Sundried ambassador Simon Ward won his Age Group at the prestigious London Duathlon this year. He gives us a report of how he got on at the electric event.

The Biggest Duathlon In The World

As the sun rose on September 17th, I found myself making my way to Richmond Park, London for the start of the biggest Duathlon in the World, The London Duathlon. It has been a tough year and a long season. Qualifying for the World Championships in Canada was in March, in the snow! The Championships in August had delivered a slightly disappointing 34th place. Today felt different. I had been coached by Australian Michael Pratt, a coach to multiple World Champions, for the last month, and I found myself being delivered to the start line feeling confident and strong.

Although the last 4 weeks should not have a major effect on performance, I just felt like an athlete for the first time this year. I was to start in the first wave, which was a huge benefit to my race tactics - to attack from the gun. At the start, I settled into 2nd place on the initial run and sped out of the start arena and chased the leader who was a short distance ahead. Realising quickly that his run speed would inch him away, I established a rhythm and concentrated on my own race. That’s when I hit the first hill. A solid 3-minute climb spread the field out nicely before plunging downward to the half way point, and then a flat, fast finish for the first run.

I could see the leader 30 seconds ahead as I entered transition. Friends who were there supporting me screamed encouragement as I weaved amongst the bike racks finding shoes, bike and helmet in my pre-set positions. The rough ground that exited transition had dictated that my shoes were not attached to my pedals. Although this is quicker, my instinct proved right as I pushed my run first shoe off, fastened helmet and placed my first cycle shoe on in a fluid 5 second movement, quickly removing the second shoe and jumping into my cycle shoes and exiting the bike racks I found myself chasing the leader out of the transition area.

We mounted simultaneously, however he was struggling to get his feet into the pedal mounted shoes, as I immediately smashed through the gears following the rewarding snap of feet clipping into pedals and immediately delivering 400+ watt pedal strokes and firing me out of transition onto the cycle course and into the lead. I attacked the bike course with venom and determination I had not known for years, the first climb felt like a Tour-de-France stage, climbing endlessly into lactate threshold oblivion, watched by a bemused group of deer and several dozen spectators whose raucous support and loud cow bells would ring in my ears for the rest of the lap.

I estimated a 3-minute lead at the halfway point, then the disaster came. As I sped downhill to one of the roundabout turn points, my brakes smoking and screeching to a controlled speed, the downshift gearing struggled, then hesitated and then the chain came off the rear cogs and jammed. I leaped off the bike and immediately turned it upside down, within an agonising 40 seconds the chain was back on and the cogs turned freely. I was back on my way, 2-3 minutes lost and a swear box full to capacity. Apologies to anyone within earshot. It would be another few minutes before I would get back up to speed and rhythm. I no longer knew if I was still leading, the other races that day were now at various stages, meaning that around 3,000 people were on the bike course. The second lap completed without incident, and I had managed to push really hard towards the end, knowing I just had a 5k run to go.

The final run was a lesson in pain management. Cramp in both calves meant that I was going to find the hill a challenge to say the least. Every stride was agony, but I just couldn’t stop, I didn’t know where anyone else was in the race, I just had to keep putting one foot in front of the other. 1k down, up the hill, drink station at 2.5k, photographer at 3k, turn at 4k and final straight were all a blur as my mental countdown to the finish pushed me onward. The music, cheers and commentators pulled me slowly towards the finish line as with huge relief I crossed the line. I had won, by around 2 minutes. The post-race data would show that it was the fastest I had raced all year, and the hardest I had pushed myself. The great Czech Emil Zatopek said of big race days- “Today, we die a little”. This was the day I died a lot. Cannot wait for the next time.

Sundried ambassador Conal McBride is an Ironman triathlete who completed his first 70.3 race back in 2011. He tells us about winning the Bamburgh Middle Distance Triathlon 2017 which is part of the Castle Triathlon Series and takes place in Northumberland, England.

Pre Race

I actually decided to do this race very last minute. Only thirteen days previously I had been forced to drop out of Ironman Maastricht-Limburgh part way through the run section. So I decided to take the risk of being fatigued and entered anyway. Bamburgh Castle is a Grade I listed building and is the largest inhabited castle in the UK. It provided a stunning backdrop for this event and it was organised brilliantly.

