Never race on your 18th birthday! Saturday 10th September My birthday, but more importantly…race day. Events Logic hosted a small team relay event where teams of four would swim, bike and run in an attempt to be the fastest. Athlete 1 would swim 250m, cycle 8km and then run 1500m, pass over the timer chip and athlete 2 would do the same followed by athlete 3 and then 4. I was to compete as the last member of our team ….… no pressure! 6:30am get up and it’s pouring with rain, perfect. So now the 1km walk from the car park to the lake left me soaking wet and I wouldn’t even be racing for another 2 ½ hours. It was a relatively small event with roughly 20 teams which meant the grassy 1 lap run course would have 80 pairs of feet trekking over it (luckily Mum saved the day and brought my trail shoes, phew). Bang! The first guys are off from a deep water mass start, our first member being an ex-national swimmer was bound to be first out the water. And he was, by close to 10 seconds; perfect start. The cycle and the run were keenly contested by the first 3 athletes. Positions were very close at hand over although our team’s chip changeover left us in 3rd position (the timer chip fell off the Velcro strap). Our second athlete pulls out a brilliant performance throughout the race just placing us in a deserved 1st position. By now confidence is flowing through me, telling myself this was all going to be easy…me and my big mouth. Our 3rd team member fought strongly against an experienced cyclist and runner and by now I was desperate to get going. The final athlete in the opposing team is my neighbour and GB age group athlete Amy Bentley who often finds herself in first position. I knew Amy would use every second to her advantage so I did not want her to have too much of a lead. Finally the moment came, chip on and I sprinted down the starter pontoon and dived straight into the lake, I had something around 3 minutes 40 seconds to make up. My sighting wasn’t perfect but the short distance meant this part was over in little time. Straight out the water and on my way to transition and I had gained 50 seconds throughout the swim, now to keep the fast pace up. Upon reaching transition I carelessly threw my swim cap and goggles onto the floor, strapped up my shoes and helmet and headed off with the bike. “You’ve forgotten your race belt” the event referee called. Oh crap. I grabbed it with the intention of putting it on during the cycle but was stopped before the dismount line and forced to put it on. Valuable seconds lost. Cycle started and I was flying despite the very wet conditions I knew I had to average over 40kmph to have any hope of catching Amy. The wind and rain were battering my face, it was relentless but I had to keep pushing. The kilometres were shooting by and the pain was continuous. Usually I’m used to feeling sick while racing, it proves to myself that I’m pushing as hard as I can. Maybe this time I was trying too hard, which resulted in me partly throwing up whilst cycling on. Oh well, work has still got to be done. I came off the bike and sprinted down into transition. “Hmm where’s my racking spot?” I asked myself. “Oh well, I’ll just rack it here.” Throwing it into the wrong spot meant the bike actually fell over and I was left looking for my shoes. I slipped them on and set off onto the run. “You’re 2:30 behind!” Dad called. Now time to really put the burners on and claim this victory. I was burning. Every inch of me was screaming in pain and I was only 400m into the run. I just couldn’t cope, my lung were burning, I couldn’t breathe and my muscles were cramping. But I still had a job to do. The sick feeling was overwhelming again but as I rarely learn from my mistakes I kept going and threw up for the second time during the race. Less than 1km to go and suddenly everything clicked, I could breathe better and I was feeling good. Now is the time to really go for it. I was drained but every step was pulling me closer to the finish - unlimited water, oxygen and (because it was my birthday) presents! Second place. Somewhere no athlete wants to finish. I fell over the line and collapsed in a heap, my body was completely shattered, begging for air and rest. Although finished my heart rate was pumping through the roof and my head was bursting with pain. Second place………grrrrrrrr. “Luke, can you come here for a minute?” the race referee demanded. I trundled over and was informed that I, in fact, had a 4 minute time penalty as a result of my carelessness throughout both transitions. What a way to make the day better. Our team position was unchanged and I was pleased to have a good all round performance- despite the time penalty. Results are at: http://www.eventslogicsw.co.uk/results/2016 Photos: http://www.charleswhittonphotography.com/cotswold-team-relay-tri-10916 Sunday 11th September I headed over to the same lake again to help marshal and set down the Cotswold Standard end of season triathlon. The day started at 830am on a kayak where I was supervising the 300+ swimmers during the first discipline of the race. This role was a first for me and I really enjoyed it, there were no problems and it gave me different responsibility. By the time the last swimmers were out of the water, the first runners were starting the 6 laps equalling 10km all together. I then staffed a water station which was great fun as you can see all of the individual athletes, get a feel for their pain and also encourage them. Once the final athlete crossed the line, it was time to start the set down the whole of the start, finish, transition and car park. This was the first time I have worked from start to end of a race and although tiring, it was great to play such a part in the event and give something back to this great sport. Tuesday 13th September Now that I am back at college regularly, I can start to consistently attend the Cirencester Athletic Club training on a Tuesday night. I have found that training with them has helped me endlessly and improved on my 5km time by over a minute in less than year. Training with athletes that can run 32 minute 10km has forced me to push myself harder very week in an attempt to run with them. My aim before January the 1st is to run a sub17 minute 5km and then sub 16:30 before Dusseldorf in June 2017. Wednesday 14th September Cirencester college have started a running club from 3-4pm on a Wednesday afternoon. This week we ran out to the Bathurst estate and familiarised ourselves with a route and paces. If you're a student and enjoy/want to start running then come along, everyone is welcome.
