Monday 28 April 2008

Meet the course


Optician's Ironman team had a great training weekend down on Exmoor introducing themselves to the terrain. They all got the chance to meet up, scope out the course and check out the other team members.
Chris Fiona and Emma, stayed at the delightful Holworthy farmhouse B&B. Our host, Gillian Payne, made us feel right at home and had stacks of information on the course, organisation and everything else to do with the area and competing in the UK Ironman 70.3 event. The farmhouse has an idillic setting above the lake and between the cycling and running life was relaxed and enjoyable.
The trio at the framhouse were joined by Rob from Cornwall. The four reccied the bike course and then went for a short jog. Rob and his family headed back off to their hotel in Bampton and Chris, Emma and Fiona headed for the pub.
Sunday saw James and Lyndon join the group for another scope of the course and a slightly less successful look at the run route. The weather was not kind on Sunday and, after a slight hiccup over meeting up points, the team decided a single lap of the course was sufficient. Still a creditable 35 miles of hills and twists and around 2 hrs 15mins. We will have to improve.
Our quiet Cornishman Rob, an awesome athlete by anyone's standards, completed a second lap on his own.
The plan had always been to have a Brick session (running straight off the bike) and given the conditions and the toughness of the run that too proved a valuable experience. In restrospect a single lap of the two lap bike route was enough.

After a cup of tea, a pasty and a review we all decided it had been a useful meeting with no disasters and we should be pleased. Everyone left with respect for the course and no illusions over what exactly lies in store for the team come June.

1 comment:

Chris Bennett said...

In answer to the phone call:

No I don't wear a helmet. I will have to get one for the race as they are compulsory.