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Clumber Park Duathlon 6th March
The adventure began on a sunny friday morning,clear blue sky with the temperature reaching a heady 9 degrees. Car all loaded and off we set. Arriving at Clumber we negotiated the maze of small roads through the park, emerging at the main car park with the biggest transition area i've ever seen! Jumping out of the car to get our bearings a swish grey BMW pulled up alongside, out jumped James Cracknell looking as lost as we were.
A quick look at the map and we worked out the cycle and run routes. Time to head out for a ride, dressed in cycle shorts and t-shirts thinking this is spot on. The route was great one big hill with lots of nice countryside to look at. Then into the park with its tree lined avenues like something out of a BBC period drama. A quick recce of the run route and it was off to the Hotel.
Car unloaded and it was off for a bite of food and an early night. Safely tucked up, me, my trusty steed and Sue said goodnight.
Saturday ! Race Day! Opened the curtains to be greeted by rain and wind. oh dear. Went outside and it was freezing! Shit, guess who hadn't packed an warm weather gear.
Arrived at Clumber, Cars everywhere. Who pulls up 10 yards away, bloody Cracknell again. All registered so headed off to set up in transition, it was like a heaven. Bike porn everywhere. Calm down Jock time to get your race head on.
9am and time to get to the line, everyones buzzing. The horn sounds.The feeling of speed or lack of it is amazing as the fast boys vanish into the distance.
The 10k run went well with a PB for me, onto the bike and off like a whippet. Up the big hill thinking this is great, outside lane overtaking people like they were standing still. 8miles in I ran out of gas. I have never felt as cold and washed out in my life, guzzuling my energy drink I had another four miles of hell before it kicked in. The second lap was a much happier affair apart from being frozen, but back to full speed. Then off the bike, I don't reccommend trying to do a 5k with numb legs and feet, but anyway I made it. I've never been happier to cross a finish line. I learnt a lot and am already considering going back for more next year.
Times Jock-- 2hrs 22mins
Ed -- 2hrs 25mins
Tony-- 2hrs 44mins
Oh yeh, never got closer to Cracknell than the car park, he vanished into the distance the moment the horn went!
jock on March 02 2010 11:21:38 ·
1 Comments · 195 Reads
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Comments
Siobhanon March 12 2010 20:11:55
Perhaps we should start a new thread...'I've been Cracknelled' or something..! When I raced him, we were in transition together, so there!!
