Jönköping 70.3

I’m writing this blog sat 35,000ft in the sky travelling back from a pretty awesome weekend in Sweden. Although I won’t get to post this blog for a while, this is the first opportunity I have had to find time to write. I would say find some peace and quiet, however the baby in seat 22E has other ideas, poor thing.

So anyway, a weekend in Sweden and a half Ironman under my belt. Those that have followed me, read my posts over the last couple of years will know that I haven’t had great luck with the longer distance triathlons. Alcatraz was a bike, run (basically a mini Duathlon), Alpe D’Huez was too hot and my body had not received from JOGLE. So I was wanting to put my 70.3 or equivalent to bed. Especially after failing several years ago in Exmoor (at what someone once told me was the hardest 70.3 on the circuit). Like most of my events I like to travel and see new places. Searching the Ironman website and also wanting something for July time, I set my sights on Sweden. A 70.3 held in Jönköping, based in the centre of Sweden below a large lake which is the coldest and deepest in Sweden. Much to my sister in laws surprise to find out, although I had to reassure her that we were swimming in a much smaller lake in the town, probably a lot warmer at 16.5 degrees too. I have since found out that there is a race around the other lake, 300km around, done over 2 days. Something for me to look into I think.

Training for this race really started over winter, I increased my spinning sessions whilst the weather was poor. Running also started with a 15 mile run back in Benfleet in January. So all in all a lot more focus on this event than I would a shorter race. I was not going to be beaten by this distance, not this year, not ever!

May saw the first of my races with Slateman, this was aimed at brushing off cobwebs, but with a twist as it was 2 in 2 days!

Once through May and entering June I had Windsor to look forward to. This race was again to increase the miles in the legs, but also to gauge how fit I am compared to a 8 year younger version of me. Happy with that whole race considering the weather, although my body felt it for days after!

The last few weekends saw me ride 50 mile rides and running between 6-8 miles, also keeping my swimming ticking over at the same time. Triathlon training is a constant juggling act not to lose sight or drop the ball on anyone discipline and making sure that you are fit and ready in each.

When I said I was entering a triathlon in Sweden, my sister in law said her and my brother would come watch. Although I find going to these events alone fine, it was really nice to know they would come and support me. They have both been to Sweden a couple of times and really enjoy it there.

We flew out on Friday morning, which seems like an eternity ago now. Managed to get to the hotel by lunch time, dump the bags, decided I would build Camilla later, then head into town. Jönköping was only a 5 mile drive from the hotel, parking was pretty easy, used my bank card everywhere, think it’s the first time ever I have travelled without local currency in hand. We had lunch at a recommended coffee shop on the lake, having a lovely chicken and bean salad, in the sun, over looking the M dot sign, perfect.

After lunch we went to register for the event, picked up my race bag, bought some stash (as you do) and was almost ready. The only other thing we have to do was go to the race briefing that evening, the only only English version, the race was 70% Swedish entrants after all.

Saturday was a day of leisure, all that I needed to do was check my bike into the transition. I had also not yet built Camilla, something I forgot to tell you before was when I dismantled the bike on Thursday before I left, I had a massive panic up! My handle bars, well you’ve all seen how pretty the bike is, no cables on show. It also me question how to drop the handlebars off!? After a little time and a lot of panicking I managed to do t. I think I took too many parts off as I dropped a nut into the frame and thought I was up shit street! Even googling what time the bike shop shuts in case I needed them. I got her packed, Saturday morning would prove to be the test when I go to rebuild her. I also wasn’t sure on how to fly with tubeless tyres or electric gears.. Google was my friend for both, basically do nothing on the tyres, and disconnect the battery for the gears. Don’t want a trapped shifter killing the battery on the flight now do we. Managed to get her built, it was anything but easy and it def made me sweaty a little. Tested out the ride in the car park and headed down to transition.

