Wimbleball 2012 - Results

Race completed!  Full results available here.  My time was about an hour quicker than expected - a total of 6hr 20mins.   That puts me 562nd out of the 1265 who actually finished in the allotted 8.5 hours.

For comparison purposes, here are some of the people I knew at the event:

	Name	Swim	Transition	Bike	Transition	Run	Overall	Rank
	Philip Graves	00:22:33	00:02:26	02:29:35	00:01:24	01:23:44	04:19:45	1
	Chris Thorne	00:38:33	00:07:43	03:23:08	00:01:57	02:02:56	06:14:19	484
	Allan Bowe	00:46:27	00:08:20	03:25:30	00:02:10	01:58:09	06:20:38	562
	Lisa Pritchard	00:38:00	00:07:34	03:48:06	00:04:27	02:07:40	06:45:48	806
	Matt Francis	00:55:01	00:08:18	03:53:29	00:03:22	02:15:34	07:15:46	1017
	Sally Hughes	00:40:24	00:11:44	04:44:50	00:05:28	02:47:30	08:29:59	1265

I don't know Philip or Sally but their first / last places put our results in context!

So how did it go?  Well - it wasn't the best start..  We were given an official 15 min delay anyway, due to site traffic access issues, compounded by the fact that - following the official start announcement (to move to the lake) - I realised that Emma still had my swim hat and goggles! So I had to run off and try to find her (which I did).  I was then left (with Matt and Lisa) running towards the lake, suddenly stuck behind all the 'second wave' green hats, as the commentator shouted for the red-hats to hurry up!  Once in the lake, treading water at the back, I didn't realise the start gun had gone off (I was using ear plugs).  However I quickly got the picture, and began my longest-ever unbroken swim.  Not much to say on this stage, but special mention to the green hat who - after whacking my feet several times - proceeded to pretty much 'swim over me'.  Its not like there was a lack of swimming space in Wimbleball lake!!  

Transition one was a big one, with an 800m jog to the changing area.  Then onto the bike stage.  This was a very hilly circular route of the lake, followed by - a repeat of the very hilly circular route!  This wasn't too bad actually, as I was using Emma's dads hybrid (as opposed to my mountain bike).  However I was constantly overtaken by those on racing bikes (except on the uphills).

Transition two went well and onto the run.  Owch!!  Very quickly discovered the effect that clip-on pedals have on your calves, and was slowed to an embarrassing walk on the (numerous) uphills.  Managing not to swear at (presumably well-meaning) members of the public encouraging me to 'run a little bit', I sped up after two laps, to a sprint finish and sub-2 hour half marathon.

Learning points:

• wear two swim hats in case someone knocks yours off (this happened to Matt)
• earplugs helped me with the swim (apart from missing the start!)
• have a WEAK energy drink concentration in your bike bottle (mine was way too strong and made me thirsty)
• take spare shoes when setting up transition!!  (After dropping off my running trainers, I spent Saturday walking around in the mud and rain in bare feet)
• a track pump is useful for race morning
• make sure your cycle gloves are the right way round (cold post-swim hands are not the best for getting into inside-out gloves)
• use a tri-wetsuit (makes a MASSIVE difference to your swim)
• take toilet roll on race morning!!  as the portaloos are heavily used!!
• have both a long & short sleeve top in your cycle bag, so you can choose dependent on weather.

Moaning Points:

My biggest beef with this event (which I guess applies to most races) is the appalling attitude of competitors with regard to discarding used energy gels / sweet wrappers etc.  I saw several cyclists, in their tight lycra and expensive bikes, throwing rubbish into the Exmoor countryside.  

My second grumble is the attitude of some visitors towards the event marshalls (who were volunteers from the local rotary club).  Wimbleball is fairly remote, with single track lanes, so traffic management is clearly a challenge with around 2000 visitors to the site.  Anyway, it was a shame that one particularly grumpy old man - angry at the delays - deliberately attempted to run over one of the marshalls, injuring his leg!!  Luckily there were lots of witnesses, details were taken, and police notified.

Summary

Given my lack of training, am very happy with the result.  Am putting it down to a combination of determination, and the nutritional supplements that Emma regularly plies me with.  However - am also aware that it was only half an Ironman.  So watch this space!!