End of season Monster Run Fest.....

Having over cooked earlier in the year, I have had bouts of minor illness and injury. But it has been important for me to rest and recover and now to start slowly building my base fitness back up. These additional dynamics to racing is what makes it appealing, battling to succeed in spite of the odds. It is always nice to put your feet up now and again. And as tired as I have felt, I have welcomed the rest. Usually I can't sit still longer than 5 mins. So this has lead me to be marshalling on the Monster Run Fest and not participating.

I had the pleasure of helping out last year. For those of you that haven't used the cycle networks. I urge you to get out there on a family ride. Maybe park the car at the bridge in Waterbeach and take the family out for a little bike along the river Cam. down to at least Baits Bite lock.

Last year I had been a support cyclist, and just having a gentle bike in front of the runners. Looking out for any potential hazards and making sure that the lead runner was heading in the right direction. This as I found out from an early stage was going to be 'Craig Holgate'.  It really is an honour to be the lead cyclist when someone with as much self drive, determination and guts running out in front of a pack of ultra runners while treating it as a training run, and for the most part making it look simple. The truth is I would be lucky to keep up with him for 10 miles of the race, if I was just running 10 miles.

This year I knew Craig was going to be running so I fully expected him to be on the front of the pack from the start, but I didn't expect him to kick straight away. Making it clear his position on the rest of the runners from the start. The run takes you down through Cherry hill, through Jubilee gardens and down beside the river to the A10 you cross the A10 and are straight out path alongside the river.

It was slightly cooler and almost the perfect running temperature but it was still early.

We head out through Barway as we had past G's growers and turned the corner I looked back and could only see one runner in the distance behind us, in a Yellow t-shirt. As we turned the corner we saw Lou B. Cheering on from the turnaround point for the Half-Marathon distance.

Craig seemed stronger than the previous year, and made it clear he was just on a training run. You could tell by his breathing, he was hardly pushing during this part. We continued on the cycle network 11 which is what the ultra route is based on, free from traffic.

Once complete this will apparently link Wigginhall St Germans South of Kings Lynn to Harlow in Essex. Quite some distance.http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-11. Follow the link and check it out.

A beautiful day still and we made our way out to Wicken, as I peddled steady I could just hear the pounding of Craig's steady run pace. He would pick the pace up fractionally for a while. His wife supports him on route and I think his pace picks up a fraction, as he meets her. That I suppose is the power and effects of good support. 

Through the nature reserve past Wicken and out to the Marathon turn around point and two unsavoury looking chaps, only kidding, very friendly faces Brian E and Kev G are at the foot of a bridge, to provide a bit of entertainment and banter. Saying something like "can you keep up with him Jay". Lol.

We then head out towards Bottisham lode. Where route11 comes to an abrupt halt. This a section of the route that is still to be linked up which is private land. The owner does not want people passing on their bikes. So at this point there are several styles, which is always amusing on a bike. And normally a bull in the field, Luckily he had been moved out for the day.

A little bit of single track alongside the river and over the A10 by the Bridge pub and down beside the river Cam on a gravel path. I could have swam in the river. I asked Craig if he fancied a dip. But he laughed at me and said, "No". He certainly had more important things on his mind. It is a tranquil part of the Cam. With plenty of river boats, and flies in your face. A peaceful river and some dream houses with their garden backing into the river, passing the odd rower, cyclist or runner. Down towards Cambridge.

I Pulled my phone put to take a couple of picks and realised I had a missed call from Paul, what could he want? Called him back "We have been informed there are a couple of loose horses out under the bridge where the A14 passes over. But the police have been contacted and they may have been moved by the time you get there".

Do I tell Craig or let him concentrate? Well forewarned is forearmed and it better to know than have a surprise from a horse.

No sign of horses on the way down we hit the turnaround point, Approx 2:24:00. With a quick hello to Wardy. Doubling back on ourselves did the same in reverse. The guy in second didn't seem too far behind at this point. 5-10 mins. Followed fairly closely by Ironman and Spider-Man etc. So the field behind us seemed a lot stronger too this year.

Same again in reverse. As we hit the Marathon turn around point we did expect to see some of the slower ones. Craig was looking forward to picking people off on the way home. It gives you something to focus the mind on.

