Triathlon? Bonkers, not for me. That was my view of the subject a couple of years ago, informed largely and sensibly by the fact that I could only just run, barely went anywhere on my rickety bike and couldn’t swim, so it was not an obvious choice. But as the years wound on, and with the impending 40 year milestone, combined with other masochistic enthusiasts to encourage me, I started my triathlon career in the New Forest on 25th September this year.
Perhaps I was also attracted by the idea of wearing rubber and spending long evenings fixing up bikes, so the challenge had to be an outdoor swim and a long ride at least. Looking for something with scenery and challenge, and knowing nothing about triathlon at all, I found a 70.3 mile or ‘Half Ironman’ race in the New Forest which looked great, and my conspirators seemed to agree. So the commitment was made.
The new forest, a magical venue for a weekend, even better for a triathlon!
September 24th came around, and at the race briefing I got a huge cheer for being one of the only people about to embark on their first ever triathlon. I think the cheer was part admiration, part amusement for what was ahead of us of which I clearly had little idea. I took the cheer as positive reinforcement and bounded off to go rack my bike and faff with many bags of complicated equipment!
Then, just after sunrise early the following morning, I dived into a rather beautiful lake in the New Forest with 400 otherwise sane people, and splashed for 1.9kms trying not to drown. Having only learnt to swim properly this year, I crawled out the lake after 45 minutes with a huge smile (of relief) on my face. You might think it amusing to hear that my biggest challenge of the race then ensued, as I realised a pressing requirement to go to the loo while not having much idea about how to speedily exit a wetsuit. I was not all that amused!
Disturbing scenes as half naked half rubberised folk wander around a lakeside unhealthily before sunrise...
Ready to go...
And in, not feeling so ready any more!
And proof I really did swim - a video, and that’s me with the red arms at the back (the left of the two with red arms that is, with the lazy arms!):
After a complicated transition (yes I should have worked out how to get the suit off beforehand!), the following 90kms were spent on the bike which I have barely touched since last year, so was mostly painful, but quite fast and very exhilarating - first avoiding the wild horses, then the slippery cattlegrids with my skinny tyres, then even more exciting when my handlebars temporarily detached themselves(!). The new aerobars (never touched before) were magic however, and the continual change of posture that they allowed certainly meant I could get off the bike at the other end and still walk, so all good.
Finally, off for a ride!
Snapped by the support team in a dodgy overtaking manouever!
Local hazards! Yes, they are everywhere. And cows, donkeys, pigs, goats - lethal!
All that technical mucking about aside, I was glad to be a bit more in my element for the final 21kms of hilly trail running, an absolutely fantastic fun. The New Forest excelled itself, with all of its mad donkeys, wild boars and amazing scenery. Definitely a place to return to when I have a bit more time to enjoy the view.
Losing precious seconds catching up with the support crew!
Very sweaty! Just 10km left until the eating starts.
I finally crossed the finish line (at the tragically named 'Sandy Balls' holiday park) after 6hr30, which wins no prizes but makes me very happy. Perhaps there are more relaxing ways to spend a morning, but few with such a sense of satisfaction. Great atmosphere, great support from generous spirited locals, friends and fab family, and of course a very welcome pie and chips to follow. A big cheer for Tom Connell who drifted in with a leisurely 5hr55.
Heroes! (Hungry ones)
Best moment, overtaking a £5,000 time trial bike/spaceship (plus aero helmet) with my clunky old steel bike.
Worst moment, realising I needed the loo but not knowing how to get the wetsuit off...
Great fun. Will definitely look for more to do next year.
And return to the New Forest of course, beacuse there is lots more fun to be had there, as demonstrated by the girls...