Although transition was open from 10-6 on Saturday, we got there at 10:30, eager beaver I know. Dropped my bike and both transition bags off, picked up my timing chip and was all set for a chill day. I did made a little boo boo though, stupidly racked the bike in 2146 spot rather than 2164, didn’t even notice until I was racking the transition bags!

Based on the briefing the night before and the bike ride profile, we decided to drive the first 10 miles of the bike route and see how steep the climb was. It felt pretty steep in our Seat Tarraco, having to shift down gears to climb it. Still, not a patch on Alpe D’Huez!

We headed up to Granna, a little lakeside resort and old school Swedish feel. The drive to Granna was stunning, through forests and driving along side lakes. Beautiful houses, the scenery in Sweden is stunning and looks pretty fake at times!

We shopped for a bit in Granna, had us some Swedish meatballs with lingonberry jam, pretty tasty! The weather by this point was starting to turn, wind picking up and whilst on the way home, heavens opened! We went straight into Jönköping as we had an early dinner booking. Umbrella’s purchased, and a polar opposite outlook from the day before.

Had an amazing Italian dinner that night, did my share of carb loading. headed back for an early chill and downtime with some UNO.

Race Day

I managed to get a half decent sleep in me, Maybe somewhere around 6 hours sleep, which for a pre race sleep is pretty good for me. I stuck to my normal diet for breakfast, went with 2 porridge pots that I brought with me, slice of bread and a banana. We had to go back to transition first, which luckily had a car park opposite. Yep the overnight rain still hadn’t fully shifted . Could this be my third event of the year getting wet all day again. Sorted out my transition bags, check over Camilla, pumped her tyres up and headed to swim start. By this point it was raining a little heavier, tried to find some shelter to get changed, said my goodbyes to Dan and Lou and off I went.

Swim – 1.9km

Something a little new to me was the swim start. Typically You start with your age group in waves. This was start by your predicted swim time. I worked out from training that I should get a 38 minute swim if all goes well. So I ended up by the 38 min section and tucked in. Met an Englishman living in Malmo, who was doing his first tri in 6 years, said it was because he still had it as a hobby on his CV and felt like he was lying. The swim start was also slightly different as it was from land, starters every 4 seconds in waves of 4. I liked it. Although did give me a problem with the need of my pre game wee. I didn’t want to spend the first 30 seconds of the swim stationary whilst I went so I made the exec decision to go in the queue. Yep I stood there and did it in my suit, let me tell you, it felt great! I gave a little wave to my family and off I went!

The swim went well, it felt like the turn was a lot further away than it should have been. I got hit a good handful of times, also had rogue swimmers come in front of my line, made me question how truthful they were with their estimates. I got caught twice from the rescue boat wake, nearly swallowed a lot of water. Something else happened that was a first for me. I got water in my goggles literally in the first 50m of swimming. Had to decide there and then whether to stop and sort them or crack on. It was in my right eye, although a little annoying I decided to push through it! I still got the odd bit of cramp whilst swimming in my calves, might need to see if I need to kick more or something t help. Never good to be stretching your legs whilst you swim.

I thought my sighting was a little off, yet looking at the the GPS from my watch a pretty good line out and back!

I stayed quite wide to avoid people, which did mean I swan a little further, I think this explains the time that I did it in.

As I came down the final 1km the rain had stopped and the sun had come out to play. This stayed with us all day and I got the burn marks on my neck to show for it!

My brother asked what I think of when swimming. For the most part you’re thinking about rhythm, timing, breathing. Other thoughts that enter the head are sometimes peculiar, or just random. For the last few hundred meters I was wondering where my family would be, to remember to put water in the wetsuit (helps taking it off) and to push my watch to start T1.

T1

I wouldn’t normally write about a transition on it’s own, however T1 in this triathlon as a whooping 540m run! I thought I may have missed seeing the crew and was head down for the bike. Arms were out the suit, goggles and cap off, and running at an ok pace, felt pretty quick actually. Then it saw them! That’s what these events are about, having loved ones cheer you on and encourage you helps soo much! Picked up my bike gear, swapped for the wetsuit and jumped on Camilla.

