2018 Ironman Staffordshire 70.3

In summary

👎

• Split transition [although evident to all entrants from the beginning]
• Queues for loos at Chasewater
• Entry fee is top-end

👍

• Wide and predictably flat open water section
• Superb bike course [but could be safer]
• Spectator friendly run
• Plentiful and well stocked feeding stations
• Fantastically well administered overall
• Super knowledgeable staff
• Happy, clappy, friendly volunteers 

In conclusion 😀😀😀😀😀

Top notch event in picturesque surroundings with gold standard organisation that enabled the entrant to focus all their energy upon competing. 

The Beginning

I jogged the well worn path of runner whose PB days are over and consequently sought a new physical challenge. By no means an athlete, (my marathon times were invariably 10 minutes either side of 4 hours) however as Sarah Palin said, “Sweat is my sanity” a quote that resonates however dubious the source.

I’d always had half an eye on a triathlon and redundancy was the catalyst that triggered an entry to the Staffordshire Ironman 70.3. I'm of the "Go hard or go home" mentality, so a few months away from the workplace facilitated an intensive training programme. 

Fast forward 3 months and on the Friday I’m in Stafford registering and constantly checking the contents of a red bag to ensure that it did indeed include left and right foot trainers. [Top tip - do not buy 2 pairs of identical trainers and wear them alternately thereby making them almost impossible to differentiate]

The administration is a little daunting for the first timer, running events simply require you to attach a number, lace up your pumps and off you go,there were however wonderfully comprehensive instructions issued by Ironman with knowledgeable staff on hand for those who required further support.

Saturday was a bike rack and blue bag drop out at Chasewater and the opportunity to familiarise yourself with T1 surroundings and the swim route. The support staff were plentiful and the whole process went like clockwork.
In an ideal world you would start, finish and transition in the same location, however as far as multiple locations are concerned the process was as seamless as you could have hoped for.

On Sunday I was dropped off at T1 with plenty of time to make any last minute bike adjustments, squeeze into the wet-suit and pack my bag that was to be transported to the finish. 

Fortunately I did not require anything more than a visit to the urinals as the queues for the loos were very significant and certainly something the organisers should seek to address for future events.

Unfortunately the start was delayed as the mist descended upon Chasewater however the communication was excellent throughout and we came under starters orders an hour later than scheduled.

Swim

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The self seeded start is a thing of beauty, I cannot begin to imagine the carnage that must have unfolded prior to this being introduced.

In advance of the swim I was fairly nervous about being kicked, punched or swum over or more disturbingly under, however the course was plenty wide enough to avoid any such  hazards. 

The water was both toasty warm and for the majority pancake flat, although it did appear to get a little lumpier on the turn to home. 

I clambered out of the water at 41:42 and whilst the pace was exactly as anticipated, I swam 100 yards further than the shortest route, although in hindsight it was time well spent to avoid dislodged goggles from an errant foot.

The run to transition is a few hundred yards and I somehow managed to resist the temptation to hoover up a significant number of what appeared to be hi-spec discarded goggles!

T1 went relatively smoothly and 10:10 minutes later I straddled the bike looking forward to experiencing the picturesque Staffordshire countryside on closed roads.

Bike
*

Our progress ground to a halt before traversing the dam as there had been an earlier bike accident and the road was closed to enable ambulance access. There would have been a time in my life when this disruption would have irked me, however with maturity comes empathy and I just hoped that those involved were not seriously injured.

I had done a recce of the course about a month previously and this put me in good stead for the tricky section around 8Km in. There are a couple of steep declines, followed by a short but steep incline and I sacrificed some speed on the fast descent to ensure that I was in the correct gear. 

Unfortunately there had been a significant collision minutes earlier and the road was strewn with bikes, drinking bottles and I was somewhat haunted by a bloodied and dazed rider on all fours in the middle of the road. Fortunately help was on hand, but it offered a stark reminder to me as to how hazardous this event could be and I sincerely hope that all involved have recovered fully.

My initial concern for the cycling discipline had been one of mechanical issues or punctures, however my priority had changed to simply staying on the bike! I think its fair to say the next few miles in and around Stoneywell Lane have the greatest potential for collisions. The roads are twisty, narrow, pot holed and potentially fast and whereas the Ironman signage is excellent, I did witness one rider extracting himself from a hedge after a sharp bend in the road somewhere around Hay Lane.[He flew past me about 1Km later, seemingly no worse off for the detour]

The route significantly improves after 14Km when you hang a right onto the B5014 and work your way up to Yoxhall.

