Swashbuckler Half Iron distance

Lovely race in lovely new forest, my favorite race (well until last 7 mile lap of run).
Went Down with Steve L day b4, stayed not too far away and spend sat eve gorging pizza and not thinking about beer.
The race started at 5.15 , the alarm set for 3, the hotel put on a breakfast but hard to eat, we left the hotel at 4, driving there it was dark, raining and windy, a bit of a worry by time we got to transition it wasn't dark and the rain was easing off - phew.

Swim was a mass start for men, women 5 min later, i've done the race before and both time suspected that the swim was short, as did great times, this year it was spot on & I was slower not so good when aiming for a pb. Once we started it was a bit biff/bosh out there but I just stayed comfy, I got out the water in about 40 mins.

Biff Below

t1 is a bit of a trek but no drama's, steve had gone, so I knew I had to put foot down to catch him (he's just got a new exocet so maybe not) started bike in 44 (188th).
Bike - 1st 20mins I overtook loads of people, and at 1 point had gone past 60 people and only 1 had gone past me (that changed as I got knackered later on), then I saw steve walking his bike towards me, RUBBISH, he had a puncture, I was gutted for him and had no1 to chase now, eased off a bit for a while and then got going again. Finished the bike in 2:23 (84th), 9 mins quicker than in 2009. Got to t2 and Steve was waiting and he did the run with me - not sure i'd have done the same, what with a cafe close by !! started the
run at 3:08, and secretly thinkinh I could do a 1:52 14 miler to get in under 5hours (No chance !) It was great to have someone to chat away to on the run, the 1st 7 mile lap was great and in about 57 mins, 2nd half hurt more and I really slowed, steve was keeping me going by waffling and laughing at my grunts & groans ! the run took 2:07
I finished in 5:14:07, 9 mins quicker than in 2009.

Will be doing this again next year, and I'm sure Steve will too !!

Below a pic of me & my medal

Steve & Me !

next up is the www.TeamOutrageous.com midweeker on wed 25th , hopefully legs will have recovered and I can remember how to swim/bike/run and get another PB ( best there so far 57:55) Not holdinmg my breath tho !!

Nothing longer than an oly left in 2011 now, bring on the shorter stuff !!