A quick recap. I chose this event as my main focus for the year as it appears on a lot of must do triathlon lists. It also favours those that are better on a bike, which having come from a cycling only background, I thought I would go well. “Iconic” many describe it as. “Memorable” many others. I’ll go with “fuckin hard.
The race itself is slightly longer than a half ironman, 2.2km swim, 115km Bike and a 22km run. What makes it different is the swim is in a lake at 700m , the bike takes in three climbs including Alpe D’Huez and the run is undulating (hilly) at 2000m. It also has a split transition. I’m never so keen on split transitions, it’s something else to think about.
I did the event as a family trip which brings its own pitfalls and benefits. Personally after finishing a big event a hug off my kids makes a world of difference to post race recovery. However the pitfalls is you maybe have to be a bit more organised and you also have to think about how the race will impact on them. For instance, you may decide to minimise their waiting about by “cutting it a bit fine” at the start. And that’s how I shall start my race day.
Race Day
I decided to park at the top so my Van was at the finish and then ride down to the start. As we drove up to the top of the Alpe, hundreds of cyclists were making the 30 minute trip down to the start. This was pleasing as I would have a big crowd to follow. As I said above, I didn’t want to leave my family hanging about anymore than I absolutely had to, so with a race time of 9.30am start (very leisurely compared to an IM) I would leave the village at 8.30, get to the start at 9.00 for the briefing and then have some faf time. However, after setting upT2, it was 8.40 as I left. No matter, get in a group and roll down. No. No that didn’t happen, I was totally alone. Paranoid thoughts started racing through my head. Have I got it wrong???? A build up of nervous energy. Not a good start. By 9.05am I still couldn’t see the lake. SHIT! have I gone the wrong way?? I catch a glimpse at 9.10. I am now time trialling at 40kph to make the start. I scream into transition at 9.20. Get marked up, strip off and wetsuit on and run to the lake. I don’t need a warm up…….
The Swim
The lake is legandary for being cold, usually topping out at 14 degrees. I struggle with really cold swims, I’ve had a few panic attacks in the past. I did use an extra skull cap, but I must admit I was so stressed at almost missing the start I didn’t notice. As you get in the lake the start is about 150m away. I dipped my head and tested my goggles, all fine then noticed the gun had gone off and I wasn’t near the start line – better get cracking then!!!
I latched onto the back of the field but as my swim has improved I was continually catching slower swimmers and having to pass. This causes you have to check your stroke a lot and change course. Add in the chaos of the first buoy and I found the first half of the swim pretty tough. Lots of kicks and slaps. It was maybe the start of the second lap before I was in a group of a similar speed and level. I exited the swim in 41mins which all things considered wasn’t a bad time, I maybe lost 2-3mins which is nothing really. I was glad to be out.
The Bike
I always look forward to the bike; it will always be my favourite part of an triathlon. And with three big climbs it would be a good day out. What struck me first was how bad the drafting was to the first climb. I took the moral high ground and dropped away from big packs. That changed when I saw how many were taking advantage. I jumped on the back of one big group near the foot of the first climb. What is noticed second was that I had no HR data. Not ideal but at least I had my power meter. Well I did have for 20km then I noticed I was averaging 1000watts and then it promptly packed up. I’d like to write a review of the stages power crank, it would fill a blog. However I can’t be bothered. I’ll summarise with its unreliable and shit. I checked the battery at 10pm the night before (it was full). Clearly the damp conditions overnight caused it to discharge and so it packed up,
Given I train using power, cadence and HR to be robbed of all that data so early was a pain. Riding on feel is fine given the right conditions, but I didn’t measure my effort well on the first climb and on the valley roads with a headwind I think I went too hard. For me it was a day that given the conditions (heat and headwinds) I really needed to know where I was. The first climb was a lot longer than I thought. Despite being fairly experienced, I don’t spend enough time reading race manuals. I found the roads between the first and second climb tough. My legs felt dead. I refuelled properly at two aid stations and came back a bit on the Col de Onron. That just left the climb to Alpe D’Huez.
It’s known that it’s tough. I rode it earlier in the week in just over an hour and hoped to achieve about 1hr10 in the race. I did 1hr26 and it was a struggle. With a 34/27 I couldn’t quite spin and had very sore knees, so had to climb out of the saddle a fair bit. The support was amazing and when I reached the top it was a sense of relief and achievment. 5hrs 30 was about 30 mins slower than I had wanted. Why? I don’t know. Maybe burnt a bit getting to the start. Maybe I wasn’t as bike fit as I needed to be. Hard to tell. Still,jJust the run now.
The Run
It’s undulating. I’d say hilly. And it’s off road a pavement. I was glad to be off my bike and running. I did the first 10km just under an hour and was happy enough. I was going for a 2hr flat. Mid way through the second lap I was in a lot of discomfort with my knees and I had to walk a few aid stations, freeing my knee caps at the same time. Third lap I was walking more. They were just too damn sore to run. I crossed the line in 2hrs 10 with a total time of 8hrs34mins. I was properly knackered.
The Verdict
I’m happy enough. I would have liked 7.59, but it drifted on the bike. I found it tough, but I did love it. It’s a proper iconic race. It’s a one off, I can’t see me going back. But I’m glad I have it in my palmares.
NN