Although the scenery is great and roads generally good, there isn't much to write about until you crest the B5013 and cruise down over Blithefield reservoir, a magical stretch of water where Stafford Tri hold Thursday night swimming sessions. 

Next recollection is after 60Km with the short incline up Bower Lane and memorable for the fact that its the beginning of a circuit and the opportunity to see those competitors that are some 15Km ahead of you. At the top of the incline you pass "Cow Bell Corner" a popular place for residents to spectate and make lots of noise.

Just prior to Penkridge Bank Road, I nearly get taken out by a tandem setting off from the verge, I echo a warning and receive a suitable apology in return, although confess to be somewhat perplexed by the fact that there is a tandem on the course.

A mile later on I get a tap on the shoulder from the guy on the tandem inquiring as to whether the back tyre was looking flat, I agreed that it looked somewhat deflated and they pulled over once again.

Next up was the feeding station and having largely ignored the first 2 feed stations, I managed the full sweep without slowing down, bottle, banana and energy bar. If I'd known what a great boost this would have provided, than I wouldn't have been so dismissive of the first two stops.

The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful, finish the Cannock Chase circuit, drop down to Wolsey Bridge, steady incline to Shugborough across to Tixall and the last lump before the gently coasting into Stafford.

I stopped to watch outside T2, the cycling had taken 3:07 and I felt that I had left enough in the tank to run a sub 2-hour half marathon.

Run  

Quick wee on the way out of T2 and then head down toward the town centre. I've had some time to reflect on the run, so please bear with me as I flip-flop through my conclusions.

I'm familiar with Stafford having previously lived a couple of miles up the road, but however many times I studied the map, I didn't have a clue of the route, so that first lap was a bit of a mystery to me.

My initial thoughts on lap 1 were not especially complimentary as there were kerbs, tight turns, narrow paths and street furniture as well as under bridges, over bridges to our destination. ["careful with that spliff Eugene it causes condensation" - congratulations if you are familiar with that lyric!] 
And then at the far end of the course you are presented with coloured bands to signify how many laps you have done. Picking up that first band is somewhat demoralising based upon the fact that you are only a third of the way round.

It was hot and getting hotter and I was beginning to cramp at the end of lap 1, so my hatred for the course was at its height and its taken a while for me to recognise the positives as follows;

• 3 feed stations equals 9 opportunities to stuff your face, massively advantageous to the hungry and thirsty and simply not viable on a single circuit track
• Loads of spectators and plenty of opportunity to see you loved ones at different points of the course. [I'd tried to persuade the daughter to dress up as Pennywise and jump out at me at random points of the course - she declined]  
• Some shade
• Familiarity - although at the risk of breeding contempt
• Picking up that final red band feels like a finish before the finish

I can see the course getting mixed reviews, but having had the opportunity to reflect, then there are probably more positives than negatives. [I guess the acid test would to run it again fresh, although I'm pretty sure I'd get lost!]

I somehow managed to zone out for the majority of the 13 miles, but have a few memories as follows;

• Feed stations were a godsend and I absolutely loved the bananas, although regretted mistakenly pouring a cup of cola over my head
• Meeting up again with my tandem buddies, this time they were running and sailed passed me on lap 2.The tandem penny finally dropped when I saw they were strapped together. I have maximum respect for anyone running that course with restricted sight
• An old lady who kept crossing the running track in the park pushing a walking frame. I fully expected Dom Jolly to unveil himself, but was simply left bemused
• Picking up that red band on the final loop and having the volunteers joining in on my whoops of joy 
• Regretting not trousering one of those delicious looking burgers being consumed by the smug family just before the rugby club

After 2:02 of running and a total time of 6:09, I finally made it into Market Square and over that hallowed red and black mat.

*


The End

I felt exhausted, elated and relieved on entering the athletes tent, whilst the Ironman team continued in the vein of the gift that kept on giving. Water, medal, chicken bap, fruit and finally the all important shirt that I will wear with pride and fond memories.

Fancy a half-distance Ironman as an inaugural triathlon event? If my experience is anything to go by then you would be hard pushed to top Stafford.

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PS - Those impeccable organisation skills continued to the end - white bag at the end of athletes village and both blue bag and red as well as bike picked up hassle free in T2

PPS - Thoughts are with anyone who DNF, especially those who crashed out on the bike section

*All pictures lifted from the official Ironman Twitter feed