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It all started off at 6am this morning, the WAT and I got up and crept about trying not to wake up the kids. I had pre packed the car so all I had to do was jump in the shower, get dressed in the TL kit ( head to toe - tri suit, cycling jersey, wind proof jacket etc) we actually left the house on time and we all rocked up to the race all kitted out - the whole family. Sam's mum was there again in kit - the looks we were getting were great. People asking us about it. We met up with Sam's uncle - a very accomplished cyclist and we made our way to meet Vince from East Grinstead tri club. Transition was perfect - we had a huge amount of space and I mean huge. All the kit got laid out just as I had imagined ( I had secretly been practising at home) Vince Kindly showed me around, the exit to each transition, the pool everything. He really couldn't have been more accommodating. Soon my start time was approaching so I stripped off to the Tri suit and jogged in a manly manner to the pool. Again it was very organised, 500m in the same lane - better than ducking under the ropes. I picked up my chip timer there and was ready. I felt good about the swim and I was running all the stuff I've been taught over the last few weeks by swim coaches. I got myself sorted and ready in the water when I was told too and after 3 minutes or so I was off, |
Up until a bloke in a purple hat started, he started a length ahead of me and was pretty slow. That's ok though as this is a novice friendly event as well as a speed pro race. ( some bloke rocked up ion GB kit and a pimped out P4)
I tapped his feet after I caught him a length later and he stayed put, his legs splaying badly. So I tapped him 7 times in one length, at one point I stood up cos he was going so slowly. He got to the wall and turned looked at me and pushed off in front of me hard, flipper kicked then slowed up again.... I was a little annoyed _ jelly saw it and so I decided to overtake him. LOL
The other two swimmers came past and I glided past him and beforw I knew it a 2 to go paddle was placed in front of me as I approached the wall. I was loving it and for the 1st time in my life I felt like a fish. Brilliant. I was going sub 10 mins for the swim. Not bad for me TBH.
I jumped out the pool at the shallow end and legged it over the chip mat and out into fresh air and made my way the 250 metre to transition. I was fecking flying and I felt fast. I just felt like I was going to be fast.
I rounded the corner on the soft grass and saw the buggy attached to my bike ready to go. Sam's uncle was there with words of encouragement and as I sat down on my towel and threw my goggles on the grass he said " Mate, Ewan's not here".
WHAT!!! Where the bloody hell was he ? ?
Sam's mum then ran off like a demented rabbit to find them, apparently he had chosen a choice time to fill his nappy with what can only be described as a nuclear accident!. Great, T1 took a little longer than I had hoped for but a quick swig of water and I was kitted out with the team laws cycle jersey, lid and sunnies. Sam came belting round the corner with the Ironkid - he was grinning like a Cheshire cat!. LOL
He was in the trailer, strapped in and ready to go inside 60 seconds so if we get T1 right another time there is no reason why we can't do it that fast. T1 took a good 4 mins something but I wasn't bothered.
I knew what was to come.
Now for some reason I thought East Grinstead and the surrounding area was flat.... er no. It's hilly....... quite hilly.
I ran the 150m on the grass out to the road onto the mounting line and I was away- Ewan dada'ing. He loves the bike.
Soon I found myself at 33mph downhill - Ewan screaming with delight and then it started. The hills. Now when Jelly, conspiracy and I rode it last week we did the 25km in an hour. That goes someway to show it's not flat. I knew it was gonna hurt but I wasn't there for a picnic. I was determined to go 1hr 15 on the bike - which is no small feat consideirng the weight and the fact the trailer is about as aero as a bus. A headwind helped me work harder and the undulating aspect of the course was actually nicee. I could feel the burn early on but no way was I gonna stop. No way.
2 mins later I stopped.
Not cos I needed to but a cyclist was laying on a grass verge. I thought she was ill, so slowed to a stop, unclipped. She looked up, said her chain was off and broken and thanked me for stopping.
Now this is where things got hard... I had stopped on a rather long steepish hill. I pushed off and nearly burst a blood vessel trying to get going again. I must have lost less than 2 mins. I didn't mind - she was ok which was cool.
We were soon away again - Ewan now asleep and me grinding my way up hills. Dam Mike for telling me I didn't need a compact - " man up and ride the double mate" were his words. Yea, I was certainly trying too. I clocked my speed up the steep hill..... 2.1 mph. I felt good though - just couldn't get the power down but could sustain it for some time yet
People came flying past me like I was standing still but this was my race and I wasn't going to blow up on the bike to walk the run. Patience.
Soon we had finished the bike leg and after 1hr 15 mins 46 seconds I felt happy with that. I possible could have gone a few minutes quicker but at the detriment of the run. I needed to be sensible which is unusual for me. But this was an important race for Team Laws so I stuck to my plan.
I jogged thr 150m accross grass to T2 and this went very smoothly. 3mins 48 secs - now that involves me stopping, bike shoes off, trainers on, helmet off, sunnies back on, Ewan watered, trailer arm off, running wheel and bracket on and away the 100m to the road. I was well chuffed.
150m into the run a bit of rubber came away from the buggy so I had to tip it on it's side and push it back into place - lost me another 30 seconds. Oh well,
The run was over a little bridge, through the town with lots of turns down side streets and wasn't hilly but wasn't flat. Basicly a normal high street type run. It then went onto a lovely country lane bordered by huge houses - the residents even came out to clap and cheer.
I was amazed at the sheer number of people who we either passed or overtook us that said " well done Team Laws" or " can I have a lift, great stuff". One even said as he bent down to look in the trailer " well done Ewan".
It was a this point I felt very proud of my son and got a little emotional. This was what it is all about. And we were flying.
Into the grassy area again for lap 2 and I felt like my legs had suddenly recovered from the bike leg. Now I really wanted to get going so carefully over the grass then we tried to hammer the last 2.5km. We did.
We overtook some people and some overtook us but we were both loving it. We ran a negative split and as we came to the finish everyone erupted and started shouting, cheering and telling us how well we'd done. I was nearly crying crossing the line. I even heard one bloke tell me I was a "~#*$ hero". That's so nice to hear - way off the mark but nice all the same.
I crossed the line after running round corners in a village with a buggy in 25mins 34 seconds. I was ~#*$ elated.
The announcer was shouting Team Laws this and that and people were looking at me clapping and shouting "well done, brilliant etc etc". I will freely admit to a little tear having to be wiped from my eye.
Ewan loved it. He was grinning form ear to ear and was trying to clap too.
Vince met us at the finish and gave Ewan and I a medal.
It was over.
So total time of 2hrs and 44 seconds which I spose I am happy with. Maybe could have gone faster by a minute on the bike and 2 on the run but it's a learning curve and it's very very different pulling and pushing the Ironkid.
Huge smiles from everyone. Big thanks to Jelly and conspiracy for staying on to see me finish and cheer me on so well. I does make a difference, especially on the bike. Conspiracy went past me like a rocket!
So in essence, Team Laws 1st tri - Done.
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www.teamlaws.co.uk
If Team Hoyt says "you can" then I'll bloody well have a go.
Clear (55 oF • 13 oC)
