Summer training for the London Duathlon.

So the summer has been dedicated to training for the London Duathlon. I decided I wanted to take on a longer challenge this year, so signed up to the Ultra distance, 20km run, 77km bike, 10k run.

I have endured fifteen weeks of structured training including time trials and races, all gearing towards this race.

I have run for a total of 38 hours and 27 minutes covering 303 miles with 10, 780 feet of climbing.
In laymans terms thats just 22 miles short of Malvern to Glasgow, and two and a half times up Ben Nevis.

I've cycled for 54 hours and 04 minutes, covering 1,014 miles with 42,622 feet of elevation! To put this into perspective Everest is 29,030 feet !

This was mostly fueled on grilled chicken, broccoli brown rice and peanut butter, the odd Guiness, cherry active and soreen malt loaf!

Race Brakedown:

Peaked too soon

10th June: I kicked off with the local Malvern Joggers 10k race. This is a tough off road run, and as a local it has to be done at least once. It's a Wednesday night race, which is a bit different for me. I was a bit nervous to start as I knew a lot of the other runners and I didn't want to let myself down. However, I started too fast, rookie error I know, and took the lead for the ladies for a good two thirds of the race, but then slowly but surely started to pay for my early efforts as I got overtaken several times and finally was unfortunately pipped on the line into 5th place, just missing out on 1st vet position,  by a woman I thought I should've beaten !! So, not a great start to training but a good kick up the back side for me.


14th June: Next effort was the Shirley Roads CC 50 mile time trial on the K33/50 at Alcester. This was my first ever time trial ! 7am and 50 miles....what was I thinking? I was apprehensive, but not too nervous about time or performance as I had nothing to compare to. The traffic on the dual carriageway course was worrying me a little. I gave it a good go and was really pleased with my 2:20:28, not bad for a first go. A few days later I was really pleased to receive a cheque for £15 as apparently I was 2nd female....still trying to work out the handicapping/scratch system that goes with the rest of the cloak and dagger mystery of time trialing. However I did enjoy the gathering around the blackboard at the finish to check out finish times whilst indulging in coffee and cake listening to everybody's experiences of the course! Very friendly and welcoming.

Losing my TT virginity

A Prettier ride

27th June: Another 50 mile TT. This time with as the Stratford cc open event, the K25/50 held at Welford. This course was a little harder in my opninion, but a much nicer ride. Two laps. A quieter TT with  just 2 of us girls up for this amongst the men and out of the two of us I was first.
A nice thing to do on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Not a mother/daughter shot, but first and second ladies to finish!

5th July: OK into July and I'm ready for a 10k race. The Black Country 10k at Halesowen. Again i didn't really know what to expect. This was a really friendly race with plenty of support. Not the most inspiring of courses but sometimes I quite like racing around town centres and housing estates, as lets face it, that's how a lot of us train, so no surprises. It was a two lap course that also entailed an out and back at one point so I had a good Idea I was near the front ladies. I was thrilled to finish 2nd lady overall and 1st vet 40, and picked up prizes for both ! £50 in total,......bostin'.




11th July: Its the Upton Triathlon, and our club championship race. This was my only Triathlon this year. See previous blog for more details but I had a great race and finished 1st female in the sprint, also winning the club championship for sprint distance tri.

QOH Trophy

16th August: The Great Shakespeare sportive. I opted for the 100km distance. There was a great little challenge for all riders in the 100k and 100mile events. Who could be the king and queen of the hill, Lady Elizableth Hill, at Tysoe. Timing mats were in place to time us all. Well, not one to turn down an offer like that I was determined to give this hill the beans! Yep, I got the top spot, Queen of the hill and second lady to finish the 100k sportive over all. I had a good feeling about my effort on the hill climb challenge but my overall finish position was a bit of a surprise as I stopped at both feed stations for a comfort break and a bite to eat.

Queen of the Hill

Romeo Dunn

22nd August: A VTTA event. The K33/25s 25 mile TT again at Alcester. The same dual carriageway but not exactly the same part of it as on the 50 mile earlier in the season.  This was the respectable time of 2pm, However, the duel carriageway was really busy and it was also very hot. Sweat was running down my back and face before I had even started.
I clearly hadn't read the full rule book on TT'ing as I pitched up in my triathlon kit. I wanted to use this TT as a bit of a practice for race day so wore the kit I was hoping to race in. However, on the start line the timekeeper had to give me a polite telling off as my shoulders weren't covered in my sleeveless TT top. He said he wouldn't spoil my afternoon of racing today by disqualifying me but I must take note and make sure I wear a top that covers my shoulders next time. I felt awful, and embarrassed as the other riders must've clocked this too. I wouldn't have broken the rules intentionally and will not be making the same mistake again.
I really enjoyed TT'ing this distance, and was thrilled with 1 hour 3 minutes dead. I was fourth female. I'm definitely up for more 25s. Coffee and cake was plentiful at this event! I think TT'ing is my new favourite thing.

Rebel on the course

Enjoying racing a half again

30th August: Time for another running race. My first half marathon for 3 years. The Severn bridge half marathon. The race starts in Chepstow, takes the runners over the bridge to England, around a little loop and then back over the bridge to Wales. This is a great event and I would recommend it. Again I wasn't nervous as I knew I was no where near my PB potential so it was going to be interesting to see what I could do. It is quite a tough course, quite hilly, and also windy on the bridge!I had no idea I was doing so well, I was 8th female over all in a time of 1.34:42. Not bad considering I stopped at 2 miles for a comfort break!  However, out of the top 8 women finishers 5 of us were in the FV45 category! Old girls certainly ruled at this race.

8th Female out of this lot!

So that's it. Training done, TTs and races used as bench marks and practice. Inner tube changing practice done.  Recce of Richmond park done.
A last minute change of plan on which bike to use. For several reasons I've decided to race on my road bike and not my TT bike. So, as I type Ron is pimping my ride for me. The Ridley has had a face lift with better groupset, lighter/faster wheels, and tri bars. The pimped up Ridley has become a Pidley.

Race ready.

Pimped

Race on !!