". I found I did well on the uphill gradients and accelerating, but my top speed was too slow. And on the downhills, even in top gear and hamstering for all I was worth I just couldn't match some. I passed the event hall at about 30mins, and realised I hadn't drunk a lot, so took more on board. 1st lap time I had at about 37mins, which meant a sub 2:30 time was still theoretically possible - provided my 2nd lap was at least as fast as my first, my T2 was like a ferret down a trouser leg and my 10k was a PB. A-ha, a challenge!
Into Lap 2, I squeezed some Apple Power Gel with Caffeine into me, with water, and settled into a steady slog. My HR was still way up, and I felt short of breath, but I figure that’s not going away any time soon. Roundabout, 1st gradient, down, onto flat, take in some more gel, throw up...oops. Just a little retching and most of it flew behind me. Hope no one was too close :-) My mouth is like glue now, so more water. Coming into the turn on Lap 2 it narrows a lot, and a few of us catch a big group who must be starting the 1st lap from the wave behind. Very close quarters, bikes squeezing in and out, lots of shouting - but if you ignore that side of it, it’s impossible not to pick up a bit of drafting when you're in a pack like that. Clear the pack coming out of the turn and give it some wellie on the gradients back.
Under the bridge at the event hall, I hear a lot of cheering and my name being screamed - it’s the support crew! My Mum is especially loud, and hanging off the bridge. The whole posse I am cycling with giggles as we go under the bridge.
Last turn, and I rein it in a little. Glug the remains of my bottles, change down a gear and "spin some lactic out" (thanks Mr Gates). Coming into T2, there is a large up ramp with rumpled concrete which rather spoils the coasting effect, but I manage to get my feet out of shoes whilst still on the bike and before the dismount line.
T2
Run into T2 in barefoot, checking the time. Part of me is elated, part of me is groaning - I can still theoretically do a sub 2:30, I've got about 47 mins to do T2 and the run.
Rack the bike, banter with the guy next to me who was giving me advice earlier, helmet off, he runs off to run out, socks on, shoes on lace locks up, pick up hat turn and head off same direction as he did. Woah, sanity check dude! Wrong way! Screech, about turn, head for Run out. Other guy has rounded the end of the row and is heading back towards the exit ahead of me. Pass the checkpoint, more big ups from the support crew (this time I manage a wave) and its time to kick it.
Run
I pass the guy I was bantering with in the first 100m, which is a nice boost. My heart is hammering like crazy, and I am fighting for breath. My legs are jelly like and I can't stride out. There is a downhill ramp out of the hall, and in an autocratic manner my brain overrules body and we have something that looks a little like running going on. At the back of my mind a nagging voice says I have to come back up this slope.
The run course is round the docks, quite twisty and turny but lots of opportunities for supporters. They have water, but none of the fabled energy drinks promised, but they do have cold showers to run through. Its 2 laps of "there and back", with a turn at the end. Its blisteringly hot at the end of the docks, kids are throwing themselves in the water and ice creams are being consumed scant feet from my pain. Bah humbug.
The first 1km is very painful, but after that it just hurts. I find that I just cannot go faster - my pace is limited by my breathing. On the plus side, I am passing more people than are passing me. Poor old St George in full plate is going to take a while.
Whilst I usually zone out while running, I can't really do it here. I'm too conscious of the effort, and the time. At the turn point (2.5km) I am at about 10 minutes and some seconds. Good pace, on target, but I seriously doubt I can keep this up for 3 times more. 2.5km to 5km, I actually settle into it a bit - then I catch myself and pick up the pace. It’s OK until the ramp back into the hall. Who ever came up with this idea needs to be made to do this course repeatedly until they promise never to do it again. Through the hall, and turn away from the finish to start Lap 2. No supporters at the turn, but I hear some shouts at the base of the ramp.
