|
Harwich Triathlon Saturday
18 June 2011 - Maureen Farish
Yet another sentimental journey back
to my teenage years [see Olympic triathlon July 2010]. Travelling down to
Harwich the horizon was alternately thick and black with cloud and sunny with
bright blue skies. Rain threatened and so it came to pass.
This was my second triathlon trip to the Essex seaside but this time I was competing in the shorter and much easier sprint
competition. The 300m swim was in the pool; the bike was 24k and the run 5k.
I was greeted like a long lost friend by the
organisers which was very comforting except for one woman who asked me –“were you the one who came in last [45
minutes behind!] in the Olympic last
year? Unfortunately yes - that was me - so this year I forewarned the organisers and very
cheekily requested an early swim start. The triathlon started at 4.15pm with each competitor going
at 30 second intervals. Swimmers went up and down the lanes, slipping under the
lane ropes and completing 12 lengths. I went off at number 2 and had a wonderful
free, unimpeded swim.
It was warm and sunny as I cycled away on the 24k
route along country lanes although enormous black clouds hovered in the
distance. The ride was relatively easy, only a few hills. One hill caught me
unawares; as I pressed on the pedals I tried to change down, accidently knocked
the gear lever, the gears clicked into a higher wheel and I was struggling to
stay upright! Because I have cleat pedals and could not wrestle my foot out the
pedal, I fell off! I fell off! Fortunately no
one was around to see it happen and I climbed back on with a bruised and bloody
knee.
Darkness fell [made even darker
because I was wearing wrap around glasses with black lens] and the rain and wind
swept across the fields. Cycling downhill with a river flowing under your wheels
was very scary although exciting as well. Transition was a sea of mud and I was
absolutely soaked. However my running shoes were dry and I was off on the 5 k
run. The rain had stopped by now.
The run encircled a large playing field and then
out and back along the promenade. Two women in front of me were running and
walking and as I passed they were trying to keep up with me. No way was that
going to happen! As my legs adjusted to the transition from bike to run I
increased my pace significantly and therefore ended up running style="mso-spacerun:yes"> a very good time [for me] – 33.26 –
about average for Park run times recently. I finished second from last and have
apparently won an age group prize which wasn’t difficult as I was the oldest by
about 8 years in the entire field of 250+! My request for an early start time –
earlier than my swim time indicated -
was vindicated because as usual my bwas vindicated because as usual my bike time was relatively slow.
At the finish it was lovely to meet up with my
old school friend who was there with her daughter. Diane and I used to swim in
the sea and the pool the entire summer holidays.
My daughter Jane and family had also braved the rain and to round off
the day we all enjoyed a buffet in the local rugby club organised by the
triathlon club. Altogether a successful and very happy day despite the gusting
wind and rain.
| |
Swim
(330m) |
T1 |
Cycle
(24K) |
T2 |
Run |
Finish |
| Maureen Farish |
7.36 |
|
1.18.14 |
|
33.26 |
1.59.16 |
Tonbridge Lions Triathlon Monday
2 May
2011 - Maureen Farish
Triathlon season underway again. Two Bromley
Veterans, Les Humphrey and myself, and two ex club members, Mike Abousselem and
Katrina Patching competed. A bright and breezy day, in fact too breezy for
comfort at times. Helen James was spectating and waiting none too patiently for
the day she will be back after her broken hip episode.
My start time for the 400m swim in the
Tonbridge
School pool was 8am. The swim was slower than
usual because I did not hear the timekeeper say go and lost a good few seconds.
The same thing happened to Les. Though in the
end that few seconds was not going to make much difference. Transition
was a bit more efficient this time and I clattered off in my new cleat specific
shoes to the cycle start line. Cycling with cleat pedals is still very scary but
you don’t usually have to stop in a triathlon.
But my chain came off at the bottom of a hill so
I did have to get off the bike! I did not fall off the bike which is liable to
happen with cleats! However the hills were neverending and steep, everytime you
turned a corner there was another hill.
We had also been warned by triathletes and marshals in the know to be
wary of Carters Hill, a very steep and bendy downhill. Here it was – steep and
bendy but much shorter than I remembered. So all the worrying was for nothing.
The run was 5k around flat playing fields which I
quite enjoyed despite gale force winds. Although the 5k time was acceptable I
was disappointed with my overall time. The swim and cycle was much slower than
last year. As can be seen from the times below Mike, Les and Katrina were
infinitely more successful. Les was at least 10 minutes faster than last year
which is excellent considering he will soon be 72. Congratulations to Mike and
Katrina on their forthcoming [or maybe it has happened] marriage.
| |
Swim
(400m) |
T1 |
Cycle
|
T2 |
Run
(5k) |
Finish |
| Les Humphrey |
11.04 |
1.43 |
1.04.13 |
1.17 |
23.43 |
1.47.50 |
| Maureen Farish |
12.07 |
3.50 |
1.37.18 |
2.58 |
34.51 |
2.31.05 |
7Oaks Triathlon Sunday 19 September
2010 from Maureen Farish
Here we are at the end of the 2010 triathlon
season and we finish with an acclaimed and brilliant event. It is brilliant for
several reasons: it is well managed and organised; plenty of helpers and
marshals; the best triathlon goody bag in the country; age group prizes [ a cup
and a prize] up to 70+ which benefited two of our veteran members. The cycle and
the run are tough which adds to the high level of achievement each competitor
experiences.
Four Bromley Veterans competed: Claire Clarke,
Les Humphrey, Helen James and myself. This was the 50th triathlon that Les has
done - what a terrific achievement!
I can only describe the race from my own
perspective and the event began at 7.25am with a
400m swim in Sevenoaks leisure centre
pool. Then a short sprint out of the pool and onto the bike [as usual I
shamefully took far too long in transition] The cycle course was
16
miles around the undulating country roads of Kent and it was almost a continuous
up and down with very little flat. One interesting fact was that mileage markers
indicated just how far you had pedalled until finally there was a wonderful
bright yellow poster which stated 400m to go!
