For 2012 I decided to make my A race a challenge on a new longer distance. As Bill and Dermot were going to do Antwerp 70.3 and “not wanting to miss out” I signed on.
The ever helpful Pam arranged the train trip to Belgium at a very low price and steered us from train to train totally hassle free! At St Pancreas Luke and Steffy joined us and we crossed The Channel to mainland Europe like a really jolly trip.
At the Ibis Hotel in the centre we found Bill and Sophie who got there just before us in the car with the luggage and bikes. We also greeted Dermot and Barry that had flown in from Malta the previous day and kindly helped unloading. I thought this was a very relaxed and privileged way to get to a race, I doubt even the pro get the same treatment! Thanks Pam and Bill!
The following day we checked the swim and T1 areas in the morning by bike to shake the legs; later we had a lush pizza in the city main square where the race finish line was being put up. Then walked to registration and strolled back for the last finishing touches to the kit. Most notably the northern Europe Monsoon gave way to summer at about 2 pm as we were gorging on the pizzas. What a good omen!
On race morning I felt good and relaxed. We got to the start and racked our bikes early as T1 was to be closed at 10 am, Luke and Barry were the first to go at 11.20 followed 10 minutes later by Dermot, then myself at 11.30 and 20 minutes later by Bill.
It was a bit of a long wait for all competitors, I tried to keep chilled in the shade of trees in the good company of my friends and soaked the atmosphere in.
All was good till I said “bye and good luck to Bill” as his presence, and Dermot’s had a calming an inspiring effect on me. But there were only 15 minutes with a little bit of race nerves until had to join my starting pen and finish to put on the wetsuit.
The sun was already up and quite hot and I was a bit unsure if it would have a negative influence on my race, however it kept me in a good mood.
In my mind I was ready, looking forward to discover what this 70.3 was all about and if I could pull a good race together.
My only certainty was that I could not have prepared better as Dermot’s coaching is second to none and that my bike, the most critical bit of kit, was the best I could have as Bill went to great lengths to source the best component I could afford and built it to perfection! A truly fitting and comfortable ride.
And now was up to me to make a good job of it, or not to make any silly mistakes.
The start gun went off as I was still standing on the access steps to the lake, no problem I was planning to let the crowd go anyway so I plunged in, moved a bit on the outside and got going.
The water was so pleasant after standing in the sun and within 200 mt I was in a good rhythm with clear water around. By half way I felt so good! My stroke was at is best and I was literally gliding and overtaking a few bodies and having a good time. I felt confidence swelling inside. I looked out for good feet to draft from but did not find any.
I did not push too hard as I thought it would be a long day, but still managed a 32:42, which with the delay in getting going and the slightly wider start line was very good for the effort! At the time I did not look at the watch because my aim was to go well all the way not go after a fast swim time.
Transition was good, 3:30, most of it was running to and with the bike: number belt clipped on, gloves on, helmet and glasses and go!
The first few pedal stroke were to get settled, slip the shoes on, stretch the back slowly on to the TT bars and allow my heart rate to go down.
The course went in the tunnel under river and then outside town towards the port for a 3 lap repetition and then back in town. My plan work smart to HR effort, stay aero as much as possible take in a little of solids and drink plenty. Simple.
I really enjoyed the course: not great views but mostly flat with a few chances to stand up on pedals to stretch out on the little uphill, the tram lines were not an issue even for a less skilled rider like me. A bit of wind that seemed to swirl around but did not stop me from feeling good and loving the sun.
I thought a few times may be I was making a too hard effort and risking to affect the following run, but my HR was ok so I had to stay with the plan; in the second half I pushed a bit more especially on the small steady inclines of the fly over bridges, but the average speed seem to stay the same with same HR, so I was possibly trying a bit. It was great to see the guys passing by at full speed, as I did remark at the breakfast table they all were looking very fast!
I cut food intake on the last lap (not that a few pieces of power-bar and half banana was much to cut from) and eventually also stopped drinking on my way back off the loop to avoid any slushing in the stomach at the start of the run.
Rattling around on the pave’ section by the river I could see the runners lapping around town in the heat and it look a bit grim. Would my back seize coming off the bike? Did I push too hard? Was the sun going to sabotage the last leg? My average speed dropped a bit more on the last mile leading to T2 and I started to be a bit worried about the run, but was determinate to perform well no matter what.
The bike time was 3:05:22, this was a good result and below what I thought it would take me so I was very pleased, confident to go under 6 hours if avoided pacing or other mistakes. I was not putting myself under pressure, just thinking to control urges of rushing too much the pace in the first half, keep hydrated and keep good form and finish strong.
T2 was also satisfactory at 3:06 inclusive of a pit stop, so hydration levels where good. I have to say that I can understand now why people pay lots for this branded events as the organization is very smooth and racing on closed roads with large crowds is very exciting. Though I am generally in favour of the small quirky and more personalized events it is easy to see why these massive races can be addictive!
On to the run course and within 500 mt I had to check my speed as I was below my 10k pace… whoops!... that would have been an expensive rookie mistake! On to the first of four times on the riverfront under the sun: although I was still adapting to the run mode and on uneven footing things were not looking bad. Any uncertainty on my ability was swept away as to be frank I had far harder sessions in training where I had to deal with being really tired compared to this and still managed!
At the first drink station I doused myself with water and drank a bit and had the relief of long shaded stretches and I started to feel really, really good. By half way of first lap I was floating 10 cm from the ground! I would have not been able to tell you that I was running on cobbles at times! I was so happy, confident of being able to execute a good half and as proud as Punch!
The course brought you 3 times around the city centre and in the main square, by the finish line, under a seating area packed with spectators. Here also jammed by the barriers on street level our own cheering crowd of Sophie, Steffy and the tour photographer Pam were screaming their heads off and giving high fives! What and uplift. All around the town there were pockets of crowd clapping and cheering, and some live music or pubs with loud speakers making the town almost as lively as a carnival. I was having a whale of a time! I only started to suffer a bit on the last lap, the cobbles all of the sudden where no so much fun, then a bit of queasiness and a wet shoe insole getting bunched up under my foot, but I was not going to take any notice. I did slow down a bit in this lap but with 2 km to go I managed to rally and pick up the pace and finish the run in 1:57:51; this is less than 5 minutes from my stand alone half PB! That shows what a good preparation Dermot has prescribed in his wicked plan!
And so I crossed the line feeling awesome, happy, still elated, not even checking my time as right then I could not care less…
Dermot told me it was 5:42:34! One more bonus as I was gunning for anything below 6 hours as top prize! Bill got me some water and also Luke and Barry where there looking just as fast as in the morning.
Antwerp has been one of my most satisfactory sporting event ever, as per A-Team’s Hannibal motto “I love when a good plan comes together”. I was not sure what this race distance would be like and if I would enjoy it, but did all the training that Dermot sent and hoped for the best. My next race will be the “Wild Boar” middle distance and I am really looking forward to it!
Thanks to Dermot for his support and careful planning, to Bill and Pam for their constant availability to help and making travelling to a race abroad such a relaxed trip!
