Derby Day

Today is my birthday and I celebrated with an outing to the Derby with several friends. Nothing to do with swimming I hear you say, but we missed swimclub for it, and most swimclub members were there, so I feel it has relevance and must be blogged!

After a week of very dodgy weather it somehow managed to get it’s act together today and was absolutely lovely – sunny and hot. A quick blast round bptt this morning as usual followed by some very quick showers and we were off to the station. No dressing up was involved as our tickets were for the cheapest part of the race course – except the bit that’s actually free.

We timed our arrival at the station perfectly and didn’t have to try and make the ticket machine go faster at all! Honest… Anyway we caught the train and I spent the journey unwrapping lots of lovely presents.

We arrived at Epsom to be confronted by 2 huge queues, one for taxis, one for buses. Being the fit and healthy people we are, we decided to walk. This turned out to be a rather massive uphill trek in the boiling sunshine, but we got there, went in and found a lovely picnic spot.

Having bought the cheapo tickets I was expecting there to be hundreds of very tall people between me and the action. However I was pleasantly surprised that in fact we were right on the rail, also with a great view of a very large screen. We scoffed the picnic and started placing our bets for the first of the 7 races. In addition to my usual strategy of choosing jockeys with pink, purple and/or stars on their jumpers, I decided to go for horses with names that sounded like porn stars- of which there were a surprisingly high number!

Rufus and David seemed to do rather well on the betting, the rest of us not so well and proceeded to make our nearest tote ‘Rich Racing’ considerably richer! At least Frankie Dettori won and made us some cash.

In between races we studied the form in The Racing Post (ie checked out jumpers and names), scoffed more picnic, and did lots of people watching. There were some very scary sights to be seen, hot weather always brings out the worst sartorial decisions in the Britsh public!

So when it was all over we briefly considered visiting the ‘chav-carnival’ that Danny had walked through from the station. However as the rides we could see looked extremely vomit-inducing we decided to go home instead

A really enjoyable birthday, thank you to everyone who shared it with me.

Bike Ride

Yesterday David and I arranged to meet up after work and cycle the bike route of the TTT triathlon, all part of our meticulous research for our race in 2 weeks time. Obviously normal people spend Friday evening in the pub getting wasted, but no, we know better apparantly.

We met up in good time at 7pm, there was still plenty of daylight and the rain was a mere drizzle for a nice cooling effect on the bike, it was quite warm at this point. David was wearing his trisuit (and a t shirt to protect his modesty) being a girly I put on a jacket over my bike shorts and stragglist top. David was in charge of map, haribo, phone etc, I had been instructed to bring myself (could just about manage that).

We set off across Bushy Park to the start point, although we didn’t bother to backtrack 10 metres down the road to the official  bike-mount point. While we were debating whether this was necessary or not, a passing man gave me a funny look when I used the words ‘mounting area’. Obviously not a triafferlete.

The first part of the ride went very smoothly. Along the road to Hampton Court, round the roundabout, back again and heading in the direction of Sunbury. Four or five miles in I was thinking it was actually quite a pleasant way to spend Friday evening, David hadn’t dropped me too much, the route was pleasant enough if a bit trafficky (but it was rush hour)……. then we unexpectedly arrived at Sunbury Cross and almost cycled on to the M3.

We decided this couldn’t be right due to the sudden lack of correlation between anything whatsoever on the map and in real life. This map I speak of was printed off the TTT website and stuffed down David’s top. We couldn’t make head nor tail of it, and the rain was getting heavier, so decided to venture into the giant Tescos for a minute where we would be sure to find an A to Z. We couldn’t find one.

When we came out of Tescos (where David’s trisuit had attracted some ‘looks’) we decided to walk back up the road to Sunbury Cross roundabout to see if we had taken the wrong turning. Again nothing seemed to match the map, so we took the opportunity to eat the haribo. Across the road was a handy police station – shut. Not that we were lost I hasten to add, we knew exactly where we were, we just didn’t know where we were supposed to be. The police station did have a handy dry porch (it was REALLY raining by now) which we sheltered under as David had suddenly remembered his mobile phone could do  google maps. We found out we had gone wrong within the first mile or so and missed a left turn, which was not AT ALL clear on the stoopid map.

It was now pouring with rain, a bit dark, quite cold and we had one front light between us. First good decision of the evening – we decided to go home! By the time we got back to Bushy Park (where we bumped into Stuart out running – he could have told us the route if we had seen him earlier!) it had stopped raining and was really light again, but we were cold and wet.

After a shower and meeeting the others for a pizza we decided it hadn’t been so bad after all – at least we now knew which way not to go, and we had done a 10-11 mile training ride in far worse traffic and hopefully worse weather than we will get on the day of the race!