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Start of a new and busy month. 5 races in 4 weeks ranging from super-sprint to half-ironman. Saturday 3rd September Malmesbury Victoria football club hosted the DB Max 10km race around the town of Malmesbury and surrounding villages; the event encouraged over 400 runners to come and test their times for what is likely to be the last race of the season. Knowing I had The Cotswold Sprint Triathlon the next day, I didn’t think it would be wise to compete in the race so I volunteered as the ‘lead cyclist’ -meaning I cycled roughly 20 metres in front of the lead runner. The weather was a constant spitting which turned into a light downpour around the hour mark however most of the runners were finished by then and enjoying post run euphoria. Leading the run was a fun and exciting job and more enjoyable that standing at a corner marshalling. I would like to compete in the race next year if possible and looking at the times I could’ve come in the top 5 (sub 38). http://dbmax.co.uk/ Sunday 4th September The day I have been dreaming about has finally arrived! I took advantage of the short lie in until 6am, fuelled myself with some Pedal Bites muesli and headed off to the Cotswold Lake 32 coincidently only a few cars behind our neighbour who was also competing in the event (GBR athlete Amy Bentley). It was a bleak morning, no rain but heavily overcast which personally I find to be the best conditions. The lake was slightly choppy, the roads were wet and slippy and the run route was muddy and heavily trodden on but hey, this should just make the race more exciting. Turns out the biggest problem I would face throughout the day was getting to the start line on time and knowing which way to go on the swim…Toilet queues and difficulty putting on the wetsuit meant that I was too rushed to lube my ankles and wrists (to aid wetsuit removal) and I completely forgot my energy gels which I was planning on keeping under the tight fabric of my tri suit. Rookie errors and not to be repeated. Onto the start line and I had just managed to squeeze my head into the swim cap and completed the briefest of warmups before we were called to the line and given the countdown. I positioned myself right at the front, everyone was ankle deep before a run in and dive start. I was stood next to a fellow u20 athlete (Benjamin Summerville) who had won the category last year and in particular with an excellent swim. Today I was feeling strong and knew that if everything went to plan, the podium position would be mine. The siren went, I took a strong dive in and found myself in second position, right on the toes of Ben, perfect. It didn’t last. He continued to increase his pace and I just couldn’t hold it, my breathing was out of rythym and my shoulders were fatigued. I continued in second place until roughly 300m to go where I was overtaken by two athletes, whom I continued to draft until the steep exit ramp. I got to my feet, set the pace for the 100m run to transition and removed the first half of my wetsuit. Swim and run completed in 11.32, a bit disappointing to be truthful, and well short of my target time. Fairly speedy transition, only Ben was ahead of me and so that was incentive to put some effort in and get back in contention. The kilometres were flying past, the change from a 90km cycle to 20km is wonderful and I felt strong. I consistently kept the pace above 35kmph and flew around the course. I was pleased that I was only overtaken by 3 athletes for the whole cycle route. In the last 4km I really started pumping the legs and reached speeds of 42kmph on the flat which boosted my average to 37kmph to finish. Off the bike and running through to transition, I misjudged my location on the rack and ran straight past before having to turn round and correct myself - valuable seconds lost. Cycle completed in 32:03 (exactly the same as Ben). Now charging straight out to the run chasing my target of 18 minutes. My legs felt brilliant for the first 100m before they simply died, my breathing became rash and my movements sloppy, not helped by the dozens of slow athletes in previous waves that I had to overtake in some narrow parts of the course. 1 of 2 laps done and I was beginning to feel stronger, my rhythm improved and I was flying along - my legs opened up and I started to gain some ground. I passed my Dad and he called out informing me that Ben was approx a minute ahead. If he was correct, this meant that throughout the second lap I gained over 30 seconds on him however still finished 27 seconds behind. My finish was strong and I powered over the line to finish my run in 17:48 and overall in a time of 1:03.17. This is a longer time than I was hoping for, but was good considering the circumstances. Almost 500 raced today and I came 12th overall; 3rd in the u20 age category (the same as last year). It was a very good race and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a challenge. I try to see every race as a learning opportunity and today was no different. http://www.triferris.com/index.shtml Post event massage followed by the afternoon spent in my Kurio compression leggings to aid my recovery. As Dad and I are part of the Flying Monk Triathlon club, we joined the rest of the team for lunch at a pub in a small village to celebrate the race today as the club’s annual race. Over half the members raced today and some of those not racing provided team support and marshalling. They’re a brilliant club with athletes ranging from starters to Team GB standard from sprint distance to Ironman and I am very proud to be a part of the team. Cotswold Sprint Triathlon 2015: 12:30- 1:02- 32:43- 00:34- 19:23= 1:06.14 Cotsolwold Sprint Triathlon 2016: 11:43- 1:00- 32:03- 00:47- 17.43= 1:03.17 |
Luke CampbellHere will be a monthly review as well as occasional race updates Archives
April 2019
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