UK 70.3 – Wimbleball 2011

Antwerp 70.3 last year was my first WTC event so after the race I wandered along to the “roll down” ceremony to see what it was all about. Although well pleased with my time of 4:50:38, that was only good enough for 58^th in my age group so I was under no illusions. However, the experience did plant a seed in my mind: it would be pretty damn cool to qualify for the World Champs. But with typically only 6-7 slots up for grabs in the 40-44 category, was it remotely possible?

Three things suggested yes. One, I was only two seasons into triathlon so my trajectory was still upward; with focused training more gains were for the taking. This was a major motivation behind signing up to the Endurance Coach. Two, strategic course selection: Antwerp is pan-flat so I got hammered by all the uber-power bikers. As I’m only likkle, outright power isn’t a strength but when it comes to hills it’s all about power to weight, and that’s fine by me! The Wimbleball bike course is renowned for being killer hilly, so UK 70.3 would play to my strengths. And third, the vagaries of the roll down process means that even if you don’t qualify for an automatic slot, you might just get lucky.

So, one of my goals for 2011 became to qualify for the World Champs, which this year would be held for the first time in Las Vegas. I kept this goal pretty close to my chest simply because of point 3 above: I was going to have to rely on the roll down, i.e. even if I achieved my race goals, qualifying wasn’t entirely in my own hands.

Analysing all the UK 70.3 results since 2006 showed that the last slot was picked up by dudes finishing between 05:22 and 05:45 but with the trend becoming more competitive each year. Based on this I reasoned that a time of 05:15-05:30 might give me a chance at bagging the last slot, so I set 05:15 as my dream time and 05:30 as my “job-done” time, i.e. something in between was probably realistic.

To achieve 05:15, I would need to hit a 32 min swim, 5 min T1, 3 hr bike, 3 min T2 and a 1:35 run. These were certainly ambitious targets but you gotta aim high right! However, although my training was going really well, as the race got closer I thought these targets were bonkers, in particular a 3 hr bike seemed right out. Ironically, the bike target was the only one I beat!

Once we had driven down to Exmoor, set up camp, registered, done a recce swim in the lake, checked in my bike and kit bags etc I suddenly felt pumped – I was up for this and I was going to go for it. Despite a run of bad luck in the last 6 week (punctured in the New Forest, busting a brand new carbon wheel, smashing my ribs go-carting, two bike crashes etc), my training had gone to plan and I was as prepared as possible, so it just came down to execution. Next thing you know, the hooters gone off.

The swim was fine. Amazingly, despite 1239 people starting the race, I found clear water within 50m, basically because everybody had spread out real wide. But as people aimed for the first buoy it got congested further up the course before thinning out again – weird! After the first turn couldn’t see a thing as we swam towards the low sun. Didn’t think it was going well; normally at HIM pace in the pool I breath every 4 strokes, but in “race mode” I was breathing every two which probably disrupted my rhythm. No idea of my swim time until the results came out but I clocked 36:10 (347th), i.e. 1:10 slower than Antwerp, so my gut feeling was right. Also, way off my target but ignorance can be bliss so I just pressed on. Quite why my swim was so slow will require some thinking.

T1 was interesting. 400m uphill run from the lake to transition, overtaking people all the way. Found my bag ok, wet suit off easily, aero hat on etc. The weather had improved massively so the gillet, gloves, toe covers & rain jacket stayed in the bag. Found bike ok then entered a narrow lane full of people all trying to mount their bikes. Decided to run past them all and mount further up the road. Time, 5:28 – faffing about getting arm warmers on slowed me down but otherwise good.

The first section up to the start of lap one is all uphill so I started racing, overtaking all the way. The first part of lap one is then undulating before a steep down hill then a long climb back to the start of the lap. The roads had dried out nicely so the dangerous downhill left turn was navigated easily. Caught up with @howard_mead, quick chat and off I went. Felt it was going very well, nutrition all ok. The crowd at the top of Haddon Hill was great. Reached the end off lap one in about 01:28 and realised that a sub-3 bike split was on the cards – boy did that motivate me and I pushed like a b@stard on the second lap. Finished with 02:58:31, 59^th fastest bike split – very happy.

T2 easy peasy; handed bike over, loads of portaloos so quick pee before going into the tent, found bag etc and out. Time, 2:05.

