Follow the trials and tribulations of four friends from Berkshire College of Agriculture as they embark on the challenge of training for, and completing, an Ironman triathlon.
Monday 18 July 2011
Marlborough Tri 2011 - Podium finish!
Last Sunday I travelled to the town of Marlborough about an hour west of Boston to compete in the third annual Marlborough Sprint Tri. It was completely thrown together last minute and a big thanks to Pete for lending me a bike (about 10 sizes too small!) and for sorting late entry into the race. The event kicked off at 9:00am but it was still blazing hot. The swim was only around 500m but it was emotional as the first 200m were like a washing machine of bodies all colliding with each other for space. Great experience but not very nice to be literally fighting for position. Managed to find some clear water but exited the swim way down the field. The bike course was a 20km course split into 3 loops. This included some challeneging hills but also one kick ass decent that allowed you to seriously test your nerve and the size of your kahoona's!! Despite my riding position being aweful on the small bike, I left it all out on the cycle course but then paid the price on the run (felt terrible all the way round). Was all in all pretty chuffed with my time of 1hr 19mins given the type of training I've been doin. I was a whole 18mins behind Pete who won the event overall. Great effort. Looking at my splits I did give away nearly 3 mins to him in transisition! It was a great experience and great to race with Pete and in the same event as Olympians like Jarod Shoemaker and also Dick and Rick Hoyt. Dick Hoyt competed with his severely disabled son Rick towing him in a dingy on the swim, with him on the the front of his custom built and bike and in an adapted push chair for the run. Inspirational stuff. I was stoaked to come in 39th overall (including the elite men), In the top 10 of my wave and 2nd overall in my age catagory (25-29). You can't argue with a podium!! It was a shame Harrison and Hindley weren't there as I'm sure we could've sweeped the board! No wait, Stewey would be in the veterans section!!! Great day and great to say I've raced in the USA. Even a flat tyre on the freeway driving home couldn't damped the spirtis. Totally awesome dude!!!
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