TEAM bodylab

IRONMAN AUSTRIA

2011-07-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

Inspired last July, by the reports of Ironman Austria (swim 2.5 miles, bike 112 miles, run 26 miles) and with slots still available the following day, I decided to enter the 2011 race.
Since then, it’s been an interesting journey, I started swimming in October/ November once per week and after 7/8 weeks, found I had rekindled my form, if not my speed and endurance. Cycling, was going to be a gradual build up and in the new year we started riding both weekend days rather than one longer day in the saddle. Running I have some regular runs and hoped that with an increase in miles I’d establish a good endurance base to see me through the marathon leg of the race.
I adapted my time trial bike to a less aggressive position and trained on it from March, so come race day, it felt as familiar as my armchair.
Come what race day, training had gone ok, I was confident about the bike, nervous about the swim start, but believed, I just had to get my head around swimming for a long time. Running hadn’t been as consistent as I would have liked and felt a little short of miles in my legs. However, I realise the ironman run is not like a normal marathon and it’s a case of just running....
Klagenfurt and the surrounding area, didn’t disappoint, a beautiful lake surrounded by rolling hills and the Alps providing the back drop.
Three friends of Team Bodylab joined me to take part, Richard, Dave and Ian. We were all pretty relaxed and not feeling too pressured to perform, we were there more for the challenge and to enjoy the event, a good relaxed atmosphere, perfect for the race build up.
Come race day, we were all slightly nervous, wanting our own space but trying to be there for each other, announcements count down, ‘15 minutes to the start’ etc, the start is situated between three piers, nearly 3000 people standing on a beach some 20’ deep. Between the first two piers are the slower starters, the next two the faster. I walk up into the faster starters and head to the top corner, looks like a lot of people thought the same, so i head down into the middle, not where i want to be, so I stand back, to let the initial frenzy go and then swim through it!
7am, national anthem, a blessing from a priest and then ‘bang’ were off. People are running into the water, it looks like a washing machine, I walk down, losing time maybe, but I’m relaxed and find i’m swimming slow, but calm enough to navigate through the crowds, I head for the outside of the group, clear water, odd swimmers to follow and a nice relaxed swim ahead. No real blips, I’m swimming along, thinking about the bike, the wetsuit, just getting into the zone. After 2900m the swim funnels into a canal, I get tied up behind a swimmer snaking along, very hard to get past him and he’s slowing me down, however, I’m also conscious about using up too much energy, so bide my time and eventually pass him. I had a few landmarks in my mind, a bridge and some boats, as these became visible, I could countdown the swim and reach the turn into the swim finish – 15m, I take my goggles off, only to find the water deepens again so have to swim the last 20 metre without goggles – schoolboy error!!
It’s a long run to the transition, by the time I get there, my wetsuit is half off and I can slip on my vest, helmet and shoes. I fill my pockets some energy supplies for later, and head off to the bike. It’s taken 8 minutes, not very fast, but my body is recovered from the swim and I am ready to go.
Trying to take the bike easy, the pace is fast, but I’m steadily passing people, going alongside the lake, speed hovering around 23mph, could go faster, but this pace feels good, little energy usage, preserving everything I can for later in the ride. It’s a two lap course, a few small hills and one largish climb with a false summit, i.e. you think you have finished the climb, only to find, you’re only halfway up. There were a lot of groups forming, not legal, and some people really benefitting from drafting, I tried to avoid, by either dropping back or passing them, which I found quite easy to do whenever there were any inclines. I’m disheartened, when I pass a sign stating 60kms down, but when I look at the time, I realise I’m doing just fine. Richard, has told me get over the big hill and it’s downhill back to Klagenfurt, I didn’t quite find this to be the case, but that thought picked me up and got me all the way back...90kms down.

