6th November 2017 - Snowdonia Marathon

Snowdonia Marathon Eryri 2017

10:30 on the 28th October and I found myself lining up on the road outside Llanberis alongside two and half thousand other runners.  The weather was best described as "unpredictable" - heavy fog, rain and occasional sunny spells.

I'd entered while heavily intoxicated at midnight new years eve.  Once again I blame Scibs for this.  He seems to have an addiction to really painful Welsh endurance events and somehow managed to sell it to me, before conveniently dropping out!

The Snowdonia Marathon is a bit lumpy.  It has three big climbs of which the last one can only be described as evil.

So the gun goes off and I head off with everyone else down the Llanberis pass.  First two miles are flat and I held back from going stupid and jogged along with the rest until we reached the bottom of the first climb.  Then the pain started.  3 miles uphill at what can only be described as a snails pace until you reach the Pen-Y-Pass.  This is the start point for many to climb Snowdon.  So gasping I crested and then came the real hard part, a mad dash downhill for 4 miles along first road then a rocky trail.  It's the downhills that kill you with this race.  Real quad crunchers.

Between 9-13 miles it levels out a bit and you actually get a rhythm going.  I had a chat with a couple of guys who had done IM Wales a couple of months back and we trotted along exchanging war stories.  At 13miles there is another uphill section for 2 miles or so then the course rolls along until 21.5mile in.

I went through 20miles in just under 3hrs so I naturally thought I would easily break 4hrs.  This was my first marathon without a 112mile bike warm up.  The feeling at 20miles was about the same as mile one in an ironman.  My thought process at this point was keep the pace steady and the last 6miles should be a doddle.  This race however has a sting in the tail.

At 21-22miles you start to climb.  At 22miles you do a right turn and basically ascend up into the clouds!  I must have ran/stumbled past 50 people walking up the last climb.  It felt at times like the road was at 45%.  It was probably a couple of miles at less than 15% but my quads were screaming.  By this time I was running in rain and fog.  The road turns into a muddy, boulder and slate strewn trail and after a brief rolling section the real fun begins with a steep descent to Llanberis.  This was the part of the race where I discovered my real weakness as a runner.  My legs were burning, but so were everyones at this point.  My limiting factor is that I can't run downhill fast.  I lost most of the places I gained on the climb.  The going was treacherous underfoot, either grassy and muddy or on shiny wet rock.  Loads of people were taking a tumble and to be honest I just didn't care about a couple of minutes enough to risk breaking an ankle!

If you could swap to trail shoes at 22miles this race would be so much easier!

It was a real relief to hit the flat for the last few hundred metres and I even managed a sprint finish.

Finish time was 4:13
Not particularly fast but a great scenic race that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I would recommend this to anyone wanting a slightly different run to the usual tarmac flat/rolling surface.

13th October 2017

First post in a long time.

I had a bit of downtime after Austria and enjoyed the summer.

For the past couple of months I've been concentrating on running as I have the Snowdonia marathon on the 28th October.  Training is okay but I feel a bit underdone.  Also somewhat unbalanced as I'm not biking or swimming much and to be honest I'm missing it.

First Lotus duathlon of the winter this Sunday.  I'll report back shortly.

Oh forgot to add I've entered IM Hamburg as my main race in 2018!

Ironman Austria 2017

I wanted to take part in Ironman Austria for a few years, mainly due to club mates always commenting how great a race it was.  It didn't disappoint.

I didn't race over the IM distance in 2016 after a brutally hot Frankfurt 15.  I used 2016 to improve my running and biking.  This seemed to work with improved times coming into 2017.  My training for Austria began in earnest six months ago and I did approach this one with a more dedicated professional attitude than previously,  I even cut down on the alcohol!  Going into the race I felt confident with 9 century rides in the preceding 12 weeks.

We travelled out in our VW campervan on the Tuesday, stopping at Baden-Baden Tuesday night and arriving at Klagenfurt in a thunderstorm Wednesday evening.  The campsite is a few hundred metres from the strandbad Worthersee swim start.

First impressions despite the rain were how beautiful the place was.  By the time the sun came out next day it was really stunning.

The few days before were spent with gentle training, rest and a bit of sightseeing.

Early night pre-race and I actually slept which is another first.

RACE DAY

SWIM

I ceded myself in the 1:10 bracket for the rolling start.  Swim was fairly uneventful with none of the usual bosh until we turned into the canal.  Then it was pure survival for 900m.  We were allowed wetsuits which soothed a bit of the anguish for most of the field.  I must admit I wasn't bothered either way.  Swim was hot to be honest wearing it.  Anyway I got my estimate spot on and exited the water 1:09:51 for the 4000m.

