DGTri Athlete Report - James Harman

Ironman Uk Bolton.

We arrived in Bolton early Saturday morning as i wanted to get a swim bike and run in before the big day. We got there a little to early and registration wasn't even open. After signing on we went across to the lake and did a small session before taking the bike and bike kit to t1 which was at the lake. After that we then had to go to t2 which was about 10-12miles away if i'm correct and drop the run kit off. A little bit of messing around and not much advice on hand but we got it sorted in the end and parked the van at the reebok stadium which is where we slept as there were no hotel rooms available. The airbed in the van was quite comfortable though. I managed to get 3-4hrs sleep before the alarm went off at 0400 and i got up got dressed and prepared my drinks for the bike. I then made my way to the bus which took us to the lake. On the bus i realised i had left my timing chip and race number in the van!, Gutted and panic stricken i had been that worried and nervous i had forgotten the most important piece of kit. I got to the lake and went to see race control where they sorted me another chip out and i had just finished getting ready for the swim at 05:55 lol. Race started at 06:00 so i was at the back going into the water. Once in the water i was surprisingly calm and once we got out to the starting markers the race started almost immediately so there was no waiting around in the cool water. I was surprised to find my swim pace quite quickly!, Maybe after only three or four hundred meters and managed to pass a few people. At the the start of the second lap i had passed a few yellow caps and that gave me even more of a boost. Infact there were a lot of yellow caps behind me. I exited the water on 63mins and was quite happy even though i did want to do the swim under an hour but too many people swimming across my line caused delays.

I then ran to t1 changing in to my bike kit and eating an energy bar exiting t1 after about 5mins. I didn't want to rush as i needed to make sure i got everything spot on. The bike started quite well but on the start of the first lap after biking up there about 14miles i started to feel really quite poor. Infact i could of thrown the towel in. I was really quite upset and low but didnt understand why. I had a gel and kept up with the fluids but still felt crap coming to the end of the first 30mile lap. I was quite poor again and though maybe i wasn't taking enough food on. I took a chance and ate two powerbars and within about 5mins felt excellent. That was it not enough calories so i upped the cals and was quite strong until the last 20miles as a headwind had kicked up on the way into t2. I did the bike section in about 7hrs 15mins so a little more bike practice needed.

I again spent around 5mins in t2. Had some water and an energy bar and set out on the run leg stretching my calfs as i went. My calfs and feet were quite painful at the start of the run but i soon ran it off then the reality of the 26mile run sank in. By this time i had just found my pace switched off and kept going. The first 12-14miles were steady running all the way but after this it became very difficult and i did have to walk some of the way. Especially up that small hill out of bolton town centre which by now had turned into a mountain. I had made the turn onto my last lap of the run and as i got to the top of the road to collect my third and final lap band i suddenly came alive!, You know the feeling if you have done Ironman. It was yes i am there!. 3 miles and its all over. I started to pick the pace up running quite fast celebrating with a huge smile. I remember coming around to get onto the red carpet with the crowd going mad. I crossed the Ironman finish line in 12hrs 48mins with a Marathon time of 4hrs 17mins. What a result for a big boy like me. I am very happy with my result. It was a tough challenge. I would again like to thank Dermot Galea for helping me to complete what seemed like an impossible goal and Alfonso Jiminez who ran the whole marathon with me taking pics and getting very excited lol. Also thanks to everybody else for your support. There are too many to mention but you know who you are.

What's next for me?. Lose some more weight and try and get a little faster. Concentrating on Olympic distance the rest of this season and next season then an Ironman distance race in 2013.

Enjoy your racing!, Jamie.

DGTri Athlete Report - Simona Carena

Blithfield Olympic Triathlon

The Blithfield Olympic is a very well organized race from Punishing Event and hosts at the same time a Sprint distance. The race location is very rural, HQ is on the edge of the large reservoir that gives the event its name; the swim is held in a corner of the lake and the run course winds itself on its shores; the surrounding tortuous, quiet and undulating country lanes offer an interesting bike section.