First lap, 2:35, putting me on for around 5:10 total bike..... the second lap is going to be more of a test of my fitness, can i maintain this pace? It’s going well, strong on hills although working a little harder and generally passing other cyclists. I climb into a small village, I guess around 25/30 miles into the second lap, as I pass some cyclists on the hill, then, disaster, a puncture, the tyre is flat in a second, I roll to a halt and jump off. Then stand, frustrated, cursing and ready to throw the bike in the hedge and leave it. Then, I cool down and think ‘ OK, no problem’, I spill my spares out, sweep my hand around the tyre looking for any bits and then whizz out the tube fit it. The gas pump plus adaptor for the disc wheel is fiddly, but it’s inflated in 3 seconds and I’m away again, shouting my goodbye’s to a family stood watching. The big hill, seems bigger and takes some effort to get up it. But with 10-15kms to go, I open it up and try to blaze home.. Total time on bike 5:26 and 5:17 actual riding the puncture and toilet break has lost 9 minutes.
5 minutes to drop off the bike, and swap shoes. I set off running, it’s barely a run, back is tight, it’s hot and I’m drinking to cool down rather than quench my thirst. I make it to 1.8 miles, back sore, hot, I choose to walk, 10 metres, then start to run again. Next feed station, feeling the same I walk, drink, sponge cold water onto my arms to cool and run . The run felt like it was going to take ages, the water is sloshing around in my stomach, I’m hot and can’t get in the ‘zone’, where I’m simply running. I also notice, that the people around me are running slower, I try to slow down, but no way. So I run and then use feed stations as a recovery walk, I realise that when I run, I am running rather than shuffling, so I find myself largely passing other runners Not the way I wanted to run the marathon , but still effective.
I get to the ‘ironman’ park, 1km to go, I’ve ran well for the past 5-6, only a couple of stops and good pace around 7min30seconds per mile. I pick it up again, Richard having finished in 9:30, is waiting for me to pass, he pushes me on and I see the sign ‘to finish’, marvellous I’m able to run down the shoot to the finish line, supported by a few thousand people. This is the moment, you remember, the 6-7 months of cycling in rain, wind and snow, late swim sessions, the fear at the start of the day, the niggles, the frustrations of juggling training and life, suddenly, you’re there, quite an amazing feeling and the race for me comes to an end...until the next one.
Post race, I drink anything I can lay my hands on, Richard and I wait on the run course for Ian and Dave... both finish the race looking strong, both have had decent performances.
All our finishing times were very respectable, but, for me it’s not about the time, it’s the ability to endure and complete the challenge. Next year there’ll be more friends there competing, Dave, Richard, Paul, Richard S... I think i’ll be there to support and focus on shorter distance more appropriate to my training schedules.
Many thanks to
Dave, Ian and Richard, three great people to race with.
Phil Wilson for motivation and training help through the year
Richard Shilito for support on the day (and anyone else who shouted ‘chris’ as I passed by.)
Friends at home who helped and supported me – Garrett Turbett, Ben Pochee

update

2011-04-04T04:53:00.000-07:00

Having had a bit of a loss of enthusiasm to train yesterday, I thought I should get some training organised for the week.

Wednesday night, I’m going to do some conditioning work for running. I thought I’d focus on the theme ‘running tall’ and have put together a series of drills and core work. We’ll meet at the clinic around 6:30 to start the session around 6:45/7. Please advise if you want to attend. Free for regular clients. £5 non regular.
Wednesday morning, I’ll be running the usual Friday morning route, with a vague notion that if time permits, we’ll aim for 10 miles.

Friday morning will be the regular breakfast run.

Saturday – Intensity Day – another Bodylab Blockbuster! Aim is to ride very early, probably around Highgate hills. Finish cycling, store bikes in my car change and join Highgate Harriers (though most of them are away racing on Saturday) and complete their interval session. Easy run after to wind down. We can do some drills /core work too if you want.

Sunday, I will probably try to ride with London Phoenix. 7am start, then add some on at the end. Hopefully by then i’ll have got a few short rides in.

Merry Christmas - Looking forward to a great New Year

2010-12-24T03:45:00.000-08:00

Hi there

Typing this as I’m sat on a train heading for Durham to spend Christmas with my family, quite relieved as for most of the day, it seemed unlikely there would be any trains running at all.

At Bodylab, it’s been a great year, I have taken various courses throughout the year to reinforce my knowledge, I also became ’famous’ appearing as a model therapist in the book ‘Sports Massage’ by Susan Findley, the Director of North London School of Sports Massage. Most of all though, it’s been a pleasure to treat and hopefully help you with your aches, niggles and training through the year. My biggest satisfaction is hearing that you go onto participate and achieve your goals.