This bit was the worst for me. 5km to 7.5km, I really flagged. I couldn't let adrenaline take me, as it was too soon, so it was down to toughing it out. I didn't like the way I was gasping, and my HR was up to about 180 which is the highest I've seen it (it hit 184bpm at one point - crude calculations suggest my HR MAX is 189). From the event hall, the support crew said they could see I was struggling even across the docks. This was the closest I came to stopping and walking. But, after 2 hours and 10 minutes of good showing, I decided I couldn't pussy out on the penultimate bit, called myself some unpleasant names and hung on to the pace. The turn came round quicker than I thought (but not soon enough), and I let myself go a bit. Start visualising crossing the line, and you get that little buzz as adrenaline trickles in.
Through the hot bit at the end of the docks, and I make some strange grunting noises followed by turning the air blue. A guy in a headscarf pulls up alongside and asks how long have we got - 7 minutes. We both decide we can do it, and pace each other step for step. No time for the shower, this is going to be tight. 3 minutes to go, I hear a shout from alacerus. Nice one, little kick there. Round the corner at the bottom of the slope, and its time to see what I've got left in the tank with under 2 minutes to go. We're flying now, passing peons on the uphill bit. 20 metres to the doorway, we're inside, and I'm changing up a gear for the last 30m sprint. Sorry Mr Headscarf. Tunnel vision as I enter the funnel and cross the line - at 2:29,16. Oh yeah baby.
Post Race
I feel very weird. Everything is a bit distant, and I am wondering whether I want to throw up, let my bladder go, both or breath. I settle on breathing as the most constructive option. People are trying to shepherd me for a photo, and I manage to grimace for the camera.
Stagger over to the missus and lean on a rail until the world stops spinning. I am a sweaty, greasy, salty mess but buzzing like nobody's business and ready to do it again now (for about 10 seconds).
Post care is lacking. A pack of horrible energy gel and drink, and that’s it. Oh - a bottle of beer as well. As sponsorship deals go, this one is a negative for me. I think its pretty bad branding and irresponsible on Michelob and London Tri's part. The support crew do sterling work, and turn up water and chocolate in short order. I sit down for a bit and do some stretches. Everyone is very complimentary and avoids touching me :-)
So, overall assessment - it’s a hell of a lot of hassle competing away from home like this with a bike. London is very big, and not so "user friendly" as Zurich. Breaking my bike didn't help. The swim is fun, if rough. The bike is a long slog where you need to pace yourself well. And the run is one of the most painful I've ever done (and a PB 10km time), although mercifully short. I lost about 4 to 5kg on Sunday, mostly water I would guess, and have had bad stomach troubles until today (dock water, too much energy goo, not enough water and solids I would guess)
Doing Zurich beforehand helped a lot. I knew how I was going to do transitions (I was pleased with my times there), had an inkling of what I might feel like at different stages and removed some of the organisational worry.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I actually enjoyed the race as I was doing it - I felt fit and confident going in, and think I performed to about the best of my ability. Of course, this is all in hindsight, having achieved a sub 2:30 time which was my secret, not to be admitted to anyone objective that everyone has going into these things. I might feel differently if I hadn't made that.
Was it harder than the marathon? Hmm. Tough to say now. I'll compare them with a bit of distance and see what I think. I think I enjoyed this more, and it was less damaging to the body. But this was also more of a speed race than an endurance.
Official results are here. 68th sounds great, until you realise that there are another 140 people in the "Sub 2:30" category ahead of me (OK, not all in the 30-34 age group) and then there are the "Elites" as well. But I am still well chuffed with it.
Splits:
Swim: 00:28:27
T1: 00:03:09
Bike Lap 1: 00:36:41
Bike Lap 2: 00:36:24
Bike TOTAL: 01:13:04
T2: 00:01:26
Run Lap 1: 00:22:01
Run Lap 2: 00:21:12
Run TOTAL: 00:43:12
TOTAL TIME: 02:29:16
There are a few photos from the day here. Not as spectator friendly as Zurich for getting up close and personal.