Although I was looking forward all season to return to this location to race the Olympic distance, the last two weeks previous to the race I was not firing on all cylinders so I was a bit unsure on how well or bad the day was going to pan out.

It was great to meet a few friends and team mates and in particular have a quick reassuring chat with Dermot and Bill. It is always a bonus to be rubbing shoulders with good athletes and it certainly gave me that extra bit of confidence and anticipation to get racing.


I found the waters of the lake reasonably warm and although quite murky not an issue.
I placed myself just behind the fast people a bit to the outside of the direct path to the first buoy as I thought at this distance there would be a higher number of competent swimmers. I then spent the length to the first buoy scrambling over trashing arms and feet realizing how wrong my assumption was.

The plan was to settle down quickly, pace the first lap not too fast and increase the speed on the second lap. It all went fine and I was feeling efficient, but was not prepared for the good news as exiting the water the race commentator shouted that I did a 26:25. This included also a short run where I was faffing with my wetsuit zip, therefore I was delighted as I must have paced it right. So the first PB of the day was in my tri-suite pocket… may be that was what was impeding the zip from opening? ;-)

Transition was fine, may be a bit slow, but in my defence the filed was uphill!

The bike section consisted of two loops, with a very thrilling descent followed by crossing the bridge in the middle of the reservoir. The course keeps winding along small lanes with constant small hills and required to concentrate to maintain efficient cadence and momentum. On the first lap I tried to keep a steady tempo and keep in touch as much as possible with bikes overtaking me to ensure I was not relaxing. On the second lap I felt really good and did a bit of overtaking on the hills without overdoing it. By the end of lap two I had to concentrate more to remain efficient.

This section was completed in 1:19, a supersonic average speed of 19 mph for my standards. The recent hard work paid off! Just as well that I have a second pocket in my tri-suite as this was PB n.2 of the day!

I soon arrived to the second transition and was feeling fine and keen to try for another PB. A bit of a greedy attitude but as I have not had a 10k race or a fast Olympic tri in a long time, ever hopeful with the great improvements in my running form thanks to Dermot’s coaching, I thought it achievable.


My legs felt great coming off the bike and I got going on the off road run path at my 5k pace… then thought better of it and reined it in a bit. The run too was a two loops affair and I thought to follow the trend in holing back a fraction on the first half and then give it all I had left in the second section. The plan was good but the execution was limited by my ability and so I found myself slowing ever so slightly all the way through. The sun was warm where the breeze was not blowing, but the condition were not bad on the day, I think I simply must have misjudged the pace and or run out of steam. Never the less I was able to grab a 51:30 for the 10K and not only have the fastest race at this distance either stand alone or in a tri but also finish the race placed 2nd in my age group in an overall PB time of 2:40:02!

I am ever thankful for all the advice, support and perfectly tailored training plan from Dermot, work is required from my part… but the correct guidance makes every effort yield consistent results!

Simona

DGTri Athlete Report - Marica Micallef

Agones FC Series Overall Winner

This year witnessed the launch of the Agones Series. The series consisted of four different events, based around the outskirts of the village of Gudja, in the beautiful, arid village of Ħas Saptan. The events consisted of a 5km trail run around Gudja’s valley, a 20km bike time trial along the runway cycling lane, a unique 10km night cross country bike race and last but not least a cross country duathlon.

