Wokingham Triathlon Festival

The sun was shining and he breeze was carrying the sound of the loud speaker into the bedrooms of those who were not up and about at 8am on a Saturday morning. It was a great day for a triathlon!

You could be forgiven for thinking that Human Race have the monopoly on triathlons in the Berkshire area but Barnes Fitness put on a great Sprint distance triathlon. 2015 was the second year of this lovely event taking place in Dinton Pastures country park. It attracts a lot of first-timers but plenty of seasoned triathletes too, such is the friendly and inclusive nature of all of Barnes Fitness' events. 

The overseeing official

Everyone was in good spirits, competitors and volunteers alike. Registration seemed to go without a hitch, aside from one or two people forgetting to bring their Triathlon England membership cards, and soon enough it was time to head to the waters edge and acclimatise for the swim. It was quite a sight to see everyone getting into the water and bobbing about before the start. The swim course was an out and back, designed such that it was possible to see almost the entire thing from the bank, just around the corner from the start.

The leaders put quite some distance between themselves and the pack, and were soon out of the water and running the 650m to transition. Not ideal but it did at least give the legs a chance to get used to being on land again. The bike leg was out on the open roads; a route that is regularly used in the Barnes Fitness events such as the duathlon. Plenty of signs and marshals ensured that everyone got round safely and I was able to see most of them come back into transition to set off on the 5km loop of the park.

The transition and finish lines were close together and near to the cafe so it was a veritable hub of activity. The winners were crossing the finish line before a good portion of the other competitors were out of transition but everyone got cheered on as loudly. Friends and family joined newly-made triathletes as they crossed the line, arms were thrown in the air and a few grimaces made it over the line too. As many name checks as possible were given and applause was plentiful.

Every finisher walked (or hobbled) away with a superb medal in their goody bag and, I hope, a sense of achievement and satisfaction regardless of their placing. A special mention to the penultimate lady who was taking part for charity and made her children very proud indeed.

Once again, I relished being involved in this event, from a marshal point of view. It's unlikely I'll get to take part in this event myself but I hope that people looking to take part in triathlon continue to seek out and support their local events, whether first timers or not. The organisation may not be as shiny as at the bigger events, but they are friendly, well priced and a great way in to the sport.

And remember, events such as these rely on volunteers so please consider donating some of your time to marshal, hand out water, or help with registration. It takes all sorts and allows these fantastic events to keep on going. Join the mailing lists or email the event organisers, or look for opportunities on Join In.

Event Review : Dinton Uber Swim

It's half past six on a somewhat blustery Saturday morning and I'm stomping around in wellies attempting to put up a gazebo near the shore of Black Swan Lake at Dinton Pastures Country Park. It feels rather early to be doing battle like this but the organisers have been onsite for at least an hour already putting up signs and inflating buoys that mark the course for the Dinton Uber Swim. This event is unlike any other I've come across because to get to that finish line you must first swim around 3,000 metres in two lakes and tackle three separate entry and exit points.

The gazebo is wrestled into position and pegged down just as the first competitors start arriving to register. They're a keen bunch, these swimmers. Around 60 had signed up in advance with a handful of  on the day entrants too; soon the lake side was buzzing with people in wetsuits and red swimcaps asking about the water temperature (14 degrees). A collective gasp goes up as the gazebo makes a break for it. The hot chocolate flasks will just have to brave the elements today.

By 7:55am all swimmers and supporting kayakers are in the water waiting for the off. There's a count down, an air horn blast and a flurry of arms head off towards the first buoy. I'm sited at the second exit point on the course, where people have a short distance on foot to the smaller lake. The bank gets a bit slippy and helping hands are offered. The last two swimmers are accompanied by their own personal escorts. The very last swimmer decides that it's a bit too much for her today and decides to drop out so I walk her back. I'm pleased she's in good spirits, having realised she was asking a lot of herself that day.

