The events were all on Friday evenings and seemed like a great way to get a different type of training session in. The Duathlons were
| Friday's | Adult & Youth (15+) | Start time |
|---|
| 9 Apr '16 | 2km / 29km / 2km | 6pm |
| 20 May '16 | 4km / 29km / 2km | 7pm |
| 24 Jun '16 | 4km / 29km / 2km | 7pm |
| 15 Jul '16 | 4km / 29km / 2km | 7pm |
| 26 Aug '16 | 4km / 29km / 2km | 7pm |
and the Open Water Swims were
| Friday's | Adult (18+) | Youth (15+) | Tristar (13+) | Start time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th May '16 | 800m | 400m | 300m | 6pm |
| 24th Jun '16 | 1500m | 400m | 300m | 6pm |
| 15th Jul '16 | 1500m | 400m | 300m | 6pm |
| 26th Aug '16 | 1500m | 400m | 300m | 6pm |
All were competitively priced so I entered all but the June ones as I was at Ambleside that weekend supporting Billy with Triathlon X
More info on the series here http://www.3dtriathlon.co.uk/#!ripon-race-series/igkqn
The events were fast and furious but I enjoyed them. The last ones were on Friday 26 August and seemed a lovely way to end the season. I didn't know when I entered that the Minster2Minster marathon a Ripon runner annual event where club members run from Ripon Cathedral to York Minster would be on the 27 th August.
When the date for Minster2Minster was released I didn't hesitate and put my name down. It would be fine, I have a quick recovery rate and it would serve as good training towards Equnox24 in September where I would be running tired.
I also did not realise that my holiday in a hot and humid Rhodes for a fortnight would leave me feeling washed out and unfit.
After my return from Rhodes, I worked hard to get my fitness back and finally after a week I started to feel strong again, just in time. That was on Tuesday during a trail run I was doing to train for Equinox24. I felt strong but I was still slow, the rest of the week I just did short runs trying to pick up my pace.
Friday arrived. I registered and racked my bike before getting ready for the swim, the water was warm but it was still cool enough for wet suits. there was only 14 of us swimming, 4 laps of the buoys. As I was getting in the water I stood on a sharp stone, bruising my instep. The water was comfortable and clear, even though the weeds were high. I started ok, sighting off the first yellow buoy I was with the other swimmers. As I turned the sinking sun was reflecting off the water and I couldn't see the next buoy so I had to trust the other swimmers, but the pack was spreading out, it was a relief to turn for the third buoy. On the second lap as I faced the bright setting sun again I could see something yellow amidst its glow, I headed confidently for it until I was close enough to see that it was actually the oar of the kayaker, looking back I could see the buoy and had to swim back to it. I was way at the back on my own now, for the next 2 laps I fought to catch back up but my lack of confidence between buoys 1 and 2 slowed me down. I was last coming out of the water in just over 27 minutes, but it was still 33.5 minute mile pace, so I was actually quite pleased.
From the swim there was no mucking about, wet suit off, get dried, put dry top on, socks and trainers go to the loo and get to transition in time for the draw for the bike. With every race completed each competitor had a chance to win a bike from Moonglu. It wasn't me.
There were quite a few competitors for the duathlon, the race started and I ran around the lake, the main pack were pulling away, I felt I was running fast but the gap still grew, I did pass a couple of runners on the second lap of the lake. one was a man 240, " I reckon he'll soon pass me on the bike" I thought. I ran into transition, put on my helmet and changed my shoes, put on my light as the light was starting to fade. I ran to the mount line and pedaled like mad, there were no other cyclists ahead, but I knew there were at least 5 people behind me. There was no one in sight as I turned towards Bishop Monkton. "Come on me" I said to myself. as I approached Bishop Monkton I saw cyclist, the chase was on. I knew that my run was not as fast as I would like but I would really like to get this bike course completed in under an hour. I passed the cyclist before I got to Burton Leonard and my pride was soon dashed as the man I had passed on the run passing me. "No Way!" I stood on the pedals and chased him, passing other cyclists in the process, I caught and passed him in Copgrove and shot down to Staveley, passing another couple of cyclists, one overtook me again and I was fighting to keep up as 240 passed me again. The battle was on, he may not have been aware of it, but i focused on the rear light of the Staveley man who had passed me and ignored 240 but 240 was not getting any further ahead. As we headed onto the Boroughbridge bypass I pushed it to 30 mph and flew past 240 and passing others started to gain again on the man from Staveley. I felt that 240 would be on my tail so I pedaled like mad down to Skelton, Through Skelton and back to the racecourse. no-one caught me. As I dismounted I could hear someone behind. I racked my bike and changed my shoes as a young lad ran past me. I turned off my bike light and turned to see 240 running out of transition. "No!" I thought I had fought too hard. The man kept getting cramp but I couldn't catch him. then he settled into his run, I pushed a little harder, I was gaining, it was slow, could I catch him in time? Again I moved my focus as a couple passed me, I had passed them near Burton Leonard on the bike leg, I focused on them in the diminishing daylight, and eventually passed 240 as I chased the two runners. I could hear him talking to someone behind me so I couldn't relax for a moment pushing myself hard and hoping it wouldn't impact on Minster2Minster. I crossed the line and turned to welcome 240 in. It was a real battle, but with no animosity. I did the whole thing in 1 hour 34 minutes, 4 km run, 28 km bike and 2 km run and I did the bike leg in under an hour, only just but it was under an hour. Even though my runs were not as fast as usual the 4 km was 9:05 minute mile average and the 2 km at 9:15 minute mile pace, so not too bad.
I gathered my stuff together and set off home, getting home about 21:30 with all my mucky kit to sort. It was hard to force myself to wind down as I set my alarm for 04:00.
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