Holdenby Duathlon - 23 October 2016

I entered the Holdenby duathlon on Oct 23rd and it was my first duathlon since the much missed Silverstone events. I went for the sprint distance comprising a 5k run, 22.5k cycle and 5k run. 

The run was one lap around the grounds of Holdenby House. The first 1k was downhill, so there was an inevitable uphill section just after halfway which was short but tough, especially on the second run. Most of the run was on farm tracks but there was also a 1k cross country section over quite rough ground. The cycle was quite an undulating course, with one long uphill section and then a nice downhill run near the end, though unfortunately I was held up at a set of temporary traffic lights on this part. 

The trouble with the duathlon discipline is that you know that anyone you overtake on the bike is a better runner and is likely to overtake you on the final run, which is pretty much what happened to me. I finished 18th out of 46, with split times of 27.02, 45.02 & 28.08 + 2.08 in T1 & T2, making 1.42.25 in total. I had hoped to finish inside 1.40 but given the difficulty of the run course, I was pretty satisfied with my time and position and although I was exhausted at the end, it was an enjoyable morning.

Steve

Linford Wood Parkrun - 22nd October 2016

In ideal running conditions a very decent 187 runners turned out for this weeks Linford Wood Parkrun boosted by a large contingent of Redway Runners. 

Flitwick Tri couldn't match the 70 runners representing Redway Runners but we did have 3 of us there!

Les Potts achieved 50th place in 25:57, Jack Wilkinson achieved 99th place in 29:43 (he was Chloe's pacer) and Chloe Potts achieved 100th place in a personal best of 29:52 (thanks Jack).

Les

Dusting off the bikes

Having failed in my attempt to get a place in the ballot for the London Marathon but having secured a charity place in the Ride London 100 next summer it was time to get out on the road again.

Last weekend i went out for a couple of hours and found a few hills to remind my legs what they involve. This morning I went out with my mate Andy and realised I hadn't been out on the bike with him for over a year. Before that we used to be out together every couple of weeks. We were out for just over 2 hours and managed to clock up about 36 miles and a few hills.

Will be aiming to get out regularly at weekends over the winter so if you fancy joining me please get in touch. Happy to go at any speed (within reason) as it is just good to be out on the bike in the fresh air.

Chris  

Linford Wood Parkrun - 15th October 2016

I was the sole Flitwick Tri runner at Linford Wood Parkrun this week.

In ideal running conditions I completed the course in 25:57 finishing in 35th place out of 139 park-runners, and came 1st in my age category.

Les

Great Eastern Run - 9 October 2016

On Sunday Les and I headed up to Peterborough for the Perkins Great Eastern Run. The race is over half-marathon distance and the course is pretty much flat and goes trough the main centre of Peterborough before going out through the outskirts and then looping back to the park where it all starts from.

The issue we both had was a distinct lack of long runs in the build up and I'm not sure either of us we particularly confident of a good time going in to the run.

Weather wise there was a rain shower shortly before the start but the actual race was dry and bright.

I was fine to about 7 miles but the 6 miles after that were a real struggle and my legs just felt dead. Having spoken to Les after the race he also had a real struggle towards the latter stages.

There were 4250 finishers and my time of 1.54.40 was good enough for 1595th. Les finished in a time of 1.56.56 was good enough for 1862nd.

Chris

Ruck Up Run - 09.10.16

I entered the "Ruck up Run" event at Box End yesterday in aid of the RAF Wings and SANDS (stillbirth) 

charities. The day featured 5k, 10k & 20k races plus a 5k x 4 relay around the 5k Box End lake course. I

imagine that a lot of faster local runners were running in the Herts 10k instead, so there was a fairly

small field and the standard was probably not that great. To put it another way, I certainly wouldn't 

have finished 5th at the Herts 10k! There were 64 entries in the 10k but only 51 were given a finishing

time. My time was 49.35 which I was pleased with, especially as the course is actually a bit longer than 

10k.