My pastie was nowhere to be seen at the Midway checkpoint and Craig's wife had kindly offered to grab me one. As we got back into Wicken on the way home. I moved to one side to let someone go by. And my back wheel snaked slightly. I thought nothing of it, then it got slightly harder to pedal, looking down it was as I had feared. Yes, a flat. I said to Craig, "You wouldn't believe it I have a flat". He said "Don't worry about me, I know the way". and with that he was gone. I got a lift back to the start by his support crew. His wife.

We made our way back to the start, the first place Marathoner had already come in and I watched second place come through. And a few others from the Marathon and Half Marathon.

It was in spite of the puncture a great day, Craig's children came along to run him in for the last stretch, he had a very humble victory. That placed him nearly an hour in the lead.

All the best to him and his race this year and achieving his goals.

Another great race by Monster.....

So my Man v's Monster challenge is over. Who do you think won Man or Monster...........you decide.

Monster Olympic

Race morning, I'm up at 5:40am a slice of jam on toast and a slice of peanut butter in toast and a bowl of Crunchie nut cornflakes. I have prepared every thing the night before. So a quick 5-10min. bike to Jubilee gardens and into the hustle and bustle of transition.

                         Jubilee Gardens/ Transition

Nearly 450 people with last minute preparation, nerves, excitement. Spotting people I know and faces I recognise from previous races. Chatting to the guy next to me who had returned to do the Oly after doing the Middle the year before, he was all the way from Sheffield. It puts it into perspective just how good these races are when people are prepared to return and travel that sort of distance to get to the race.

I hear Liz call for the Middle distance guys to go down to the river, I knew we would be called soon. I was more interested with chatting than setting up transition. But I had registered the day before and had already put the stickers on the bike and helmet and set my race belt up. An extra gel in my running shoe this year in case I need it.

Liz calls us to go down to the river, and I got a chance to chat with fellow competitors about there previous races. We got to the start of the race and it was only at this point I had noticed the temperature had dropped. Michelle Chalmers said she had a cycle top in transition to put over her tri-suit. It was at that point I had visions of freezing on the bike. For a split second I just has thoughts of pulling out of the bike because I was cold, like some had to do in the Peterborough Middle distance race.

We put all of our shoes into the biggest bag I have ever seen, Paul briefed us on the race and we started getting in to the water.

My open water drills kicked in sitting around 15th off the front and then a few people with last minutes decisions reshuffling there positions in the water, I was floating on my stomach and owning my space.

Yes that space was mine all for 10secs, the race started and then it was anyone's space.

For the first 400 meters I was fighting with people. Trying to get round one side then them swimming directly in my route trying to swim the other side with no luck, so had to make my route through a mass of people. Kicking hard towards the bridge had a clearing. Got into a decent stretch of clear water before hitting another wall of orange hat swimmers in our group and pushing my way through, after getting squashed near the side of the boat. After that it was a case of picking a route through the slower blue hat swimmers from the group before us. Making my way to the turn around point near the bridge, I managed a sweet corkscrew turn then looking for clearings in the swimmers for a quick route through. With a much needed hand out onto the carpet towards transition.

                                  Swim exit and an army of Marshall's

My transition almost done in reverse but not touching my bike until my helmet was on, all I could hear was Jodie saying 'don't distract Daddy, don't distract Daddy'. Out on the bike it was just picking off a mass of cyclists at the back of the Middle distance. Not thinking too much about the 25miles ahead and pacing. Down the A10 with the wind on my back, dreading the thought of hitting the Bumpy road into Pymoor.

                          Out on the bike before the rain

We turn left on the BP roundabout on the A10 and it s just a few miles up the road and the first person passes me with a pink race number, I had realised the Olympic guys had pink numbers and the Middle guys had white numbers. I kept out the draft zone and kept with him for quite a while but as we hit the bumpy road slowly watch him pull off. But I didn't want to dig too deep, my training hasn't been very hardcore for the past month. I wasn't about to just find out if the wheels were going to fall off for digging deep. It was also good to see people I knew from the Middle distance. Saying hello to David and Wardy on the bike. The wind was tough and it was relentless. Onto Coveney, I wasn't worried about the hill just pleased I was out the wind for a bit.

Deciding not to opt for the energy gels being given out this year, because all I do is just bat them about 10ft out the Marshall's hands. I had plenty of gels, I also had an extra attached to the bike in case.