The London Marathon

Last Sunday we headed up to The Embankment to watch The London Marathon. I have been to every single London Marathon, and this was the best weather yet……. for watching. I was extremely glad I ran last year in the cool drizzle and was watching this year in the beautiful sunshine.

We had a fantastic viewing point just before 25 miles with a large crowd of enthusiastic Stragglers. Some so enthusiastic they had been there since before 9 am staking out the spot. Thanks guys! (I had to watch the first 5 minutes on telly before leaving home to listen to the theme tune and get me in the mood!).

I always find the FLM a very emotional experience and this was no exception. After watching the awe inspiring international elite runners and wheelchair athletes we waited to spot our friends and fellow Stragglers, Ranelaghs, bptters, adiRunners etc all the while shouting encouragement and support and handing out chocolate, jelly babies and water.

Several people were clearly suffering badly in the heat including some very talented and well trained runners. Many were well behind their predicted/expected times and hanging in there just to get to the finish. Luckily we didn’t see any serious casualties, although one guy threw up right by us and another, after stopping for a jelly baby, had to be reminded which way to go. Scary stuff.

I have enjoyed watching the FLM a lot more since running it myself (2002 and 2006) and knowing exactly the pain the runners are feeling. However I have also become more and more annoyed by the seemingly huge numbers of people who take part every year clearly with no consideration as to the massive challenge they are taking on, and with no intention of training properly or even attempting to run.

This seems to me to be disrespectful to the event and also to the hundreds of RUNNERS who are desperate to do it every year and can’t get a place. I know a lot of people see FLM mainly as a charity thing, but to my mind it is still very much A RUNNING RACE in which the idea is to finish as fast as you can.

Rant over :o)

After 6 hours or so I had developed a nice tan and a very sore throat so we packed up and set off home for our own runs, followed by the post-marathon party.

Report on swimclub session #9….. and The Grand National

Still no teacher at swimclub, she is recovering after being knocked off her bike by a silly car driver who didn’t realise how fast bikes can go……. get better soon Nic! We did however welcome new member Orlando to swimclub today.

We all managed to arrive at the same time today for a change, despite Orlando’s unscheduled detour to the wifi hotspots of Teddington; he only accepts the sunny ones with somewhere to sit down.

Danny got straight down to business and set off on his 64 lengths to match last week’s effort. Sharon did quite a few lengths but made sure not to peak too early as she has a big race tomorrow. Orlando turned out to be not too bad at swimming, and very good at stopping for a chat at the end of each length! David also has a big race tomorrow but he and I needed to put in some serious triathlon training.

After a 10 length warm up we timed ourselves over 16 lengths, the distance of the triathlon swim. Having both predicted 12 minutes, he finished in 10 and a half and I manged 11 and a half, so it was nice to know we’re not quite as rubbish as we thought.

We then decided to practice the foot-tapping thing, just in case a miracle happened and we need to overtake someone. My first couple of practices on Danny nearly caused both of us to drown due to my lack of technique, his extremely ticklish feet and the fact that it made me laugh while my head was underwater. David didn’t have much success either – he practiced with Sharon who promptly invented a new signal to demonstrate your wish to overtake someone – trying to pull their shorts down. However after a few more goes (thank you to our ‘volunteers’) we soon got the hang of it.

So, swimming over we returned to the cluubhouse where we branched out from the traditional cake and had some fishfinger sandwiches. Plus malteser cake. And Easter eggs.

By the time Danny arrived back from his mammoth swim it was time for the annual trip to the bookies to place our bets on The Grand National. Sharon stayed outside waving her animal rights placard, while the rest of us made good use of the idiot-proof betting slips provided specially for  idiots such as ourselves. Orlando still needed help understanding his, although his ‘close your eyes and pick a winner’ strategy proved to be successful….

By the time we’d wandered back via the Sweatshop and the ice cream place it was time for the race. A shambolic start, they really need to take some tips from bptt, but a very exciting race. Well, some people got excited, jumping up and down shouting and screaming at the tv, I obviously remained completely calm throughout the entire proceedings, even when I discovered I had made a 400% return on my bet!

Orlando and I took a wheelbarrow back to the bookies to collect out winnings, and everyone went home.

Thames Turbo Triathlon

The Isle of Man has the TT races, well Hampton Pool has the TTT races. This morning David, Danny and I went along to observe the proceedings so we would have some idea of what to do if we wanted to have a go ourselves later in the summer.

Much as we all enjoy an early start and getting up earlier on a bank holiday than a work day; we didn’t quite make it in time for the pre-race briefing at 6.45am. We arrived shortly after 8am, which handily coincided with some of the slower swimmers doing their 12 lengths (it’s a long pool, 12 lengths is 400 metres). From our excellent view point on the balcony we tried hard to spot people who are equally  bad at swimming as ourselves. Hard to judge but there were plenty of breaststrokers out there and some people even took a very quick breather at the end of each length.