On our sporting side we have had a good number of clients competing in various sports and races through the year, with some great results; Gaelle Lebray won Gold in her age group at the World Sprint Distance Triathlon World Championship. Team Bodylab raced in the St James Place Sprint Triathlon retaining the team title and an amalgamated team with Tri London finished in the top 10 at the UK Team relay Championships. We saw many clients and team members compete in a number of Marathons, Triathlons and Cycle events. We hope that next year we’ll develop further training sessions, particularly functional training to improve run technique and core conditioning. We are looking to run these on Thursday evenings - would this be of interest, convenient for you??

Christmas Closures

As I already said, I am now in Durham for Christmas, but will be back in the office and available for treatments on 30th December. I’ll then be in Thailand from 1st until 18th January and available after 19th January. Andy will be in the office on Thursday 23rd December and then back in the office after Christmas from 11th January for Osteopathy. I’ll be available via email or text message throughout my trip.

Christmas Special

If you’d like to organize a treatment for the New year, you can book by email until 20th January and receive two 1 hour treatments at the clinic for £60 * saving £30.

To look out for in 2011

Run mornings
Marathon training
Ironman preparation
Functional training, Running technique, Circuit training
Bike rides

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/bodylab

Merry Christmas

Chris

London Marathon

2010-04-26T03:31:00.001-07:00

Some great times posted by clients and team members at the 2010 London Marathon.
Ed 3:38
John 3:38
Phil 2:40
Anthony 3:34
Abigail 3:36
Charlotte 3:15
Emma 4:25
Nicholas 4:52
David 4:08
Neil 3:47
Dan 3:43
Savanna 4:22
Stephen 2:53

Well done to all, some great efforts and we're proud of you all

Chris

Marathon Des Sables and Easter weekend

2010-04-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

I just checked Michaels results, he’s around halfway in the field, so hopefully he’s set off at reasonable and sustainable pace, I’d have a got a bit excited, ran a 5:10 mile and then had to pull out.

Michaels trying to raise money for save the children ( www.justgiving.com/mark-and-mike if anyone wants to donate) He’s scheduled to run a further 4 marathons after the mds, including London. Michaels number is 884. He’s doing it with another guy – Mark, who will be keeping a blog on facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113318725346565

OK… good luck michael.

Closer to home, Easter proved to be a great training weekend, unfortunately not many people turned out for the sessions, we had a mix of distance and quality.

I started the weekend with sore hamstrings from a running technique session with Simon, on Thursday. Friday was a lovely 5 hour ride, including a stop for a hot pain au chocolate in buntingford and a cuppa in potters bar. Richard with his trip from Islington would have finished with around 90 miles in his legs. Pace was fairly even, although I had to rely far too much on quads strength getting up the hills. Saturday was a running day, we headed to Trent park, which was waterlogged, as my legs were still sore, we decided to work the hills or rather richard work the hills, so we repeated each hill twice, my let off was I’d only run back down to 1/3^rd of the up the hills, so having a small headstart and providing the ‘hare’ to chase for Richard. 90 minutes, pure quality.

Sunday we drove to Romney Marsh, what the Normans must have thought when they landed, I would have turned back! We rode the Marshman ½ ironman course, barring a 3 mile stretch on a dual carriage way. Very windy, very flat (mostly) With richard on the fromt, it became a pure time trial, the roads are generally great, very smooth and quiet, although as the ride went on we had our moments with cars. The average speed was well over 20mph. On Easter Monday, we set out on one of my favourite rides, to Ivingho, although we extended the trip out to build up the mileage – 70 for me and 90 for richard, pace was meant to be steady, I think it was, but we realised we rarely let up, so not that easy.

Today the legs feel truly tired, but can’t wait for the next training session- possibly a recovery run today…

This week, planning runs on Wednesday and Friday and probably Saturday. Sunday we are looking at doing a 60 mile sportif, road /track terrain…. Come on Craig, you know you want to!

Best Wishes to Michael…

Chris

Training in March

2010-03-11T04:34:00.000-08:00

We're starting to build up a bit of momentum, last weekend saw Chris and Richard run a steady 18 miles and this has been consolidated by Chris on the Wednesday morning session. Abigail, who's been doing the field session with Chris, got a PB at the Regents Park 10K, so the effort has already paid off.

This coming week, commencing Friday 12th March.

