Having taken the plunge to focus on Duathlon for the first half of 2016 (if you saw me swim you would fully understand this decision) with a view to AG qualification, I had been following a training programme from Coach Yeoman (should have checked what I was letting myself in for first!). What with a few blocks of training under my belt I felt I needed to have a bit of a trial run over the race distance I was training for as I had never done the distances back to back and didn’t want the 1st qualifier in March to be my first outing overthe distances. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: April 2016
Yeoman SMASHES First Tri of the Season: 1st Overall and Sets a Course Record
There’s nothing worse than the thought of the first race of the season. Not knowing how the winter’s training has gone or ‘what the hell am I doing racing in this cold’. With many starting their seasons off with some duathlons, I resisted and stuck to my plan.
Besides the early rain and low air temperatures I was feeling positive about racing. Although pool based triathlons don’t allow me enough to capitalise on my swim speed I knew going off last that I could chase everyone down for added motivation. My new Huub swim skin gave me the early edge over the other faster swimmers, setting the fastest swim split of the day. The transition was close to the pool but I still wanted to protect myself from the cold so I opted to put on my gabba top to keep toasty. Continue reading
Colette and Duncan Take on Cannes International Triathlon: Colette 1st Female Vet
Duncan Hawkins and Colette Kitterhing competed in the Cannes International Triathlon on Sunday – after have such a great time competing in last year’s race it’s become a firm fixture in their annual race schedule. Now in its 3rd year the field for the middle distance race,consisting of a 1km sea swim, 53k ride & 8k run (turned out to be 9.2k), has grown to 1000. They would both recommend it to anyone looking for an early season challenge: the location is stunning, road surfaces lovely and smooth, with enthusiastic marshals and police stopping traffic to ensure competitors right of way at every junction and roundabout. With a palm tree lined run right by the beach, what more could you want?Collette’s Race:
‘I’m not used to mass beach starts and got caught in a lot of congestion from the off. Frustratingly I couldn’t find any space until about 600m which cost me perhaps two minutes, eventually exiting in 18mins. The 53k bike was a dream, loved every minute. Steady but challenging climbs and great fun fast descents. I was passed by 3 ladies and passed about 8; for the last 20km a group of 3 of us played cat and mouse which kept me pushing. Whilst shouts of “Les filles, Bon courage, Allez Allez” from spectators and other male competitors broadened my smile.
Then on to the run, two laps up and down La Croisette, the three ladies I had been vying with on the ride had inched ahead of me as we came back in to Cannes but I managed to pass them all within the first 2k of the run, but the ride had taken its toll on my legs and I was tiring. I managed to hold my pace to what should have been the end but the surprise of what turned out to be an extra 1.2k on the course nearly broke me.
Crossing the line at 2:44:46 I was exhausted, nothing left in the tank.
1st female vet (40+), 8th female overall – a good morning’s racing. ‘
Duncan’s Race:
‘”Come and race Cannes,” I say to everyone, why? Because it’s delightful in Spring, about 6 weeks ahead of us, so for just a short flight from LHR it’s lovely and warm and sunny, the sea is a pleasant 16c and the Alpes-Maritimes’ hills pose a super challenge with beautiful views.
The race: the dance tunes banging out on the beach quickly faded as 1000 of us mainly seasoned triathletes flung ourselves into the clear Cannes water. I took a look back to see Colette and I were parted even before taking the plunge, any hopes of a civilised synchronised side-by-side swim like last year was out of the question. I saw a gap and took my moment. Until 550m at the third buoy it was incredibly physical, we’d got stuck a little further back on the beach than we’d have liked so it was a case of powering on through (people). Exhilarating, exiting the water around 60th.
The French love a Sac transition, actually quite a sensible way of doing it, it was a first time and went very well, if not annoying that I couldn’t get some Rack transition practice in prior to qualifiers.
The ride; well how do we put it.. Unsurprisingly the French are bloody good cyclists with their all year climate and long hard climbs on tap.. There’s the excuse out the way. For the 10-20 I passed in the first 15k, I must have succumbed to 40-50 on the mid-gradients before the main climb where I held my own. Picking off about 10 again on the mega fast descents back into Cannes I felt happy I’d just saved enough for a hottish run pace.
The run; it’s a cool route with super energetic crowds, sure helps 2hrs in. With a good lap band system it’s easy to suss out who infront and behind are the competition, I’d had a great run last year but with good off-season progress I was keen to step it up. I ran off intuition not watch data, taking a first glance at 6.75k as I’d been pacing with a strong local club runner; the pace was hot @ 3:48/km. I’d passed 10 in my race but didn’t have another gear to bolt for the last km home; lucky because with the final distance being 9.2k not 8k, a 2.2km bolt for home would have killed me!
2:31 finish time 56th in the 18-39 male category, 78th overall.
A small improvement over 2015 place wise, albeit with a 50% larger field, but huge gains on ride and run performance. Rock on 2016.’
Mike Essex Races Duathlon for GB in Germany – 10th in AG Despite Broken Wheel!
