Steelman 2023 (or Rust-man as I called it…)
Swim: 44:29
T1: 2:31
Run: 01:32:38
Overall: 02:19:38
Place: 53rd overall, 12th 40-44, 48th male
I had been looking forward to this one for months. Its my first “proper” triathlon and I have been building up to it for months, I was gutted the bike got cancelled. I’m always a glass half full person so chin up and for me it meant I could push more on the run.
Race Prep
This is something I have always been poor at on the running side, my idea of carb loading is a pizza the night before and I have been known to do two races on the bounce on the odd occasion! Not for Steelman, I knew it was going to be difficult. For the last two weeks I have had all my nutrition planned out and I even attempted a taper! I had all my race nutrition planned as well which went to pot after the bike was cancelled. I am glad to switch my diet back to normal, I don’t eat a lot of carbs in general so struggled a little getting enough carb heavy\low fat food in.
In terms of training I have been light on the swimming for the past couple of months. I cracked a rib at football which was sore but OK for bike and run, absolute agony for swimming. That didn’t help to be honest but I managed to do enough to feel comfortably prepared. I also did some open water training with Matt at Tri Open Water and the club organised session – that helped massively. I did 2K at Ellerton last week to help with the confidence.
I was happy with my bike training. I wouldn’t say I did a huge amount, would have liked to do more, but I struggle for time. I do most of my cycling on Zwift (not keen on road\other road users!) and I did manage to get out enough and felt prepared.
Running I felt absolutely fine with and that is definitely my strongest discipline. I’ve had a few injuries over the last few weeks which were a concern, most recent was my ankle which I went over on at football and during training four days before the event….lots of ice and luckily it was fine on the day!
Preparation wise happy with the running side, OK with the bike and not looking forward to swim (but I knew I could do it).
Race Day
After a shakeout run and spin on the bike the night before (something I haven’t previously tried) my legs felt fresh on the morning. Woke up early and had a normal breakfast – nothing fancy, usual wheetabix and a brew. Feeling nervous and checking the photo of my kit before I put it in the bag about a million times. The weather looked grim and I felt sorry for my wife who was coming to spectate and cheer me on (and eat cake in the cafe). After checking again with her that she was happy to wait the likely 6+ hours, I started to do my final prep.
I had my new RTC race kit on (thanks Shaun!) and had double, triple checked everything we set off in the pouring rain. The drive to Ellerton is familiar now and we noted how much standing water was on the roads “that will be interesting to cycle through” I said a couple of times….
We parked on the field which already looked questionable and we expected trouble getting out. Bumped into Mark who seemed his usual organised self in the van, had a quick chat and then went for registration. I then spent the next 20 minutes getting soaked, taking my kit to transition, forgetting stuff, going back and repeat. The weather was awful and when we heard the bike section was cancelled I wasn’t surprised. I felt a little flustered as all my race nutrition planning was out the window (I had worked out how many G of carbs I would need, when I was going to take which gel etc etc). I had a little grumble and then started to get ready for the swim and think through the run. What pace was I now going to do? I could see Forest Gump in my head, that was now the plan! Managed to chat to a few friendly faces both from RTC and NYMAC which helped to settle the nerves (apparently I was too smily and happy setting up my transition area – must remember to be more sullen next time!)
Swim
I am starting to get more confident swimming. I am still nervous and it is my weakest discipline, however, I do settle after a few minutes. Getting into the water was fine I tend to do my own thing – chill out, breathe and get acclimatised to the water. Everyone is the same really but my mind is shifting now from panic to “OK, do what you normally do”. I guess that comes with experience. So, bobbing about at the start I was conscious of trying to stay closer to the front for a draft rather than right at the back as I did last time. Before I knew it we were off and I have to say I absolutely hated the start. I panicked – not as much as I have done in the past – but I had to resort to breaststroke for a couple of minutes. There was too much going on for me, too many bodies and it all felt flustered. I gave myself a shake and remembered my own advice which was do my own thing and get into my own groove. I did, I started to settle and calmed right down. The rest of the swim was uneventful apart from the odd person who kept bumping into\swimming across me. A lot of people really struggle to swim in a straight line and watch where they are going! I cant complain, I am not the best swimmer but I was pretty much stopped a couple of times by stray arms, legs and “torpedo bodies”.
Transition
Nothing to say really other than it is such an odd feeling coming out of the water onto land. Everyone knows it but it is so disorientating, I almost laugh when I come out as I stumble up the bank to my transition area because my whole body is screaming “WTF is going on” 
. Anyway, wetsuit off, dried feet and into my running shoes and away I went. Not blisteringly fast but I wasn’t bothered about that.
Run
Running is by far my strongest discipline and I have lots of race experience, I know what I can do and when I am going too hard or can push more. I find after the swim I am chasing people down during the run which is a definite confidence booster. I set off really quickly and was watching my pace carefully, aware I was pushing I kept my foot on the gas as I felt good and a half is my most comfortable distance. I saw lots of familiar faces on the way round and gave everyone some words of encouragement. I always try to cheer people on as it helps me massively. By about mile 4 I really started to settle and was keeping my pace up. The Marshals were brilliant, I saw Caitlin and Nigel who gave me a boost each time going past the pub. I was using the guy in front as a pacer as he seemed to be a little quicker. Nothing much happened for the rest of the race (think Forest Gump) up until mile 11.5 where I put my foot down and gave everything. I could tell I still had some in the tank and we were quite bunched up so I knew I could get a few places picked off and passed my pacer. The last mile was tricky, big problem was I was wearing road shoes (why didn’t I wear trail?!?!) and it was really muddy so struggled for traction. Push to the end on the road and I had done it. 20K PB and if the course was longer I think I will have got a half PB, which is encouraging after the elevation and conditions (my current PB is on the flat road at Redcar).
My thoughts post race….
– Gutted the bike was cancelled, most people will be the same
– Thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. It was really nice seeing people I recognise and getting plenty of encouragement
– Marshals do a fantastic job both organising but also cheering people on – thank you!
– I need to do more swimming prep! My rib is feeling fine today, it was really sore yesterday afternoon but I will be back in the pool next week