Friday Regents Park canal run, 7:45 from the BDC

Saturday 13th March, Long run, probably from Barnet. Aiming to run on soft ground, upto 15 miles.

Sunday, Bike ride, leaving Barnet at 8:30 am. approx 60 miles

Tuesday, may possibly see Chris back in the pool!

Tuesday, 10km run, Islington

Wednesday, field session, 8am, Highbury

Thursday, hoping to introduce a run / bike session.

As always, clients and friends are welcome to come along. Just let me know.

Chris

Building Up

2010-02-15T09:17:00.000-08:00

All is going well at Team Bodylab, the last month has focused on building up the running miles.

Saturday, Garrett and I met in Trent Park, we ran a large loop together making up around 7 miles, Garrett the returned to Enfield, giving him 19 miles for the complete run.

I continued around Trent Park to complete an 8 mile loop, totalling 15 miles.

This was followed by an easy ride on Sunday and today built up more miles with a 9 mile road run.

Tomorrow, it's hopefully going to be an opportunity to cycle in the morning or turbo and do a weights session.

Wednesday morning, we're planning an interval set around Highbury fields, the session will be 2 min 30 secs work with a stationary 90 second recovery.

Friday run will be the regular canal run.

Chris

Sunday Ride -07/02/10

2010-02-08T01:42:00.000-08:00

With various 10k's and half marathons going on, I found myself riding solo. With the weather cold, grey, dark and a touch of rain, I wasn't sure which direction to take, the front door or back to bed!

Alas the bike won. Aims of the ride, try to stay in light gears with highish cadence, work on the cadence on hills and then just put some miles in the legs.

It took a while to get warmed up and I followed a route out to cuffley, going over a few short climbs. I was maintaining a nice 17mph average and feeling quite fresh. Once I got passe Much haddam, I went onto new unexplored roads, finding some nice long 'draggy' climbs, high cadence, spinning up, funny how it seemed to hurt more and more and the heart rate went up through the roof.

It was a pretty hard ride, the temperatures dropped to an icy cold. I stumbled accross another club (9-10 riders) on brickendon hill, I didn't want to pass them and then have them start racing, so I sat in for a while and then thought ok, time to pass. I was pleased, they speeded up slightly, but i put a good 100m into them before reaching the top.

I prolonged the ride by deviating around the woods, must say, my legs felt great and hills which I had climbed on Saturday, seemed to bow down and offer no resistance. Unfortunately, i got held up on a red light at Potters Bar 5 miles from my flat. The group, who I had passed earlier arrived behind me, for a mile I sat on the front, really un aware that anyone was on my wheel, but the 2-3 came up and passed me. lovely, a tow home! Speed went up and I jumped onto a wheel, I went through, only for another to turn the screw more, but i noticed he was at his limit, so I went through again. Another two riders hit the fron, again I jumped on to the wheel, the group had blown apart and I found the pace up the final climb quite easy, so played my ace at the top of it and put it into the big ring!! Lovely, my legs are back!

Chris

Bodylab weekly - 02/12/09

2009-12-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

Hi All

Last weekend was great, three of us went training with Highagte Harriers down on the hampsteead field extensions, as most of the harriers were racing, we made up the majority, which was great as it gave us a gentle introduction to the session. Sunday saw us riding in wet windy conditions but at the end of the 47, well actually 75 mile ride!! We could only reflect what a quality session it had been... more of the same to come this weekend.

Friday night, I was hoping to organise a team bodylab Christmas meal, however, various members couldn't make this, and I'm having real problems trying to find an alternative. SO, I decided, I am going to go for a drinks anyhow, this Friday, everybody is welcome and we'll possibly look at a curry/thai/ pizza option to end the night.... i'll plan to be in the angelic (liverpool Road) from 7pm. Plan will nbe to have a get toether on my return from Thailand in late January.

Hope you are all well

Chris

Bikes rides and socials and a training camp

2009-11-17T07:18:00.001-08:00

Christmas Party
Every year we try to organise a Christmas get together, so thought I'll try and get in early and see if we can find a mutually convenient day. If you are interested in coming along, please let me know if you have any preference, I think I'd look around the 3/4/5 of December, I think I have three parties to attend so far, so my social diary is pretty flexible.