After descending from Coveney worked my way back up to the A142, for the last push with a side wind. And BOOM hit the A142 with the wind on my back. It doesn't matter how much your hurting. If the wind is on your back your going to use it. I had worked damn hard against it. A little push up to the BP garage a quick hello to Tony and just pleased I wasn't going out for another lap. For once I was pleased I wasn't doing the Middle. Full respect to the people that done it because the wind was hideous. 

Down past Tesco's, and one more little push on the bike up Backhill. Down into transition.

Then the sudden thought of 'I just need my foot to hold out for the run'. A nice steady pace to start, it took me a while to get into a rhythm and my running just seemed laboured. Into pocket park and I had a dog yapping at my feet and nearly tripping me up twice, with a feeble 'oh come on' from the owner. I must admit I had a vision of kicking the dog. Who was getting more aggressive with the barking. I just knew I couldn't kick kit. So I shouted at the top of my voice really quick, 'GETOUTOFMYWAYNOW' I have never seen a dog looked surprised before, but it pulled the look off well. And instantly stopped barking. Out on to Lisle lane, further on as I got towards the Vineyards my legs started to cramp up. A quick stretch and look behind. And trying to run and stretch at the same time. I should imagine is quite comical to watch. Running and drinking is a nightmare out of a plastic cup. With cramp already started I stop and walked for 2seconds after each aid station while I downed the water, then making sure I put my litter in the bin each time, going out my way slightly.

Ran to the top of the High Street and a cheer from Laura, worked my way down to broad street and into Cherryhill to see the family, for a cheeky little dance up Cherry hill, where at the top I paid for the dance with a little bit more cramp.

                                           On Cherryhill; 'Go home or go hard'

                                           written on the path.

Just focusing on a comfortable stride, with my foot on the back of my mind continued another lap, high five-ing my kids and a cheer from the trouble and strife who had come to watch, then back into Cherry Hill park. The next lap was a bit tougher, my foot had started to hurt a bit. I changed my approach as I was running the lap, pushing hard at first, then dropping the pace back to feel more comfortable, and saving my energy for a strong finish. Another quick high five from the kids. And then a realisation that I should have gone for an earlier sprint to take the chap in front of me.

    The welcome sight of the finish line.

Another great well organised race by monster, that just seems to become even more organised and race friendly each year.

Thank you to all the Marshall's for there friendly cheer. I tried to say thanks when I wasn't pushing hard. If I missed anyone Thank You.

Monster Olympic pre-race thoughts..

Well you are probably thinking Monster Olympic and not Monster Middle....

It was a tough decision!

After biking the route of stage 3 of Tour de France and then back home again up the A10 after 3weeks of racing on the trot, I was to say the least exhausted.

After about 1-2 weeks off I started back at training and feeling very sluggish. Even with the slow and steady training I managed to pick up a chest infection. I cut my training right back and focused on getting well again. During this period my aim was supposed to start my long runs and build them up each week.

My first long run back in to my training went well and I felt strong my pace wasn't great but I wasn't too bothered at this stage, I just still put it down to feeling tired still. With a few training sessions to keep me ticking over.

It started the following week. My 15 mile run, I started at a steady pace and was keen to get my pacing even. Training on a 2mile circuit and timing and adjusting my pace every 2 miles.

My first 2 mile felt good, and for the next 2 miles dropped the pace to keep the pace where I needed to be. On the third lap I started feeling a bruising to the the ball of my foot as I continued to run. I started to avoid the pain by running on the outside of my foot. I completed my run but for the next few days I felt the pain. I persisted with shorter runs during the week to keep my legs ticking over.

The following week my aim was to head out on my 16 mile run. After a few short runs out it my new trainers I decided to wear them for the longer run hoping they would cushion my foot strike and offer more support. I decided to start out at a slower pace and opt for more of a mid-foot strike and not the fore-foot strike I had worked so hard on over the winter. I focused on my fuelling strategy taking a sip of my Hammer drink every mile from the outset to keep me hydrated and taking an energy gel on board every 5miles. By the end of the run I don't think I have ever felt so much pain my ankle and my knee were sore. Looking back Im not sure why I persisted so much. But I was determined to do the run and didn't want to think this injury was going to hold me back. Not a great approach in hindsight.

