Race simulation number 2: The Vitruvian Middle Distance Race
The Vitruvian is a fabled race in the triathlon calender - it has won race of the year at the 220 awards for several years on the trot. It is a race I have wanted to do for a few years. I entered it last year but just did not get there for a variety of reasons so I was determined to do it this year. It fills out quickly so early entry is required and when I entered back in February it was my intention that this would be the race to end to my season this year. However, as things have turned out it became a perfect session for race simulation number 2.My expectations of this race were exceeded. I have done the Dambuster race( standard distance) at Rutland water (the same venue) so I had an idea of the race routes (basically 2 x everything!). Rutland water is some of Englands nicest open water we swim in, always a tad cold but not foul tasting! The bike route is stunning, rolling (including the famous Rutland Ripple hills) but with some amazingly fast sections too. The run takes you out across the dam of the water(which is always challenging due to the cross winds) and the return run has a nasty little ’stinger’ as you approach the finish.The day before the race was very windy so I packed quite alot of warm kit to wear for the bike section. With a 7am start on an Autumn morning I wasn’t going to risk being frozen!We arrived at the race venue at 5am,before dawn, along with the other competitors (1000 total). I was pleased with the decision to rack the bike the eve before as I could see people trying to sort bikes out in the dark in the field car park. Dawn was just breaking as we made last min preps in transition. Transition closed at 6am so we had to be in wetsuits(unless you had a supporter who could look after kit) and out for the race briefing. The first wave was at 6.20am just as the sun was rising and this was Jimmy’s wave. The reservoir looked stunning as the sun rose above the water. My wave wasn’t till 7.10 so it got a tad chilly waiting by the water but it was very exciting to see the first waves off.When it was my turn to start there were still guys from the earlier waves in the water so we got mixed up with slower swimmers from the earlier waves…made for an interesting swim!After 1 lap you get out and run along the beach a small way and back in for the second lap…always cool to hear the shouts from the crowds as you do this. The second loop went ok and felt I had had a steady swim, well within myself.Out of the water, I had a rubbish T1, I was very cold and could not get my wetsuit off one of my legs!Then I had to get socks, gilet and mitts on(don’t normally bother with all this!). I was trying out compression socks so it was fun getting them up over wet calves! Once out on the bike I set up the garmin and settled into a nice pace, thinking about keeping the cadence high and not letting myself get carried away too soon. Kept an eye on my HR too as it would have been easy to think I was doing the standard distance course just the once and pelting off! I had a very solid bike and kept my pace pretty much for the second loop. The second loop was noticeably windier which was great on some sections but really tough on the final run in to transition…a little hill into the wind!T2 much quicker than T1 and off on the 2 x 10.5km loops across the dam and back. I mentally broke the run into the following sections..1. just get to the dam, 2. just get across the dam(with a cross wind), 3. just get to the church turning point(into the wind), 4. just get back to the dam(wind with you), 5. just get back across the dam(very strong cross wind!), 6. just get back to transition, 7. do points 1 to 6 again! I was aware my running has not been as I would have planned with the various problems I have had so wanted to make sure I ran all the way, albeit slowly. It was a slow run and I was disappointed but I did not want to do any further damage at this point. As it happens I have bruised something on the top of my foot so am icing and elevating today and dorsi flexing the foot is a no no!Jimmy had a brilliant first try at this distance, he enjoyed it and is looking for 70.3 events next year!He came 89th out of 1000…not bad for a first time!As a race I would thoroughly recommend The Vitruvian - it is extremely well set up,organised and marshalled. The feed stations were well manned and nothing ran out - there were even portaloos on the run course.The commentators make a great atmosphere and their energy is amazing as they announce every one finishing. They had commentators at the turn point of the run right on the other side of the dam - often turn points of races are lonely places but not so here. It really does help to have people cheering you in the last painful stages of the long races.For me it was another very valuable training session as I approach two very big weeks of training before tapering. Lanzarote will be a testing week of big volume training. It will be the first time I have trained on my own there and I will digging deep on the long tough bike rides and runs out there. Perfect preparation!
