Footnotes - Doing the Du
Don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk. No member of the Insall clan has ever swum further than from the soap to the tap - it's a matter of pride with us. So I decided, despite the rallying cry of Simon Richards in May's 'Footnotes' not to try a Tri. However, when he suggested doing a Du there seemed to be no valid excuse. Steve Duddell and I went over to Castle Combe and this is what we found.
I don't think Simon mentioned the weather in his article. You tend to think of Triathlon in terms of minimal clothing, bronzed bodies in perfect buff, shades that cost more than my wardrobe and lots of drink stations. Well, from now on I shall always connect Duathlon with driving rain. So if I tell you it was brilliant fun, that must mean something.
The next thing I noticed was that we recognised quite a few of the competitors. Aileen Brown (representing someone else on the night, I have to point out) and Suzy Orr as an observer. People from numerous running clubs and, you can never escape the yellow peril, several Bittons.
The course, as Simon has said, is a two mile running lap around the perimeter of the motor racing circuit, five cycling laps of the circuit itself - just under two miles - and then virtually the same running lap again. Before we set off a wry and informative race briefing was given, including one or two important safety related rules. Then they fired the gun and, bloody hell, it was like the start of a track 800, as 150 muscle-bound duathletes vanished into the distance... and then started to come back again. On the run at least we wouldn't be embarrassed.
On the bike, we weren't among the best but we weren't the worst either. There were people there clearly just bravely giving it a go, on bikes even worse than the shopper Simon lent to Steve. Some were going faster than us and a few much faster; so what? It was a really great experience to zoom round the circuit, rain or not, in company with 150 others, and no traffic.
And then there is the delight of the run all over again. Quite a few cyclists had overtaken us, of course, and our comical inexperience in the transitions cost us places by the handful (Steve had to go back because his cycle helmet came off, I couldn't find my bike or do my shoelaces up). So at the start of the second run there were people in front of us - how can I put this politely- ripe for the plucking. I cannot tell you how good it feels to slalom through a field of very fit and competitive runners.
The event was very friendly, the marshalling was excellent, at the end there were all the bananas you could eat, and it cost a tenner. Simon was right, this is great fun. So here comes the pitch: there is another event on August 7th, so you can take a look if you like. Then let's make a date for September 4th and get over there in force - GWR duathlon mob match! It's easy to drive to or trains go regularly from Temple Meads to Chippenham, giving a nice warm-up ride.
More info from Phil if you wish, or why not ask Simon and Veronica - they actually know what they're talking about.
Ps: we used ordinary bikes with racks on, no special clothing, and no shades at all... |
