The Outlaw Half Nottingham has been running since 2013; it has become a very popular race, selling out fast and this year with about 1,800 names on the start list. It also seems to get more and more competitive each year.
This was my sixth time signing up:
2014 – I got sick so ended up as a DNS
2016 – smashed it around in 4:38, coming 3rd in my age group
2017 – smashed it again, knocked about 5 minutes off my time but bumped to 4th
2019 – training went a bit pear shaped, blagged my way around in 5:21.
2021 – great swim and bike but calf exploded 20 minutes into the run so a DNF
 |
| Bounty from 2016 |
So there was definitely a feeling of unfinished business when I signed up for the 2022 edition – I really wanted to be able to get back to the pointy end and compete for an age group podium once again.
Focusing on the M50-54 age group, I reckoned that the winner would cross the line in about 4 hrs 30 mins*, and that one would need to be 4:40 or under to be in sight of the podium, but by 4:50 you’d be outside the top 10. I definitely felt I could hit splits of 35/2:30/1:35 for the swim, bike and run. Add a bit for transitions and 4:50 was very realistic, the question was could I knock bits off here and there, get closer to 4:40 and be in the mix.
 |
| What will it take? |
(*The overall male and female winners crossed the line in 3:52:27 and 4:35:56 respectively, amazing!)
Going into the race I was in good shape. In the run up to Christmas, training had gone well, especially swimming and running. My turbos had however slipped so in January I signed up for Zwift, joined the MTC Falcons and took part in the WTRL racing league. What a revelation: thanks to Graham Rands for organising and to the Falcons for nurturing me through my first season – I’ll be back.
January started well but ended up as a very difficult month when my mum become very ill and unfortunately passed away. Life became very difficult once again in early March when Greg had his tragic accident. Despite the intense emotions during these times, I kept my training going and suspect that workouts were a very important part of the processing; either when swimming/running solo in quiet contemplation or on group rides talking things through. Many thanks to the many people who provided support during these times just by being there.
 |
| 2up duathlon |
Later in March, the Firefighters 2-up duathlon and the Wilmslow Half Marathon, both done with partner-in-crime Ben Strutt, were great events to start thinking about racing. Then it was off to Lanzarote with the club training camp – great people, great food, great fun.
 |
| Living it large in Lanza |
By now, the training on all fronts was going well and I was feeling good and most importantly no major injury worries. The odd minor niggle here and there but all under control, and as race day approached, I was really starting to get excited; I hadn’t felt this positive going into a race for quite some time – bring it on.
To be honest, there’s not much to say about the race*, it all went very smoothly. Rolling start swim, water was nice, good T1 with an elegant scoot mount to get me going on the bike. I hadn’t done any time trials so had to make up a pacing strategy on the fly. Nutrition all ok, fast T2 then on the run. Again, a bit unsure how to pace it, started off a bit fast because the wind was at my back, flagged a bit in the 3rd and final lap but felt strong until the end.
(*For more details on the actual race, check out my reports from previous editions. It's got a lot of plus points. Camping adjacent to the site is good and makes the early start quite bearable. It's good for spectators; Jacky was there cheering me and the other Man Tri racers on at numerous points - bike out, bike in and on the 3 lap run. Race photos included, volunteers are numerous and excellent, post race food is good. The only negative from me was the road surface, but I guess that's racing in the UK for you.)
 |
| Catching some air in the finish chute |
Crossed the line in just under 4:45 and was pretty wiped, realised that I had given it my best. Headed off to the food tent where I was joined by Rich and Phil. Checked the results and discovered that I was fifth in M50-54. 2nd and 3rd came in in 4:36:xx and 4:38:xx, so I wasn’t far off with my predictions, a few minutes quicker than 4:40 and you were in the mix for the podium. A bit surprised the top ten extended to 4:59 but the biggest shocker was the winner, a certain Mr Robert Harrison, finished in 4:16:xx!!! As I said, this race gets more competitive each year.
Overall I was very happy, it was a very good all-round performance, I was certainly back at the pointy end of my AG and the result a fair reflection of where I am with my own training and where I am relative to my peers – close but no cigar.
No comments:
Post a Comment