Pre event Saturday
The missus and I arrived into Gatwick about Sat lunchtime. Had to wait a while for the suitcase and my "hair products container" as it became known - the oversize trapezoidal case with my bike inside, in bits. Of course the DLR was not running from the City to Excel, so it took longer to get to the venue than expected. Managed to get there hot, sweaty and disgruntled and hooked up with the X-posse.
Whilst putting my bike back together, I snapped a bolt on the stem head and sheered the thread in the stem in the process. Lesson: Tighten each bolt in turn gradually and don't over tighten. No one had a stem in stock, but Tri and Run had a Dr Bike alike there and promised to bring me one for the next day. No stress there then, eh? Checked in, got my numbers and retired to Shad Thames and Pizza Express for some nosh.
The X-posse was joined by the ex-Russian mafia/scary White Russians, as I believe they have been known, the jonnycowbells's on a break from world domination, alacerus, Bretski, and Mr Potts.
As Mr Cowbells notes, xeeny and I were a) slightly pre-occupied b) Drinking neither grain nor grape and c) Eating for England. After satisfactory calories were consumed on our part, we sadly had to depart before sufficient conversation could be conducted on all parts, Xeeny to Guildford and the Missus and I to Canary Wharf to a friends there.
Pre event Sunday
Sunday dawned hot and humid, but without the rain forecast. My friend in CW also had another triathlete staying, who competed at 07:00 on Sunday. He reported very hot conditions and rumours that the run might be cut to 5km because of safety concerns, after he finished his event in a sub 2:30 time by 09:30 as I was getting up!
Nipped back to Excel, sweet talked the marshals into getting my bike back out of transition, got it fixed by Tri and Run. Result! Thoroughly recommend them for professionalism and customer service. Just generally nice guys - let me use their tools, pump, helped me with disassembly etc.
Rest of Sunday was horrible. Competing first thing in the morning may feel bad at the time, but it’s actually much better than waiting the whole day for the event. I got progressively more and more keyed up. My resting HR at lunchtime was twice what it normally is. Light pasta fuel about 2.5 hours before the event finally got rid of my headache. Drank lots of energy drinks in the morning too.
Body Glided up at CW - covered every available skin surface with the stuff (which prevented chafing in all but one most intimate area). Sexy Lycra on, back to Excel. Laid out all my stuff in transition. For the Tri geeks, for T1 I had my bike shoes on the bottom, number belt on top of them (undone) and bike helmet upside down on top of shoes, with straps laid out. For T2, I had my running shoes slightly behind them, with socks rolled in each shoes and optional running hat behind that. Towel at front to stand on while putting shoes on.
By this time, was getting pretty nervous. Xeeny helped me into my wetsuit - went on a lot easier with Bodyglide, and I pulled it higher on the legs and arms (for that too small school uniform effect). Torso wasn't nearly as restrictive as on the trial swim thank goodness - just very, very hot.
Swim
Piled into the Swim assembly area with 10 mins to go. There was a guy working the crowd with a megaphone, exhorting us to shout and grunt in displays of primitive masculinity. All good stuff to get pumped up, but I actually didn't bother shouting as I was busy saving my breath. Poor bloke next to me asked for help doing his suit zip up, as it wouldn't work for him - reason was the zip had come off. Doh! He went in anyway with just the neck done up.
Down the steps, last wave to the Missus on the upper level, and into the water with 5 mins to go. Gentle swim out to the start line. The turn buoy (in the shape of a Michelob Ultra bottle. Great sponsor, huh?) looks a looooong way off. People are generally friendly, but it’s crowded. I pick a spot in the middle of the line, 2nd row back. Gentle floaty moment…and the gun goes.
