Well the time has come on Sunday 2nd September I will be competing in my first Olympic distance triathlon, the North Norfolk Triathlon at Wells-next-sea.
This is a 1.5km sea swim, followed by a 40km bike and finishes with a 10km run along the sea wall and beach.
I have been training for this event for the past 6 months with the training increasing steadily over this time, I have cycling to work at much as possible, doing a regular 5km run each with with parkrun, and weekly swims. As time has gone by I have added additional runs during the week and longer cycle rides as well. Once my fitness was getting better I added in some brick sessions (bike then run) to get used to the feeling of running after a hard cycle. Also added in some open water swims which I must admit I have enjoyed these the most, nothing is better than swimming in a large lake or in the sea, certain feeling of freedom.
I am really looking forward to the event and starting to get these ready like my sure all my kit is ready and I know where it is to planning what I am going to have to eat the next couple of days and to make sure that I am well hydrated.
I am aiming for a time of around 2hours45 but to complete the event will be enough, always next year to beat the time.
Well that's it for now I will do a full write up after the event
Mark
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Bespak Great East Anglia Run 2012
On the 6th May 2012 the threeaveragejoes took part in the Bespak Great East Anglia run, this is a 10km race round our home town of King's Lynn, Norfolk.
This was the first time we had all ran together and it was discussed in the office who was going to finish first and what times we where expecting to get. Personally I was feeling good leading up the event after getting over a knee injury and my training had gone really well. I will let the others let you know how they felt, Dazza only entered the competition a couple of days prior after we talking / forced him into entering.
On the day of the race we all meet up, got registered and changed. Meet with a couple of other people from work who had also entered. 15 minutes before the start we had to get into our 'pens'. These 'pens' where time related so the organisers where trying to get all the faster runners to the front to reduce the initial congestion / overtaking of runners. So decision had to be made, sub 50 or sub 45, we went into the sub 50 'pen' and waited for the start. While in the pen our boss captured this picture.
The race started and we all tried to stay together but I found this hard as I have a pace which I can run at comfortably along the first 2km I felt that I was overtaking a lot more people than where overtaking me, was this a good sign or not. At this point Kev was slightly in front of me and Dazza was behind. At the 4km point was feeling really good but started to worry if i had gone too fast in the first couple of km's and this was going to hit me hard towards the end. The route of the run took us through the town, out along the river and then working back towards town after a quick lap of our local park. The support along the route was brillant, I can only imagine what is must be like doing one of the big marathons, one day!! The support really helped and was nice to see people you knew and family in the crowd.
Coming into the last couple of km I was still behind Kev but could see him and my plan was to do a final burst and try and catch him on the last straight before the finish, however just as I was about to pick the pace up I saw him and his friend do the same, bugger never going to catch them now.
Crossed the line feeling really great, loved the run and straight away wanted to do another, meet up with Kev just as Dazza was crossing the line, felt really proud as 12 months ago he smoked and if you said to him that he would be doing something like this he would have just laughed and said we where mad, but he has been really motivated and I think secretly enjoying the training.
Our final times and positions where
Mark
This was the first time we had all ran together and it was discussed in the office who was going to finish first and what times we where expecting to get. Personally I was feeling good leading up the event after getting over a knee injury and my training had gone really well. I will let the others let you know how they felt, Dazza only entered the competition a couple of days prior after we talking / forced him into entering.
On the day of the race we all meet up, got registered and changed. Meet with a couple of other people from work who had also entered. 15 minutes before the start we had to get into our 'pens'. These 'pens' where time related so the organisers where trying to get all the faster runners to the front to reduce the initial congestion / overtaking of runners. So decision had to be made, sub 50 or sub 45, we went into the sub 50 'pen' and waited for the start. While in the pen our boss captured this picture.
 |
| Happy before the start !! |
Coming into the last couple of km I was still behind Kev but could see him and my plan was to do a final burst and try and catch him on the last straight before the finish, however just as I was about to pick the pace up I saw him and his friend do the same, bugger never going to catch them now.
Crossed the line feeling really great, loved the run and straight away wanted to do another, meet up with Kev just as Dazza was crossing the line, felt really proud as 12 months ago he smoked and if you said to him that he would be doing something like this he would have just laughed and said we where mad, but he has been really motivated and I think secretly enjoying the training.
Our final times and positions where
- Kev 45:42 pos 274
- Mark 46:17 pos 304
- Dazza 52:06 pos 587
Mark
Saturday, 28 April 2012
East Coast Triathlon - Great Yarmouth 22nd April 2012
Hi readers, my first solo blog on threeaveragejoes.
I competed / completed the East Coast Triathlon in Great Yarmouth last Sunday, organised by Active Outdoor Sport. This was my first event of the year and I was really looking forward to it, the combination of training over the winter and anticipation for the coming year.
