Steve W returned to the multisport scene this Sunday (29th March) with a very early-season sprint triathlon based on South Hunsley Sports Centre in East Yorkshire. The distances of 400m swim, 24K bike and 5K run favoured Steve's traditionally strong biking leg, with windy conditions helping out further by making the hilly bike section a very tough affair.
Adding to the mix were single figure temperatures and, at about half-race distance, an opening of the heavens leading to hypothermia-inducing conditions. It's worth bearing in mind that most competitors in pool sprints come straight out of a heated pool wearing only a one-piece trisuit and speedily throw on no more than helmet and shoes in Transition 1 before heading out onto the bike section. Suffice to say no gloves, socks or over-jacket in conditions like Sunday's have competitors 'managing' al sorts of numb extremity issues.
The cold was so bad that, having completed the bike leg, Steve could not feel his fingers at all and could not undo his helmet in Transition 2. Sparing him the indignity of a 5K run in a full aero-helmet, a kindly race referee took a pragmatic view of 'outside assistance' and came to the rescue. Even the flat-out 5K run effort did not do much to raise competitors' core temperatures and it's fair to say intensely grim faces were the order of the day.
In spite of it all, and thanks in part to a high rate of attrition, Steve took an age group win and finished 2nd overall.
10 Mile PBs
Emma S and Rosie Wigg flew the GV flag at the Thirsk 10 Mile road race on Sunday (22nd March) and made the best of decent conditions on this known 'fast course'.
In spite of a struggling-last-two-miles as a result of a continuing niggle from a hamstring problem, Emma still managed to beat her previous 10 mile PB by nearly two minutes and stopped the clock at 1:26:06
Rose, meanwhile, showed a real mastery of pace and ran a very even tempo throughout the whole distance. Having the discipline and faith to set off really slowly is a difficult thing to do but, if done well, can pay back in spades. Rose reaped the rewards on this occasion and clocked a 1:24:33 knocking well over a minute of her previous best.
In parkruns, Steve and Mick W were out and about. Steve managed a new venue best and age group win at Doncaster while Mick battled the winds at the very open and bleak Pontefract venue to finish well up the overall order.
In other news, Jon Z, our resident Ironman, had planned a return to multisport competition and should have competed in the Clumber Park Duathlon on Saturday (21st March) but a perfectly timed viral infection in the week preceding meant there was no prospect of a big effort. We wish Jon well and look forward to his return to racing.
In spite of a struggling-last-two-miles as a result of a continuing niggle from a hamstring problem, Emma still managed to beat her previous 10 mile PB by nearly two minutes and stopped the clock at 1:26:06
Rose, meanwhile, showed a real mastery of pace and ran a very even tempo throughout the whole distance. Having the discipline and faith to set off really slowly is a difficult thing to do but, if done well, can pay back in spades. Rose reaped the rewards on this occasion and clocked a 1:24:33 knocking well over a minute of her previous best.
In parkruns, Steve and Mick W were out and about. Steve managed a new venue best and age group win at Doncaster while Mick battled the winds at the very open and bleak Pontefract venue to finish well up the overall order.
In other news, Jon Z, our resident Ironman, had planned a return to multisport competition and should have competed in the Clumber Park Duathlon on Saturday (21st March) but a perfectly timed viral infection in the week preceding meant there was no prospect of a big effort. We wish Jon well and look forward to his return to racing.
Highlights
Just some quick facts and figures by way of catch-up:
Emma S has been busy lately with recent appearances in the Retford Half Marathon and a good number of parkruns. A niggling injury meant Emma was disappointed with her half time, but showing she is gaining form, she logged a sub 24min 5K time in last Saturday's (14th March) Pontefract parkrun; her fastest time at the venue for a few years.
Rosie Wigg also logged a venue best at Saturday's (7th March) Nostell event and by only a handful of seconds missed a sub-24 time at this challengingly 'lumpy' venue.
Overall results are now in for the 2014-15 PECO 5-race series and Both Emma and Rose did a sterling job with Rose ending up with an overall 9th, and Emma a 12th in their respective age categories. These are very good results given the level of competition in this hotly-contested cross-country grueller.
Mick W (pictured in 'stealth' Go Veggie mode in a PECO event) continues to speed up in short events and recorded a 20.21 venue best at Nostell parkrun on Saturday (14th March). This in spite of concentrating mainly on distance work for an upcoming assault on an infamous fell race: watch this space for more details...