About 5 days later and I had to go to the doctors with an ear infection that seemed to be pushing on my jaw pushing it forward and my teeth were misaligned and I couldn't eat properly.

I went to my GP who said I didn't have an ear infection but that it could be related to hayfever and the middle part of my ear causing it to swell up. But in any case I should go and see my dentist just to get it checked out. The following day I was still in pain, I made an emergency appointment and was very interested to what was going on as it was an unusual case. She took an X-ray of my mouth and noticed that the right side of my jaw had dropped on one side and wasn't sitting in its socket properly. She sent me away with a couple of jaw excercises and some Ibuprofen and told me to monitor it.

                          
                         Xray showing my jaw dropped on the far left

That night I could not resist going out for a swimming session still, I made people aware I had taken Ibuprofen and just to keep an eye on me. After 1/2 hour of swimming I realised that my jaw was lining up a bit better. So with a couple of days of eating soup and cereals the swelling went down and I was OK.

All I needed to do was try and put my running right again. The only way I could do this was to reduce the impact on my joints and build up with shorts runs off road on the Amhurst field which is quite flat.

The longest run I managed was 5miles then I started hurting and I had to stop to reduce the risk of further injury. In the past week I have head out in a few 30k bike rides with 6-8k runs off the back on the road. At this distance the foot has started hurting and I have reduced the pace and not pushed it any further.

This has left me with the decision to knock the distance down to an Olympic distance down from the middle. But after my foot hurting so much I am pleased to still be racing. I just hope that my foot can hold out until the finish. I can't wait to race now but still gutted I am not racing my first Middle.

Give me a cheer if you see me I will need it.

Monster Sprint Feltwell

What a race.....

I thought it was going to be short and sweet, well it was, with a little bit of pain added for good measure. With a sprint every decision seems to be a breakneck speed. So it takes a few minutes to process what has just happened after I cross the finish line.

Race brief done, and straight into the water, the sun was shining on the lake and the water is crystal clear. Looking around there was a good field of decent racers. 

With what felt like hardly a minute to think we were all lined up and ready for a mass start. There was a wall of strong swimmers in a line before me. At the sound of the horn I stayed on John Macs feet I know he normally deals with people in the water well, round the first buoy and it is still complete carnage in front. Up towards the second buoy and I have a couple of people trying to push me over towards the inside of the buoy. I needed a quick kick just to swim clear of the potentially messy turn. I settle back into a rhythm and remind myself I only have to push hard for 450m in total, then settle into a decent long efficient stroke. Just focused on pushing hard and staying on someone's feet in front. At this point couldn't see anyone getting out the lake in front on the final stretch.

T1 - A nice clean transition and run out with my road shoes and cleats on.

At the begining of the bike take a few people straight away, I make a good start. Not long and I passed Kevin C, he didn't leave it long before he took me back again. Shouting COME ON JAY! Still staying strong on the bike. Lap 1 seemed a tad longer than expected.

At this point Brian E flew by this was the begining of a beautiful friendship on the bike, overtaking each other a number of times which gave me a great boost and was great fun. This took my mind off the race for a bit too. As we approached T2 it was Kevin C, Brian E and I and it was a good feeling the Ely boys coming in together and a big cheer from the crowd of supporters.

T2 - I was lucky to have the best position in transition, I was so quick even Clark Kent would have been proud of my transition.

Out and onto the run with an extremely high cadence as I ran downhill towards the 2 loops of the Woodland. 1/2 way round the 1st loop. I had Paul H beside me on the bike saying Brian is just behind you and he is looking fresh. Then a big shout out from Brian 'Come on you young whipper snapper'. I was dead focused and was pushing hard, just kept my head down. Round onto the second lap Carl James just passes me as he has finished his second lap already. Second loop flew by and eased of a fraction up hill towards the transition area. All that lay ahead was the lap round the lake and I knew I could just push the gear up one as I had the finish in sight.

Once again thank you to the Monster crew for a well organised race, Marshall's for there great spirit and smily faces and encouragement. 

As always Monster have a great prize fund up for grabs. A new sponsor for the rest of the season is The Sufferfest, nice touch for 4th place and a couple of spot prizes too! Sweet event, great location with a decent prize purse. This event will grow next year for sure.

