Belvoir (Beaver) Middle Distance Triathlon 2010

With the Ironman looming I thought it might be worth while testing the training with something a little easier. I say little but what I mean is half Ironman distance – a challenge people don’t take lightly.

I entered the Beaver Triathlon some time ago as it was one of the earliest middle distance events in the calendar. I hadn’t given it too much though as time raced by and before I knew it I was running around in a late night panic packing equipment. I despise triathlons for the amount of gear you need. Bike faff is bad enough but tri faff is a whole new ball game.

Loz and Mark would be joining me for this one, although Mark would only do the swim as he has been unwell. The venue, the grounds of Belvoir Castle, was stunning. The weather was horrid. Rain, rain, rain.

Tip – take a waterproof box and plenty of spare plastic bags for transition.

The swim started of well and soon turned into chaos. The lake was shallow and the silt turned the water into what I can only describe as like swimming through hot chocolate. The nature of the course put some sharp turns in and at there was some fighting to get round buoys. I managed to settle down and not go too far off course. Exiting was interesting as I had to cross a group of slow swimmers from a later wave.

Swim time – 1900m – 36:17

Transition 1 was slow, 7 minutes ties me for 5th slowest in fact. But I used the time to dry my feet, change into decent cycling shorts, put on a gillet, and ensure my trainers were protected from the rain. The result was a modicum of comfort in the miserable conditions.

My aero setup suited the long flat straights of the bike course. I only came out of aero position for the the main hill and to eat. I smashed the first lap. I knew I was going to hard but there were all these people to overtake. By the second lap I had worked out where to eat and was still going too hard. On the third I needed the loo so kept up the pace thinking I could make it to transition 2. Fourth lap I remembered I had a half marathon so ate and drank more. Not a memorable course bar the super fast and scenic run along the castle drive.

Bike time – 54 miles – 2:30:21

Transition two was a little quicker, 3:20, and the legs felt pretty good exiting.

I started the run tentatively as there was a nasty bridge to cross and I still needed the loo. The 3 lap course turned out to be tough. One sharp ascent led up top the castle, back down to the lake, across a field then up a long climb which doubled back on itself. I took the first lap easy to get a feel for the legs. On the second lap I got stuck behind on of those people who as soon as you overtake them has to overtake you. This annoyed me on the flats so I smashed him up the long hill and enjoyed the look on his face as I doubled back. From this point the pace went up and stayed up.

Run time – half marathon – 1:49:48

Overall time: 5:06:58

Position: 90/400

Age group position: 15th

Not bad for my second triathlon.