We also had a great view over the transition area and the exit point for the bike section, where we spotted all manner of bikes and lots of people not wearing clippy-cloppy bike shoes but bog-standard trainers. No one seemed to be participating on a Brompton though…

The next wave of swimmers then began their swim. Each competitor is given an allotted time to start their swim according to their time prediction, and within each wave swimmers start at 15 second intervals. If you want to overtake in the pool, the etiquette is to tap the feet of the person ahead of you, who will then let you pass at the end of the lane. However not everyone bothers with this and we saw sevaral near collisions. Oh well, at least people don’t actually swim over the top of you, apparently that happens in open water swims.

On watching these swimmers we were very glad we’d seen the previous lot. These guys were proper swimmers, all front crawling and tumble turning like anything.

We then went out on to the road to watch the start and end of the bike section. (This is 21 k and heads towards Sunbury and back). Due to the long staggered start of these races there is plenty to watch at all times. Gerry (a fellow Straggler (we saw many other Stragglers and bptters throughout the morning)) was in charge of the bike mount. You have to get on your bike (and off it again) at a specific spot or risk disqualification. It’s all very complicated this triathloning. Across the road was the bike dismount area. The roads are not closed for the event, so to avoid people getting run over there is a seven minute ‘time out’ during which you slow down and cross over when the marshalls tell you. Gives you a little breather before the run too… The whole event seemed incredibly well organised, marshalled and signposted throughout. It had a really friendly feel to it too.

We then walked through to Bushy Park to see the end of the run section (5k – none of us are worried about this bit!) and the overall finish. Strangely this seemed the most low-key part of the entire course – because of the staggered start no-one knows who is winning or how well any one is doing. It clearly requires lots of concentration and focus to keep yourself going at a good pace.

We then headed back to the pool and were forced to sit around in the sun chatting for half an hour or so – watching sport is exhausting. Some results were up but we couldn’t make head or tail of them and left before the prize giving.

David took some photos of the event which you can see here http://www.davidrowe.co.uk/photos/72157600058236477/

In order to take some of these shots he had to enter the ‘no spectators allowed’ section. However when he told them he was with swimkirsty.com they let him through no problem :o)

A very enjoyable morning that’s all done and dusted by 10.30!

Oh yes….. I’d better mention it…… David and I have both entered race 3 on 28th May……

Report on inaugaral swimclub outing – The Boat Race

Much excitement today as we had our first ever swimclub outing – to the boat race! We strolled through the cemetry (having an intellectual conversation about the difference between cemetries and graveyards) and went to collect Nicola and possibly Stuart. He decided to go on his bike so the rest of us set of for the bus stop. Danny and David appeared to get abducted by aliens on the way but were beamed back just in time to catch the bus.

None of us were 100% certain where we were going, and David’s handy map only confused us further and created several debates about where the north and south of the river are. However through the power of the mobile phone we discovered that Hammersmith Bridge was our destination, where we met up with Graham, Jon and Natasha.

More heated debate ensued about which was the correct side of the river to be on, eventually we found a spot which we mainly liked as it gave a good view of spectators who might get wet later. It was also next to some people who I briefly considered mugging for their picnic as we were incredibly slack in this area.

We stood around for a while discussing the important issues of the day i.e Graham, Danny and David’s bptt pbs. Nicola gave us regular updates on what was happening in numerous sporting events from her wide range of semi-working technology.

First bit of excitement was the b-team/reserves or whoever they were in the preliminary race. It was so exciting that I can’t remember who won or who was in the lead when they went past us.

Then shortly after half past four came the main event and real excitement ensued as the boats came into sight under Hammersmith Bridge. Oxford were leading as they went past us which displeased the Cambridge graduates amongst us. However through the power of Nic’s half tv screen we soon found out that Cambridge won so everyone was happy (because the rest of us didn’t really care either way).

Next on the agenda was food and drink. This involved a 10 minute walk which was a good thing as it was not really that warm for hanging about on riverbanks. We found a pub in Barnes but just as we were about to go in, Danny became fixated with the idea that he could smell fish and chips. We followed his nose (and the directions of a passing man eating chips) and eventually happened upon the most generous fish and chip shop ever.

We strolled back to the pub stuffing our faces and had a couple of drinks with Graham, Jon and Natasha (who had gone straight there). We had an interesting chat about the relevant merits of various races according to your finish position and then went for the bus home. On the bus Nic made friends with a nice friendly SA man!

We had a great time and I am already thinking about our next swimclub outing.