Spring Ballbuster 2011

[Sylv]

Well everything went to plan for my first Ballbuster, almost.

Picked up Dom and we got to Box Hill a little earlier than expected just after 6.30am, plenty of space at the back of the car park which we soon realised meant we’d be some of the last allowed to drive away afterwards. Easy sign-on, best spots in transition near the exit and no stress to get ready in time. Met Marek, Scott and Mark Bayliss on the start line. Realised there I’d left my ACC gilet in the car but was too late now so was going to have to bear the cold (+2c) and grin.

Cédric Lassonde didn’t looked too happy at having been given bib #1. Didn’t seem to bother him too much as he went to record the fastest run time by a minute in 43.41. I let a group of 5-6 slowly get away and was soon running on my own or with a couple guys. Was feeling good and my watch was giving me great km splits, between 3.20 and 3.50. Had to let a couple more guys get away once on the main road, but managed to distance Keith Garbutt from Evans. Enjoyed the climb up Box and kept an eye on my watch once I realised I was with in a shout of Paul’s great 46.30 run in 2009. Was amazed to manage 46.28 (on my watch), a full 2.30 up on my schedule, considering I had not felt like going too hard at any point, and in 9th place.

Schedules for transitions were 1.30 each and I did the first in 1.21, having to fiddle a bit with the Boa dials on my bike shoes, not easy with full finger gloves, and downing a first gel. On the road I quickly distanced a guy who’d ran his bike along me on the grass, and got going trying to catch some more. There was a fair bit of wind although not as much as during the week, and I was alternating between the drops, low on the hoods and grabbing the bar near the stem to mimick a tt bike position. It felt like I was going fast but not obvious to tell without a speedo.

Back end of little Switzerland I got caught by Garbutt on his full-on tt bike, I was wondering how he’d climb Box on that and lo and behold, I passed him at the bottom and never saw him after that. On the last straight I passed another couple guys, after that first lap started the mix with first lap riders so it got hard to keep track of who you were passing. I only set myself a target of 1h09 for the three laps and didn’t keep track of split times, which was probably a mistake – would have realised I could possibly have gone a little harder. I was weary of keeping something for the last run though. There were hardly any spectators on the climb or anywhere, in contrast to November when I watched Marek and Lucy race – maybe it was the cold.

Had another couple gels and half an energy bar while on the bike, still feeling good, and finishing lap three was starting to wonder what all the fuss was about this Ballbuster. Got in T2 just 30s up on schedule with another 30s added from a swift 1.03 transition. Paul and George were there telling me I was now in 5th position, and I was looking forward to giving it all on the last run with no holding back.

I instantly realised it wasn’t going to happen – I just couldn’t run. My legs were wooden, didn’t feel like mine, I felt so slow and just couldn’t speed up. My watch was telling me I was losing up to 30s per km. Quickly got passed by a Planet X guy and had to watch him slowly drift away. I’ve not done that many duathlons, this is my 4th in fact, but had never experienced it so bad on the second run. The long distance and hilly tarmac course were probably the cause, and a certain lack of training.

Well that second run was certainly not enjoyable. After 5km I began to think about Stu having to walk some of the run and it started to sound like an attractive thought. Someone else came past. Down the hill I couldn’t even speed up. Wasn’t cramping or anything, just couldn’t get to any speed. Schedule was for a 52.00 run which considering the first run, could have been down to 50.00. Looked at my watch and at the course record time I was starting little Switzerland. Another place lost. Then at Paul’s finish time of 2.48 I was just entering Box Hill.

Paul and George were up there shouting encouragement. I just wanted it to end, now well out of the top 5 I didn’t really care about the placing – not that it would have made a difference as I couldn’t respond at more people passing me. I did try at some point, when Paul was trying to convince me that the guy passing me was right on the limit, but I only managed 20m or so at increased pace. God that was hard, Stu and everyone whose reports I had read, you were all right and I bow down to the Ballbuster. I didn’t feel like having three gels on the climb like Stu though.

Crawled to the finish in 55.37, a whole 9.15 slower than run 1. Someone in 63rd place overall ran faster than that! Was actually more disappointed with that than relieved to finish. Thanks to Paul and George for the encouragement, sorry I couldn’t respond. Finished 10th in the end, which had been my original goal after seeing Paul’s placing, but then realised he’d ran the 20th anniversary race with all previous winners, and I realised his time was good enough for a podium otherwise, so was hoping for a top 5.

In retrospect I think the only thing I could have done differently on the day was to ride a little faster - all the rest, nutrition drink and clothes wise was fine. Run 1 though fast didn’t knacker me (or so it felt), I don’t think going harder on the bike could have made my second run any worse (with hindsight of course), and that way I could probably have salvaged up to four places from the people who overtook me running up Box and made just 2.00 on me there. A TT bike may be an option to consider if I ever go back again. I'll be doing a fast run at the end of each clubrun too in the future!

I’ll let the others tell their tales .. I just want to know what Marek got up to during his transitions?