TRAINING CAMP
We talk about it, I think next year it's time to take Team Bodylab on Tour. I am thinking of going away for 7-10 days (may include two weekends) for mainly cycling. I haven't quite decided where, usual places I guess, Spain, majorca, Lanzarote, France or Italy, really depends on who wants to come. I'll be looking at package deals for Spain /majorca/ lanzarote or for Italy / France renting a Gite or possibly a hotel. Will look for somewhere with possiblity of open water swimming, hilly riding and some scenic runs.... Let me know if you are interested. I need to look at the diary for the London Marathon and easter to try and find a week, when I should be relatively quiet.

Cycle Rides

Last Saturday saw Richard and myself out there in the eye of the 'perfect' storm. We had scrapped the original idea of 100 miles, because of the weather and the fact that I actually hadn't cycled for 4 weeks! We took the car over to essex and parked up near Ingatestone. Richard sent text messages in the comfort of my car, whilst I got drenched getting the bikes out of the car, well at least i couldn't get much wetter. We followed a 50km circuit I have designed for a charity ride next May, but added on 3-4 extra 'loops' to suss out possible alternatives and make the ride closer to 45/50 miles.

Ingatestone, is close to the most easterly point of the course, so having set of with a nice tail wind, after around 4 miles, we turned west and directly into the head wind. It was tough, but fun, only a few other cyclists around - all miles in the bank for winter...

The course is great, very scenic, even in the storm and contains a few little hills, one of which was quite tough, however, it may have just been tough because it was after 30 miles of relentless wind and I am carrying a few too many mars bars around my waste!

We eventually got back to the car, when another deluge of rain soaked us again as we tried to change into dry clothes. Fortunately Jim's flat is only 2 miles away, so we paid him a visit, warmed up and then set back to London. For those South of the Thames, this is a great place we could rendezvous, ride around essex, eat in the Viper (pub) and then head home....

Sunday, was a more regular route, heading up through Walkern, Cottered and Buntingford, beofre heading back south to Hertford for tea stop and then home. It was great to have Stephen out with us, I just wasn't going to try and keep up with him and richard in the hills! But my first weekend back and over 100 miles in the bank, got to be pleased. This Sunday I'll be out again, the route will be dependant on forecast, but probably 60 miles ish. Departure time and venue to be confirmed - dependant upon who's coming out. Over the next few weeks, I'd like to plan a trip over the South Downs, I'll keep you posted.

Still not back running, but soon...

All the best
Chris

Sunday Ride 18/10/09

2009-10-19T07:26:00.001-07:00

This weeks Sunday ride wrnt out to Buntingford, First of all heading West to St Albans and the up towards Hertford, heading North Through Walkern and Cottered, before looping into Buntingford.

Pace was easy, but constant and we tried to work hard oin any of the hills. The weather was great, cool to start of but by 10>30 the sun was breaking through, just enough to keep the toes warm.

A quick tea and bacon sandwich in Hertford, fueled the ride back into London.

A good ride, built a new single speed bike later on, took an hour.

Chris

2009-10-06T08:26:00.001-07:00

Team Bodylab win SJPP sprint triathlon team event.
Great efforts from David Ball, Gary Holland, Ian Jamieson on myself....

Roll on team bodylab

Chris

2009-04-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

2009-03-09T03:38:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone.

Well a pretty good weekend of activities form everybody.

Saturday, Anthony and I had a good ride of around 60 miles, we were out for around 4hours 15, but that also included stopping at a bike shop and a sweet shop, so pace whilst not ace like, was ok. Ian and Dave also got a 47 mile ride in, Ricardo was out on on SUnday, really having a recovery ride after his week in Lanzarote. SUnday saw 5 of us running around the Heath, we kept it going for 1:45, so pretty pleasing. Hopefully the roles of fat are starting to diminish!!

This week, my weeks a bit all over the place, I may run tonight, just waiting to hear back from clients.

Tuesday morning, Hary and I are heading out on the bikes, I have to see a client forst so will probably depart from Islington at 9:30am. Tuesday evening - Running at 7:30 from BDC.
Wednesday I am free in evening - maybe happy to run or do core workout.
Friday - Regular morning run
Saturday - Heath Run

Thats my rough plan to date, hopefully get to see some of you out there.
Chris
Chris Wilson

Sunday 22nd February Ride

2009-02-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

Good ride today chaps.