The event was a super sprint distance which comprised of a 250m pool swim, 16km cycle and 3km run. This is not my first triathlon but my first after putting in some decent training so was looking forward to seeing how my body coped, as during my first tri last summer my legs stopped working on me during the run and it was a major struggle to complete.
Registration opened at 6.40am and closed at 8.00am with race briefing at 8.15, after seeing the entry list of over 140 people I decided that I would get to registration earlier rather than later, also the fact that I didn't sleep much the night before helped!!
I arrived just after 7, already the atmosphere was building with people checking out bikes, laying out shoes, towels and food in the transition area. I choose a spot just in from the end on one of the racks, hopefully will remember where it was when coming in from the swim!!
My bike is a Specialized Allez Triple 24 (will review), I had only picked it up a week before the event and had only rode it twice too, previously I had a Claud Butler Stone River mountain bike and the difference is massive, firstly the Allez has clip pedals, different riding position and so so much lighter. I was slightly nervous riding it and had visions of my being unable to unclip my shoes at the end of the cycle leg and falling over.
After the race briefing it was down to the pool, the way the swim leg was arranged was swimmers were going off in 30 second intervals, don't know if this is the norm, with the faster swimmers going first, therefore in theory no one should be overtaken, as when I entered the event you had to estimate your swim time, I put down 5mins to do the 250m, 30seconds a length that's doable I said to myself when entering and my swim training was coming along really well, until they decided to close my local pool for the 4 weeks leading up to the event, thanks!!
The swim was 10 lengths of the pool starting at the deeper end and ducking end the lane markers each time to work your way to the 'beach' end of the pool to the exit and transition. All I wanted to do was swim well and not to hold a better swimmer up behind me. We all lined up along the pool in our starting order I was number 80, number 79 didn't turn up and also 81 therefore I had a minute gap between me and the swimmer in front and behind, great I thought should be able to stay out of peoples way. Swim started and I felt really strong, mentally saying don't go to quick early just keep smooth. Have been working on my stroke and just wanted to concentrate on that. However after 150m I had already caught up on the swimmer in front of me and 50m later caught up with the swimmer in front of him, brilliant. Completed the swim in 5m 11secs, was really happy with this and ran off to transition.
Right where did I rack my bike, found it. I don't have a trisuit and therefore had to put some clothes on for the bike leg. The weather that day was good as previously it was a mixture of rain, hail and wind, this morning the sun was out and the wind reduced, however not mega warm. Therefore I had decided to wear a base layer and a running top along with a pair of 3/4 lengths. So on went the base layer got a bit stuck, running top, 3/4 lengths, my new cycling shoes, helmet and finally glasses (got to look the part) unracked bike and headed to bike exit. Got to mount line and jumped on bike and set off, clipped in easily and set off on the cycle leg. This was a 3 lap course along Great Yarmouth sea front, slight head wind going out and slight tail wind coming in. This was the first time I had properly ridden my new bike and loved it straight away, got into a comfortable position and gear and pushed on. Thinking to myself try and not get overtaken by people who started the swim after you and if I can overtake someone. Towards the end of the first lap I had been overtaken by number 82 and 83, never mind as I had manged to overtake someone in the numbered in the 70's.
I must take this opportunity to say thanks to my family, as the cheers 'go daddy' helped.
Right end of the cycle leg approaching, are my visions of me falling off going to happen. As I approach the dismount line I think to myself right take it steady so I unclip my left foot and then the right, that wasn't hard, however as I then stop at the line I have reclipped my left foot back in again and have a slight moment, but luckly it comes uncliped and I get of the bike and enter transition again. Find my spot and take shoes off and slid running shoes on, all I can say are get elastic laces for your running shoes, this is the best £5 you can ever spend on triathlon gear.
Out on the run I feel strong and the weather is getting warmer. The run was along the seafront prom, beautiful beach to the right and gift shops etc to the left, these sheltered the wind and the run was great. This was my first run on a hard surface after suffering a knee injury and so far the knee felt fine. Got to the halfway point of the run and saw my family eating ice creams!! Final push to the finish.
My finishing time was 1h and 56 seconds, was really happy with the time and more so how I was feeling as I wasn't completely knackered and felt good.
Splits
Swim 5:50.2 this included 50m run from pool to transition
T1 2:26.6
Bike 38:29.5
T2 0:46.1
Run 13:23.9
Total 1:00:56.5
Met up with the family, they had saved some ice cream, had a cool down run and stretch.
I was feeling great, had really enjoyed the event, was happy with my performance and happy that my training was making me feel fitter and stronger and that my new bike felt great, more to come.
I would recommend this event to anyone as a first triathlon, it was brilliantly organised, had a good range of abilities so you can see what to aim for and a great distance that is achievable with some training.
Looking forward to next years event all ready, also this has made me even more focused on training hard for the North Norfolk Triathlon in Wells at the beginning of September, Olympic Distance.