"I think I'm hallucinating, Terry Pratchett is in a kayak beside me"

As we arrive back at the start some swimmers have already finished but we get to see the majority come over the line to claim goody bags and hot drinks. As I glance at my watch I am staggered that it's only around 9:30am. All these people have swum 3km before breakfast and have the whole day ahead of them still. Now that's really something.

The Dinton Uber Swim, or indeed any similar event, is a great way to keep your swim training on track over the winter and a great way to start the open water season (if you're not one of these hardy souls who swims all winter anyway). Consider adding this to your race calendar next year or look out for something similar in your local area.

Stepping Back Into Training

It feels like a while since I did a proper Friday Update post (as I term these). Last week I wrote about feeling a little lost since Brighton but thankfully I avoided the worst of it by distracting myself with other exciting things. And that hasn't involved entering masses of other races!

One of those things was marshaling at the Fairoaks 5 & 10 in Chobham. Mum and dad even got involved this time out on the course and helping to direct people to parking beforehand. As ever it was lovely to see some familiar faces and everyone was in good spirits due to the fine weather. Just as well as the race had to restart because of horses on the course!!

Dad, enthusiastically directing people

I'm picking up my own training again now. I spent the week after Brighton feeling pretty good physically but just lacking in that zip and energy I'd had before and did little of anything that could be called training in that week; a 1.5 mile recovery jog around the lake, a swim session with the local tri club, an hour dog walk and trialing out the new metafit track in the safety of my own home, oh and swimathon. A week on, though, and I'm feeling fairly springy again, helped by the gorgeous weather we've been having.

I caught up with my coach and talked about my next phase of training and goals. Although I'd like to get a 10k PB this year most of my focus is on distance running and he seems to think the two are compatible which is good news. My first week of training has been very light and enjoyable compared with what I was doing; two runs totalling around 10.25 miles which included some anaerobic intervals. I had my regular swim lesson last night and got to play with pull buoys and paddles for the first time and I've a short intervals set later today.

It's looking unlikely that I'm going to hit 100 parkruns this year, due to other commitments, even though I'm already at 76, but I'll keep on trying and I'll be doing my first official Bracknell parkrun tomorrow morning.

My next event is Glow In The Park with my mum tomorrow, but it's a just-for-fun event so I'm looking to Endure24 as my next real race. I was meant to be taking on the Royal Berkshire 10k in May but I have a christening to attend and have yet to find a suitable alternative. Shinfield 10k was a possibility but it's on Bank Holiday Monday after a weekend of supporting Patrick in his 24 hour swim event. So I'm undecided. Time will tell.

Good luck to everyone running the London Marathon this weekend. Remember to appreciate your marshals and supporters and have fun!

Behind the Scenes at Cholsey Chase

Ever wondered just what goes on behind the scenes on race day? As a participant you'll likely have arrived to see the start and finish areas set up, water stations in place, timing boards and photographers ready to go and the registration area buzzing. If you've ever given up some of your time to be a marshal at an event you might have helped to set up aid stations, put out signs and helped to set up the registration area. But even then there's so much else that has to happen to make races the success that they are.

This year I'm helping out behind the scenes at all but one of the Barnes Fitness events and gaining a huge amount of insight into and appreciation for just how many things have to come together in the lead up to the day and indeed on the day itself. The first event of the season was Cholsey Chase, a 9 mile event that is mostly off road, with some stunning views at the top of some tough climbs.

The race was due to start at 10:30am, but by the time I arrived at 8am it was clear that Ellie and a handful of others had already been on site for a while, marking out the course and setting up the registration area inside the sports pavilion. I set about helping to inflate the finishing arch, mark the parking areas, fill water containers, collect bananas and set up the finish area.

By 9am we had a full compliment of marshals including some familiar faces from Woodley parkrun who were not only manning registration desks but running as well... dedication! There was some mild concern that the timing chips hadn't arrived but just before the runners started to turn up they appeared. I just had time to avail myself of possibly the largest piece of bakewell slice I've ever seen from the cafe before helping out with registration. At just £1 a piece I'm amazed that they make any money but the cafe was buzzing all morning with runners, spectators and marshals, hardly surprising with such a wonderful array of cakes, rolls, pancakes and pizza slices.