Suddenly, its madness out there. The guys in front of me have shot off, and the ones behind me are trying to swim over or through me. Spray and arms are flying. Its impossible to get a constant rhythm going, so I let a few eager would be beavers pass me, and try to find a clear patch. Not much chance. Over the next 500m, I am clobbered on the head, legs pulled, jaw slapped, and, the piece de résistance I find, punched between the legs. Charitably, I'll say it was accidentally just a lucky shot. I get into a rhythm and concentrate on breathing. It starts to feel like we've been going a while, and then the turn buoy is there. Bunched up around it, but no fighting. Everyone gets a little boost from that, which quickly fades as the exit dock seems to get no closer, and we swim past an endless floating hotel. I get a minor cramp or muscle spasm, and back off the pace for a bit. Then, suddenly, I can see people are leaving the water ahead, and it all goes nuts again as we jockey for position. The last few metres take for ever, and then I'm grabbing for a helpers hand who hauls me upright with one hand, and yanks my zip down with the other. What a star!
T1
Right legs - your turn. Up some steps, wetsuit arms and chest down, glance at watch - 29mins and something? Woot! Ah no, hang on, this means a 2:30 is not unachievable. This is going to hurt. Grin at supporters, can't spare a wave. Grab a plastic bag, stop, legs off (bl**dy timing chip on the ankle...). Run. Dodge marshal who thinks my suit isn't in my bag far enough as I run into the hall. It’s a big hall. The swim entrance is at one end; my bike is at the other end, 30 rows away. We start running on mats, but quickly give way to a lethal slippery painted floor. Whose clever idea was this? I risk a fast trot and pass a few people who are being sensible and trying to avoid a cracked head.
Find my row, leg it down it to my spot (glad I took bearings on the ladies loo earlier). Hang on, when did I take my cap and goggles off? I dunno, but they’re in the bag. Dump bag. Helmet on and clipped first. Number belt on. Slam in shoes and do up the 3 fasteners per shoe that seemed such a good idea in the shop. Ignore feeling of doubt that I have missed something and leg it for the door, which is luckily close to my spot as cleats on hard wet floor not a good stability thang. Pass mount line, clip in right, swing leg over, and YES! Sweet...get clip on first try on left. Hard rock kicks in inside my head as I pump out of the building, down the ramp and take the first corner at unwise speed.
Other people take it slower - particularly the guy ahead of me who is busy doing something to his helmet, is not looking where he is going and has no hands on the bars. He swerves from the far left of the course to the far right in a second, just as I zip past. We clash, handlebars and peddles only I think. He swears at me, I don't waste the energy.
Bike
I just want to put it on record that although I really enjoy cycling, I suck at it. Suck suck suck suck suck. This is evidenced by the people cruising past me as I puff and pant like a steam train at full speed. It takes me 5 minutes to spare the breath to grab a drink, as I am seriously thirsty. Iso stuff, topped off with water. Also slip the shades on, as its getting pretty sunny out there.
The vast majority of guys passing me are on tri bikes - aero frames, tri bars and special wheels. I take some comfort from the fact they accelerate faster downhill even without power - I figure the wheels must have better bearings or something. Of course, there are the Mr Gates's of this world who power past on some hybrid thing grinning insanely. I'll see you on the run...
The bike course is 2 laps of 20km, and is going to be the longest bit of the race. Somewhere between 1:06 (twice my Short tri time and unlikely) and 1:30 (my training time, with stops and junctions). Ended up being 1:13. Xeeny mentioned the word "soulless", and I think that summed it up. It was described as "mostly flat". Whilst this is true of the docklands area, it does not encompass the myriad flyovers and underpasses (and one long tunnel) we went through. Docklands consists of roundabouts linked by such things, which does not a pleasant ride make. It was called the "Tower Bridge" route, but I certainly didn't see it. The turns at the end were also very tight - perhaps intentionally. They made them on single carriageway roads and didn't use the roundabout at one end.
