Stubbington Green Runners

On a cold windy Sunday afternoon in May, seven hardened Stubbies took to the pool, road and trails for the Fareham Triathlon, helping to raise money for the Rainbow Centre.

As a triathlon virgin I had finally decided to enter this race to get over some of my fears of putting three very different sports together, with an aim of just getting to the end.  Saturday afternoon saw Rich and I in the back garden with our tri suits on and kit laid out, mounting and dismounting our imaginary bikes, throwing gear on and off as quickly as we could.  We call this “transition”.  The neighbours probably call it insanity.

Having frozen to death and had the micky taken out of me for my dashing tri suit, I entered the pool.  I had determined that I would swim all 400 meters front crawl, which meant a slower time, but probably less tired legs.  Climbing out of the pool I was berated by the triathlon police aka Euan for looking at my watch – shock horror – and not proceeding more quickly to transition!

After a quick chat with Rich (at least we didn’t stop for a cuppa), I tootled off on my bike in my nicely wet tri suit fearing that I would freeze to death in the wind, but pedalling for all I was worth meant there was no time to think about it.  The cycle route isn’t the easiest, with hills, difficult right turns and uneven road surfaces, not to mention speed bumps going up Leafy Lane!  At the bottom of Funtley Hill Euan passed me.  Half way up the hill, just as he had disappeared from view (very convenient), I changed gear and my chain fell off.  Several people who I had passed on my bike now passed me, probably having a snigger as they went.  Having managed to get my chain back on and get going up the hill again, I finished my bike leg, dismounted at the line and ran to transition…until I realised my legs were no longer attached to me.  Quick transition and off on the 10k run with my legs going in one direction and the rest of me going in another.  It took a fair while for them to clock the fact that they were no longer cycling and instead do something that resembled a run.  I thought this leg would be the easiest, after all, I’m a runner.  But obviously not after swimming 400 meters and cycling 18 miles.

The run was a combination of pavements, grass, uneven dry muddy tracks and wooded trails.  Oh, and I nearly forgot, a massive flight of steps!  I can’t remember running ever feeling so hard but I managed to pass a fair few others (including a lady who had passed me when my chain fell off – he he) and put in a final effort up the hill and come in still on my feet, just about.

I had to wonder at the sanity of putting myself through such a gruelling experience.  My initial thought was that I’d rather run a marathon! But a challenge is a challenge and lured on by the thought of a slightly “easier” triathlon (ha ha!) I have signed up for the Southampton Fast Twitch, but this time I will get some training in on my bike and practice those bike to run sessions!
The first man to finish was our very own Richard Thomas in an overall time of 1:34:27.  And first lady home was Susie Mac Gregor, just dipping in under the 2 hour mark with a grand time of 1:59:56.

Euan McGrath (first triathlon) 1:53:50 (9th male)
Richard Snell (first triathlon) 2:07:19  (30th male)
Phil May 2:07:27  (31st male)
Gill Rose (first triathlon) 2:16:14 (5th lady)
Chris Gallagher 2:25:26  (45th male)

Asked for her thoughts on the race Susie said, “I had a fantastic day, it was well organised and I would do it again!” And she has done it twice now.

Richard Snell, who finished in a fantastic time for his first triathlon, said, “I was very pleased not to have drowned, fallen off my bike or collapsed running and have signed up to do another triathlon in August”.

Chris, describing himself as a triathlon novice said, “despite the bad weather conditions, the hills on the bike ride and feeling muscles that I thought I never had, it was enjoyable. I never thought I would have made it round the course but it was a personal achievement to get over the finish line”.  And just so you know the madness is catching, Chris also says, “I got home and am looking for the next one already, must be mad !!!!!!” Yep.

And Euan’s words, “First Triathlon and loved it. Got the tri bug! Entered Worthing Olympic distance for Tri number 2”.  No, really, there were no more words - except “Awesome!!!”  What more can I say?

Gill Rose.

Click here for photos.