My next event is the Great East Anglia Run on Sunday 6th May, this is a 10k run around Kings Lynn and is the first time I had entered this event, will post my report on this.
Mark
I competed / completed the East Coast Triathlon in Great Yarmouth last Sunday, organised by Active Outdoor Sport. This was my first event of the year and I was really looking forward to it, the combination of training over the winter and anticipation for the coming year.
The event was a super sprint distance which comprised of a 250m pool swim, 16km cycle and 3km run. This is not my first triathlon but my first after putting in some decent training so was looking forward to seeing how my body coped, as during my first tri last summer my legs stopped working on me during the run and it was a major struggle to complete.
Registration opened at 6.40am and closed at 8.00am with race briefing at 8.15, after seeing the entry list of over 140 people I decided that I would get to registration earlier rather than later, also the fact that I didn't sleep much the night before helped!!
I arrived just after 7, already the atmosphere was building with people checking out bikes, laying out shoes, towels and food in the transition area. I choose a spot just in from the end on one of the racks, hopefully will remember where it was when coming in from the swim!!
My bike is a Specialized Allez Triple 24 (will review), I had only picked it up a week before the event and had only rode it twice too, previously I had a Claud Butler Stone River mountain bike and the difference is massive, firstly the Allez has clip pedals, different riding position and so so much lighter. I was slightly nervous riding it and had visions of my being unable to unclip my shoes at the end of the cycle leg and falling over.
After the race briefing it was down to the pool, the way the swim leg was arranged was swimmers were going off in 30 second intervals, don't know if this is the norm, with the faster swimmers going first, therefore in theory no one should be overtaken, as when I entered the event you had to estimate your swim time, I put down 5mins to do the 250m, 30seconds a length that's doable I said to myself when entering and my swim training was coming along really well, until they decided to close my local pool for the 4 weeks leading up to the event, thanks!!
The swim was 10 lengths of the pool starting at the deeper end and ducking end the lane markers each time to work your way to the 'beach' end of the pool to the exit and transition. All I wanted to do was swim well and not to hold a better swimmer up behind me. We all lined up along the pool in our starting order I was number 80, number 79 didn't turn up and also 81 therefore I had a minute gap between me and the swimmer in front and behind, great I thought should be able to stay out of peoples way. Swim started and I felt really strong, mentally saying don't go to quick early just keep smooth. Have been working on my stroke and just wanted to concentrate on that. However after 150m I had already caught up on the swimmer in front of me and 50m later caught up with the swimmer in front of him, brilliant. Completed the swim in 5m 11secs, was really happy with this and ran off to transition.
Right where did I rack my bike, found it. I don't have a trisuit and therefore had to put some clothes on for the bike leg. The weather that day was good as previously it was a mixture of rain, hail and wind, this morning the sun was out and the wind reduced, however not mega warm. Therefore I had decided to wear a base layer and a running top along with a pair of 3/4 lengths. So on went the base layer got a bit stuck, running top, 3/4 lengths, my new cycling shoes, helmet and finally glasses (got to look the part) unracked bike and headed to bike exit. Got to mount line and jumped on bike and set off, clipped in easily and set off on the cycle leg. This was a 3 lap course along Great Yarmouth sea front, slight head wind going out and slight tail wind coming in. This was the first time I had properly ridden my new bike and loved it straight away, got into a comfortable position and gear and pushed on. Thinking to myself try and not get overtaken by people who started the swim after you and if I can overtake someone. Towards the end of the first lap I had been overtaken by number 82 and 83, never mind as I had manged to overtake someone in the numbered in the 70's.
I must take this opportunity to say thanks to my family, as the cheers 'go daddy' helped.
Right end of the cycle leg approaching, are my visions of me falling off going to happen. As I approach the dismount line I think to myself right take it steady so I unclip my left foot and then the right, that wasn't hard, however as I then stop at the line I have reclipped my left foot back in again and have a slight moment, but luckly it comes uncliped and I get of the bike and enter transition again. Find my spot and take shoes off and slid running shoes on, all I can say are get elastic laces for your running shoes, this is the best £5 you can ever spend on triathlon gear.
Out on the run I feel strong and the weather is getting warmer. The run was along the seafront prom, beautiful beach to the right and gift shops etc to the left, these sheltered the wind and the run was great. This was my first run on a hard surface after suffering a knee injury and so far the knee felt fine. Got to the halfway point of the run and saw my family eating ice creams!! Final push to the finish.
My finishing time was 1h and 56 seconds, was really happy with the time and more so how I was feeling as I wasn't completely knackered and felt good.
Splits
Swim 5:50.2 this included 50m run from pool to transition
T1 2:26.6
Bike 38:29.5
T2 0:46.1
Run 13:23.9
Total 1:00:56.5
Met up with the family, they had saved some ice cream, had a cool down run and stretch.