My first lap was OK. I resigned myself to being passed, and found a few guys who I could "eyehook". I found I did well on the uphill gradients and accelerating, but my top speed was too slow. And on the downhills, even in top gear and hamstering for all I was worth I just couldn't match some. I passed the event hall at about 30mins, and realised I hadn't drunk a lot, so took more on board. 1st lap time I had at about 37mins, which meant a sub 2:30 time was still theoretically possible - provided my 2nd lap was at least as fast as my first, my T2 was like a ferret down a trouser leg and my 10k was a PB. A-ha, a challenge!
Into Lap 2, I squeezed some Apple Power Gel with Caffeine into me, with water, and settled into a steady slog. My HR was still way up, and I felt short of breath, but I figure that’s not going away any time soon. Roundabout, 1st gradient, down, onto flat, take in some more gel, throw up...oops. Just a little retching and most of it flew behind me. Hope no one was too close :-) My mouth is like glue now, so more water. Coming into the turn on Lap 2 it narrows a lot, and a few of us catch a big group who must be starting the 1st lap from the wave behind. Very close quarters, bikes squeezing in and out, lots of shouting - but if you ignore that side of it, it’s impossible not to pick up a bit of drafting when you're in a pack like that. Clear the pack coming out of the turn and give it some wellie on the gradients back.
Under the bridge at the event hall, I hear a lot of cheering and my name being screamed - it’s the support crew! My Mum is especially loud, and hanging off the bridge. The whole posse I am cycling with giggles as we go under the bridge.
Last turn, and I rein it in a little. Glug the remains of my bottles, change down a gear and "spin some lactic out" (thanks Mr Gates). Coming into T2, there is a large up ramp with rumpled concrete which rather spoils the coasting effect, but I manage to get my feet out of shoes whilst still on the bike and before the dismount line.
T2
Run into T2 in barefoot, checking the time. Part of me is elated, part of me is groaning - I can still theoretically do a sub 2:30, I've got about 47 mins to do T2 and the run.
Rack the bike, banter with the guy next to me who was giving me advice earlier, helmet off, he runs off to run out, socks on, shoes on lace locks up, pick up hat turn and head off same direction as he did. Woah, sanity check dude! Wrong way! Screech, about turn, head for Run out. Other guy has rounded the end of the row and is heading back towards the exit ahead of me. Pass the checkpoint, more big ups from the support crew (this time I manage a wave) and its time to kick it.
Run
I pass the guy I was bantering with in the first 100m, which is a nice boost. My heart is hammering like crazy, and I am fighting for breath. My legs are jelly like and I can't stride out. There is a downhill ramp out of the hall, and in an autocratic manner my brain overrules body and we have something that looks a little like running going on. At the back of my mind a nagging voice says I have to come back up this slope.
The run course is round the docks, quite twisty and turny but lots of opportunities for supporters. They have water, but none of the fabled energy drinks promised, but they do have cold showers to run through. Its 2 laps of "there and back", with a turn at the end. Its blisteringly hot at the end of the docks, kids are throwing themselves in the water and ice creams are being consumed scant feet from my pain. Bah humbug.
The first 1km is very painful, but after that it just hurts. I find that I just cannot go faster - my pace is limited by my breathing. On the plus side, I am passing more people than are passing me. Poor old St George in full plate is going to take a while.
Whilst I usually zone out while running, I can't really do it here. I'm too conscious of the effort, and the time. At the turn point (2.5km) I am at about 10 minutes and some seconds. Good pace, on target, but I seriously doubt I can keep this up for 3 times more. 2.5km to 5km, I actually settle into it a bit - then I catch myself and pick up the pace. It’s OK until the ramp back into the hall. Who ever came up with this idea needs to be made to do this course repeatedly until they promise never to do it again. Through the hall, and turn away from the finish to start Lap 2. No supporters at the turn, but I hear some shouts at the base of the ramp.