Steve Clough

Roade Triathlon - 23.09.16

I entered the Roade triathlon on 23rd September. It is a pool based triathlon with slightly odd distances compared to normal - 414m swim, 20k bike and 4.5k run. Although the website encourages early entry as the event 'always sells out', there were only 209 entries compared to over 500 in 2013 when I first entered. 

This was the third year that I have entered this event and was my slowest effort. I was a bit disappointed because I felt that I was on good form leading up to it and was hoping to get close to 1hr 10. In fact, my overall time was 1.16.29. This was partly due to it being quite blustery which affected the cycle and I also got held up by traffic on the way into Roade but mainly it was due to having no energy left for the run. I think next year I'm going to have to do more cycle/run brick training.

Steve Clough

IRONMAN MALLORCA - Sep 24th 2016

Our very own Jon Carter was in action at Ironman Majorca on 24 September.His training was hampered in the run up as he had shin splints and then a torn calf, the latter stilla problem during the race.

Having discussed the race with Jon he told me he, and most of the other athletes, was very pleased when it was announced that the water temperature had dropped and was 0.5 degrees below the threshold that made wetsuits an option for the swim.

John put in a good swim covering the 2.4 miles in 1.14.18. Next came the 112mile ride and I am told the first part (largely uphill) was dry and then it rained heavily for 4 hours which made the bike descent tricky. John covered the 112 miles in 5.48.13.

Next up was the marathon run and with a torn calf and standing water this was always going to be a struggle. Despite both Jon managed a very creditable time of 3.50.16.

Overall an excellent finishing time of 11.06.24. 

Bournemouth Festival Supersonic 10K - 01.10.16

On Saturday it was off to Bournemouth to take part in the annual Bournemouth Marathon Festival which includes race over all distances from kids races over 1.0k to 2.5k and all age group races from 5k to half and full marathons. 

I was there to take part in the 10k which was run at 4.00pm on Saturday with the longer runs taking place on Sunday. The event is a large one and well supported and I saw a large group of Redway Runners from MK taking part. 

The weather was dry and sunny but there was a very strong wind blowing down the coast (20mph with 30mph gusts!). More about that later.

The start was very well organised with runners sorted by anticipated finishing time. Somewhat dauntingly I was in the second pen behind the elite runners, or racing snakes as the commentator called them.

The course started beside Bournemouth Pier and went along the promenade, past Boscombe Pier and on to Southbourne. This part was nice and easy as it was with the wind!

At Southbourne runners reached the turning point (at 2.8 miles) and headed back along the promenade towards Bournemouth. It was then that the fun started as the head wind was brutal. There were slight detours as the return journey included runs up and back along both piers and it was good not to be battling the wind for a short time. After running round Bournemouth Pier the race finished at the end of the gardens behind the pier.

At the finish everyone was wiped out from the wind and all agreed this has a massive impact on times.

I managed to finish in a time of 48.27 which was good enough for 215th place out of a field of 1859 runners. I was pleased to learn that I was 3rd in my age category. 

Overall a really good event, apart from the wind. Typically the next morning didn't have a breath of wind.

Les would have been very happy with the goody bag - medal, technical t-shirt, running water bottle and a light weight backpack to carry it all in. 

Chris  

Standalone 10k - 2nd October 2016

This was my third Standalone event and after Flitwick 10k my most local event. It is very similar to Flitwick 10k in that it is a single lap although not quite as undulating.

As usual the event was superbly organised and well supported.

My time of 51:35 was my best here, and I was placed 538th out of 1,340 finishers.

Les

Linford Wood Parkrun - 1st October 2016

I was the sole Flitwick Tri runner at Linford Wood Parkrun this week.

Having the Standalone 10k race tomorrow I tried to relax a little in the pleasant running conditions.

I completed the course in 26:17 finishing in 45th place out of 112 park-runners.

Les