Rack your bike and off on the
8k [5mile run]. Any Bromley vet who
has completed the Sevenoaks cross country will recognise this next bit. Up the
car park to Webb’s alley - a steep and rough path downhill to the gate into
Knole
Park.
The park run is tough with lots of uphills, just the thing to test you after a
tough cycle! Fortunately the weather stayed fair and calm. The finish was an
exhausting slog up Webb’s alley to the finish where everyone had their photos
taken. Competitors were continually being photographed – even the transition
from pool to bike. All of mine show a very worried face!
Helen James had a particularly exciting race.
Helen was featured in the local Sevenoaks paper as the oldest woman competitor –
75 – and she won the female ultra
vet 70+ cup and prize in an excellent time [see below]. Les won the male ultra
vet 70+ prize and was pleased to finish without incident this time [no
punctures, didn’t get lost] and he also cycled and ran strongly. Claire, being
somewhat younger, whizzed round in a superbly swift time.
An excellent event, roll on next
April for the next Sevenoaks Triathlon.
| |
Swim |
T1 |
Cycle |
T2 |
Run |
Finish |
|
Claire Clarke |
8.01 |
1.05 |
53.32 |
0.51 |
41.51 |
1.45.50 |
| Les Humphrey |
10.14 |
2.48 |
1.01.01 |
1.06 |
55.47 |
2.10.59 |
| Maureen Farish |
11.07 |
4.12 |
1.27.12 |
1.53 |
1.05.32 |
2.49.59 |
| Helen James |
11.38 |
2.45 |
1.19.25 |
1.10 |
1.06.42 |
2.41.43 |
Whiteoaks Triathlon Swanley Sunday 11
July from Maureen Farish
Four Bromley Veterans competed in the 21st
Whiteoaks triathlon; Linda Grey, Les Humphreys, Helen James and myself. Weather
conditions were very good; the heatwave had cooled a little and helpfully the
start was scheduled for very early
in the morning – 6.30am. But there were a few problems for three of us.
The swim was 400 metres in the pool,
27 k on the bike in a big circuit of Swanley, Dartford
and Bexley and 8k mainly cross country run in New Barn park. Les Humphrey had the first problem.
He was convinced he had completed the 12 lengths of the pool but the official
maintained he had swum 10. Les showed the official his stopwatch which showed
his usual swim time for 400m – 10 minutes - and he was given the ok to continue
out of the pool and onto the bike. Later Les found he was not listed in the
results and thinks he was probably disqualified for allegedly not swimming the
required number of lengths. Hence his times are based on his own watch times.
According to Linda her triathlon was not up to
her usual standard; Linda passed myself and Les in the run, gasping out to Les
as she disappeared into the distance, that she was not running very well that
day. Linda easily won her age group and her times are excellent for a 60+
athlete. Of course times are relative and each competitor has their own standard
to achieve.
Helen was not feeling well
that day and unfortunately did not finish the run section. This was the first
time Helen has ever dropped out of a triathlon and she is now very keen to come
back next year and try again. Despite finishing second to last I had a good
triathlon, only a few seconds slower than last year. In fact the 8k run in the
park was exactly the same time as last year – to the second.
Well done to the Bromley Vets Tri team
because at whatever level the athlete competes, triathlon is a tough
sport.
| |
Swim |
T1 |
Cycle |
T2 |
Run |
|
|
8.42 |
1.388 |
51.03 |
0.47 |
42.45 |
1.44.58 |
| Les Humphrey |
13est |
|
56est |
|
50est |
1.59est |
| Maureen Farish |
10.39 |
3.22 |
1.17.29 |
1.31 |
53.24 |
2.26.29 |
| Helen James |
13.31 |
3.04 |
1.25.13 |
1.33 |
|
|
Harwich Olympic distance
Triathlon Sunday June 27 - Maureen Farish
This was my first [and probably my
last] Olympic triathlon. I have competed in several sprint triathlons but before
I become too
old
and decrepit the Olympic tri was a challenge I
needed to complete. I chose Harwich because I used to live there many moons ago
[50+ years] and swam the 1650m sea
course frequently then, cycled the 45k
country lanes and often paraded along the
10k promenade run course. It was
quite a daunting course compared for example to the
London
triathlon which is 1500m in the still waters of docklands with a
relatively flat 40kbike/10krun. There was also the added difficulty of the event starting
at 12 noon to coincide with high tide on the hottest day of the year so far!
With 90 competitors and
three waves of swimmers we were sent off at 15 minute intervals and I was in the
second wave. The sea was cool, not cold
at
all but there was a considerable swell which was difficult against a
rising tide. The course was parallel to the coast, from the furthest end of the
promenade, along and around a lighthouse, back to
the exit point close to transition. The lighthouse never seemed to get any
closer although I really enjoyed the swim. The transition onto the bike was
appalling. Helen James who travelled as a very active supporter was extremely
frustrated with my inane fiddling about ? hanging my wetsuit
up and generally not getting out on the bike quick enough.
The bike was tough, quite
hilly, long and very hot. As I am not an expert cyclist and quite
slow I had to suffer the ignominy of finishing last, with a big
white van sweeping up behind me. Luckily I did not know this at the time. The
10k run was hard and my feet were very sore at the end. I was exhausted. But I
did have a nice young man [Steve Cooper] escorting me on the bike during the
run. Turned out he used to live near Hayes Station and still belongs to
Blackheath and Bromley and is friends with Paul Austridge and Nigel Keogh. Small
world.
If you like a friendly,
relaxed triathlon with very helpful and kind officials, this is the one for you.
Even though I finished 40 minutes behind the previous competitor I had a rousing
finish and even a prize of a pair of socks. My husband, Richard, when we got
home, said well done but don?t do it
again ? wise words.
