Crystal Palace Sprint Triathlon - Laura's Race Report

I did the Crystal Palace Sprint Triathon on Sunday May 20th.
It was great fun and made a nice change from straight running!  I trained for 8 weeks going for a half hour swim once a week, doing a weekly spin class and running home, doing our track sessions and a 3-6 mile slow run on Sundays.   Here's how it all went down:

Pool swim.
Breaststroke as it's all I've got! I gave them a predicted time of 16:30 (guesstimate after trying to time myself in an empty pool a few weeks ago) and ended up swimming 17:34.  Apparently quite good for breaststoke.  Not wanting to slow down the next person when you're slightly in over your head is a great incentive to get a move on!
20K Bike
OK this was on my 1980s-vintage 5-speed Raleigh ladies racer bought unseen off ebay with no toe clips or cleats. The course was 9 laps and hilly, but it was the down hills and bends that threw me off -- not literally, though -- as I did most of my training at spin class.  I was just too chicken to freewheel down them at top speed. I was stronger on flat and uphills.  So a bit of a slow bike at 53:43, but given my lack of experience and funky equipment, not bad either.
5K Run
Well, I expected to run the slowest 5K of my life looking at the pained faces of other runners while I was on the bike. It started with a horrible hill which you negotiated on 2 laps, followed by some nice downhill and a lap and a half of the track finishing in the National Athletics Stadium (whoo hoo).   Surprised myself with 23:04 for the run.  Probably thanks to Jon's track sessions!

Nothing went wrong and even the weather wasn't tooo bad. No rain, anyway. Great event. Might do another sometime, but would obviously need a better bike if I ever wanted to take it seriously. Aside from a handful of mountain bikes I didn't spot ANY OTHER BIKES that weren't totally awesome looking. So don't believe what you read about people turning up to race on granny bikes with baskets on the front.

I came 15th out of about 50 in the FV40-49 age group and was 73rd female out of not sure how many but about 650 people raced. 

TOTAL 1:38:51
750 Swim 17:34 (breaststroke)
T1 3:21
20K Cycle 53:43 (hilly slightly scary 9 laps, and on 1980s 5-speed with no toe clips, mind you)
T2 1:07
5K Run 23:04 (same hilly, but some downhill so v. pleased with my run split)

Newquay Airport 10k

Yes, you read that right - Newquay, Cornwall! Krysh and I were in Cornwall for our anniversary, spotted this event and decided it sounded pretty unique and better than just a training run.

It was billed as a flat 10k on the 'Airside' of RAF St Mawgan and Newquay Airport. It was in aid of the Cornish Air Ambulance and the route went in and out of their new hangar and all over the airport.

It was the first time they'd organised a race and as a consequence it started 45mins late. We registered on the day and had no queue to do so. Everyone who had pre-entered had to queue up to collect their race numbers and that took ages.

It certainly wasn't flat and there was a pretty serious headwind to contend with from 1-3k. They had a lead off bike and one very fast runner. As gaps grew a few runners took meandering routes across the runways as they didn't know where the best line was.

After the first couple of kilometres I settled in to 7th place with a couple of guys on my shoulder. One of them snook past at 7k but I managed to hold off the other guy to finish in 8th place, just dipping under 40mins. Krysh made it round (slowly). I had to contend with nearly getting taken out by a hand glider with 500m to go (a group were carrying it round the 4k fun run)?

They've promised results will be up in the week, so we'll see how far ahead the speedy first guy was then! Apparently they had 550 runners, which for a new race they'll be very happy about and raised funds for a very worthy cause.

Janie's Argus Ride 2012

ARGUS 2012 - after the fact I'm afraid
The 2012 Argus Cycle Race took place on 11 March – despite the slight set back to her health in 2011 Janie rode in 2012 (See below.)
We now have 48 disadvantaged children in 11 schools each with an individual sponsor. The sponsorship pays for the school fees, basic uniform, stationery and outings, thus making the children the “same” as their peers. However, there are always other pressing needs outwith the sponsorship funds, which is why I ride the Argus! These include transport costs for some of the children who are “moved” out of the school area, snacks each school day for those unable to afford them, supplementary uniform apart from the basics etc. If a sponsor feels unable to continue with the financial support, we never withdraw the funding – another reason why we need financial back up.
Please help this enormously rewarding initiative by sponsoring me and my bike!
UK donations either cheque/cash/bank transfer: FJ Caesar CAHOOT sort code: 090640 a/c: 20363780
SA donations either cash or bank transfer: SM Charles STANDARD BANK Ref: Argus Branch: 025609 a/c: 270033068
22 of our sponsored children are at Chapel Street Primary School in District 6. Chapel Street Primary is celebrating its centenary this year. Here are JANIE’S GIRLS – Lebagong, Tshepang, Shanice, Sibulele, Anastazia, Elizabeth, Liyabona, Gemima and Ishrat with medals from my many races and little Mable with my cycling helmet!
THANK YOU SO MUCH - JANIE
Dear everyone
My bike is now resting after its 110km journey round the beautiful Cape Peninsula along with 35,000 friends. Sunday was my fifth Argus Cycle Tour and the second hottest on record with temperatures topping 42 degrees. Thanks to your wonderful support I managed to complete the course in 5 hours and 27 minutes, an hour longer than last year.
To date we have raised over R10,000 with more coming in all the time. These funds will be used to supplement the needs of the 51 children who currently have an individual sponsor and also unsponsored children who apply to us for a genuine “one off” request for financial assistance.
We thank you enormously for your support in giving these needy children an opportunity to better their lives through education which we firmly believe is the path out of poverty. It is a privilege for us, the difference is tangible and the rewards are immense.
Till next year!