Travelled to Nottingham Saturday morning and camped on site. Starting to feel like a second home. 7 times in four years!
Race Day - Sunday 29th May 2016
Swim
Swim was moved a few hundred metres down from usual start and finish due to algae in the water. No real issue except a minute or so extra transition time for the extra run. Water was a balmy 17 degrees. Gun went off at 6:40 and I had a decent swim. No issues. Out of the water in 34:21.
T1
Long run to transition and longer still putting on jacket to keep out the cold. The joys of British summer.
Bike
Plan was to keep to 19 mph ish, as I know I can run reasonably off that. Again all went to plan. First 20 mile was into the slight wind. Not too bad, although I lost a bit of time climbing Oxon bank. The next 10miles were rolling and I hammered through them to the South loop. South loop roads are absolutely appalling. 2 years since I've ridden them and to be honest I've seen smoother farm tracks. Pot holes all over. Again though kept my speed and finished in 2:57:23.
One complaint I would have is the amount of drafting. Groups of 20 or so for miles and miles. 4 bike marshalls on the course and you would have thought they would have been handing penalties out all over.... Only one given when I checked. More on the penalties later.
T2
Long T2 as I was bursting for a pee. I timed it at 2:04 if anyone is interested!!
Total T2 - 3:53
Run
Started off okay at just over 8min/mile. Slowed slightly about 4 miles in as hamstring was getting sore. Been having an issue for a week and I was fearful of cramp. By 10mile it wasn't getting any worse so I picked up again. Last two miles in 15mins to finish in 1:50:35.
Conclusion
Finished in 5:30:30. Happy with that on a cold day. Then.....
Got my official time and they had added 2mins. Looked at penalty list and there was my number! I received two minutes for a number infringement. I always wear a number belt. Seemed to be at the back during the bike and I remember turning it in T2. Confused I went to see the race referee. She asked the marshal why he gave me the penalty. As he passed me the wind caught my number and it blew up and he couldn't read it. Apparently I should have foreseen this and wore another number back to back. I replied if he couldn't read my number how did he take it down to report me? Basically £30 to appeal and I was too late anyway as you only get a 15min window after finishing. Also in the briefing prior to the race they said number violations would be preceded by a verbal warning and only penalised for a second offence. Still waiting for the verbal warning...
6 people penalized. 1 for drafting. 5 for number infringements. It was a draft fest and none of the cheating sods were pulled!!! While I get a penalty for the weather. Nice.
Never mind. Good race and again I'd recommend to anyone looking for a good half.
| Pos. | Bibno. | Participant | Category | Club | Start time | Finish time |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 534 | Mark Dixon | M40-44 | Tri Anglia | 6:40:00 | 5:32:30 | 34:21 | 4:18 | 2:57:23 | 3:53 | 1:50:35 |