1650m swim - 44.25
45k bike
-
2.13.23
10k run -
1.22.34
Bexhill on Sea
Triathlon Sunday May 23 - Maureen Farish
I was the only Bromley Veteran competing in this
seaside triathlon and I chose to enter because the swim section was in the sea
and I have a longer sea swim triathlon at the end of June. I was very concerned
that the water would be too cold as triathlon rules do not allow an open water
swim below 12C. The temperature on the day was 13C!
The start time for my wave was 7.50am and
fortunately the day dawned bright and sunny. The distance in the sea was 750m.
Surprisingly [in my wet suit] after the initial frozen face feeling I did not
notice the cold but found the swim tough as there was a strong current pushing
us along the coast so I probably swim a good deal further than 750m. There were
several strong young men to drag me up the steep beach and I walked [most people
jog] to my bike in transition. I broke my own transition personal worst from
swim to bike – it took me 7 minutes!
After the hard swim the bike [20k] and the run
[5k] were relatively easy. The cycle was along roads parallel to the sea and the
run was similar along the promenade. I relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed myself as
there were loads of enthusiastic spectators urging you on. Later when the
results were uploaded I was delighted to discover I had won a prize. I was first
ultravet [indeed the only ultravet!] and a parcel arrived this morning with a
trophy and a voucher.
Swim: 26.52, Bike: 57.52,
Run: 34.12, total: 2:07:08
Tonbridge Triathlon Monday May 3rd from Maureen Farish
Six Bromley Vets competed, Mike Abousselem, Mike Turner,
Linda Gray, Les Humphrey, Helen James and myself [please let me know if I have
left anyone out]. It was a very cold, sometimes wet, sometimes sunny May
morning. If you glanced quickly to the side on the country roads as you whizzed
past on your bike there were bluebells and primroses filling the woods. Though
serious triathletes; of course kept
their heads down.
The three triathlon disciplines were: 400m swim; 25 k bike
and 5 k run. The swim in the Tonbridge
School
pool was over very quickly apart from a massive kick in the head for yours
truly. Then out into the freezing cold and
away on our bikes. The cycle course was tough, plenty of hills and most
scary of all, two steep down hills. Not only was it cold but it rained hard at
one point and the down hill was very frightening. Wet road, bends, flickering
shadows and the sun reflecting off the road. Please god don’t let me hit a
pothole! One competitor did fall off
and presumably was then out of the race – I don’t know if he/she was injured.
The run was straight forward – two laps round Tonbridge
school playing fields on nice flat grass. It felt like a long 5k, longer than the local Park run in
Norman Park, but times were similar so it must have been exhaustion befuddling
my brain.
Good results for everyone although I was disappointed with my
time – slower than last year. Some of Mike A’s results are missing as well. One
splendid and interesting result is that four Bromley Veterans were Age group
winners.
Linda Gray: 1st
F 60-64
Maureen Farish: 1st
F 65-69
Les Humphrey:1st
M 70-74
Helen James 1st
F 75-79
| |
Swim |
Cycle |
Run |
Finish |
| Linda Gray |
8.51 |
1.01.58 |
24.39 |
1.38.48 |
| Les Humphrey |
10.52 |
1.10.47 |
30.43 |
1.57.00 |
| Mike Turner |
8.51 |
53.32 |
20.23 |
1.26.21 |
| Mike Abousselam |
7.55 |
58.58 |
? |
? |
| Maureen Farish |
10.48 |
1.28.53 |
33.59 |
2.19.02 |
| Helen James |
12.47 |
1.26.47 |
36.44 |
2.20.33 |
Triathletes World
Helen James and Les Humphrey both
feature in an article in the June 2009 edition of
Triathletes World magazine. The article is
entitled Coming of age with the
strapline "Just because you're getting older
doesn't mean you can't continue training or even
take up triathlon for the first time. In fact, it
could be good for you."
Whiteoaks
Triathlon Swanley Sunday 12 July - Maureen
Farish
This
was Whiteoaks Triathlon Clubs 20th
annual triathlon and the Bromley Veterans
competing were Helen James, Linda Gray and
myself. I think Whiteoaks tri club decided to
celebrate this anniversary with a very early
start. The first slower swimmers were away at
6.30am with the swiftest swimmers at 9.05 so the
whole competition was finished by about 11.30.
Helen and I were starting our 400 metre swim, 12
lengths of the pool, at 6.50 and 7.10 which meant
[for me] getting up at 5am
The
cycle was 28k, around the local roads of Swanley,
Dartford and Bexley. The weather was a bit wet
and the country roads were quite muddy and
potentially slippery. You heave a sigh of relief
as you turn left at the mini roundabout just
outside Old Bexley its not far you
think to the finish. But it is still a long drag
up North Cray road to the roundabout where we
turn left for the last long drag up to the finish
outside the Whiteoaks leisure centre.
It
is however interesting to examine the split times
of the three Bromley Vets. Linda is the champion
over 60
| |
Swim |
T1 |
Cycle |
T2 |
Run |
|
| Linda
Gray |
8.23 |
1.24 |
53.28 |
0.45 |
38.51 |
1.42.53 |
| Maureen Farish |
11.02 |
4.18 |
1.16.13 |
1.15 |
53.24 |
2.26.15 |
| Helen James |
11.58 |
2.47 |
1.20.45 |
1.08 |
1.12.45 |
2.49.25 |
There were 263
competitors; Linda 229 Maureen 258
Helen - 2622
Women
only Timex Triathlon, Dorney Lake, Eton Saturday
4 July - by Maureen Farish.
The
800 metre swim was in the open water of the lake
and because of the heat wave wet suits were
banned the first time this had happened at
Dorney lake in 18 years. All those early morning
practise swims in Tooting Bec lido with a wet
suit were not needed in the end. However the
weather was not quite as hot and worries about
dehydration and sunstroke in this long event did
not materialize. Women only Triathlon races of
various distances were scheduled all day from
early morning till late afternoon and our
Challenge event [the longest event] started at
12.45. The 800 metre swim, 30 k bike [flat and
fast around the huge perimeter of the lake] and
7.5k [3 times up and down one side of the lake].
