Category Archives: News

Jen Isaac – Race Report | Ironman FRANCE‏

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I guess an Ironman has been on my ‘list’ since I watched my dad complete his first 70.3, when I was about 8 years old.  So quite why it took me until August 2013 to purchase my first bike and give triathlon a bash, I’m not really sure….. Preparation for the big day started back in September 2013 when I contacted Coach Yeoman and explained my ambition – instead of laughing, Mark promptly wrote me up a killer training programme and the winter went by in a blur of swim, bike, run, repeat.   Massive thank you to David Hegarty from the club in particular for dragging me round on the bike in the early days  – it wasn’t pretty and I very much appreciate your patience

Ironman France came around fast and unfortunately due to some family illnesses close to d-day, my ‘support crew’ was unable to make it out.   That’s ok I thought, it’s all up to me on the day anyway, so sad but determined, I managed to navigate the French taxi strike on arrival (no airport transfer – bike box on a public bus not fun),  build my bike and deal with TWO flat tyres just before racking time.  I met some amazing athletes out there Ironman Finish 1who were super kind and everyone seemed pretty willing to offer advice and help out if required.On Sunday 28th June I woke up at 3.45am and started preparing for what was going to be one of the biggest tests of my mental and physical endurance to date….. I was excited and ready but also more than a little terrified!   I got down to the start early and pumped up my tyres – due to the heat, there were tubes blowing up left right and centre.  I walked down to the beach and stared out at the buoys…….I strained my eyes to try and see the 1km marker straight out from the start and then went for a quick warm up dip to try and calm the nerves.
I got into the 1hr 14min gates on the beach, where I felt I’d have a realistic chance of coming out the water and was pleased to see Gary Connor from the club lining up in the same section.  The pro’s went off at 6.25am and then 5 minutes later the calm waters turned into white water rapids as 2700 swimmers charged forward and out towards the first turn…MENTAL!   I got a good start position and just kept swimming, I was too scared to slow down for fear of being swum over by the hoards coming behind…. I tried to get on some feet and hips wherever possible, but for the first 800m it was pure carnage…. I was relatively polite until the 3rd kick to the goggles and then it was all on!  I didn’t know it at the time, but I came out of the water at 1hr9mins and was encouraged to see a fair amount of bikes still racked up and waiting.
I did a full on change in transition (which took nearly 7 minutes) but set off on the bike feeling good in my super padded Viceroys shorts.  I knew the first test was a 12% climb at about 20km and then a 20km climb from 50 – 70kms…. so I just kept splitting the ride up into sections in my mind and ticking them off as I went…. a couple of times I took a moment to look out at the stunning view and with one stop for the portaloo I was soon winding my way back into Nice for T2.  I was totally shocked to have done a 6hr37min split for my bike as this is definitely my weakest area and it was a tough bike….. into transition and another costume change for the run (and another 6.5 mins to the time).
The most amazing moment was coming into T2 and seeing Ross (my partner) standing at the fence beside where I was to rack my bike…. he  had managed to fly out so that he could at least see the run and finish – such an amazing boost to get me through the last leg!!  I set off feeling a little excited and on checking my watch was running at just over 4min kms for the first couple of kms… too fast and definitely not sustainable in the heat.  I steadied myself and settled in for the long haul.
Laps 2 and 3 of the run were tough, it was hot, I was vomiting (and had 3 loo stops) and bits start to hurt a little at this point, but then all of a sudden I realise I’m on lap 4 and only 10kms from achieving my goal….. I’m not sure how it happens but the moment I saw that finishing shute, I swear I could have been floating…… it was the most Ironman Finish 2incredible feeling to run down that carpet and hear the words ‘….. YOU ARE AN IRONMAN…..’  12hrs 18mins and a very, very big smile!
A maccy D’s went down a treat after finishing, closely followed by a pizza and it was brilliant to catch up with Calvin Woods and Gary Connor the following day for a much deserved drink!  An amazing adventure and I’m definitely proof that anyone can do it if you set your mind to it.
Looking forward to getting back into training and onto the next challenge!!

Race Report – Lara Clay – Windsor (Sprint)

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The swim was quite nice with the majority of it downstream, although it took some of the challenge away!

By the turning buoy I had caught up with lots of pink hats from the wave before and they all seemed to come to a stop with the change in direction of the current. It was a bit like dodgems!

After the longest transition ever (my Garmin clocked .76km) it was onto the bike. Really enjoyed the part through the park. Didn’t so much enjoy the rain and my tyres not gripping at the roundabout. Managed to avoid coming off but had to go round the roundabout to make the turn.

Then the run, I’m not too fond of that part, or the hill! I ended up 2nd in my AG, holding 1st position the whole way until the last lap of the run! I blame the hill!!

…Well done Lara. 🙂

Race Report – Simon Tack – ETONMAN 70.3 –

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On Saturday I raced ETONMAN 70.3 as a training day for IM Bolton. I had completed 100k surrey hill cycle and an 18k run 2 days before so wasn’t what you would call race rested.

I planned that if I buckled at least I was only 1.5k away from transition at any point – one benefit of doing many laps!

The swim went smoothly. I got in to the groove (and space) quite quickly and cruised the distance without trying to race it coming out of the water and T1 2nd in age group and 11th overall.

I started carefully on the bike, not sure how my legs would hold out after Surrey Hills on the Wednesday, and built in to a consistent near 34kph average for the 10 lap 90K. I entered transition 2nd in age group and 16th overall but took my time to put calf guards on and hydrate as I had run out of fluid on lap 9 of the bike. I exited T2 21st overall and 3rd in age group.