Breakfast!

I was surprised by the amount of on the day entries we had but this is part of the joy of these smaller, more local races... you can look out of the window in the morning before deciding. By all accounts it was extremely wet and muddy last year, so much so that the lead bike had to stop after a mile! It was clear from the finishing times that the conditions made a difference. Three minutes were knocked off of the course record with the first man finishing in a time of just 53:02... that's speed I just can't quite comprehend!

Shortly after 10am Ellie gave the race briefing and at 10:30 on the dot the airhorn sounded and they were off! Race HQ may not have been playing host to runners any more but there were still things to do. Getting a head start on clearing away registration, setting up the trophy table, locating the finishing tape and ensuring goody bags and a box for the timing chips to be put into were near the finish funnel. There was time to enjoy a cup of tea and some chat before readying ourselves for the runners return.

Awaiting the race briefing

The distance between the course entrance onto the field and the finishing line gave us plenty of time to get into position and ready our cheering voices. I also learnt about the magic that is the commentator mat, which uses the timing chip technology to let you know who's approaching the finish line so you can name check them. I've always loved getting a name check at events, it makes you feel quite special! It's definitely a skill to judge the mood of an incoming runner, who needs some time before having a goody bag foisted upon them and who's happy to have their timing tag whipped off right away and learning the best places to stand so as not to get in their or the photographer's way.

Once everyone was over the line, trophies handed out and people had started to dissipate it was time for operation clear up. Tape, stakes, signs, banners and flags all had to be collected up and stowed away. Taking down the gazebo was a 4 person job. The highlight of the clear up has to be Ellie's dad rolling up and sprawling on the finishing arch in a bid to deflate it more quickly. And "suddenly" it was all over and I was heading home with a large piece of brownie and a couple of bunches of left over bananas. In reality it'd been 5 hours but the time just flew by. In a couple of weeks time I'll get to see how preparation for and running of a duathlon differs. It's the day the clocks spring forwards... I wonder how many people will be caught out!

It takes a lot of hard work and good will to put on a race and it can't happen without help. There's always a minimum number of people needed to marshal the course, man water stations and the finish line. Local and small events depend on volunteers and tend to look after them well so if you can't participate or your have a friend or loved one running in a race, consider offering to help out. Your help will always be appreciated and you can still support your runner.

Race Organisation : Getting Involved with Barnes Fitness

If you are a runner, cyclist or triathlete in the Berkshire area, chances are you will be familiar with Barnes Fitness. Wife and husband duo, Ellie and Ian, are the force behind the wonderfully organised events such as Dinton Pastures 10k series and Dinton Duathlon as training clubs and group exercise sessions.

I've been curious about what is involved in organising events such as the Dinton 10k series and I'm about to become somewhat wiser. Ellie and Ian have kindly taken me under their wind somewhat and are giving me some insight into just what goes on behind the scenes. They have 12 events in the calendar this year and I will be helping out at all of them, save for the aquathlon, which I'll actually be taking part in. I'll get involved in set up, registration and anything else I can render myself useful for, both on the day and in preparation.

The first event I'll be at is the Cholsey Chase on the 15th of March, a 9 mile race located between Reading and Oxford. It's only £18 so if you're not busy, in the area and fancy a challenge, why not sign up? Come and say hi! I'll give you a hug and a high five.

Or perhaps if you want to be involved but aren't up to that sort of mileage why not volunteer yourself! Ellie and Ian look after their volunteers well and it's fantastic fun cheering people on as a marshal. If you've only ever been on the participant side of the fence it's well worth seeing what it's like on the other side of the fence, at least once. I speak from experience.

If you're interested to learn a bit more about what goes into making an event great then look out for other posts in this series further down the line. I won't be sharing a step-by-step or "how to" guide but I will share my experiences from time to time.

Have you ever marshaled or volunteered at a race? What did you do and did it give you a different take on your own race days?