Brilliant for spectators, unrelenting for
competitors.
Three
Bromley Veterans competed: Janice Bailey, Helen
James and myself. We were definitely the oldest
competitors although we were placed in the 40+
section! There was a mass start of about 50 women
for the swim and the water felt very comfortable.
The swim was exciting and very enjoyable, twice
round a 400 metre course. A jog to the bike and
away on 6 laps of the lake. Because there were
several different races of differing lengths, the
bike course was like Hyde Park corner in the rush
hour!
Although
I was first [of us three] out of the swim, Janice
soon caught me on the bike and in fact lapped me
again! Janice is an expert cyclist. My abiding
memory of the bike ride was seeing competitors
[with big fat bottoms and sit up and beg bikes]
from shorter races passing me at speed! Then into
the run, all three of us were fairly tired by
this time and Janice was suffering from
breathlessness because of asthma as well. Despite
a cloudy sky most of the time Helen managed to
get sun burnt and also had to suffer a
photographer poking his camera in her face during
the crucial transition period. Helen was
apparently featured on Meridian news [where is
that?] later that day. Such is the price of
celebrity.
Altogether
a successful triathlon day. In fact Mondays
[July 6th] Daily Telegraph featured
two celebrities Gaby Logan was one - who
had competed in the novice race and a photo of a
mass swim start which happened to be our race
and there I am in my white goggles with
black lens amongst all the other anonymous
swimmers in hats and goggles. Only Janice and
Helen would know it was me!
Janice
Bailey 2.26.23 = swim 21.29, cycle 1.03.43, run
56.16
Maureen Farish 2.39.07 = swim 20.04, cycle
1.22.40, run 50.41
Helen James 2.52.15 = swim 22.30, cycle 1.25.34,
run 58.58
214
competitors ages u30/30-39/40+ competed: Janice
187, Maureen 201, Helen 209. Not bad for
three pensioners.
Sussex
Triathlon Ardingley College Nr Haywards Heath
Sunday 31 May 2009 Maureen Farish
A
bright golden summers day, blue sky and a slight
breeze to cool the air. Perfect for sunbathers
but not necessarily for triathletes. Nine Bromley
Veterans competed: Mike Turner, Katrina Patching,
Greg Morris, Janice Bailey, Helen James, Claire
Clarke (nee McGavigan), Clive and Lynette Walker
and Myself.
Ardingley
College is a private school deep in the Sussex
countryside with beautiful green and pleasant
grounds large enough to accommodate a huge
triathlon. Triathlon is a very friendly sport,
supporting and welcoming all abilities and ages.
Helen and I had some interesting conversations
with quite a few handsome young men while we
waited patiently for our turn to swim.
Because
there were some problems with the organisation of
the 500 metre swim. Contestants were requested to
line up in number order and each had a specific
start time. But there were so many contestants by
the time the 300s should have been in the
water the event was running an hour late. The
pool was quite small and only had four lanes. I
was supposed to swim at 10.40 but eventually was
in the water at 11.50! However once you had
finished your swim the boring wait was forgotten
and you were off.
We
were told to leave shoes outside the pool because
it was 200 metres over stony ground to the bike
transition. They did not tell you about the steep
hill you had to climb to get there. The bike ride
was 15 miles approximately and a pleasant route
including some nice flat fast bits. There was one
nasty hill which we were warned about. Be in a
low gear they said. Well, I was in a low gear
struggling up the hill that led to the nasty bit.
I had to get off and walk. Also my chain came off
which cost me several minutes.
The
run was 5k and was four times round a huge field
which had a steep hill at the start. The sun was
very hot by this time and with so many
contestants when I stumbled across the finish
line there was no water! However that was a minor
quibble in a triathlon that was altogether a life
enhancing experience. The free pasta meal [very
generous servings] in the college refrectory was
excellent too.
Mike
and Greg achieved very good times and both are in
training for the full ironman [2.4 miles swim,
112mile bike and marathon 26.2 miles run] later
this year. [Absolutely awesome]. This was
Katrinas first full triathlon sprint and
was excellent as the times below indicate. Janice
achieved some very good times; obviously the
triathlon club training is paying off. Helen
managed to beat me yet again with her bike riding
skills [ but I did lose time when my chain came
off].
| |
Swim |
Bike |
Run |
Total |
| Mike Turner |
12.50 |
43.43 |
21.59 |
1.20.48 |
| Clive
Walker |
13.18 |
43.49 |
24.28 |
1.23.46 |
| Greg Morris |
10.30 |
49.20 |
25.04 |
1.26.34 |
| Claire
Clarke |
13.15 |
47.53 |
26.22 |
1.29.56 |
| Lynette
Walker |
12.19 |
34.41 |
44.41 |
1.34.06 |
| Katrina Patching |
19.44 |
1.08.14 |
30.07 |
2.01.38 |
| Janice Bailey |
14.45 |
58.18 |
37.52 |
1.55.23 |
| Helen James |
16.52 |
1.13.12 |
40.51 |
2.13.48 |
| Maureen Farish |
16.28 |
1.18.4 |
37.42 |
2.17.13 |
Tonbridge
Triathlon, Monday 4 May 2009 - Maureen
Farish
Five
Bromley Veterans competed in this bank holiday
triathlon; Janet Bailey, Maureen Farish, Linda
Gray, Helen James and Les Humphrey all of
us aged 60 plus. The race was based at the
magnificent Tonbridge School, a school which has
vast grounds, a swimming pool and an athletics
track. The ideal venue for triathlon [and a
splendid place to be educated!].
The
swim was 400m, bike ride approximately 15/16
miles and the run around the playing fields 5k.
The weather was settled and comfortable only
raining later when we had all finished. As usual
the hardest bit for me was the bike ride. This
was around local country roads and was quite
tough with several steep hills up and down. I had
been driven round the course earlier in the week
but we managed to miss the key uphill bit so this
long hill was rather a shock. The long, bendy
downhill was also very scary. The run around the
playing fields was on grass, flat and very
pleasant, especially when the sun came out. An
enjoyable experience in retrospect of
course.
