ForestMan would not be ForestMan without a blessing and some words to give a sense of perspective to the day from our good friend Andy Baker, who dragged himself out of bed and down to the lake for a far smaller field than he usually speaks to on the proper race day.
The great compensation for his having made such a big effort on behalf of so few was that for the first time in three years he could actually see the lake!!! And a picture it was: flat calm and glassy with the first hint of blue skies and sunshine.
Big hugs (friends and family, mainly......not Andy specifically!) and into the lake which has become progressively cooler as the week has gone on; three, two, one!!....and we're off with Steve and myself side by side, Kev tucked in a little behind and Tim bringing up the rear.
Tim's swimming is not his forte but has improved hughly over recent months and more particularly, through swimming umpteen kilometres this week. His "umpteen" k's probably include a couple of extra due to his open water navigational skills???
So in the water with Tim was his "minder", who has also looked after him variously on bike and run routes during the week, bringing a level of "maturity" to curb his youthful exuberance: ie making sure he didn't go too fast, too soon!! Now Nicky, for such is her name, is not the most experienced Triathlete in the world herself: hell of a runner and fit as you like but pretty new to biking and swimming. Her mission at 5:30 that morning was to stop him swimming further than necessary by keeping him "on course". Thereafter she would get out for a lap of the bike "or so" to slow him down early on before offering some moral support on the run!!!........this thread of my rambling to be picked up again later!!!
Steve and I had arranged to swim together (he's a top swim coach so keeps me concentrating on correct technique). He obviously resisted the urge to keep stopping me for a bit of extra tuition as the laps flew by and we emerged to hear the words......."blimey 57 mins".
I'll settle for that.
Out of the water and up to the car for another speedy (10 minute or so) transition......well you need to make sure you've got everything don't you!!!
Off on Joanne's trusty Kestrel KM40 (most of you will be too young to remember this iconic bike) and as far as The Alice Lisle (about a mile) before the first numpty car incident of the day where a 4X4 decided to overtake us on a blind left hander over the cattle grid to come face to face with another idiot going eqully too fast in the opposite direction. Fortunately no-one swerved in our direction and they managed to stop, head to head about a metre apart.......
Another half mile down the road I lost my "minder" with a puncture but that was (fortunately) it for incidents until the roads got busy with traffic and inumerable other cycling events a bit later.
Fuelled by InfiniT and the occasional Shot Block all went well and I made my first "pit-stop" to re-stock at the top of the Ornamental Drive.........we are so lucky to live, work and cycle round here!
Under the A31 and up towards Ocknell (for the 11th and not yet final time this week!!) Joanne went past in the car and shouted that Wayne was not far behind and just coming over the top of the Ornamental Drive so I would soon have some company again. Given the "solid" pace I had been churning out I was not overly surprised when he finally caught up and checked his computer to be told he had covered almost 50 kilometres of the course at 40+ kmph to try and catch me. Given that he reckoned it had only taken him about 5mins or so to repair the puncture it didn't take me long to calculate that I had actually been going pretty well myself up to that point. Too hard?: we'd find out , know doubt! Time to settle down and "enjoy the ride"!!
Point of interest (or possibly not!) I never ride with a computer.....old boy triathlete!!...and the only time-check I got all day was the 57 min shout at swim out. Actually, I did get one more shout but much, much later.
With the traffic increasing I opted to do my "Nomansland" loop on the second circuit in order to clear Burley, Brock and the A35 before they got too bad. Couple more pit stops to collect nutrition and drop off long sleeve jersey and I'm enjoying the last few miles of competitive cycling clad in my "Devon Flag" cycling jersey.........proud of our home County!!!! Home of all things "great and good" (see new BLOG pic) and in the company of one of the real nice guys of Duathlon/Triathlon, Wayne Smith.
As a proud South African I'm sure he can't fail to have been impressed when I declared that I was wearing my "lucky South African trunks" under my Trisuit...... I had swopped my GB kit for SA kit at some ancient World Champs and (incredibly) have never failed to win whilst wearing them........and if that's not "lucky" I don't know what is!!
