My race account was opened last weekend at the Outlaw Half. I’ve done this race twice before, in 2016 and 2017. Those reports were quite detailed so I'll keep this short.
As per previous editions, it was a great event; really well organised, lots of supporters and on the day, conditions near perfect.
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| Setting off on the run! |
Since inception in 2013, this race has become one of the
premier half distance triathlons in the country; it attracts a pretty competitive
field and this year there was a strong contingent from Manchester Triathlon
Club.
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| If you don't train you can't expect to compete! |
Will Clarke took out the win on the male side in a course
record of 3:51:44 before jetting off to take 2nd at Ironman Brazil a
week later. In the women’s race, our own Naomi Keira Wright came third in
4:46:01 – bravo!
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| 48 minutes slower than 2017 |
I had a great day out; racing again felt good and the whole
process was pretty seamless. And while my performance was well below par, considering
the amount of training I had done it was a fair reflection of my current
fitness. Indeed, I’ve always reckoned that you could blag your way through a
half. Now I know you can! 😃
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| Faded in second half of the bike |
The water was “ok”, once we got going the temperature was
fine but it was very murky. I had no idea where to pitch my effort on the bike
and with very few miles in the tank I faded on the southern loop. Started
steady on the run and kept a fairly constant exertion but again, with so few hours
on my feet, my pace got progressively slower.
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| Ironman tactics: walk the aid stations! |
A part of me was of course disappointed not to be mixing it
up at the pointy end and pushing for a place on the age group podium. One could
ask why was I not prepared as per previous years? But the answer is relatively
trivial: I simply haven’t put in enough training hours.
A much more interesting question is how on earth did I put
in so much training previously? Hopefully I can figure out how to answer this question long before next year’s edition.
Another great aspect to this year's race was that on the Saturday, Jacky took part in the Nottingham Sprint Triathlon. It was her first open water swim race and only her second time in a wet suit. She had a bit of a wobble before the start but then got stuck in and nailed it - supa-proud!
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| Jacky exits the water! |