Les
Humphrey did extremely well as he had completed a
longer distance triathlon the day before at
Steyning, Sussex, in preparation for a half
ironman in the Autumn.
| |
Swim |
Cycle |
Run |
Finish |
SV |
| Linda Gray |
8.27 |
1.48.0 |
24.46 |
1.34.54 |
3rd |
| Les Humphrey |
9.16 |
1.05.55 |
29.59 |
1.43.52 |
26th |
| Janet Bailey |
10.12 |
1.11.05 |
35.18 |
1.56.35 |
9th |
| Maureen Farish |
10.13 |
1.26.30 |
33.27 |
2.10.13 |
11th |
| Helen James |
11.32 |
1.28.20 |
36.57 |
2.16.51 |
12th |
SV
= Super Vet [except Helen is SSV on account of
being 74]
South Coast
triathlon, 31 August 2008 - Maureen
Farish
Helen
James and myself travelled the long winding A26
to Seaford in Sussex to again tackle the South
Coast Triathlon. After last years ignominious tow
to land by canoe Helen was not going to be
defeated this time by the choppy seas. The
weather was decidedly unsettled with stormy
clouds gathering.
First
the 750m swim [or more as it turned out] in the
sea, the start was off the uncomfortable shingly
beach. We had been warned of a strong current
moving right to left along the coast. Which meant
once we had rounded the first buoy, there was a
long swim against the current before we could
head back to the finish. Most competitors,
including Helen and myself, swam yards off
course and out to sea! The canoes gently pointed
us in the right direction. You thought you were
swimming in a straight line but lo and behold the
evermore distant orange buoy never seemed to get
any closer, in fact the increasing swell meant
when you looked you could not see a damned thing!
Of course on the way back that naughty current
swept you too close to shore and we had to swim
out to sea again in order to pass between the
gate marker buoys and into the
landing point. Then there was the ungainly
stagger out of the water and up the beach, the
run [or exhausted walk for some] to the bike and
then strip off your wetsuit as quickly as
possible. I was ahead of Helen at this point.
The
20k bike ride was 6 laps along the seafront on a
flat traffic free road with the added delight of
pouring rain. The run was 5k along the promenade
for 2 laps. Very boring and therefore very tiring
to complete. Helen is a master cyclist and
although I was pedalling like mad she passed me
in the third lap and beat me by 4 minutes. A
deficit I could not make up in the run and Helen
was in front by a whole minute in the final
overall time. We were not last either 14th
and 15th out of 17 finishers.
Helen
was pleased to complete the triathlon and had
beaten the challenge of the sea this time. I was
just pleased to finish. And to top it all when we
had changed and were ready to go home the sun
came out. We both improved our times from last
year by at least 15 minutes. Roll on next year
well maybe not.
Helen
James swim 29.26, bike 54.44, run 38.08, total
2.02.28
Maureen Farish swim 28.58, bike 58.11, run 36.16,
total 2.03.25
London triathlon, 10 August
2008 - Les Humphrey
1500m swim, 40k bike, 10k
run.
Held over the weekend of
the 9/10 August this years London Triathlon
attracted over 13000 entries competing over
various distances from super sprint to Olympic. I
opted to take part in the Olympic Distance event
My start wave on the Sunday
afternoon consisted of about 400 competitors
which given the physical nature of the start was
in my opinion probably to many and far exceeded
previous years.Normally I would expect to
establish some clear water after about 100yds but
all through the swim I seemed to be encountering
other swimmers.
The bike leg consisted of
two laps out to Tower Bridge and back via the
Beckton roundabout in very windy conditions. On
the final leg i missed the turn off into the
Excel Centre and having realised my mistake had
to retrace my steps losing a couple of minutes.
The 2 lap 10k run around
the Royal Victoria Docks was at least flat apart
from the steep ramp up to the centre and again
like the cycling was made more testing by the
very stong winds.
Les Humphrey 37/63 M55+
2hrs 59mins 36secs [PB]
Bannanaman
triathlon, Dorney Lake, Eton 20th July 2008
- Maureen Farish
Helen
and Maureen competed in this very popular
triathlon. Hundreds of athletes took part in six
separate races. The venue is ideal for triathlon
and spectators as all the disciplines take place
in and around a huge lake. The weather was not
too promising as a brisk wind was blowing but at
least it was dry.
The
swim was 800m in cold, clear water which because
of the wind was choppy as well. Helen and I
climbed into our wetsuits and set off in the
womens race. Everybody starts together as
this is an open water swim and there is a mad
thrashing of arms and legs as you try to find a
space to swim. After a short 400m circuit around
some huge buoys we had to climb out of the lake
and run back to the start and jump in to complete
another lap! Helen and I had recently enjoyed
a holiday swimming in the sea between Greek
Islands and had no problem with this relatively
easy lake swim.
We
then struggled [at least I did] out of our
wetsuits and immediately pedalled off to cycle
30k six laps of the lake against a
howling wind! The cycle seemed to last forever
but finally we began the run 7.5k
which was 3 laps up and down the towpath of the
lake. The swim was the best bit as the cycle and
the run were rather boring and flat. It was in
the end a very tough triathlon because you were
relentlessly pedalling or running without a
change of terrain no chance of a rest as
you would normally freewheel down hill. Or I
would anyway.
Helen
James swim 22.22, bike 1.31.27, run 57.52,
total 2.56.52
Maureen Farish swim 19.48, bike 1.27.11, run
48.35, total 2.41.41
White Oak triathlon
6 July 2008 - Les Humphrey
Swim 400m Bike 27k Run 8k
Based at the White Oak
Leisure Centre at Swanley this years event
attracted a field of 253 starters. After exciting
the swim competitors were faced with a 27k cycle
ride on a reasonably flat course and apart from
the first 5miles on good road surfaces.The run
followed part of the Kent Fitness League Course
in Swanley Park consisting of three laps.