Incidentally as I won't be needing them any more, I'm open to (sensible) bids but they will need a bit of a rinse after Sunday's endeavours!!!! (See pic........will part with them if anyone makes a big enough donation to the Trussell Trust!!!) hahahahah!!!
Chatting with the guys afterwards I think we all enjoyed the bike, albeit that it was a bit "blowy" in places. Even Tim was round in just 7 and a bit hrs I believe and the others were both still on course to (incredibly) challenge their ForestMan pb's ,set on stand alone race days.
Back in my world it was soon "big thanks and goodbye to Wayne" and "hello, Joanne; fancy meeting you here!!" as I hit "T2".
Now doing transition at our Lodge at Sandy Balls seemed like the perfect idea: Joanne could get her MTB plus drinks together and shoes on ready to go, throw the Kestrel into the lodge and follow closely behind me on the run. The flip-side of all that luxury "on tap" is that there is a huge temptation to take your time and to avail oneself of the available "facilities" in a far more leisurely fashion than one might if, say just for arguments sake, a putrid portaloo!!.....................so I did.
Some time later, I emerged ,somehow resisted the temptation of the Hot Tub ( and the lure of the ice cool beers nestling in the fridge) and headed out (uphill!!!) on to the run course.
Our Lodge was very nice but those of you who have done any of our events involving a "loop" on site at Sandy Balls will know that the word "loop" is actually "Richardspeak" for "hilly detour"!! This made for a challenging start to the run.....one I may feel inclined to inflict upon future competitors!!!!!
Off up the road and by now it's traffic/ bke mayhem with the Sportive and charity riders being joined by two thirds of the families staying at SB!! Still, in no time we're off road, into a rhythm that I think/hope I can sustain for the duration and we're both laughing / joking our way round the course.....didn't I say I'd intended to enjoy every minute of the "last blast"!!!
First person to greet me was Nick Wright, out on a training run and, as usual, smiling, what a nice guy!! A few words of encouragement always welcome!!
Then at about mile 7 we bumped intoNeil Lewis who then ran with me and Joanne (who was carrying all the nutrition) until I collected my blue and final band at Abbots Well. Andy Moore also ran a lap with us and it was great to feel "supported" for a chunk of the run.
Was even more delighted to encounter young Mr Bailey well into his first lap just as we dived down the steep hill for the second time: still looking fresh enough, still smiling and heading towards a big PB if he could keep it going.
Ran all the hills and every step of the route (unless it counts when you stop for a comfort break!!)....this was my own personal challenge and didn't really have a bad patch all day.......and in particular no cramps which have clobbered me so badly in the past. !!!! Whilst I never quite felt as good as on "BoskMan" day (best running day of my life, mind you!!) I was always ultra comfy and sticking to my plan to "enjoy the ride"
Then, in what seemed like no time, I'd collected my Blue (and final) band along with a cheer from Graham and Nicky and Tamsin and Paul........thank you, all!!). We ran back past a family whom we had seen on numerous occasions over the "laps" only for the mother to shout out: " you could have done a marathon by now!" Funny that!!!
Back to the centre where Nicky's husband Greg along with children Alice and Sam was setting up an extra drink station for Tim and Co. Having also already seen Kev a couple of times looking in good shape plus Steve still happy and moving well it was a shame to have just missed out on seeing Tim and Nicky who had just begun their first loop as I legge it off the Forest.
It was at this stage that I got my second (unsolicited) time check of the day. Wayne and Jax were by now also positioned at the Central point and when I said to Wayne "last three miles , about 22 mins" he told me that I'd be just outside 10hrs. Hearing this I bolted off down the hill, through the stream and up the other side before "wising up" metaphorically shaking my head at my own behaviour and settling back down as I reminded myself that it wasn't a race, noone was chasing me down and that it really, really didn't matter....... "enjoy the ride!"
