V day

Vitruvian Day arrived and is almost over and the ache from my legs has made me get up and write this as there is no chance of sleep.

All fears were unfounded about cut offs and rubbish times, it looks like all the training paid off for my first Half Iron Distance. The crowds were great, I really dont know if it wasnt for all the cheering that i would have got the times that i did. The Pirates were absolutely astounding - i would say that 1 pirate per race = 1 weeks hard training, the motivation they give you when theres 6 or so to finish a race is truly worth their weight in pieces of eight.

My swim time was 43.55 which was a good bit under my 47.5 predicted best effort - a month ago i was estimating it at about 55 minutes, and 2 months ago i was racing the cutoff. Water temp of 17°C was not too bad at my 6.50 start time but my sighting leaves a lot to be desired still. The water was a bit rough as you headed out with the swell slapping my face until i got into a rhythm.

My bike split was unreal, for me at least, 2 hours 46 minutes. That rutland ripple never gets any easier for me and certainly not on the second loop. I really despise the "no Drafting " rule, better cyclists come past and slow down just in front of you - making you have to slow down to create a 7 metre gap or risk a penalty. I think they should have to over take and should have to pass far enough ahead to create the gap.

My run wasnt so much disappointing but a learning experience, the first lap done in 53.59 was ok considering the previous torture I had put them through but with the second 10.5k left me with a total time of 1.58.47 which equates to about a 65 minute split for the second lap which incorporated a visit to a porta loo, too much information ?  I learned I really didnt need to drink so much fluid earlier on in the run and that bananas and biscuits make bad choices for my nutrition plan.

My transitions were slow but i stand by wearing socks for this length event. On the run a guy in front of me was in a mess with blood coming from the backs of his feet, Im not, or never will be in with a chance of doing a truly good age group time so Im more than happy to enjoy the events for what they are and not worry about whether it takes 2 minutes or 4 in T1.

So my totals are :
1900m swim 43.55 
T1                     4.03
bike 85k     2.46.00
T2                     2.21
Run  21k     1.58.47
Total           5.35.06     and loved every minute of it