BIKE

Two loops each with about 800m climbing on perfect smooth roads.  I vastly underestimated the bike course.  All the reports I had read said the course was very fast.  I found the first lap hard.  A lot more climbing than I was expecting.  It is fairly relentless after you leave the first 10miles along the lake.  The downhills are fast, very fast, but you always have to go back up again.  Even after the second big climb (rupert the bear or something) I expected a 40min fast decent back to Klagenfurt.  Nope, it still has some stings in the tail!  Second lap I found easier as I knew what was coming.  I actually really enjoyed the whole bike but should have recce'd it earlier in the week.  It has to be said though the whole thing is stunning.  At times you are surrounded by mountains and can see for miles.  The villages you pass through are pretty and the support is fantastic.  Time was 6:05:54 and not the sub 5:50 I was aiming for but it didn't matter as I loved it.

RUN

I started off at 8:30 mile pace and felt confident I could hold this for at least 13miles.  However with the bike fatigue in the legs I slowed after 4 miles or so.  I must admit most of the run was a mental struggle and I didn't really enjoy it.  I really had to force the pace even though I was happy with just under 2hrs for the first half.  I was still holding 9:30miles until I hit mile 17.  Then the wheels came off.  Cramp in the right hamstring forced me to walk for the first time in four IM races.  It eased after a couple of minutes and I tentatively jogged again.  This repeated for the next 9miles with my average pace now hovering around 11min/mile with the walking bits.  As frustrating as this was I just kept repeating my mantra, "keep moving forward".  So I finished the race in a bit of a state and mentally not in a very happy place.  Shame really as the course itself was pleasant enough and the support was great.  There is always a dark place in any ironman and I sank into it for the last half of the marathon.  There was no real euphoria at the end just relief that I could stop running/jogging/stumbling.   Run time was 4:20:33 which again was slower than I wanted but overall I'm happy that I kept going despite the voice in my head screaming at me to stop.

My finish time 11:49:15 

Really happy overall with how the day went and with how I handled a real sticky patch during a hard run.  I would recommend to anyone who hasn't done Austria to do it if you have the chance.  Its a fantastic course, great venue and atmosphere, and the support is first class.  By far the best one I have done.  Also a big shout out to the rest of the TA contingent.  It is always fun when you go to races with club mates and seeing them out on the course gave me a real lift.

19th June 2017

Just over a week until we head to Austria and trepidation is beginning to set in.  The bulk of the training is done.  The swimming has improved over the last couple of weeks.  Cycling is good with 8 century rides in the build up.  Running has gone backwards a bit with the heat but its okay.

The fear is down to the temperature.  Its 30 degrees here and hotter in Austria.  I really wanted a sub 12 IM.  However after Frankfurt I know what high temperature does to the plans.  The swim is probably going to be non wetsuit.  That will cost me at least 10mins.  The bike should be okay as long as I can get plenty fluid in.  The run could be 4hrs.  It could also be 5 and a half hours.

So yes I'm nervous.  Extra pressure on as I know this is realistically my last one.

Nothing I can do about it but wait and see.

15th June 2017

18 days to go and I'm starting to get excited!

If the middle of my last big week.  2hr run today and last big ride on Sunday.

Feeling strong on bike and running.  Swimming is a bit blah.  Swam reasonably well in wetsuit last night but disastrous when I take it off.  Austria is likely to be no wetsuit.  Still it is what it is.  An extra 10mins won't kill me.

70mile bike and 10mile run on Saturday past at hopefully IM pace and I felt okay.

Onwards and upwards.

26th May 2017 - NN100/2017

Only 37 days to go and feeling strong.  Never been as fit as this before an IM.  Swimming and biking are going well although running pace has dropped recently.

Did the North Norfolk 100 on Saturday.  16 miles of headwind each lap.  Hard ride.  Did a 5:04:43 time.  More than 30mins better than 2014.  Happy with that.

https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-results/15048#anchor

End to end swim this weekend and another 100mile ride.  I might do this with GYCC for a bit of variety.

8th May 2017

First post in a while.

To be honest everything is going brilliantly.

Started open water swimming.  Water in Fritton is 11 deg C.  Painful and I've only managed 40mins so far.  Hopefully the weather will improve soon and lift the temperatures!

Biking is going reasonably.  Chain gang started last week which was fun.  Three 100milers so far which decent average pace.  NN100 in two weeks.