Despite returning from
holiday the previous evening were she alleges she
done little training Helen James [the ageless
warrior] finished with a fine 2hrs 30mins 44secs.
Rumour has it however that Helen was not on
holiday but with the British Triathlon Team
training for Bejing.Maureen Farish competed on
here new bike and was pleased with her time of
2hrs 25mins 49secs.
Linda Gray 104th, 1hr 38min
33secs
Greg Morris 109th, 1hr 39min 01secs
Les Humphrey 191st, 1hr 50min 25secs
Maureen Farish 248th, 2hr 25min 49secs
Helen James 249th, 2hr 30min 44secs
ITU World
Championshis - Linda Gray
I went to the ITU world
champs in Vancouver. It was very cold - 11
degrees - and after getting in the sea for a warm
up it proved even colder and it was decided
to change the race into a duathalon. 3k run, 40k
bike, 10k run. I was wet and cold and the whole
experience was not very nice. It was not the race
I had trained for and I came 5th. My world medal
still eludes me but I am not going to give up -
hopefully Aus next year!
Tonbridge
Lions Triathlon - Sevenoaks School, 5 May 2008 -
Maureen Farish
It
was the weather that took us by surprise
hot sun! Helen James, Janice Bailey, Michael
Abousselam, Linda Gray and myself competed in
this tough triathlon [I thought it was tough
anyway]. The 400 metres swim in the indoor pool
was easy as can be seen from the results.
The 20k bike ride was almost continuous up
and down hills, especially the infamous long,
steep Hubbards Hill which in the heat was energy
sapping as we struggled to the top at the end of
the 20k bike ride. Into the 6k run. My daughter
Jane shouted I would be ok now because running
was my forte! This was an off-road, there and
back run in Knole Park and those devious
organisers made us run up a steep hill to get to
the water station which was at the turning point.
Helen was having difficulty and was finding it
hard [ so it must be if Helen says that]. I fell
over four times and ended up in the ambulance
being checked over. The diagnosis was exhaustion
and dehydration. Next time I will take on more
water. But I did finish at least 25 minutes
faster than last year so I got something right.
The picnic in the school grounds with my family
was a relaxing finish, laying in the grass
thinking how lovely it was not to be swimming,
cycling and running.
From
the following results Janice, Linda and Mike
dont appear to have had any problems having
finished in excellent
times.
Michael
Abousselam 7th vet 50: Swim
7:58, bike 46:04, run 27:50 = 1:21:54
Linda Gray 1st vet 60 : Swim
8:26, bike 48:59, run 24:59 = 1:22:26
Janice Bailey 2nd vet 60: Swim 10:39, bike 59:57,
run 35:53 = 1:46:32
Maureen Farish 3rd vet 60: Swim 10:25,
bike 1:11:39, run 39:49 = 2:01:55
Helen James 4th vet 60: Swim 10:09,
bike 1:17:02, run 51:55 = 2:19:06
European
Championships 2008
Congratulations
to Les Humphrey who came a very creditable 4th in
the European Triathlon Championships in Lisbon in
May 2008. He was beaten by athletes from France
and Spain.
Swim
(1500m) 35.17, bike (40k) 1.34.19, run (10k)
59.17 - Total including transitions 3.14.37
Les
writes:
"I travelled out from
Gatwick on the 7 May to be part of a 160 strong
Great Britain team to take part in this years
European Triathlon Championships situated just
outside Lisbon.In total there were nearly 800
athletes taking part from most European
countries.I was representing G.B.along with one
other G.B athlete in group M, 65/69 years old. In
my group were competitors from France ,Spain and
Italy.The age group events were programmed to
take place on the Sunday so this gave me the
opportunity to watch the Elites on the Saturday
many of who were still looking for final
qualifying places for Bejing.Unfortunately the
Brits did not feature in the medal positions.
Having watched the elites
it was my time on the Sunday to put in to
practice all that i had learned from the
Elites.Sadly the legs,heart and lungs had other
ideas.
The swim was a 1500 m open
water swim held in a generally enclosed dock with
water temperature of 18 centigrade therefore a
wet suit swim was compulsory.The course was in
the shape of a letter M so three bouys to
negotiate.My age group was included in the over
50s male swim wave which meant that there were
about 100 of us starting from a deep water
position.The start wave was very physical with
swimmers fighting for a favourable position,
however after about 100m i was able to get some
clear water for the remainder of the swim.I
eventually completed the swim in about 35 mins to
make the short run up the slope into Transition
No1 to collect my bike.
The bike leg should have
been two legs of 20k but due to the problems of
finding a suitable turn the total bike leg turned
out to be an extra 5k long, and this
incorporating a very bumpy cobblestone section
around the transition areas..This was all held on
closed roads including part on the local 3 lane
motorway. Imagine the M25 beng closed to traffic
just for the use of cyclist no i was not dreaming
we did use the local motorway.
Into the final discipline
of a 10k run which consisted of two laps,
fortunately flat, run along the coastal footpath.
The last 800m approaching
the finish were lined with many of the GB friends
and supporters whose support at the end of three
hours was very wellcome.I later learned that i
had finished 4th in my age group and first of the
two Brits."
Magazine
coverage
"Helen
James is proof that age is no barrier to
triathlon. The oldest competitor at last year's
Blenheim Triathlon, the 73-year old is still
going strong and looking forward to hitting the
course again in June.", says
thelondontriathlon magazine (picture right).
This
magazine coverage of Helen's experience in
tackling triathlons notes that she did her first
triathlon in 1987 but became a more regular
competitor in 1992, with her first open water
swim in 2005.
Carrying
on tri'ing Helen!
East Grinstead
Triathlon - 18 May 2008 - Les Humphrey
Three of the more mature
members of B.V.A.C who should no better,
abandoned their Freedom Passes for the weekend
and took part in the East Grinstead Triathlon
based at the Kings Centre.
