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: 20th of May 2017

Location: Hanningfield Reservoir, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1WT

Event Type and distance: 

Sprint Triathlon: 750m swim - 24km bike - 5km run

Standard (Olympic) Triathlon: 1500m swim - 36km bike - 10km run

Amenities: Aid stations, catering, chip timing, distance markers, numbered racking, results on website, secure transition, toilets

Entry Price: Sprint £40, Standard £60, Relay Team £25 each

The Hanningfield Triathlon is organised by Essex & Suffolk Water and is in support of WaterAid, a charity which Sundried also supports. Sponsorship is encouraged for this race as it aims to raise money for WaterAid which does fantastic work for underprivileged children in developing countries. 

For more information about this event and to enter, please visit: http://www.wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/events/events/hanningfield-triathlon

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

Date: Sunday the 3rd of September 2017

Location: Tri20 Swim Centre, Kirtons Farm Rd, Burghfield, Reading, RG30 3UN

Event Type and distance:

Sprint Distance Triathlon 750m swim - 22km bike - 5.4km run

Standard Distance Triathlon 1500m swim - 44km bike - 10.8km run

Amenities: Chip timing, parking, refreshments, secure transition

Entry Price: From £65

Reading boasts being the birthplace of triathlon, with the first ever event being held there in 1983. The event was reborn in 2010 and is now in its seventh year. 

The event could be known as "The 110% triathlon" as the bike and run sections are 10% over the standard distances, but the organisers see it as you getting more for your money!

The Olympic Distance swim will be a 2 loop course and the Sprint Distance race will be a single loop. 

The bike course starts on a closed road from the hotel grounds before heading out into some beautiful Berkshire countryside; it’s gently undulating but no more than that! For the Sprint you’ll complete one lap of 22km and it’s two 22km laps for the Standard Distance.

The run is 3 laps around a lovely lakeside trail for the Sprint event and 6 laps for the Standard distance. 

Sundried will be providing all event competitors with goodie bags which include additional treats from trusted businesses.

Date: 4th of June 2017

Location:  Henley Leisure Centre and Gillots School, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1PS

Event Type and distance: 

Sprint & Relay: 400m swim - 25k cycle - 5k run

Super Sprint & Fun: 200m swim - 12.5k cycle - 2.5k run

Amenities: Chip timing, pool-based swim, medal for every finisher

Entry Price: From £51

The increasingly popular Henley-on-Thames Triathlon is in its seventh year and takes place at Henley Leisure Centre and Gillots School. The town is perhaps best known for the annual Royal Regatta, which attracts some of the world's finest rowers. Th triathlon venue is situated just outside the beautiful town of Henley on the edge of the Chiltern Hills and the banks of the River Thames. Boasting a spectator friendly course, the Henley Triathlon is not to be missed! The course boasts a run along a scenic riverside market town and is chip timed. The swim is in an indoor pool and the bike course runs through rural Oxfordshire. 

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