Vitruvian Middle Distance Race Report

Saturday 5th September

 

Tri-Anglia Provisional Results
Sue Potter

I had a brilliant time at the Vitruvian Triathlon on Saturday . It was definitely the hardest race I have ever done, but for me, taking part in this highly recommended, award winning event was the prize for months of training. The atmosphere was fabulous, the race well organised with an abundance of marshals, plenty of feed stations giving out sport drink, gels, bananas and jaffa cakes, and a hero’s welcome for everyone who finished.

The 1900m swim went well for me, although it was a bit physical for the first 10 minutes with a lot of bumping and barging until everyone found their place and settled - a bit like swimming in a washing machine - only colder.

The 52 mile bike course was seriously hilly for someone like me who is just not used to riding hills and there was a stiff breeze blowing which made it hard work on some stretches but easier on others. I didn’t fall off, nor did I have to get off and push AND I came in faster than my predicted time - result! 

I also have a new “personal fastest” time on a pushbike – 35mph - achieved downhill, pedalling frantically and hanging on for dear life. I also have my slowest recorded speed whilst still in the saddle – 4mph going up what, to me, was a ferociously steep hill, in the lowest gear and pedalling frantically again. Not sure whether I was breathless from the effort involved or the altitude! I thought I might be quicker to get off and push but wanted to stick with the bike on the hill if I could, and I did actually overtake someone who had got off and walked. Result again!

I felt somewhat daunted by the idea of running a half marathon after all that pedalling, but it was a lovely, flat scenic course around part of the reservoir, and by breaking the distance into four legs in my head, I managed to run, well shuffle, the whole thing, and 500 metres before the finish was given a huge boost by the Tri-Anglia guys cheering me on. (NB They also generously informed me that I was the one who would be writing this race report!) 

Finishing the race was amazing. They even interrupted the prize-giving for myself and another lady when we crossed the line, turning up the music and encouraging the crowd to cheer us in, the commentator shouting “You ARE a Vitruvian!” 

I am SO proud to have completed this race, I was 775th out of 785 finishers in a time of 7hrs 2minutes and 21 – so it was neither a fast or stylish performance, but it was a huge achievement for me and a great way to end my triathlon season, and I have a lovely medal and finishers t shirt. 

I couldn’t have done this without my hero of a husband, Mark, who supports and puts up with me through my training. He was a superstar on race day and waited patiently for me to get round, encouraged me at every opportunity that he could and finally scraped me off the finish line and carried me home.

 

Rob Gibbons

This was my first longer than standard-distance tri. I had heard the Vitruvian was a great event to do and was keen to try this distance before entering an Ironman.

Having already done the hardest event of getting up at 4am, the lake looked calm and almost inviting at 6:20am. I couldn't help but chuckle (out loud - probably not great race etiquette!) as the bunch of hard men in front did a strange crab-like tip-toe dance into the lake over the sharp little stones! The swim is a 2 lap affair (as are the bike and run) and so seemed to pass quite quickly (and enjoyably!) and so out onto the bike following a calm(slow) transition. Someone must have put treacle onto the course since arriving as my legs were pushing hard as they could but I was moving at a snails pace! Eventually the legs started to work as the head wind had warmed them up nicely for the first of the 'Rutland Ripples'. Once past these it was a fast wind-assisted section on the A47 before another little hill and back into a headwind to complete the first lap around Rutland water. Strangely the second lap was more enjoyable (especially after the little hills were complete) then it was into a run. I approached this as 4 x 5k runs. Aiming for about 30min 5k's I ran a steady pace untill cramp settled in my stomach after about 13k. Eventuality it went and even managed a little sprint to finish in a delightful time of 5h 56min 26sec - under my target of 6hours! It was great to see other Tri-Anglians on the course and it really helped me along! Also, must mention the support from Ipswich Tri Club which was also greatly appreciated (especially at the top of the ripple, dressed as mexicans!). Doing this has given me extra respect for those Iron Men and a greater appreciation of just how tough it is! It also told me that I really need to put more effort into the bike (very slack this year) and save my pennies for some carbon! If you are thinking about doing this my advice is to get your entry in asap! Will I do an Ironman next year? Ask me in a few weeks....

Andy Atthowe

I had heard so much about this race I was looking forward to doing it, unfortunately my IT band was playing up again so I had been advised not to run. It was too late to get my money back, so I used it as a hard training session on the swim and bike. I had trained hard all week, swimming a PB twice for 25m and having had several hard effort sessions on the bike. Including a 2 hour, high pace bank holiday ride with Matt Ellis, Karl Sherry, Andy Walpole and couple of others.

Swim: This was at Whitwell Rutland water site, starting in the water which I was happy about having spent 15mins freezing on the bank listening to the race briefing. I was in the first wave which was Male 18-35 off at 6.20am. Started well and bit of a fight down to the first couple of buoys which were close in then the main stretch of the triangle course. Managed to find a really shallow part which I couldn’t pull on and must have nearly stopped trying to pull myself along the bottom. It was a two lap swim with a short run between each lap, I tried to swim a bit harder on the second lap. I kicked a bit on way back in but not enough as I was so dizzy in T1 I lost time just trying to put shoes etc on. Swim done in 31.07 which was 10/52 in my age group, T1 3.13. 

Bike: I was worried about the weather forecast but on race day it was sunny with a little wind. I had decided to leave my aero disc cover on my back wheel which was a mistake as the course was quite hilly and the wind picked up on the second lap. It made the hills hard work, I thought it would be flatter than it was but still a TT bike was the best choice with deep section wheels. I had my nutrition plan sorted and settled in, trying to leave some energy for the second lap. I was surprised by how hard the first couple of hills were, two sharp hills very close together that give the legs something to think about. Overall a fast course if you know it had a couple of moments with the wind taking the front wheel on the really fast descents. Bike was over in 2.27, I had hoped to go a little quicker. Still ended up being 11/52 in my age group, there were some really fast guys here the most competitive middle distance race I have done.

I am fairly pleased with the result having had no taper and a hard weeks training, the things I am most happy about was feeling ready to run off the bike (which makes me think I should have gone harder on the bike!). Plus having worn my compression tights for the first time post race, legs feeling fine today and ready for another thrashing this week. Bring on Perth for the world champs!

Reports from Sue Potter, Rob Gibbons and Andy Atthowe
Page created: 6th September 2009. Last updated: 16th September.