Back on to the road : firstly, Neil Lewis cruised by pumping out some loud music to see me home!! Then, for the second time that day, Wayne came hurtling up behind me; this time on MTB to watch me finish........fantastic. Told Joanne and me that Greg had also decided to jump on his bike and whizz back from the central aid station to do the same. Wayne seemed perplexed as to Greg's whereabouts.
Joanne and I had to laugh at a world class duathlete, who has just done the Race Across America with Team Feat (and very nearly won it!!!) wondering how he'd managed to drop a Recreational Cyclist over 3 hilly off-road New Forest miles. Strange that!! Anyway the explanation was not long coming as Greg did catch us and declared that he'd had to go back for his helmet!!!
End in sight and there's Neil again with some "Faithless" blasting out to welcome me home!!!!
Finish line : big hugs, especially for Joanne and a moment of reflection for a number of reasons,,,.been a difficult year in some ways. Then it was my turn to sweat over other people for a change!! with hugs for everyone!!!): immediate post-race beer, always important, so "thanks, Tom".
And then, suddenly, that's it.....all over: as in "completely": "the day", "the week", "the challenge" and my "racing" career.
For those of you who are interested, and to whom it means anything at all, I crossed the ForestMan line in 10:04:42 so sub 10 was really not on the agenda a great deal more suffering a good bit earlier on the run (or a filthier portaloo, perhaps?? LOL . But I'll happily settle for that ass my "finale".
(Before anyone asks,I honestly don't accurateley know my splits but I'm told my run was about 3:37ish)
Will deal with thoughts and the "deeper" side of my week seperately along with big thank-you's but for now, on with the day!
.
Big news, once I'd polished off that pint (I did share with Joanne!!) was that Nicky, rather than dipping in and out of "proceedings" after the swim, had actually undertaken the whole Bike and was now pacing Tim on the run: incredibly, well on her way to becoming an "accidental "IronMan" Good job I'd packed an extra medal "just in case"!!!!!
Now, I've witnessed some amazing achievements in my 20 odd (sometimes very odd!!) yrs of triathlon but it never occurred to me that someone might wind up doing an Iron Distance race "by accident"......and particularly over a course a tough as ForestMan. For Tim, with only 3 short course tri's behind him before 7in7 it virtually defied logic but this???...................emotional stuff, heh?????
Anyway, for me some proper post race rehydration and recovery stuff, quick shower and back to the finish line for the others.
When I'd passed Steve going in the opposite direction on the run for the first time his words to me were: "Bet you're surprised to see me!!!!" I replied "No, just delighted!!" But since Steve has freely admitted subsequently that he tried to drop me on the swim!!!!! (B**t#*d), and in the spirit of honesty,openness and trust that I live by, I can say now that I had been a bit surprised: absolutely chuffed but, yes, a little surprised.
I've known Steve for as long as I've been in the Forest and in this sport. His wife was my inspiration for first taking up Triathlon (so blame her ultimately for our events and all the hills on our Run courses!!) and in early events Steve would cruise past me on the bike and offer helpful coaching tips like"You need to pedal on the downhills as well, you know!!!" He's a great guy: a very fine triathlete but more often than not, and I hope he won't mind my saying so, his race results have not reflected either his potential or his level of fitness going into an event. Anyway, his performances all week had been just brilliant and here he was, possibly knocking out a ForestMan PB to boot: just fantastic to see!!! (even if he did try to drop me on the swim after saying he'd let me swim alongside him!!!!!!) Had I already mentioned that???
To be honest, I'm not sure of his finish time.......I was too busy being emotional with everyone else as he crossed the line still smiling but I know it was quick. Round about 11hrs 30 if I had to guess......but a big F'Man PB and at the end of a tough week!! Chapeau, Steve!!!!!