Overall Position Firstname Lastname Category Category Position Club Finish Time Run 1 Leg T1 Leg Bike Leg T2 Leg Run 2 Leg
1 Sam Baxter 25-29 1 02:42:38 00:44:43 00:01:19 01:07:53 00:00:59 00:47:43
2 Cedric Lassonde 35-39 1 02:44:33 00:43:41 00:01:21 01:11:11 00:01:22 00:46:57
3 Dave Woodgate 35-39 2 Salisbury Tri 02:46:55 00:45:00 00:00:51 01:09:04 00:00:50 00:51:09
4 Nicolas Saillard 35-39 3 02:49:13 00:44:59 00:01:00 01:14:15 00:01:24 00:47:33
5 Nick Malynn 40-44 1 Ful-on-Tri 02:50:45 00:44:57 00:01:57 01:11:54 00:01:27 00:50:28
6 Ben Webeck 30-34 1 Team Dillon 02:54:52 00:48:07 00:01:07 01:13:32 00:01:14 00:50:52
7 Nick Altmann 35-39 4 Ful-on-Tri 02:55:29 00:44:38 00:01:53 01:17:27 00:02:19 00:49:12
8 Lee Charles 35-39 5 02:56:19 00:50:09 00:01:26 01:10:29 00:01:27 00:52:48
9 John Stoddart 20-24 1 02:56:25 00:45:29 00:00:53 01:18:26 00:01:07 00:50:31
10 Sylvain Garde 35-39 6 02:57:08 00:46:31 00:01:21 01:12:25 00:01:03 00:55:47
11 Keith Garbutt 40-44 2 02:57:28 00:47:00 00:01:11 01:14:07 00:01:38 00:53:31
12 Daniel Rainscourt 30-34 2 02:57:38 00:49:49 00:02:53 01:14:17 00:01:39 00:49:00
13 Edward Kirk-Wilson 35-39 7 Clapham Chasers 02:58:18 00:49:16 00:01:25 01:17:04 00:01:59 00:48:33
14 Peter Stainer 45-49 1 National Fire Service TC 02:59:26 00:46:37 00:01:38 01:18:41 00:01:32 00:50:58
15 David Shilland 35-39 8 03:00:26 00:48:21 00:01:39 01:16:12 00:01:13 00:53:00
16 Jason Walkley 30-34 3 RAF Triathlon 03:00:38 00:49:35 00:01:26 01:14:02 00:01:18 00:54:17
17 Rory Maguire 25-29 2 Serpentine RC 03:00:41 00:44:47 00:01:01 01:17:11 00:01:11 00:56:31
18 Tobias Mews 30-34 4 Clapham Chasers 03:00:53 00:48:59 00:01:50 01:18:51 00:01:29 00:49:44
19 Jamie Hawthorn 35-39 9 Team Milton Keynes 03:02:11 00:49:36 00:01:24 01:15:13 00:01:22 00:54:36
20 Richard Newey 45-49 2 Thames Turbo 03:02:42 00:50:50 00:01:12 01:13:35 00:01:20 00:55:44

27 Vicky Gill 30-34 1 Thames Turbo 03:06:50 00:49:09 00:02:13 01:22:20 00:01:43 00:51:25

82 Dominic Lowe 40-44 19 SLH Tri Club 03:24:25 00:59:20 00:01:55 01:21:15 00:01:42 01:00:13
92 Mark Bayliss 30-34 22 03:26:16 00:54:04 00:00:59 01:22:14 00:01:09 01:07:49
93 Marek Siwicki 35-39 23 East Grinstead Tri Club 03:26:21 00:56:54 00:03:15 01:22:00 00:02:17 01:01:54
243 Scott Georgiades 35-39 50 04:18:44 01:04:44 00:03:30 01:32:34 00:02:49 01:35:07


[img]http://humanrace.co.uk/images/stories/gallery/2011/sbb/vsig_images/8_590_391_100.jpg[/img]
Start

[img]http://humanrace.co.uk/images/stories/gallery/2011/sbb/vsig_images/9_590_391_100.jpg[/img]
Start run

[img]http://humanrace.co.uk/images/stories/gallery/2011/sbb/vsig_images/1_590_295_100.jpg[/img]
Lassonde

[img]http://humanrace.co.uk/images/stories/gallery/2011/sbb/vsig_images/04_590_392_100.jpg[/img]
Dom running

[img]http://humanrace.co.uk/images/stories/gallery/2011/sbb/vsig_images/0011_262_393_100.jpg[/img]
Winner Sam Baxter 2h42.38

[Dominic]

My aims were a lot more modest the Sylv's. I had been hoping to go under 3.5 hours and secretly harbouring thoughts of 3 .25. That will have to wait till next year

My plan was simple about an hour for each run, about an hour and quarter for the bike. I didn't even think about transition times. This was my first multisport event since I was 21, so a long time ago!!!!

Marek had said that he was aiming at similar run times to me so imagine my suprise when he went haring away and out of sight in the first two miles. I was beginning to worry about pacing strategy but just ran steady and hoped for the best. I didn't warm up before the start so that I wouldn't get carried away and seemed to stand me in good stead as things got easier as the run progressed. First time up Boxhill, no problem.