Having left the coppice (Bodylab HQ) full of tea and toast a lovely undulating ride in Bodylab colours followed. Gary pushing hard on the flats and Chris the “engine” Wilson leading from the front having only slept for 3 hours after clubbing and boozing. Anthony is back on the bike and demonstrates his natural athleticism on little winter cycling in preparation for Switzerland. There were times when we would have been mistaken for a pro tour team I am sure although we need to cut out the banquet of wine gums, eggs, bacon and teas.

Dave and Ian need to get out and with Pete and Gaelle we will be a force to reckon with. See you all soon and get your Blog online Chris so we can record all these monumental training sessions as they will be the stuff of legends

Gaelle finished second in her Duathlon yesterday after a stellar performance so Bodylab already has an early season podium and hopefully more to come

New Ideas

2008-10-01T05:44:00.001-07:00

At the moment I ma working with Garrett Turbett on some great new ideas for coaching , watch this space, it's exciting times ahead for Team Bodylab

St Albans Triumphs

2008-10-01T05:39:00.000-07:00

Team members Gary Holland, David Ball, Ian Jamieson and myself, headed to St Albans for a charity triathlon in aid of Hope and Homes. We have had many a good result here and once again the team performed well, finishing 2nd in the team event. Chris and Gary both won their respective age groups and Chris finished 4th Overall.

We also put together our first ever Junior Team. Lead by Jack Ball, Theo and Tom all put in sterling performances. A little coaching between now and next year will see them beating the older genration!!!

Chris

Ian Goes for 3:30...

2008-10-01T05:36:00.000-07:00

Team Member Ian jamieson, ventured over to Berlin to race the likes of Gabreselassie...

His aim to break 3:30, he had a sterling put in a sterling performance, and finished in 3:32, although I hven't heard if this was from the gun going or from a timing chip, so fingers crossed he may have achieved his goal...

Chris

Leighton - World Long Course Championship

2008-09-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

Just come back from my toughest race yet!!! The World Triathlon Long Distance Championships in Almere, Holland. The 4km swim was more like 5k!!! And it was choppy. So sighting bouys was impossible. Then the headwinds on the 75 mile bike course were a real bitch. Took so much out of me I couldn't run more than a mile or so at a time on the 20 mile run course without walking or dousing myself with cold sponges and drinking flat coke at the aid stations. But I finished. In 9 hours and 1 minute! I got my finishers medal and T-Shirt. I beat 2 Frogs, 2 Aussies, 2 Brits, 3 Belgians and 14 Dutchmen. Then threw up holding on to the nearest tree. And to think I pay to do this

Paul Sherwood Qualifies For Hawaii

2008-09-03T07:56:00.001-07:00

Brilliant news this week. Paul Sherwood in his 6th Ironman event - Ironman Canada, came 12th in his age group in 9:53, an all round solid performance. But the weekend only got better, in the roll down for places at Hawaii, Paul secured a spot, he'll be joining Julian Wain and Steven Lord. Our congratulations....

Half Ironman - Germany - Pete's add on

2008-08-13T01:21:00.000-07:00

Well, what can I add to Ricardo’s excellent report?

Not much, but some….

Tip: DO NOT open any emails from a Mr Richard Stabler titled ‘Fancy doing this?’ as if my experience is anything to go by it’s going to hurt.

Unlike our previous team Bodylab experience everything was well organised, taxi on arrival at the airport, superbly located hotel, relaxed, our spirits were high (perhaps a little too high?). The preparation was done; the recovery from Roth as it turned out was not.

Race day, a little overcast and no wind, perhaps a perfect day? Swim was good for me, an air of confidence was growing within. Jumped on the bike and then… Hill 1, hurt. Hill 2 hurt! Hill 3 really hurt! I think you’ve got the picture. After about 500 meters up the first incline it dawned on me that my legs had nothing to offer and it was going to hurt, I had not recovered. There was a desire to turn round and get the bus back to town and cheer Richard on, but I decided to carry on, the disappointment post SA IM played on my mind. It turned out to be a long tough day in the saddle.

Things did not improve on the run, a long ‘half’ day of hurt.

True to team form we dined that evening on pizza, beer and ice cream. Upon our return to the hotel we bumped into a fellow English competitor and had a brief discussion about how hard the race had been. Turns out it was this guys first half in preparation for IM UK, he was a worried man! We did our best to reassure him, later that evening we saw him sitting outside enjoying a cigarette! Not ideal I pointed out.