The run started well at a steady 5.50/k as my hopeful best was a 2 hour finish. At 15k my sever lack of run training manifested. My first run over 6k this year was at Belvoir Castle Olympic on the 16th May so had increased distances without having time to consolidate. At 15k I fell to pieces and had to stop and stretch several times. By the last 2.5k I was hobbling along at 7.00/k – just.

I finished the run in 2.22 which was such a disappointment.

I finished the race in 5.46 and 10th in age group

 ….Great work Simon.

Race Report – Moira Larkin – Windsor

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DSC04062A short race report from me from Windsor. Windsor is my favourite race each year and the 25th anniversary this year. I won my age group, 30-34 which made the awful 2:45am wake up worthwhile.
My first time on the podium too 🙂
Thanks,
Moira
…Congratulations Moria great result.

New Member – Richard Jones

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image1Hi VTC,

I’m newbie Richard Jones. Done a fair bit of Triathlon & proud to have represented GB on a few occasions. Recently qualified as a L1 coach & am looking forward to getting involved at the club whilst having a dabble at the Sprint distance this year.

Married to Rachel (lucky guy) and Daddy to Wilf (our crazy 2-year old).

Welcome to the Viceroys Richard.

Race Report – Little Beaver

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Little Beaver Olympic Distance Race report for Carl Fisher

There was more than one age group in my wave so swim was a bit mental at the start. It’s a weird feeling being carried along by the force of those swimming around you and I found myself clawing my way over a mass of neoprene into clear water (actually not so clear as the water was black with silt) to find my rhythm. After the mayhem of the start, the swim was pretty uneventful.

T1 is about 400m run up a slope from the lake and on my way there I assisted a guy who had got his zip stuck. Not sure if that’s against the rules but couldn’t ignore him as there wasn’t anyone else around. T1 for me went pretty well and I was being cheered on by Simon Tack who was taking a half time orange break at the side line.

I hit the bike course feeling ok until the first little incline and my legs said no! I then realised my rear break was locked onto the wheel and after a bit of roadside mechanics and a good talking to, miraculously the legs started working again. There was a horrible energy sapping headwind on the long undulating straight road section. I couldn’t quite believe the tiny number displayed on my speedo but the situation wasn’t going to change and it was the same for everyone so it was head down and tuck in. Taking the turn at the end of the road the wind dropped and the pace started to climb. Second lap felt better and my bike dismount at the end was as good as it’s ever going to be.

T2 was solid and off onto the run without any dramas until the course started rising upward and it sunk in that this was going to be a killer. To my surprise the first hill run was ok and flying down was great fun, but then around 5K, the blisters formed and I couldn’t ignore the pain. I crossed the line and felt pretty deflated with a poor bike time and even worse run time.

I loved being out there racing and part of a great event even if my result wasn’t great. Seeing my fellow Viceroys at the race and hearing shouts of encouragement on each lap was fantastic.

It’s now Monday morning as I write this report and I’ve checked my AG result. 23rd of around 63 on the start list so lower than I’d hoped but a true reflection of how it all went. It’s on to Eaton Dorney for a nice short flat race.

New Member – Louisa Bell

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lbI did my first triathlon a couple of years ago after I began open water swimming at Shepperton (beating Peter Bell in my first, and now last, swimming race against him!). For the past 6 years I had been focussing on running – more of a plodder than anything else – and thought it would be nice to branch out. I have worked to conquer my fear of cycling but still don’t spend enough time on it since I much prefer running and swimming. Over the past 2 seasons I have done a total of 9 triathlons and worked up to a standard distance one last September. This season I am keen to actually start improving rather than simply being pleased to get round so have been working on my swimming and had a video swimming lesson a couple of weeks ago and have also being doing spin classes to work on the muscles without quite so much of the fear. Hoping the club sessions will help push me a bit harder. Next race is the 5km swim at Eton Dorney at the end of the month.

Welcome to the Viceroys Louisa.

Race Report – St Neots – British Sprint Championships

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FullSizeRenderWith over 900 people descending on St Neots and the river Ouse for a triple header for British Championship honours and world & European qualifiers, the best of the best where looking to set a marker at the beginning of the season. I was off in the fourth wave with over 170 across two age groups. In 13.5 degrees the swim was hectic and cold. I struggled over the first 375m to find any rhythm and unfortunately gave away a little distance to a couple of strong swimmers. Not phased I turned back upstream and closed the gap.

With a fast T1 I moved into third place and throughout the course of the ride I could see the top two in the distance. Over the final 5km I closed the gap and moved into second but the overall winner had also pushed on. As we came into T2 I was side by side to the other athlete. A solid transition I looked to exit transition and focus on my run. The other guy flew out and got a small gap. I wasn’t concerned as I was moving well off a hard bike so I was confident I would catch him. Which I did at the end of lap 1. I looked to maintain the pace knowing it was good enough to catch him and save some for the final 1km. I pushed hard and set my best run split to date and came on in 2nd place and AG Silver medalist. I’ve beaten the winner before but on this day he was the better man and well deserved – I will get him next time.
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Although I’d already qualified for the worlds, it was nice gain a silver medal and also my European place for Lisbon 2016. The season now can progress with everything nicely in place

Thanks for your support and I will be back in touch after my next race at Eton Dorney

Mark

New Member – Dave Smelt

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0235_25224I live in West Molesey with my wife Debbie, no kids but a very demanding cat. I’ve been racing triathlons since 2009; prior to that I rowed for Kingston RC, and Henley RC before that. After completing my second Etape du Tour in 2012 I decided I fancied a go at Ironman distance, and I now find myself training for my 3rd Ironman in Vichy in August having previously done IM Wales and Austria.

Outside of training I am partial to the occasional Real or Craft Ale festival, and spend most of my spare holiday visiting my far flung relatives in Singapore, Perth, Sydney and France.

Welcome to the Viceroys Dave…