Bedford classic

[jazz625]

I got it at 9.5K. It's defo a bit short.

But then again, most races have it a little different I'm finding, bike long, run or swim short, etc.... Which is kind of good in a way. It's more about you placing than the splits...

Don't you think?

For example.... I got a 29th for my age group. Thats OK.. Not great day for me, drank half the river, legs fell asleep on the bike (I hate the wind!!), woke up about half way through the run!

But it nice to simply treat it as a complete race end to end.

Anyway, that's what I think.
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Lets do another Ironman :-s

[explorerJC]

[Felty]

[B.B.]

I thought it was a cracking race again (enjoyed it last year as well).

This was my first race post IM, and was looking forward to seeing what I had in my legs 6 weeks after IMDE, and having placed well with 2.09 at Windsor pre IM.

Turns out I didn't really get to find out as I p*nctured at about mile 10 on the bike!

Decent but slower than hoped swim of 23.40 or so (out of the water, not to the mat). Weeds slowed me down a bit, and didn't go out hard enough to catch the feet of the fast lads. Lesson learnt. In high quality fields have to head out hard. On the positive side, looks like the swim was shortened a bit compared to last year (both start and turnaround??) so distance more accurate.

Was working really hard on the bike, with the aim of riding as hard as possible and dealing with it on the run. Was going well, with avg speed of about 23.5mph... then my front went. Toyed with DNF-ing, but realised I was so far out that I'd need to change and ride in anyway, so changed it in a leisurely 9 mins, and got back to it. Lost my race head for quite a while, but managed to wind myself back up and ride hard for the run back into town.

Run was OK - no race head urgency, and round in 38.45 for 2.22. So probably something around 2.12-2.13 without the stop, subject to me not trashing my run legs the way I was riding. Felt I was running more like 40 pace, so it was probably 300m short or so??

Drafting... I saw a fair bit out there, and it was made worse by a high quality field heading out on small country roads that were very narrow, all in a tight timeframe. There was certainly more than last year, but that was on wider roads. The lack of draft busters was pretty poor, I thought. As I was in the last wave, my p*ncture meant I was right at the back of the field, so it was lovely riding back there with clear roads - very little drafting seen then!

I was racked about 5 bikes down from the Scott Plasma. F*cking awesome looking bike!!

Thanks Steve and crew - other than the lack of draftbusters, that was a great race. And thanks JC for the support - much appreciated on a quiet bit of the course.
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Doing the best with what the big man gave me. When that fails, I buy more kit
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[JW]

[N11sml]

What a great race. started in the last wave. Did not see any drafting at all from the position i was in. Did however nearly see the side of a caravan as it blocked up an entire exit on an island and had to stop, loosing some time and places.

Swim was great, even with the weeds

Bike was fantatstic, Police were amazing. Coming towards the last island they stopped the traffic both ways for me to cross.

Run was great, JC what an effort, i was in my BRAT club kit and you clapped every time i went passed. On the last lap i could only manage a hand wave.

The bit coming towards the boat club was hard because their was an ice cream stand. Should have bought some money and got and got one.

Thanks for the excellent organisation and fantastic support. Well done to the guys pulling out of the water, was a big help.
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BRAT BIRMINGHAM TRIATHLON
www.3dtri.co.uk

[Andy G]

Excellently organised as ever.

Great police presence on the roads, stopping traffic at roundabouts and assisting with the right turns.

Didn't see any draft-busters myself, but didn't see much drafting from my position towards the back.

Run appeared short from my time, but felt ultra-long, given I was dragging my injured right leg around which was really giving me grief. Probably should have stepped off the course after the bike or after the first lap of the run.

Andy G

[tivmeistergeneral]

Anyone know who was taking photos out there? I lost the flyer that was in the "goodie" bag.
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Beard - the new Carbon
Blog

[B.B.]

This lot:
http://gallery.sussexsportphotography.com/gallery.tlx
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Doing the best with what the big man gave me. When that fails, I buy more kit
www.twitter.com/Pablo_Burt

[tivmeistergeneral]

Thanks Paul
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Beard - the new Carbon
Blog

[disasterP]

[divsdaz]

does any one no who the person was who cam off the bike saw him walking back in to tranistion with some nice road rash

[ollyp]

[Bean :-)]

Just wanted to say that I enjoyed the race on Sunday and thought it was well organised.


explorerJC - Thank you for your support as always! Managed to find the first aid station in the end. Just glad it wasn't any worse!

JW - Your legs will definitely come back and more after all that hill training!

ollyp - Well done on your race!

lizzie - It was nice to meet and speak to you at this race after Worthing. Good luck with your PhD and your new coach.

Felty - Please try not to get in to any more "fights" with cars - they are much bigger than you
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"I didn't want to come swimming at all to-day, but if, when in, I decide to practise a slight circular movement from right to left...it is nobody's business but my own."
A.A. Milne

[Felty]