Swim

Race morning brought very heavy winds and choppy seas and I soon realised that the wind would become the theme for the day. The swim was an out and back 1900m sea swim with the return leg against a strong current. One lone swimmer led the racers and I comfortably settled into the chase pack. I was happy to exit the water in 4th position with a time of 32 minutes before the long run to transition. 

Bike

The bike was two loops of a 45km undulating circuit. However, very strong winds made for a white knuckle ride for the day. It was mostly a lonely bike for me until 60k when another rider caught me and we rolled into T2 together. I was happy to post a 2.45 split. The wind made sure the times were modest.

Run

A quick transition and I was on the run course in 2nd place and feeling strong. The announcer informed me I was exactly 5 minutes down on the lead. I settled into a good rhythm and started to tick off the 4-loop 21km run. It wasn’t long before the previous exertions at Ironman Maastricht-Limburg and heavy winds started to take their toll. I kept on top of the nutrition and started to drink coke. The course at Bamburgh is a mix of trail and golf course and has one stretch of soft sand which, for me, was the most testing part of the day. I managed to hold on for the win with a 1:30 half marathon split. 

Overall

I wore the Sundried pro triathlon suit for this race. It fits like a glove and regulates body temperature very well. Thank you Sundried! Now for a break from the longer triathlon stuff and time to hit the trail races for the winter. 

Date: Sunday the 4th of June 2017

Location: Tallington Lakes Leisure Park, Barholm Rd, Tallington, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 4RJ

Event Type and distance: 

Super Sprint Distance Open Water Triathlon 400m swim - 9km bike - 2.5km run

Sprint Distance Open Water Triathlon 750m swim - 24km bike - 5km run

Olympic distance Open Water Triathlon 1500m swim - 42km bike - 10km run

Amenities: Chip timing, secure transition, water stations, bespoke finishers medal, trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd man and woman on all races, free post race massage, free race photographs, post race meal of jacket potato, filling & salad with a bottle of still water.

Entry Price: From £33

The Tallington Lakes Triathlon takes athletes through the Lincolnshire countryside and gives them the chance to swim in the clean, spring-fed lakes where wetsuits are optional. Only 1.5 hours from London, this unique location for a triathlon has everything a competitor needs from novice to elite. This triathlon is very family and spectator friendly with plenty to do for family and friends who may wish to come to support you. You can even make a weekend of it by staying in one of the lodges nearby!

Sundried will be at the event providing all competitors with goody bags with additional treats from our partners.

Date: 2nd of July 2017

Location: Fambridge Yacht Station, Ferry Road, North Fambridge, Essex

Event Type and Distance: Half Ironman Triathlon 1.9km Swim / 90km Cycle / 18km Run

Amenities: Free camping to all competitors, BBQ, chip timing, Sports massage, wetsuit hire, Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd male and female, medals for all competitors 

Entry Price: From £91

The Fambridge Half Iron Triathlon is the premier Half Ironman event in Essex and London. it starts and finishes at Fambridge Yacht Station on the River Crouch. North Fambridge is a charming and peaceful village and there is plenty to do with Maldon, Chelmsford, Basildon, and Burnham on Crouch all nearby. The area is rich with wildlife and Blue House Farm Nature Reserve is well worth a visit. For those who enjoy walking, you can follow the sea wall to the historic town of Burnham on Crouch, get the train back and grab something to eat at The Ferry Boat Inn.

Athletes will be swimming in the River Crouch. Participants will get to enjoy the quiet, scenic roads of the Dengie Peninsula on the bike section of the race. The running course is situated around the Fambridge Village; it's recommended that friends and family stay in this area as this is where the spectators gather. The running course is also lined with aid stations providing various energy bars and drinks. The Ferry Boat Inn will also provide refreshments and a BBQ at the finish line.

Sundried will be providing the event competitor goody bags with additional treats from trusted businesses.

Date: Sunday the 18th of June 2017

Location: Ongar Leisure Centre, The Gables, Fyfield Rd, Chipping Ongar, Essex, CM5 0GA

Event Type and Distance: Triathlon 300m pool swim - 21km cycle - 4km run

Amenities: Novice friendly, pool swim, chip timing, shortened course, toilets, showers, catering

Entry Price: From £42

Try a Tri is an introductory event specifically designed for novice triathletes. The course is a 300m pool swim in Ongar leisure centre, a 21km scenic bike ride through the glorious Essex countryside, and finishing with a 4km run on flat, grassy ground. 

Sundried will be providing the event competitor goody bags with additional treats from trusted businesses.