Challenge Vichy Triathlon

ETU Long Distance Championships
1st September 2013

 

Official Results

  Swim 3.8k Bike 180k Run 42k Total  
Gary Finch 1.41.01 6.11.13 4.18.39 12.24.21  
Angela Kay 1.15.24 6.32.57 5.30.33 13.29.24 3rd V3F


A team of 32 British athletes joined 1400 others in the French spa town of Vichy to tackle the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and marathon run with a view to adding to the 197 medals won in international Age-Group competition around the world this year.

The swim took place in the rowing lake, Lac d’Allier, followed by a 180km bike ride into some strong head winds, particularly in the final 30km. The marathon run passed through the famous parks of Vichy and banks of the Allier River.

After several swim panic starts in my last few triathlons I decided to start at the back of the swim with Gary beside me.  It was a very wide start and once the starter horn had gone off it was time to get my head down and swim.  I looked up to see what was happening in front of me and Gary said “I’m still here....” and he was.  I saw an open space and went for it.  I was so pleased with myself as I didn’t feel any panic and was even laughing to myself as I felt confident. Gary was glad to see me go as he knew that I was in the zone and he could focus on his swim. The first lap went smoothly and after entering the water for the second lap the water became choppy with the mixture of the second wave swimmers and the speed boat going up and down.  I loved the conditions but was concerned for Gary as he’s not such a strong swimmer. Out the water, off to transition and out on the bike.........

The weather was a bit cool and I was hoping that the ride would warm me up.  There were a few hills out of Vichy and they did warm me up.  We went through some fantastic French country side of woods, hills and along the sides of sunflower fields.  The roads were well marshalled and we had right of way all the time.  After the first lap the head wind came to visit!  Just as well we are used to that from this summer’s training in England! I really enjoyed the bike ride and the aid stations were a welcome sight with all the usual goodies.  On returning into Vichy we had a massive hill and then back into transition.  As I got off my bike my legs almost collapsed which made the supporters around laugh and I had to have a serious talk to them – not letting them know that they would be running a marathon next!!

Running shoes on and a quick breath and think here we go...... Off I went knowing that I could run the first lap of 4.  We had planned to walk through the aid stations situated every 2k, again they were a welcome sight and gave great support.  Along the river, through parks and over 2 bridges the run was testing in places.  We had to run through the finishing area every lap and that was done of course with extra speed!!  Gary caught up with me at 3 miles and we went through an aid station together and then I watched him run off with his usual style of great ease!! The 3rd lap was by far the hardest and I was determined to finish in the light.  I did – just – in 13.29 (3rd Lady in my age group) and Gary was there to see me in – he had to wait 1 hour as he finished in 12.24 in his first Long Distance Triathlon!!

A great race, well organised and I would definitely recommend it.

377 FINCH GARY GBR 45 313 46:42 54:19 1:41:01 (swim time) 229 7:03 (T1) 310 260 48:40 2:11:47 3:00:18 45:25 2:11:35 6:11:13 (bike time) 285 257 6:42 (T2) 285 159 8:11 34:45 53:51 59:19 9:04 37:02 56:28 2:01:20 8:43 40:25 1:01:04 3:08:16 9:34 41:26 1:02:19 4:18:39 (marathon time) 12:24:41(total time) +3:24:31 46 V2H

69 F KAY ANGELA GBR 54 175 36:43 38:41 1:15:24 (swim time)176  5:46 (T1)172 293 54:36 2:20:49 3:10:01 51:02 2:21:38 6:32:57 (bike time) 281 195 4:42 (T2) 278 283 10:20 42:16 1:06:34 1:13:38 11:58 49:53 1:16:31 2:37:36 13:16 51:20 1:18:28 4:03:49 12:29 48:59 1:14:54 5:30:33 (marathon time) 13:29:24 (total time) +4:29:14 3 V3F

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