Emma S has been busy lately with recent appearances in the Retford Half Marathon and a good number of parkruns. A niggling injury meant Emma was disappointed with her half time, but showing she is gaining form, she logged a sub 24min 5K time in last Saturday's (14th March) Pontefract parkrun; her fastest time at the venue for a few years.
Rosie Wigg also logged a venue best at Saturday's (7th March) Nostell event and by only a handful of seconds missed a sub-24 time at this challengingly 'lumpy' venue.
Overall results are now in for the 2014-15 PECO 5-race series and Both Emma and Rose did a sterling job with Rose ending up with an overall 9th, and Emma a 12th in their respective age categories. These are very good results given the level of competition in this hotly-contested cross-country grueller.
Mick W (pictured in 'stealth' Go Veggie mode in a PECO event) continues to speed up in short events and recorded a 20.21 venue best at Nostell parkrun on Saturday (14th March). This in spite of concentrating mainly on distance work for an upcoming assault on an infamous fell race: watch this space for more details...
PECO and Wind
Sunday (1st March) saw the final round of this year's PECO cross country series held in Roundhay Park, Leeds. Conditions were kind underfoot as the recent drying winds and sunny spells meant the whole course could probably have been run in ultra-light road shoes. Only one horrendous lung-busting hill really tested the racers and this was a sting-in-the-tail finishing trick sneakily sprung by the organisers. Mick W, Emma Smith and Rosie Wigg were the GV contingent present and all ran well enough to count for their respective Ackworth Road Runners 'A' team. As previously covered, the nature of UKA sanctioned cross country team competition means that all competitors have to run in their affiliated team's official vest but - as can be seen from the natty shorts - it's still possible to score a stealthy GV mention. Excellent trying-hard-up-the -horrible-hill face from Emma and the lady she had just passed!
Sunday also saw Steve W - by a twist of fate - complainingly taking a last minute gifted place in a notoriously gruelling 9 mile road race based around the very exposed and open countryside of Norton near Doncaster. The race is hilly to say the least and annually attracts a strong field of loyal if slightly masochistic runners. Sunday's edition was made all the more entertaining by a fearsome wind that buffeted competitors constantly and quite literally, on more than one occasion, blew runners sideways off the road and onto surrounding verges. Steve only knows one speed and set off well up the field at his usual sprint distance triathlon 5K pace - only to blow spectacularly at approximately the 3.1 mile mark. From about 30th position overall, the last 5.9 miles were reported to be a reflective affair with Steve having plenty of time to think about the concept of pacing whilst slipping gracefully back through the field to a just-scraping-the-top-10 in age group position.
Sunday also saw Steve W - by a twist of fate - complainingly taking a last minute gifted place in a notoriously gruelling 9 mile road race based around the very exposed and open countryside of Norton near Doncaster. The race is hilly to say the least and annually attracts a strong field of loyal if slightly masochistic runners. Sunday's edition was made all the more entertaining by a fearsome wind that buffeted competitors constantly and quite literally, on more than one occasion, blew runners sideways off the road and onto surrounding verges. Steve only knows one speed and set off well up the field at his usual sprint distance triathlon 5K pace - only to blow spectacularly at approximately the 3.1 mile mark. From about 30th position overall, the last 5.9 miles were reported to be a reflective affair with Steve having plenty of time to think about the concept of pacing whilst slipping gracefully back through the field to a just-scraping-the-top-10 in age group position.
Cannock Chase CaniX
Steve C and Len were back in 'full combative harness' action at the gorgeous Cannock Chase on Sunday (1st March) where they returned to a full-on 5K caniX event. Steve reports that the course was pretty tough and technical with a seemingly disproportionate amount of uphill; that in no way reflected his age and lack of short-effort race fitness.
The duo managed a 2nd in age group finish and it's great to see them back after several months of Steve's enforced lay-offs. Undoubtedly, no one will be more pleased than Len that 'normality' is slowly returning.
They're back! Watch this space...
The duo managed a 2nd in age group finish and it's great to see them back after several months of Steve's enforced lay-offs. Undoubtedly, no one will be more pleased than Len that 'normality' is slowly returning.
They're back! Watch this space...