The Forestman
Ironman Triathlon in the New Forest National Park
26th June 2011
Raced The Forestman on Sunday, an Ironman triathlon in the New Forest – labelled as one of the toughest Ironman triathlons in the UK.
140 people started the race.
Managed to finish 4th Overall and 2nd in the 40-49 age-group. 12th fastest swim, 4th fastest bike and 6th fastest run made for an epic day.
Swim
Up at 3.00am. The race start was 5.30am in Ellingham Lake which was enveloped in dense fog throughout. Water temperature 17 degrees C. Only possible to sight to the next buoy and even that was difficult in the fog. Found some good feet at the end of lap 1 of 3 and followed them until the swim exit. Swim time of 59.32. The course might have been ever so slightly short as the reports indicate that everyone diagonally cut across one of the buoys which was at a very obtuse angle. Exited in good shape, a very controlled swim.
Bike
An epic ride. After approximately five miles of passing some of the faster swimmers I was alone and this ride became a solo 3 lap time trial through the beautiful New Forest including 1,250m elevation gain and 3*10km of strong headwind on the open plain. The course was undulating throughout with a couple of tough hills. After having ridden on Armadillo tyres (100% puncture resistant and 'maximum resistance to motion') and an 1123 cassette for 9 months it felt fantastic to be on Zipp 808s and slicks. The bike course had everything - beautiful terrain, wild ponies and cows in the road throughout, multiple cattle grids, dense fog for the first 2 hours and then blazing sunshine. After catching and passing more of the leaders during the ride I rode into T2 with a ride time of 5.27 for the 4th fastest bike split.
Run
BRUTAL. It is hard to describe this run, it was just a raw test of endurance. 450m of elevation gain comprised of multiple very long steep hills, 24 miles off-road (loose to rocky gravel) and 30+ degree C temperatures in blazing sun with no shade. After negotiating the initial 1 mile on tarmac and then a couple of long steep pitches we ran three hilly 11km loops along a ridge. After quickly understanding what I had gotten myself into I settled into a rhythm focusing on my nutrition at each of the aid stations. Fantastic camaraderie in this race on the run with encouragement between the top 10 every time we passed. From mile 21, at that point 5th overall, to the finish I managed to raise my effort level and hold it in order to not lose position. On completion of the third loop there remained 2 miles of steep off-road hills and then 1 mile of tarmac home. A few minutes later I saw the 4th place man 50m in front - he saw me and let out an audible 'Oh no!....', at this stage no one wanted to be racing mano a mano but that is what ensued... He took off but I felt good and kept at it, finally catching him on the long steep hill up to the tarmac. I apologised as I went by and he laughed and waved me through. Once up onto the tarmac I continued to run strong and ended up opening a 3 minute gap on the guy I'd just passed. Run time of 4.01. 6th fastest run. Only three racers ran in under 4 hrs.
Ran through the finish line in 10 hours 35 minutes. The winner was 10.06 and 2nd-5th were 10.28-10.38. At the finish it was great to see Mum and Dad who had made the short trip up from Bournemouth. Also good to chat to the guys in the top 5 at the finish line and at the prize-giving later that evening. A small cash prize for 4th place overall and a fantastic trophy for the 40-49 placing.
A great course and an epic day of racing.