The first lap of the run hurt like hell. My lower back was so tight. I thought I’d solved this problem by changing my bike set up. Maybe all the hill climbing meant that because I was out of the aero position quite a bit, I used my core differently? Had to stop and bend over twice to try to ease the tension. Half way around lap 1, Howard flew past looking cool as a cucumber. A number of others overtook me as well which was a new experience; the run is usually my best leg so I’m the one normally doing the overtaking. I think this underlies the fact that I had moved so far up the field on the bike.

The run involves a few out and back loops, so I saw a few Man Tri racers: realised that Howard was pulling away quickly; Sonia looking uber-focused; quick hello to Debs. Spotted Samantha Warriner (FPRO, NZ); she had a bike mechanical so was only just ahead of me at the start of the run but pulled away. Saw Scott Neyedli (MPRO, UK) assumed he was a lap ahead.

Even though my back eased off, it was still tough and I hurt like hell. I had no idea of time: having struggled to strap on my watch exiting T2, I totally forgot to start it so had no idea of time. I didn’t think it was going well but again, without any data, ignorance is bliss and motivated by knowing I had a sub-3 bike split I pushed on, reminding myself that with a 3 hr bike done, a 5:15 was a possibility, putting a Vegas slot within grasp. Jacky shouting from the side spurred me on, especially with a very timely "Dig In" at the start of the 3rd lap.

Towards the end of the 3^rd lap I saw a race clock reading 05:17:xx. Ok, so 05:15 had gone but not by much and I didn’t have far to go so C’MON!! Maybe sub 05:20? Up the last hill, through all the supporters, round the corner, on to the red carpet and there it was: the clock above the finish line still read 05:19 and in the end I scored 05:19:47.

My run split was 01:37:36, i.e. like the swim I missed my ambitious target. But putting this in perspective, my Antwerp run split was 01:38:11 and remember, that course is pan flat. Like the bike, the run in Wimbleball is a real killer because it’s hilly with one especially brutal climb and descent that you have to do three times. So I beat my Antwerp time on a vastly harder course – still can’t quite believe it but it’s testament to the big improvement in my running this last year.

Got over the finish line and was given the usual medal, plus a cap. Later learnt that these were only give to the top 250 finishers so I thought “Ok, I’ve finished somewhere in the top 25%, that’s not too bad.”

Quick chat with Howard while we waited outside the massage tent, 10 mins work on the quads, then back to the campsite for a shower, recovery drink, compression tights etc, before back to the finish line to support others coming home, including some of the Man Tri girls; Debs and Carla crossed in quick succession, followed by Claire. Sonia and Jude had already finished but I caught up with them later, both did well with Sonia 3^rd in her age gp.

When the results sheets got posted I started off looking about a quarter of the way down (top 25% right?) but had to keep moving up the list to find my time and name. When I saw I’d placed 67 in the men’s cat I was gob smacked. I ran my finger across the line and saw 11^th in age group. Now suddenly Vegas became a real possibility. According to the program, 6 slots were available to the 40-45 group so as long as 5 guys ahead of me didn’t want their slots then I’d be in there. Spotted that Howard 5^th in his age group and with 4 slots available he was a cert.

So, after a couple of hours chillin’ in the sunshine, we are back to where this story started – the roll down ceremony. First, a brand new bike to a woman who raised loads of cash for the local Rotary. Then the Pros came on stage and got their prizes, a few words from the winners. Really pleased for Emma-Kate Lidbury – IIRC she led last year but blew up on the run and came third. Mikel Elgezabal (Spain) pipping Stephen Bayliss in the men’s.

So to the roll down, youngest first. When they got to the M25-29 they announced 5 slots so Howard was guaranteed. When his name was called, off he ran with us all cheering and climbed on stage to join the other 4 from his age group. They then disappeared off the back to hand over their cash to the WTC. Note: qualification requires that you pay on the spot – these WTC guys don’t miss a trick and that’s part of the “magic” of the roll down ceremony: in Wimbleball you could use your credit card but often it’s cash only. In Antwerp it was a real eye opener to see dudes with fistfuls of Euros.

Finally, after what seemed like hours they came to M40-44. It’s a bit of a blur as I went into a Zen-like trance, zoning out all around me and focusing on the voice coming out of the speakers. Next thing you know there is one slot left and they call out my name.

Viva Las Vegas!

PS: Should just point out that everything about this race was superb! The locale amazing, the organisation & volunteers flawless, the crowd & support ace, and the hills while hard make this what it is. Loved it - it will take a while for this post-race glow to fade.