Helen James, recently named
the Ageless Warrior by a magazine,Janice Bailey
and myself were all allocated early swim starts.
There was clearly no sympathy from the organisers
for our advancing years. With the outside
temperature hovering around 7centigrade it proved
a very cold run after exiting the pool and
running the 200 metres into transition No 1 to
collect our bikes. All three of us spent longer
in transtition than we would have liked putting
on exrtra clothing.
The bike course was quite
hilly with a long climb up from Wych Cross to the
edge of Ashdown Forest. It was on the long
descents where the wind chill factor played a
part and the extra clothing proved beneficial.
By the time i arrived back
at transition to start the run things were just
starting to get warmer,so more time lost removing
extra tops.The run was a mixture of off and on
road through local foot paths and local housing
estate. All three of us were all pleased were our
overall times.
261 Les Humphrey 1hr 44min
32secs
293 Janice Bailey 1hr 54min 48secs
306 Helen James 2hr 13min 24secs
Fastest 1hr 06mins 55secs;
slowest 2hr 21mins 17secs; starters 313
Seaford
Triathlon - 2 September 2007- Maureen Farish
Three
athletes, Maureen Farish, Les Humphrey and Helen
James competed in the Sprint Triathlon on Sunday
2 September. Sprint translates as
750m swim, 20km Bike and 5 km run and the swim
was in open water in the sea. We all wore wet
suits although it was voluntary; wet suits give
you more buoyancy and protect from the cold of
our seaside waters. The photo [hope it is
attached!] is Helen and I minutes before the
start. I am wearing a red cap the result of some
confusion because I was listed as a man!
Helen
and I struggled over the pebbles to the
waters edge and realised that the sea was
actually quite rough with a distinct swell and
waves crashing on the shore. It was a very tough
swim. We were plunged up and down as each stroke
seemed to push us further away from the buoy
where we had to turn. Helen and Les needed
assistance from the canoes in order to make the
shore or I think they would have been swimming
still. I was exhausted as I staggered up the
beach but there was still the bike ride and the
run!
The
bike ride was 6 laps of a circular course along
the seafront with the wind against on the outward
section. Helen and Les came into their own here
and both had excellent times. The run was a 2 lap
course along the promenade. We all did remarkable
times considering the swim difficulties and we
were the only 60 and 70 + competitors. It was
certainly a testing triathlon although the
facilities were non existent. It was either
changing in the local beach toilets or the front
seat of the car!
Maureen
Farish 33rd [out of 35] women -
Swim 26.42, bike 1.13.48, run 33.22 - Total 2.13.52
Helen James 35th - Swim 40.00,
bike 59.52, run 38.28 - Total 2.18.20
Les Humphrey 58th [out of 80] men
- Swim 18.27, bike 45.28, run 29.50 - Total
1.33.45
White
Oak Triathlon - 15 July 2007 - Les Humphrey
Swim 400m/ Bike 27km/
Run 8km
Based at the White Oak
Leisure Centre at Swanley, this years event
attracted a field of 235 starters slightly down
on last years entry. As has become the norm for
all the Triathlons I have competed in this
season, the weather was decidedly wet
particularly for the early starters. As Iwalked
down to the Leisure Centre from the adjacent car
park Icould hear the sound of thunder in the
distance. By the time I reached the transition
area to leave my bike we were faced with
torrential rain to accompany the thunder and
lightning.
Fortunately by the time I
had completed my 12 length swim the rain had
virtually stopped before setting out on the bike
leg Extra caution was needed on the downhill
sections and bends as the roads were very wet and
in some places muddy Having completed the bike
leg, the run covered three laps of Swanley Park
using some of the course used in the Kent Fitness
League cross country series.
Special mention should be
made of Katrina Patching who completed her first
full Sprint Distance event in a very creditable
2hrs. 15mins [Do I hear thoughts of an Iron man
in the future or should that be an Iron Lady to
be PC correct?]
58 Mike Abousselam
1hr 31mins 41secs [2nd Male Sen Vet]
59 Mike Turner
1hr 31mins 43 secs
84Linda Gray
1hr 36mins 11secs [1st Female Super vet]
88 Greg Morris
1hr 36mins35 secs [4th Male Sen Vet]
109 Claire McGavigan 1hr 39mins
20secs [8th Female Overall]
183 Les Humphrey
1hr 52mons 18secs
217 Katrina Patching 2hr 15mins
50 secs
221 Helen James
2hrs 23mins 06 secs
Mid-Sussex
Triathlon 2007 Sunday 24 June 2007
Swin
400m Bike 25k Run 6k
Novice
Katrina Patching 01.33.28
Sprint
Michael Turner 01.20.47
Michael Aboussalem 01.21.27
Claire McGavigan 01.26.22
Janice Bailey 01.54.09
East Grinstead Triathlon -
Sunday 13 May 2007
Swin
500m Bike 27k Run 5k
Based
at the East Grinstead Leisure Centre this years
event attracted a field of 330 entrants plus 42
for the Try a Tri Event.
An
indoor swim of 500metres[20 lengths], followed by
a longish run from the Leisure Centre to the
adjacent field for the transitions. A circular
bike route of 27K climbing up to the edge of the Ashdown
Forest. Finally a 5K run with a mixture of off
road paths, undulating, to pick up the main road
back to the Leisure Centre.
The
early starters whilst having to rise early[ like
half past four],benefited from dry conditions
whilst the later starters had to contend with the
wet and windy conditions.
Bromley
Vets had six entrants but a special mention must
be made of Katrina Patching who competed in her
first Triathlon in the Try a Tri event where her
run split gave her sixth overall and first in her
age group. Over the three disciplines she
finished twenty eighth.
110
Mike Abousselam 1:26:37
120 Mike Turner 1:27:08
129 Claire McGavigan 1;28:14 Third in age group
267 Les Humphrey 1:43:03
309 Janice Bailey 1:59:44
Tri
a Try
28 Katrina Patching 55:49
Tonbridge
Lions Triathlon, Sevenoaks School - Monday
7 May Maureen
Farish
Following
days of warm, balmy weather, on Bank holiday
Monday and Triathlon day the rain poured down.
