Cowman Half Ironman Race Report

I travelled up to my parents on Friday afternoon, to break the journey up to Milton Keynes and also to collect my tent. after loaning it out. On putting my tent up in their garden on Saturday morning, to check all was intact. Discovered it was growing it's own Eco system inside. Last minute change of plan. Borrowed my younger brother, Jamie's tent. Which my other brother Simon had used at Glastonbury last weekend. Didn't have chance to check the state of this one - Hope would be sleep-able.

Drive up to Milton Keynes was uneventful. Arrived at Emberton Park (race venue and camp ground) and set up camp alongside Brighton Esporta Triathletes; Sharon, Teressa, Barry, John and Hildi, who shop in the Tri Store. Tent up (minimal traces of Glastonbury) and registration followed by quick drive around bike course, dinner, race prep, some chat and then bed. Life's exciting for a triathlete, no camping BBQ or beers I'm afraid.

Race morning. Consisted of the usually plenty of time, then oh my goodness race briefing is about to start and I'm still in transition with no wetsuit on. When will I learn.

Swim, My best yet in 33:40. 6 mins behind the first women out, but improvement of 3 mins since my last half ironman. Made myself start right at the front and exposed myself to the carnage that is a mass start. Found myself a good draft, but lost her when started catching slower men who started off 5 and 10 mins in front.
Exited the swim, to what I thought was a slow T1 - struggled with arm warmers. But actually only 1.27. I put it down to my bike mounting skills - which I've been practising and pulled off successfully for once. Not sure I'll ever have the confidence to do a Olly Freeman style mount!
Once on the bike, took a good 8 miles to feel comfortable. Stuck to my planned wattage. Passed only 7- 8 women the bike. Was starting to worry as normally pass a lot more. Later found out I came out the swim in 9th place! So had moved into 2nd place by half way through the bike. Only found out I was in 2nd towards the end of the first lap of the run. Bike course was a bit challenging - rolling, windy and wet. Proudly I posted the fastest women's bike split 2:47:23. Bike dismounted almost like a pro. Quick T2 and on to the run. The less said about the run the better. Felt dreadful initially. Heavy legs and knew I hadn't taken on enough carb's on the bike (rainy and cold = not enough Go energy drink consumed). Lesson learnt - if weather bad need to have calories from more gels, than drinks). Settled into pace, but never felt happy. Found the run a challenge mentally. Gradually uphill though village, then more uphill off road in tractor trials, a bit of a downhill, before entering the park, to run around the lake x 4. Halfway though second 5km lap couldn't feel feet. They had gone completely numb and i started to get some Lateral foot pain. I'd ran and raced in these shoes before but not half marathon or off road - maybe the combination wasn't good. Ran 1:37:48. Was aiming for 1:35. Never will know but may have been, if not having to stop and mess with laces/shoes or stop for a wee!!

Glad to cross the finish line - holding onto 2nd place. Congraulations to Sophie Witworth - women's winner and Brighton Esporta Triathletes for a day of PB's.

Full Results -http://www.pgix.net/bigcow/results.asp?EventID=116&CourseID=33#E

No photo's I'm afraid. I forgot my camera. The event photographers aren't very good - so not buying and Simon (boyfriend) was not in attendence as was working in the Tri Store Saturday.