Everyone could take part in this series: an individual could participate in one specific event or step up the challenge and take part in the whole series. Winners and prizes were given out after each event, although the most prestigious award in the Agones Series was the male and female champion. This title was awarded at the end of the series, based on a point system accumulated during the whole series. I decided to stand up for this challenge and take part in each event. None was easy as the competition is always there. The scenic Chapel of Ta Loreto and the valleys situated on the outskirts of Gudja served as a perfect background for the first event of the Agones Series, a 5km trail run. Over 60 runners took part in this event.. I remember that even though it was in the beginning of April, it was quite hot, and in such an arid valley, the heat was worse. But I took the lead in the first few metres, pushing hard until the end, thus finishing and crossing the finishing line in 21minutes 35 seconds. The second of the four events consisted of a 20km time trial, held in a hot and humid Sunday morning in the month of May. I placed in the top three of the female category, and this made me open a good lead over my rivals. The third event was new for me since I had never raced a mountain bike race, and to make it worse, at night! It was a 20km pure adrenaline rush circuit! I knew that once the sun was down, it was going to be a different story. Racing in pitch dark is more risky and tactics might come in handy as much as power in the legs. It also meant that in the dark my concentration levels had to stay as high as possible. It was also hard for me to grab the water bottle and take a sip, so, afraid of risking it too much, I did not drink in the last lap when it was that pitch dark. I was overtaken in the first lap by Corrina Mocking but determined to take it further, I pushed for the rest of the route. I was getting stronger and stronger with each few metres, so much so that I reached Corrina in the last lap and winning the race with a final sprint! With my win I once again stretched my lead in the overall standing. All I had to do to win the overall series was do the last race and place in the top three. But I was determined to win the last race, the offroad Duathlon! Duathlon is my favourite race. I simply love it and love the transitions from run to bike, bike to run! Even though I was drop dead tired, since I had successfully finished the Maratona dles Dolomites in 7hrs 50minutes Sunday before, I remained positive and focused.

I took the lead in the first 2km run but with the second female a few seconds behind me, I knew I had to push it on the bike. And I did, leaving me at first place for the whole race. The 5km run was quite hard since it was now around 10 am in a hot July Sunday morning, making it worse for my wobbly feet to perform better! But I kept focused and increased my pace, making me cross the finish line in a superb time of 1hr 05 mins and being the overall Female Champion. This was not only a wonderful experience but it also showed how much I am seeing improvement from one training session to the next, one race to the next. All this thanks to the excellent coaching and support of Dermot Galea.

Marica

DGTri Athlete Report - Samantha Anderson

MK Standard Distance Triathlon

Today I raced the MK Olympic today which was also the English Age Group Championships. With a nice early start time, I set my alarm for 4am this morning to give it a go: The swim was fine; I actually enjoyed it for a change! It was a funny M shape with a bit of a loop on the end. My friend Emily, who was racing, is slightly better than me at swimming so I managed to draft off her feet for most of the second half of the swim. Quite an uneventful T1 and off out onto the bike.

As soon as I got on the bike I felt really weird (I can’t think of any other way to describe it??). I had little black spots in my vision, I felt like I was going to be sick and couldn’t really focus on the race. Rather than overtaking people on the bike like usual I was going backwards. I had no energy whatsoever and everything felt impossible. I usually love the bike but I was relieved when it was over. I was disappointed with the 1:11:03 time I got, I was hoping for much quicker than that.

In T2 I couldn’t get my trainers on!! Every time I put my right foot in my shoe I got cramp in my calf and had to take my foot out again. I have never had cramp in a race before; I really wasn’t feeling good but was hoping for my usual run time of 40-42 mins to give me an OK overall time.
On the run I fell further and further behind. It was so disheartening. I stopped to take some fluids on but I felt so weak, I just didn’t get it. Training has been going so well and other races have been fantastic. I have never wanted to drop out of a race more! In the end all my times went out the window and it was more a case of character building....just get myself round! I had an awful run and felt really disappointed because I’ve felt so strong in training, I guess it was just one of those days.

Despite my disappointing times I finished 2nd in my age group, which I was really surprised at as it was the English Championships but I suppose you’ve gotta be in it to win it! I got a lovely glass trophy to add to the collection and then won a prize on the raffle!! I topped up my tan and made a few new friends so although it was a pretty bad race for me; it was a good result and a great day out.

Back to the training programme this week and a real focus on getting ready for the National Relays. As they say an athlete is only as good as their last performance I’ve got some work to do!!!

Sam