In to the transition shoes, helmet and gilet on and off I went. Got on bike and passed Marek who had put coat, gloves and overshoes on and was having trouble getting his feet in the pedals. He again passed me in the first two miles of the first bike lap. The bike was fun. Passing lots of people and dodging those that couldn't ride in a straight line or round corners. Not sure why they all had to ride in the middle of the road and I found myself on the wrong side of the road occasionally to pass them. Much less risky than going up the inside. Was very mindful of the run after the bike but was still shocked to find that it took 1 hour 21 minutes. Riding up Boxhill is a lot easier than running. Could have gone faster!!

I should have known what I was in for when I got off the bike and started to run/hobble to the transition, nice twinge on the hamstrings. Got a shout from George telling me that Marek was in the transition. Passed Marek in the transition and off I went. I thought I was going to die on the way to Headley. Despite my heart rate being okay (155bpm). I thought my lungs were going to come out of my mouth any time and my legs felt absolutely dead. A guy from Wimbledon Windmillers came by and I tried to go with him. Not a chance and ended up backing off until I got my breathing under control. Then it was a case of putting one foot in front of the other and getting on with it. Little Switzerland went on for ever and by that time my quads were pinging everytime my feet hit the ground.

Last time up Boxhill was awful but I took strength from the fact that most people were either walking or going slower than me. I must have passed at least five people going up. Into the finish and what a relief to stop. Sat down next to Sylv and we were shortly joined by Marek. Real sense of achievement finishing though. Looking at the split times for the run I am especially pleased with the second run being so close to the first, because it didn't feel anywhere near as fast.

I have to say despite me moaning about the cost it was worth it and was a great event, well marshalled and time chips make timings instant at the end!!

Thanks again to Sylv for the lift and well done on the result.

[Ian A4size]

Great write ups lads,
I was all out of puff just reading it,

who'd have thunk- a scotsman moaning about the price of anything?

[Rogan]

Great write up and superb effort Sylv. That Ball Buster sounds bloody tough!

[Paul H]

We will have to do some brick sessions Sylv.

[Antloony]

Yep top write up as usual Sylv and good to hear about Doms efforts. Sounds like hard work though. A large group of us left the cafe early I'm a bid to see you guys finish but missed you all, sorry chaps.

[Marek]

Ok, so I spent a lot of time in transition, just couldn't make my mind up on what to wear and then decided to put my jacket on which then required me to take off my gloves again to do up the zip etc etc.

First run was ok, set off at a reasonable pace but tried to keep the pace down to a reasonable level as I know that this race can be hard later on. It was pretty cold standing around at the start, bumped into Mark Bayliss who is training for the Marathon des Sables, thought he would be wearing a lot more clothes, found out later he did the race on half a cereal bar and the dew licked off a leaf.

Calf muscles were a little sore after the first run, the running on the front of the feet is a bit harder on the calf muscles, although have no knee pains when run this way which is good. Came into transition and Dominic was just behind me. I got out onto the bike but could not for the life of me get my left foot clipped into the pedal. All the mud running through transition had got caught on my cleat and also the pedals are quite new so I think the tensioning may have been wrong. Anyhow, Dominic came flying by telling me to hurry up, which considering I was standing still was pretty easy. Eventually got going and put my foot down, managed to catch up with Dominic and go past him. He then came back past me on the downhill but then I got away from him.

Some guy got onto my tail and then on the fast back section of the course came past me and asked me if I would like to work with him. I then informed the plonker that this was a non drafting event and that we would get disqualified.

Plodded along and got around the 3 laps, the leader came past me just at the top of the hill on my second loop, he had just completed his 3rd loop. The marshalls at the top nearly got knocked over by the guy he was travelling so fast, very impressive.

Onto the final run and in transition Dominic caught me up, and then overtook me, that was after Paul and George had given me a load of stick about my white compression socks, which I must admit look bliming stupid. I was too busy having a gel and a drink and doing up my shoelaces in transition which is why is took me so long. I could see Dominic for the first part of the run but then he pulled away a bit and I was not going to be going any faster. Felt pretty tough as ever and there were lots of people suffering. Onto Box for the last time and there were guys walking and really struggling to get up. I managed to jog up but it was painful and slow. Mark Bayliss had blown and was just going over the finish line and I came in just a few seconds after.

Overall a good race and great to see a lot of people out and about.

Cheers

Marek....

[Sylv]

[quote="Marek"]I was too busy having a gel and a drink and doing up my shoelaces in transition which is why is took me so long.

[Andrew G]

[quote="Marek"]Paul and George had given me a load of stick about my white compression socks

[quote="Andrew G"][quote="Marek"]Paul and George had given me a load of stick about my white compression socks

[Sylv]

Blah blah blah - I got some too, i'll wear them next time just for you guys

[Paul H]

I must confess that I wear them as well

[img]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/21862_267912008881_617553881_3313775_3725515_n.jpg[/img]

[Andrew G]

I just couldn't bring myself to wear them, even if they do anything. As Jon said when Kevin Tye overtook us both at the National 50 last year, "rockin' the Japanese schoolgirl look".

[Scott]

REPORT

I'll be back!!

Nuff Said!