1/2 Ironman 14/6/09

Well done to all those who raced at 1/2 Ironman at the weekend, the club had a good turn out on a course which isn't one of the easiest, can someone put on a race report with some photos

Many thanks

Rob

Swim started at 7.20 am, later than planned because of mist on the lake. The water was lovely, just the right temperature and not salty or choppy! A couple of encounters with others left me with cramp in both calves because of sudden movements (and maybe a bit of kicking, but only in self defence) but luckily this subsided when I got out. The bike was hard. Everyone was quite lively on the first lap but much quieter on the second lap. The start of each lap was fast and flattish. Hardly any wind and sunny but not too hot. The last 10 miles of each lap were really tough. Lots of 14% hills with not much decent recovery in between. Towards the end of my first lap Philip Graves (the winner) came past at speed, uphill for the end of his first and his time of 2.29 for the 56 miles (4.15 overall). I completed mine in 4.07. 20 minutes longer than planned but glad to get off the bike and upright for a bit. The run was really hard. 3 laps, more hills. Having it in laps helped because it gave targets to reach for. I had planned my nutrition well as I had plenty of energy and enjoyed every minute but my legs just couldn't cope with the run. I ended up doing it in 2.33 which considering all the walking I did wasn't actually too bad, again about 20 minutes longer than anticipated. The best bit was running over the red carpet (the whole reason I wanted to do it) and hearing the cheers. I was the last in the club to finish, 20th out of 23 in my age group (Catherine was first in same age group, well done!), but I didn't care as I had an excellent day. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every painful second and was just glad to be there as ongoing health problems had meant that I might not have made it. Total time 7.37.45. It is a really tough race, the hardest event I have ever done but it is a huge event, well organised, loads of support, excellent volunteers to help you with anything you need and I can't wait for next year.

Hi all

This event was my first triathlon and I enjoyed every minute. The volunteers from the Rotary Club were brilliant, cutting up the bananas and powerbars into mouthful size pieces and giving lost of support.

I was very worried before the swim that I would either drown or miss the cut off, feelings that were not helped by waiting at the start line for and hour and fifteen minutes. I joined the club around four weeks ago specifically to attend one of the swims off of Teignmouth. That session helped enormously and let me know that direction was going to be my biggest problem, so thanks to the chap who lead the intermediate group and gave me some good advice. I also suffered at the hands and feet of fellow competitors, loosing my goggles at one point, but nothing that came close to doing any damage.

I would recommend this event. The whole weekend was full of energy and was a very memorable experience.

I look forward to getting into some more training with the club, and getting a better time next year.

I meant to add this last night but didn't have time. Sorry to any club members I have forgotten or didn't know was entered (Martin I don't know your other name). Overall placings in brackets are out of 781 men and 113 women who finished.

Richard Oram 3rd M25-29 4.53.53 (21st male)
Ged Ormerod 8th M45-49 5.31.11 (109th male)
Steve Price 23rd M35-39 5.34.35 (120th male)
Catherine Powrie 1st F35-39 5.38.35 (9th female)
Jon Ayshford 21st M40-44 5.39.13 (144th male)
Steve Straughan 9th M50-54 6.11.39 (345th male)
Sue Schutte 18th F30-34 6.46.03 (55th female)
Nik Rorke 20th F35-39 7.37.45 (88th female)

Last name is Osborne. I did 7hrs 4mins. Much better that I expected!