Monster Sprint Pre Race Thoughts

We are well into June and the Monster sprint is here already. The longest day of the year has gone but the longest races of the year have not....

The Monster sprint is held at Blackdyke fisheries in Feltwell. It is a new race on the Monster Racing calendar this year and it promises to be a gem of a race really. Short and very sweet.

Looking ahead at the weather forecast at 07:00 in the morning 12deg. 10mph wind, will feel more like 10deg. In my eyes perfect. The big question Wetsuit or not? For me a wesuit! Providing I get a decent exit out of the wetsuit it will be a good decision. But if I end up flapping about like a fish out of water. Not such a great move.

Preparation leading up to the race, as usual has been varied. It has mostly been regular and steady, apart from a little blip were I went away with work and decided that to 'Network' was more important. I managed to train 1 out of 5days. But a little bit of down time for everyone is good. It builds up the hunger too. 

I had a little crash on my bike last week at the Sainsbury's roundabout in Cambridge after a short spell of rain after a dry day, the roads were a bit slippy. I don't like to go half heartedly round them or hesitate because that's is when you are generally more vulnerable. I lost my back end at about 20mph. Resulted in a bit of road rash, a little scrap on the brake lever. I had to get up quick, you sometimes get the feeling that you might be interrupting someone's journey home, especially when no one asks if your OK. But the road rash shouldn't give me any bother.

450m swim. In - out - shake it all about. ( No that's the hokey cokey).

All I can really say is that it is a shame that it is a race, because the lake is such a pleasure to swim in. I would rather it was a more relaxing non wetsuit swim. 

21km bike - 2 lap 10.5km.

Not much to say beautiful and fast x2.

4km run 

A neat little running trail, with a mowed trail through the woodland there is NO getting lost. If someone gets lost in there they have serious problems. 2 laps round the woodland of for a loop of the lake and fingers crossed home and dry.

Look forward to racing with my fellow tri club team mates too.

Monster Mojito Race Report

Well it really started with the evening meal the night before the race with the Monster Crew, by the end of the evening I was a little bit concerned about;

- Killer Dolphins in the lake, that were willing to be overly friendly to me.
- Coming out the water looking like a blue Smurf.
- A submarine passing me, cruising spectators to the end of the lake to go a extra set of existing toilets.
- The possibility of all the buoys being blown down the lake to the start.

Thankfully none of these happened.

Peterborough Rowing Lake, Morning of the Race from Transition

I had the benefit of staying the Hotel at the end of the rowing lake the night before. This meant I could leave my set up in transition to the last minute, and get some much needed sleep. The wind had dropped a lot from the day before, and the thought of being out on the bike was bearable.

The Monster Mojo middle distance guys had gone 1/2 hour before us Monster Mojito olympic distance guys, it was 10 seconds until the start of the race, I had a good position and plenty of room, this didn't last very long. The starter horn goes, after a quick thrashing around in the water and someone clumping me round the head I managed to settle into a good rhythm. With just the thoughts of the Ely Tri club swim sessions, I had Kevin Chalmers voice ringing in my ears and I was focusing on my technique.

I worked my way towards the buoys in the distance that I was trying to make out as my googles started to fog. I negotiated the first 2 buoys with precision and swam straight into the 3rd one just as I thought I had my sighting down to a T.

There was a clear break from the pack I was in and we were slowing, so I made a conscious effort for a bit of a kick and close the gap back down, which took me about 400m. I then stayed with the new pack, at the end I had coach Kevin Chalmers help me out of lake.

Transition was smoothish although one of my longer transitions, OK I was flapping about like a fish out of water trying to put my cycling jersey on. I also had a change of mind at the last minute and went with 'the gloves' I was c c c c cold. 

Out on the bike with a permanent grin. I had no great expectations but I wanted to at least get a 1:14:55 that I had on my last Monster Olympic although this time was not a PB. I negotiated one of the last roundabouts on the way out before the loop, just spotted a car door opening on the corner of the roundabout, for a split second taking my mind of the direction I missed the turning and had to go all the way round the roundabout, and someone followed me. Lol.
I headed out onto the loop, noting the wind I decided not to push too hard, but keep the strong feeling in my legs. As I'm quite light I made the most of negotiating the rolling hills. My feet went completely numb and I was stomping on the peddles just to try and get some feeling back. I pulled in a group of cyclists on Love's Hill.
There is plenty to focus on and keep your mind busy on the bike, and time seemed to fly by. There we're a couple of real decent cyclists that flew by me on the bike, but I stuck strong to my own pace and didn't get drawn into pushing too hard.
I knew I was nearly back when I heard Wardy clapping and cheering me back in on the most tricky junctions.