This bit was the worst for me. 5km to 7.5km, I really flagged. I couldn't let adrenaline take me, as it was too soon, so it was down to toughing it out. I didn't like the way I was gasping, and my HR was up to about 180 which is the highest I've seen it (it hit 184bpm at one point - crude calculations suggest my HR MAX is 189). From the event hall, the support crew said they could see I was struggling even across the docks. This was the closest I came to stopping and walking. But, after 2 hours and 10 minutes of good showing, I decided I couldn't pussy out on the penultimate bit, called myself some unpleasant names and hung on to the pace. The turn came round quicker than I thought (but not soon enough), and I let myself go a bit. Start visualising crossing the line, and you get that little buzz as adrenaline trickles in.
Through the hot bit at the end of the docks, and I make some strange grunting noises followed by turning the air blue. A guy in a headscarf pulls up alongside and asks how long have we got - 7 minutes. We both decide we can do it, and pace each other step for step. No time for the shower, this is going to be tight. 3 minutes to go, I hear a shout from alacerus. Nice one, little kick there. Round the corner at the bottom of the slope, and its time to see what I've got left in the tank with under 2 minutes to go. We're flying now, passing peons on the uphill bit. 20 metres to the doorway, we're inside, and I'm changing up a gear for the last 30m sprint. Sorry Mr Headscarf. Tunnel vision as I enter the funnel and cross the line - at 2:29,16. Oh yeah baby.
Post Race
I feel very weird. Everything is a bit distant, and I am wondering whether I want to throw up, let my bladder go, both or breath. I settle on breathing as the most constructive option. People are trying to shepherd me for a photo, and I manage to grimace for the camera.
Stagger over to the missus and lean on a rail until the world stops spinning. I am a sweaty, greasy, salty mess but buzzing like nobody's business and ready to do it again now (for about 10 seconds).
Post care is lacking. A pack of horrible energy gel and drink, and that’s it. Oh - a bottle of beer as well. As sponsorship deals go, this one is a negative for me. I think its pretty bad branding and irresponsible on Michelob and London Tri's part. The support crew do sterling work, and turn up water and chocolate in short order. I sit down for a bit and do some stretches. Everyone is very complimentary and avoids touching me :-)
So, overall assessment - it’s a hell of a lot of hassle competing away from home like this with a bike. London is very big, and not so "user friendly" as Zurich. Breaking my bike didn't help. The swim is fun, if rough. The bike is a long slog where you need to pace yourself well. And the run is one of the most painful I've ever done (and a PB 10km time), although mercifully short. I lost about 4 to 5kg on Sunday, mostly water I would guess, and have had bad stomach troubles until today (dock water, too much energy goo, not enough water and solids I would guess)
Doing Zurich beforehand helped a lot. I knew how I was going to do transitions (I was pleased with my times there), had an inkling of what I might feel like at different stages and removed some of the organisational worry.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I actually enjoyed the race as I was doing it - I felt fit and confident going in, and think I performed to about the best of my ability. Of course, this is all in hindsight, having achieved a sub 2:30 time which was my secret, not to be admitted to anyone objective that everyone has going into these things. I might feel differently if I hadn't made that.
Was it harder than the marathon? Hmm. Tough to say now. I'll compare them with a bit of distance and see what I think. I think I enjoyed this more, and it was less damaging to the body. But this was also more of a speed race than an endurance.
Official results are here. 68th sounds great, until you realise that there are another 140 people in the "Sub 2:30" category ahead of me (OK, not all in the 30-34 age group) and then there are the "Elites" as well. But I am still well chuffed with it.
Splits:
Swim: 00:28:27
T1: 00:03:09
Bike Lap 1: 00:36:41
Bike Lap 2: 00:36:24
Bike TOTAL: 01:13:04
T2: 00:01:26
Run Lap 1: 00:22:01
Run Lap 2: 00:21:12
Run TOTAL: 00:43:12
TOTAL TIME: 02:29:16
There are a few photos from the day here. Not as spectator friendly as Zurich for getting up close and personal.