I'm certain Steve, Kev and Tim will want to add their own personal pages pages to this BLOG over the coming days so I'm sure They'll give times etc if want to. For my part, I'll do a couple of "follow ups" with specifc times and try and offer some kind of explanation for the level of performance across the group, throughout the week,which seems to contradict most training / race prep logic and standard practise.
Anyway, next Kev, who has done more IronMan events that any of us and who, again, had knocked out exceptional times each day only picking up minor niggles along the way. He was also now clocking up consistent run miles to back up very respectable bike and swim splits..........like all of us he had taken an age in each transition (particularly T2 where he had to wait for his kit having arrived before his helper and filled the time by scoffing a couple of cheese and ham sandwiches). Whatever, it had worked and he was soon over the line to register his own personal ForestMan PB (sub 12hrs for sure) and with loads of friends and family to greet him; just brilliant.His Dad did ask me to tell Kev he's getting too old for all this stuff but I didn't feel I was the most suitably qualified for the task!!
Kev and Steve both did their first events in 1989 and were founder members back then of one of the very early Tri Clubs "5 Go Mad", so it was great to share a day, where everything had gone so well for us all with two other like minded old gits who actually "get" what it (Triathlon) is, (or used to be) all about: flogging yourself senseless in beautiful places amongst a small community of friends. Where it's more about the experience and how you deliver what you set out to do as an individual, rather than purely about time, position or bragging rights at work on Monday!!!
More similar "cod - philosophical" stuff at a later date but now on to "The Main Event"
We three "experienced" athletes spent the week in awe of Tim, who, after one year in the sport and a few short course races took up this challenge and never looked likely to fail!! He's a very fine runner who is gradually improving on the bike but lacks miles (but makes up for that with smiles!!). He can't swim in a straight line in open water: in fact two years ago he was a "really bad" swimmer........now he's just "not very good", "bad".......but improving fast and particularly so over the course of such an intensive week...... to the extent that I might be wrong but doubt that he took much more than 1.5 hrs for the F'Man swim: a time which would please an awful lot of competitors doing it as a "stand alone" race.
7+ windy hours on the bike with Nicky and Jax for company....they probably talked "at him" non-stop to keep his mind off it!! Then he and Nicky were out there on the run.
Meanwhile Steve and Kev were recovering in the hot tub.....thanks so much Del and Jen @ Sandy Balls for that facility!!!......but we were all back together to see our hero Tim and "The Accidental Iron(Wo)Man", Nicky Yevko cross the line, also in fine shape, as the clock ticked up to 13:30. They had also knocked out a 4:20 ish run split, which as all you ForestMen out there will know, is very, very respectable.
Awesome. What an achievement.
I'm not sure that either of them actually has enough triathlon experience to fully comprehend the level of their achievement that day but there must be hundreds of RNF event "veterans" around, who can appreciate the severity of the courses out there and who will be sufficiently impressed by their achievement to,hopefully, stick their hand in a pocket and make a small donation to our charity, which can be done simply by clicking on the whopping great icon at the top of the RaceNewForest homepage.
I really hope that the donations flood in, if for no other reason than to recognise their feat on Sunday!!!! Remarkable!
PLEASE help us reach our target. www.justgiving.com/racenewforest7in7
My life is the richer for having enjoyed this week with these guys. Apologies for it being more about "me" than the team as a whole but I'll pop contributions from them all.....and Nicky up here as I get them
Hopefully something I've written about just what they've all achieved will inspire some contributions.
So that was ForestMan day..........except for the eating, drinking an continued hottubbing.
If Thomas (Peoples) should catch sight of this BLOG, you're right: they do a bloody good BBQ at Sandy Balls: just the ticket at the end of a long week!!
For my part I'll post all our "thank you's" along with some times/ comparisons etc once I have those, just to give some idea of the level at which the guys operated all week and then try and make some sense of how three old gits, a "nutter" and an "accidental Iron(Wo)Man" managed to perform as they did., without injury or post race stress/ DOMS and, still "look" and "feel" healthy" right to the end........bizarre!!
Bye for now
Rich
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