Running I'm finding the going harder.  Faster than previous years IM training but struggling to hold speed in longer runs.  Up to 17 miles in last couple of weeks.

So all in all I'm happy!

13th March 2017 - Broadland Half

Ran the broadland half yesterday.  Managed a new PB of 1:39:35

Bloody hard run again.  No flat on course just up and down.  The last 5 miles are bloody brutal.  Happy though.  Pain in ankle for last  mile.  Just off for a massage shortly to hopefully sort out.

Finished 77th out of 361.

6th March 2017

Stressful couple of months.  Margaret dying put the whole world in a bit of a spin.  Training while un-important in the grand scheme of things has been going rather well.  Building strength and endurance is easy.  Healing broken hearts will take forever.  Still, got to stay strong for Mel, Steve and the rest of the family.

Had a couple of decent rides in the last month.  GYCC 50 I averaged 18.5mph and Godric 50 was similar despite a flat tire.  Had a rest week and came out with all sorts of aches and pains though.

Still training with the Norwich run group on Wednesdays at Eaton UEA.  Broadland half marathon next weekend so I'll see where my pace is.

Swimming also good at the moment.  Harleston with Beccles tri club is up and running again after a pool maintenance closure.

Last Lotus Duathlon of the season yesterday.  Really windy and wet.  A lot slower for everyone than last time.  39 entered.  21 started and only 16 finished.  Relatively pleased to finish 5th.

21

 Mark Dixon

Race Results

Split Name	Split/Lap Time	Adult	Overall
Split 1	00:18:50.900:18:50.9	8+00:17:50.7	10+00:17:50.7
Split 2	01:19:01.901:00:11.0	5+00:07:16.4	7+00:28:47.3
Split 3	01:32:43.100:13:41.2	5+00:08:57.4	6+00:19:38.5

Above times include T1  in bike split and T2 in run 2.

6th February 2017

Just a short post.  To be honest my hearts not in it.  Margaret died last week.  Feeling hollow and empty.  Just trying to stay strong for Mel but its bloody hard.

Training is going okay.  11:30 ish week last week.

Lotus Duathlon PB yesterday.  1:29:15.  Under the 90mins woohoo.

http://www.racesplitter.com/races/861E6ED47?split=3

34

 Mark Dixon

Race Results

Split Name	Split/Lap Time	Adult	Overall
Split 1	00:18:49.000:18:49.0	11+00:07:53.4	18+00:09:28.8
Split 2	01:16:09.100:57:20.1	6+00:26:32.8	11+00:42:25.0
Split 3	01:29:15.300:13:06.2	10+00:40:39.0	17+00:48:45.3

Weather is shitty so Turboing inside a lot.  Not too bad today mind so might go out for a ride later.

More posts soon....

4th January 2017

Happy New Year.

IM Austria training underway.  So far this week I've done a 14 mile run, a strength session, a turbo session and just back from pool where I did a 1000m TT.  Disappointed with 18:29 but it gives me something to work from.

Decided to raise some money for a cancer charity through just giving.  Going to try and set up a page for the Sandra Chapman centre at James Paget where Margaret is having her treatment.

I've read Facebook posts for years and often donated to cancer charities through "Just Giving", if I'm honest I didn't really appreciate how awful a time it is for everyone involved, patients and relatives.  Many families, if not most families are eventually touched by and have to suffer through cancer at some point in their lives.  Unfortunately now it's our turn.  I would like to try and raise a bit of money for the Sandra Chapman centre at James Paget hospital.  This day care centre runs solely on donations.  So please can you consider sponsoring me through my Ironman Austria journey this year.

The Sandra Chapman centre  delivers care and support to patients with malignant and non-malignant conditions, including blood disorders and cancers. Treatment for these conditions, investigative procedures and emergency care is performed in the unit. 

Around fifty to sixty patients attend the Centre each day for treatments such as chemotherapy and blood transfusions.

Treatment, care and support are provided by a team of doctors and nurses with a wide range of specialised skills.

The Centre enables treatments to be given on a day care basis. This means patients who previously had to stay in hospital for several days can now remain at home and in the community as much as possible. 

What services are provided?

• Chemotherapy
• Blood Transfusions
• Supportive Treatments for Malignant and Non-Malignant Conditions
• 24/7 Emergency Telephone Assessment Service
• Bone marrow investigations
• Myeloma Clinic
• Lymphoma Clinic
• Oral Chemotherapy Clinic

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Mark-Dixon2