Mike Essex: Race report – European Duathlon Championships, Kalkar, Germany – 16th April 2016
This was a big race for me as this was the second time I have represented GB and knew that I needed a break from GB level after this event. I found the preparation needed to get into the required shape really tough this year as a newish job that meant I had been working hard and travelling a lot. Balancing this with family time, Mrs E and two young girls meant that from November, Mike Essex was in the garage doing turbo training sessions at 6am most week day mornings – that is a serious grind: then up and out early at weekends for the longer runs and rides. My fellow triathletes know all about this! However, somehow balanced it all and was v determined to do my best.
Welcome to ‘Wunderland,’ Kalkar….
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This year’s European duathlon was in Kalkar, Germany. Middle of nowhere near the Dutch border, however very easy to drive to – shoved the bike in the back of the car and 4 hours after arriving in Calais, I arrived. Joined the official recce of the course the day before and first impressions where what a strange place! The site was a nuclear power plant that had been built, ready to go and then mothballed at the last moment when Chernobyl hit. Then someone had the bright idea of ‘converting’ it into a children’s amusement park and hotel complex??!! Really odd, I thought if I had taken my kids there it would have given them nightmares – more like a set for the Walking Dead
Got the bike out of the car for the bike recce and realised that I had broken a spoke in the back wheel. Couldn’t believe it, nothing like that to throw you off. Saw the GB mechanic who fortunately managed to fix it and I was back on the road. Bike recce was a 10km out and back, pancake flat, beautiful road surface and just the lower Rhein wind to be concerned about. It was a course totally suited to a TT bike rather than my road bike with clip on tri-bars.
Had the official race briefing and that was a chance to meet some of my GB team mates. Good laugh as always and nice to get to know a few of them before the battle commences.
Race day came and my start time was 18:30. That is comfortably the latest I have ever raced so difficult to plan the day. Racked the bike in the indoor transition area which was fantastic, well organised and efficient, as you would expect from the Germans.
Hit the start line and then we’re off! It is always a mental pace set and I went off trying to stay ahead of the pack for the first 1km which twisted and turned through the park. Then hit a long open, windy stretch across a dyke and I glanced at my watch – pace was about 3:45 per km which was my target. Hit the second lap and was about mid-pack but started to feel the effects of starting a little quickly and also my lunch. Had too much pasta at lunch but too late to worry about that now! Came into T1 on 19:11, wanted to be sub 19 but knew that my run form was not where it was last year.
Good transition and onto the bike with about 4 others. Lost them quite quickly and focussed on a pack of 6 up the road. Head down, and churn the pedals. It was a cracking bike course and I wanted to absolutely nail it. Bike computer battery failed instantly having been fine yesterday so had to go on feel. Started to reel in a few which I was v pleased with as my bike this year is stronger than last year. Most of the other boys were on TT bikes so it was good being able to take them. It was a case of knuckling down and just staying in the zone without over cooking it. Clocked 31:54 which is about 37.5kph average, so for me, that was a PB (only realised this after the event though!).
Into T2 and by now the field had spread. I was about 20 seconds behind the guy in front and the next person was about 20 seconds behind me so didn’t feel like there was anyone breathing down my neck. It was a case of hanging on as it often is in the 2nd run. Felt horrendous, was developing a stitch from the pasta which I managed to have an ironic smile about. Laboured through and then was a great feeling as I approached the finish and I had made it!
Came 10th in my AG and no question that I had put it all out there and was on the limit the whole way round. Very pleased with the performance, will come away knowing that I have now represented GB at duathlon and triathlon and gives me a great sense of achievement. The whole trip was brilliant and would encourage anyone thinking of trying to qualify to go for it, you may be closer than you think.
3rd in AG at Thames Turbo Duathlon for Mick’s First Race of the Season
In his first race since last year’s July European Championships, Mick was looking to complete, still nursing achilles damage, he tells us about his experience today:
‘Thames Turbo at Kempton Park was a great venue, particularly for spectators, as the run and ride were both in repeated loops – 4.5km run (2 x 2.25km loops), 9 x same loop on bike, 4.5km run (2 x 2.25km loops). My focus was on completion rather than pushing too hard.
An 18 minute first run was followed by a 36 minute ride and a 19 (ish) minute run to finish 10th and 3rd in AG.’
With 7 weeks to go to Lisbon European Triathlon Championship, despite his own protestations about a small field this time round, the rest of us would say well done on a great start to the season Mick.
Windsor MUDathlon… Mike 3rd in AG
So the Windsor sprint duathlon… Nothing like having to ditch the car down a side street and legging it to the start because of the car park shambles. Then trekking 1km across a muddy field, clogging up the machine and queueing for ages to register! Muddiest transition ever experienced and new white bike shoes a total state
Still, managed to put that to one side, met with a few fellow Viceroys and got to the front of the
start line. Tough first 6km, hilly and ‘trail’ for part of it and then into T1. Got riding and loved the hilly technical course, made up some places – decent T2 until 50m into the run when my trainer got stuck in the mud and came off! cue loads of f’ing and blinding, lost momentum but tried v hard to keep the legs pumping for final out and back run. Mind willing, body not willing but persevered to cross the line.
Came 11th overall and 3rd in AG so v happy with that. European duathlon champs are in 2 weeks so a good tester.
As raced and reported by Mike Essex.