It was good to see transition again and I got I couldn't wait to get the feeling back into my feet. In transition I soon realised that I hadn't taken a gel on the bike. So I decided to keep my jersey on to save me transferring my gels from my cycling jersey to the my tri suit. Gloves off and in the right place 'feel good factor' and struggled the get the feet I couldn't feel, into my trainers, it was like trying to put tight shoes on someone else's feet.

On the run, first thing get a gel down me before I have an energy crash. Keep the cadence high and not push too hard initially. My trail shoes are supportive but not quite good enough for my over pronation, I had to focus on technique for a while. It's was towards the end of the first lap and BANG cramp enough for me to stop like road runner skidding to a halt. Naomi Gayler passed me at this point and asked if I was OK and kindly suggested that I stretched it out or eased off a bit. I didn't want to do either of these but it was critical for me to get back in the race.
Onto lap 2 and under the bridge again to collect my second wristband, I batted it out of CamSAR's Elaine Powers hand before I could turn back and pick it up Elaine moved at the speed of light skidding towards me with another wristband. Elaine was that quick she frightened me.
To the aid station I turned the corner and cramp hit me again with a vengeance, doubled over I quickly realised it was the sharp corners that was contributing to it. Looking a bit like John Cleese in Monty Pythons Ministry of silly walks; www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqhlQfXUk7w I picked the pace back up. 500-600m from the finish and my body was screaming at me. With about 200m to go I had Chris Miles in my sight and thought right I am going to have him. With about 50m to go he noticed I was on his heels and he also kicked, and fair play to him he did make it over the line first JUST. What an adrenaline rush 2:24:34 and we had it down to a sprint finish. I cramped up in both legs about a meter from the line.

Once again thank you to Monster Racing for another well organised race and all the Marshall's that really provide that great atmosphere that helps make a race that is worth coming back to. A fast course with a PB on the bike for me by nearly a minute. I know you shouldn't get too caught up with comparing times for different courses but an overall improvement of 23mins from my last Olympic distance.

1st and 2nd place of both the Monster Mojo and Mojito walked away with some great cash prizes kindly put up by Eastern Counties Finance and PWR+. 3rd place won some Zone3 vouchers. Great race and great prize fund. What more could you want?! Add this event to your race calendar for 2015 now.

Monster Mojito Pre Race Thoughts

With a short dip in my training schedule recently I have questions buzzing round my head prior to the race.

- Am I prepared? In short, yes.

- Have I done enough training? Not as much as I would have liked too, but I always believe there is more I could have done.

- Do I deserve to be there? Sure, I have made sacrifices of time away from the family. I will make sure that every training session it is not going to be a waste of time.

- Do I have any injuries? No, but I am training short distances and the chances are a lot slimmer than training for the longer races. Maximum run distances have been around 10k.

- Am I hitting PB's? Swim - Yes a bit of an improvement, Bike - No but not too far off. Run - Yes again a bit of an improvement.

1.5 k Swim.
A lap around the rowing lake. It will be the first time in my new wetsuit, so the feeling will be slightly unknown. My last wetsuit looked like a piece of swiss cheese and I might as well had a ball and chain tied to my foot with the amount of drag it created, so anything would be better.

38k Bike.
Once you are past the group of roundabouts to guide you out on the country lanes, you are guaranteed some great speed and great scenery. Caution should be taken on the Peterborough road near Ailsworth / Castor there is some traffic calming measures in the form of sections of cobbled road forcing the cars to slow or stop and go round them.

10k Run.
An off road run around the rowing lake, with,views back across to the transition area in sections, will make for great viewing for the spectators. With the Met Office forecasting heavy rain the day before. I imagine the later part of the run will get quite churned up, off road trainers a must. I will take both both road and off road trainers and take a view on the morning of the race.

Transition.
After getting a time penalty in my previous race, I will not be wearing gloves....

It's the first triathlon of the season, I could be better prepared, but it is not anything to panic about.
As they say at the fairground **Scream if you want go faster**