I was feeling great, had really enjoyed the event, was happy with my performance and happy that my training was making me feel fitter and stronger and that my new bike felt great, more to come.
I would recommend this event to anyone as a first triathlon, it was brilliantly organised, had a good range of abilities so you can see what to aim for and a great distance that is achievable with some training.
Looking forward to next years event all ready, also this has made me even more focused on training hard for the North Norfolk Triathlon in Wells at the beginning of September, Olympic Distance.
My next event is the Great East Anglia Run on Sunday 6th May, this is a 10k run around Kings Lynn and is the first time I had entered this event, will post my report on this.
Mark
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Specialized "Dirt Rodz" Bar Ends
Having now achieved my first 30+ mile ride (without ease!) I decided it was time and a good excuse to get my first real upgrades for my Specialized Sirrus. Being that my biggest problem is hill and actually reaching the top of them. My first obvious choice is bar ends to give me that extra push on the limbs when going upwards and also a second thought was also to be able to use them to lean forward and get lower and more aerodynamic when needed.
It didn't take long to decide the ones to get were the Specialized "Dirt Rodz" Bar Ends mainly because the black and white colour scheme perfectly matched the 2011 model Sirrus. How much difference can there really be between them at this price range? They weren't too expensive either at £20 from Evans Cycles.
My Sirrus is a year old now (christened "Rachel") and it is my main bike. I commute to work on it "most" days, that journey being roughly 12 miles there and back over road and pavements. It's also used for frequent short trips to friends/family etc, and I still think it is the perfect bike bike for these uses.
She's been gifted a few accessories in her year - SKS Chromoplastic Mudguards, bottle cage and saddle bag. Although the biggest change is the combination of the Schwalbe marathon plus city tyre and the Slime inner tube - a desperate measure I had to use as I was getting punctures every week.
First thing was to remove the current grips and work out the spacing and positioning on the bars. I prised open a gap with a thin screwdriver and sprayed some WD40 down then tilted and gave the bars a tap to let it seep down a bit. the grip twisted off pretty easily after that. Luckily I didn't have to mess around resizing the grip as there was almost the exact amount of space needed after shifting the brake level bracket up half a centimetre, the only cutting done was an opening to poke the bar through the end of the grip.
After doing the same for the other side I attached everything loosely in place and played around a bit until everything was symmetrical and comfortable, this included raising the brake levers a bit higher to match the new hand position.
All in all they were mega easy to fit and adjust - it took only 40 mins (including pictures) and look great on the bike.
Dazza
It didn't take long to decide the ones to get were the Specialized "Dirt Rodz" Bar Ends mainly because the black and white colour scheme perfectly matched the 2011 model Sirrus. How much difference can there really be between them at this price range? They weren't too expensive either at £20 from Evans Cycles.
My Sirrus is a year old now (christened "Rachel") and it is my main bike. I commute to work on it "most" days, that journey being roughly 12 miles there and back over road and pavements. It's also used for frequent short trips to friends/family etc, and I still think it is the perfect bike bike for these uses.
She's been gifted a few accessories in her year - SKS Chromoplastic Mudguards, bottle cage and saddle bag. Although the biggest change is the combination of the Schwalbe marathon plus city tyre and the Slime inner tube - a desperate measure I had to use as I was getting punctures every week.
First thing was to remove the current grips and work out the spacing and positioning on the bars. I prised open a gap with a thin screwdriver and sprayed some WD40 down then tilted and gave the bars a tap to let it seep down a bit. the grip twisted off pretty easily after that. Luckily I didn't have to mess around resizing the grip as there was almost the exact amount of space needed after shifting the brake level bracket up half a centimetre, the only cutting done was an opening to poke the bar through the end of the grip.
What's it all about!!
Welcome to our blog, we threeaveragejoes wanted to share our thoughts and experiences of life and our sporting endeavors. It is not meant to be a deep thought provoking discussion but just our take on events we encounter.
We threeaveragejoes all work in IT and until recently would not turn down the opportunity to do some sport, be it a game of football etc, but we never did anything regularly. Two of us are married (not to each other) with young families and the other member of our group has just started his life as a home owner and the fun this brings, this being a step up from him being a lazy reformed smoker who struggled to get himself out of bed in time to get to work.
This is just a brief insight of us and over the course of this blog you will get to know us, our personalities, likes and dislikes.
We threeaveragejoes all work in IT and until recently would not turn down the opportunity to do some sport, be it a game of football etc, but we never did anything regularly. Two of us are married (not to each other) with young families and the other member of our group has just started his life as a home owner and the fun this brings, this being a step up from him being a lazy reformed smoker who struggled to get himself out of bed in time to get to work.
This is just a brief insight of us and over the course of this blog you will get to know us, our personalities, likes and dislikes.
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