Making roads slippery and muddy in places causing
several fast cyclists to fall off! The emphasis
is on fast those right at the end of the
field did not take any chances and took it
carefully [thats my excuse].
The
swim was 400m followed by the cycle of 13 miles.
It was a tough cycle with driving rain [for some]
and several hills, particularly the steep climb
up Hubbards Hill. You had to be there to
experience the full challenge of this mini
mountain at the end of the 13 miles. The 5km run
was a pleasant cross country out and back in
Knole Park and finishing on Sevenoaks School
running track
Nine
Bromley Veterans competed and as the results
below indicate there were some excellent
performances. Although she will not thank me for
drawing attention to her age, Helen James
deserves special praise. Helen is 72 and a super,
super vet. How many women of 72 do you know who
can swim 400m in approximately 10 minutes, cycle
13 miles in 1 hour 17 minutes and run 5km in
33.35 minutes?
Transition
time between swim, cycle and run is included in
each competitors final time. Finisher number 254
can actually swim 400m in about 10 minutes; 17.45
represents the walk from pool to bike and
the struggle to put my shoes on! More practice is
evidently necessary. Well done to everyone who
took part and good luck in the forthcoming
triathlon season.
64
Mike Turner Male 0/40 1.20.42
65 Greg Morris supervetsM 1.20.42
69 Mike Abousselam supervetsM 1.21.28
79 Claire McGavigan Female U/40 1.22.31
146 Linda Gray supervetsF 1.31.12
172 Les Humphrey supervetsM 1.35.41
233 Janice Bailey supervetsF 1.52.56
246 Helen James supervetsF 2.05.10
254 Maureen
Farish supervetsF 2.23.20
White Oaks Triathlon 2006 -
Sunday 9 July 2006
Swim 400m Bike 27k Run 8k
Les Humphrey 197th (4th in category)
1.50.10
Helen James 261st (1st in category - Prize
winner) 2.21.40
Phil Greenfield 166th (48th in category) 1.44.57
Mike Abousselam 53rd (4th in category) 1.31.53
Miek Turner 100th (32nd in category)1.36.51
This event at Swanley was well
attended.
It was a really windy day which make
a couple of the cycle climbs particularly
difficult. Helen won the first prize in the
SuperSuperVets. Les finished one place higher in
his age group than last year. The two Mikes did
particularly well and Phil managed to fall off
his bike! Great turn out though!
European Triathlon
Championships 2006 - 23/24/25 June,
Autun, France
Swim 1500m Bike 46k Run 10k
Les Humphrey 8th Group M.65 to 70
age group
The course consisted of a Lake swim
of 1500 m, and this year due to the very high
temperatures was designated a non wet suit swim.
The temperature in the lake being about 25°c.
The bike leg was the most demanding
with two laps of a 23k circuit which included an
8k climb and a further 2k climb to the hills
above Autun. There followed a very fast descent
back into town.The run consisted of four laps
around the lake with a small diversion to
incorporate some short sharp climbs.
Les' event was held on the Sunday
afternoon with a 3 oclock start. The
temperature there was 32°c which was alright for
the swim but not too good for the other two
disciplines. The swim went quite well although
very physical at the start with 200 eager
swimmers fighting for positions. On lap two of
the bike ride however it starting raining which
made the descent down into Autun very tricky. By
the time Les started the run the rain had got
considerably worse with thunder and lightning
making the run quite spectacular.
This carried on throughout the run
making the running course more like a winter
cross country event. Nevertheless he did manage
to complete the course to finish eighth in his
age group, not as high as last year, in an event
not surprisingly dominated by the French.
"Good experience", says Les,
"which hopefully will help me to qualify for
next years event to be held in Copenhagen".
Crystal PalaceTriathlon - 28
May 2006
Swim 750m Bike 20k Run 5k
Les Humphrey 1:32:41
Held entirely in the grounds of the
sports complex, with the swim being held in the
50m pool. As most pools these days are 25m in
length it was particularly nice to enjoy swimming
in an Olympic size pool, suggested Les.
The bike discipline consisted of
nine laps of part of what used to be the old
motor racing circuit which ceased to be used in
the early seventies. Judging by the road surface
this had not been re-surfaced in the intervening
years. The big advantage was that the circuit was
traffic free.
Finally the 5k run was two laps of
the bike route, coned off to segregate the
runners, followed by two laps of the athletics
track. Les says "When I eventually entered
the stadium not surprisingly there was not the
hordes of spectators normally encountered at a
major meeting. Still, a good place to finish the
event. Excellent event, very spectator
oriented."
Dorney Lake, Eton
Womens Triathlon - May 2006
Swim 800m; Bike 30k; Run 7.5k
The womans only Triathlon was
held at Dorney Lake, often used for International
Rowing events.
Helen opted for the longer distance
[typical of Helen] which consisted of an open
water swim of 800m, followed by a six lap bike
ride of 30k and finally a three lap run of
7.5k.The bike and run taking place in a traffic
free environment within the grounds of Dorney
Lake.
Helen successfully completed the
three disciplines in a good time of 2Hrs. 49Mins
59Secs. and as the oldest competitor beating a
few ladies younger than herself.
Following some training with Les at
Tooting Bec Lido she was able to get out of her
wet suit without too much difficulty!
Well done Helen!
European Age Group
Championships - Sat/Sun 20/21 August,
Lausanne, Switzerland
Swim 750m; Bike 40k; Run 10k
Les Humphrey 3.35 (Bronze Medal,
M65-69)
Congratulations Les - terrific
effort
White Oak Triathlon - Sunday
10 July 2005
Swim 400m; Bike 27k; Run 8k
Les Humphrey 1.47.54 (5th male vet
over 60)
Helen James 2.17.35
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