Bike – 90.1km

Having driven the first 10 miles of the route I already know what 20% of the ride was like. The decision to do this was due to the race briefing suggesting a climb at the start. We were also heading up to Granna in the mother and thought taking the scenic route would be nicer.

The climb looked and felt a lot worse in a car. I don’t think I got into my lowest gear, if anything I found it very comfortable riding up the hill.

The ride was very undulating across the full 56 miles. The up sections weren’t steep enough to fully test you but enough to remind you that it’s going up. the downhills were also not steep enough for full on coasting. Anyway the was a pretty one at that!

I was conscious of my hydration, so took an old bottle with me at the start. At the water stations you could throw a bottle away and be given a new one on the go. No need to stop at all. I had also picked up a top tube bag which I had some food in, a bagel with ham and cheese, and some loose salted peanuts.

Of course Camilla got a compliment, it wouldn’t be a race if she didn’t. I even gave out a couple myself for some lovely looking bikes.

I did get over taken a fair but on the bike. I didn’t let this get to me as I knew the goal was simple to finish (in under 7 hours if I can). Saying that, Garmin did record my fastest 40km ride during that 90km ride, so ill take that! I was getting passed by mainly TT bikes. Some only after 44 miles which means I was way ahead for the bulk of the race. I had a few cat and mouse moments with a few others, some winning and some losing. All in all a decent ride that I felt comfortable on, hydrated, fueled and ready to run. Came back into T2, dropped the bike off, swapped shoes and glasses and of I went to run.

Run – 21.1km

The last leg…

I felt good coming .org the bike, I saw Dan and Lou within the first 500m post T2. I think you can see the spring in my step as I see them. These little pick me up’s really help across a long day.

So three loops of a lake at 7km a loop, here goes.

The first two laps were fine, pace started well then dropped off a little. That was to be expected though after all, it is a big event.

All the way through the run I kept talking to myself “DO NOT STOP”, repeatedly over and over again. Miles 9-11 had other ideas for me. I started to feel movements in my stomach, by this time I had been going for 5.5 hours and had taken on a lot of gels with caffeine in. So I decided it would be best to walk/run for a bit. Again this race was all about finishing and nothing else. However the last 2 miles were back into the town where the streets were lined with spectators. I couldn’t be walking those bits so picked myself up and jogged it home!

As you get to the end of a loop you get given a wristband, it’s so they know how many you have completed and if you are eligible to run the finishing straight. Picking up the last one meant I had say 500-750m to go. I didn’t have an awful lot left in the tank but tried to up the pace a little. running down the finishing line red carpet felt good, giving the family a wave and a Phil Neville type fist pump as I cross the line!

Sweden 70.3 Jönköping – 6:32…

Post Race

I felt surprisingly good after the race, I mean the legs were getting a little stiff, but we had a nice walk back to transition, picked everything up and headed back to the hotel.

That night I was expecting to want to celebrate in style. The truth is, I didn’t have much of an appetite, I only had 2 drinks and I was pretty shattered! Rock n roll lifestyle or a triathlete hey!

So, my 70.3 demons have been dealt with. My 2019 goal was to go sub 7 hours, which I beat by nearly 30 minutes. Ill take that!

So what’s next…

At the time of writing this I didn’t have any more events booked in this year. I have completed the London Duathlon since, picking up a 10km PB! Since racing in Sweden I have beat my 5km and 10km PB and feeling in pretty good shape. It was always going to be tough to stick to the amount of training I was getting through before this race, but with the Duathlon and an up coming ride from Palace to Palace in October I should have enough to keep me busy.

This 70.3 made me wonder whether I have a full distance in me at all. Massive respect to all my friends that have that on their CV. It’s a huge achievement, one that directly after the race was a definite NO. Now the dust has settled it’s more of a never say never…