When this race is described as ‘the toughest half day’ they are not wrong. Hard race, very well organised, I’d recommend it.

Half Ironman Germany Race Report

2008-08-12T01:29:00.001-07:00

Note to self and to friends who I rope into competing with me:- Check race profile and don't think you will recover from an Ironman within 1 month.Pete Hayward and I flew out to Frankfurt on the 08/08/08. A historic day for China and for team bodylab. Half Ironman Germany is set in beautiful Wiesbaden which is about a 30 minute drive from Frankfurt. Wiesbaden is also the name for the county surrounding the town although Wiesbaden town is at its heart. Pete and I would really recommend the town as it is full of historic architecture and set around beautiful hot spas and lush green fields. We learnt that the town was not bombed during the war so has a very long heritage which is untouched. Wiesbaden is also regarded as the Nice or Germany due to the wealth of the people residing there. Race Day The swim is a 20 minute drive from the bike/run transition but the organisation at this event is superb, in fact the best I have seen. Shuttle buses run every 5 minutes so we were at T1 in good time. The swim starts at 8am for the pros and then 10 minutes thereafter. I was off at 8 20 and Pete at 8 40. The SwimSwim went ok but I hadn't swam since Roth so felt tired near the end. Came out the water in 29 mins and was 11th in age group out of 140+ so up there. Pete came out 26th in his age group. There were 300 + in his age group so great placing. The Bike To sum the bike up it is easier to draw comparisons with Ironman France. Ironman France is legendry for its tough bike course so if you take all this climbing from that race and condense it into half the distance you will get the idea of what we had to do at Wiesbaden. 5000 ft of climbing and the first hill was an absolute beast. The majority of the ride is rolling and as Pete will tell you there is very little "flat" on the course. A vast majority of the athletes had decided to use non aero bikes which gives you an idea. I opted for an aero set up as my new bike had just arrived and I didn't want to risk using it. The good news is a reached over 85kph on the downhill touching near 90kph and I was a little scared!Pete was also doing some very fast downhill speeds on his carbon road set up. I did the bike split in 2 hours 55 mins and Pete did it in 3 hours 15 mins. The Run 3 7km loops through a beautiful park and a few roads around the park. Mainly flat but 2 climbs which test the legs. Awesome support from thousands of spectators. My finishing time was 1 hour 45 ish and I felt so unbelievably empty on the run. The Ironman really must have taken more out of me than I thought as I nearly fainted twice and my chest was very tight. Pete was also suffering and ran in just over 2 hours. My half marathon PB is 1 hour 16 mins so this shows you how much I was suffering. Summary Awesome but tough race and I would do it again. Beautiful setting, fantastic support and great facilities in the town. If you fancy doing it a 12-25 is enough gearing for a sub 5 30 ironman athlete but 12-27 should be used if you don't like climbs. If you are a sub 5 30 biker or a strong biker then use an Aero Set up if you like descending. I am meant to be racing Long course World Championships in 3 weeks but may need to re think as I was silly to think my body would recover from 3 long distance races in 2 months. Had we not raced Roth I reckon we would have done really well but still enjoyed it regardless of the pain. Best Richard

Club Kit Order

2008-08-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

We are about to order new bib shorts and cycle shirts. If you are interested, please let me know asap.

Chris
chris@bodylab.co.uk

Riding/Racing this weekend

2008-08-05T06:10:00.001-07:00

Richard and Pete are racing in the Europeon Half Ironman Championships in Germany, Good luck to both. The bike course is said to be hilly, so it should be worth watching the two of them power their way around.

I'll be cycling and hopefully doing a long run, got to get back to serious training after Roth. Still getting slight knee pain, but it is fine, just need to stretch a little more.

Friday morning run is on this week, I think there'll only be Ian and myself running, so anyone else is welcome.

Chris

Next races

2008-07-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

Whats your next race??

RACE KIT ARRIVES

2007-07-02T03:10:00.001-07:00

The race kit has arrived, it looks great, going to be the talk of the town...

Available ;

Cycle shirts
Bib shorts
Tri shorts
Tri Suits
SkinSuits

Pictures to come...

Team Bodylab

2007-04-30T03:56:00.000-07:00