Signing Off... an Outlaw

That's it then folks, it's done, completed, I am officially an Outlaw.

Let's get the race bit out of the way, as noted in previous posts my target was for my time to be under 13:00 hours, but after all the hard work I was really hoping for around 12:30 hours. Not bad for a rookie.

I'm pleased to say my final time was 12:15:10, undoubtedly I'm over the moon, but I wasn't that aware of my overall time whilst out competing. The longer the day went on, the more just finishing became achievement enough.

My Splits:
2.4 mile Swim - 1:18:31
112 mile Cycle - 6:21:51
26.2 mile Run - 4:12:56

The swim was great, really enjoyable, it was the first time I'd done a mass start and there was plenty of contact throughout the course but all part of the fun. As I kicked off I got a twinge of cramp in my calf, and also again in the first third, I thought it may come back to haunt me later in the race, but luckily it didn't.

The cycle was also great, I got myself sorted on the lap around the lake and then it was out on the roads. The course is well known to me which gave me great confidence, however I was conscious of how fast I was going very early on. I had told friends and family estimated times of where I'd be planning on going 16mph, and I was pushing more like 18mph. In fact I did the first 56 miles in 3:01. It was great to see people around the course however not where I'd estimated. Thanks to everyone for coming out on the bike course, especially Catherine and Rusty who stayed for both laps of the South loop. It was great to see some club mates out on the course too, I caught Lisa on the A614, and I caught a certain someone else trying to find cover to take a pee ;-). I also got swallowed up by Chris Bennett as he was flying round his second lap of the South loop. Those words shared with club mates and fellow competitors just keeps you going. The guys on the feed stations were great too, the pirates and the Absolute crew especially, cheers to @jimboc29 for his encouragement.

I was hoping to go sub 4 hours on the run but my bike time was so far ahead of what I planned, it was all I had left to go 4:15, I'm pretty certain most people would be proud of that without the swim/cycle first. Again the support on the run was amazing, friends/family, club mates on feed stations, coach Steve and everyone at the Absolute Triathlon tent gave me something to aim for. The second half of the run was like nothing I've known mentally, as I passed the finishing funnel for the 3rd and last time as I started the last lap I had to blinker myself with my left hand to get passed it and keep going until it was my turn. Forcing myself forward and to keep running, just keep running. But the feeling of relief when you have 4 bands around your wrist and you head for the red carpet towards the finishing line makes the whole 6 months worthwhile. Smile, put your hands in the air, you're an Outlaw!

We may have only been racing ourselves, but on July 1st we were all racing.

Some final thanks, Sam who was there from start to finish, Mum and Dad, Lummo and Gabby coming all the way from London just for the race, Paul Manningtons words of encouragement at the swim start, Ann and Dave for being there and sponsorship support, Marco and Vic and Marcus and Janice, Ella and family for making the effort to come and watch, sorry I didn't see you at the end, everyone from Absolute but especially the Eakring lot who gave me the initial belief, Brendon and John Budworth for beasting me on the bike during training early doors, Nick Bestwick for the constant advice over the last few months, Coach Steve and everyone else behind the scenes at Absolute, a great club with great people. I hope I haven't forgot anyone, but congrats to everyone who took part and everyone who completed. Not too mention the great organisation of the race and every single volunteer, marshall and helper.

The amount of money the Karen Green Foundation has raised has been amazing. Mick was followed by a film crew on his bike so fingers crossed we get some great coverage for the foundation. Mick did a great job finishing the race and crossing the line with his 2 daughters, well done Mick, we're all really proud to be raising money for such a great cause. Still not too late to sponsor me either ;-) A MASSIVE thanks to everyone who gave SO generously, I've all but hit my £1500 target.

So, where next I hear you ask? At the moment, I'm not sure I could commit to another Iron-distance, although the draw of competing in an actual Ironman branded race may be too much to ignore over time. Although I'm very proud to call myself an Outlaw, I don't feel I can call myself an Ironman, call it a technicality but that's how I feel. I think this years Outlaw will be hard to top, sharing it with everyone was so special.

For the rest of this year, I'll take part in the Absolute Club Championships at the Erewash Tri, I've got lucky and scored  great team in the Club Relays back at Holme Pierrepont (Absolute Outlaws - Karl Glendenning, Nick Bestwick and Dave 'Iron-Missile' Crossley), I'm entered in the Last Minute Tri at Southwell as I'd like to do it fresh and not the day after a 20 mile training run, then it's the Nottingham Half-Marathon where I'm after a new PB, I'm going to finish the season where I started my triathlon story last October at the Broxtowe Duathlon, I'll be interested to see how far I've come in a year. I still don't see myself as a Triathlete, but the rookie journey continues.

As for beyond that, I'd like to do the Vitruvian half iron-distance next year then I feel I'll know where I am come my 3rd season with good miles in these rookie bike legs. I have aspirations but lets see where this journey takes me and see if I can keep improving.

Thanks for everyones support along the way, I wouldn't have been able to do it without you and it wouldn't have been anywhere near as enjoyable... yes you heard me... enjoyable.

Matt_Outlaw xx

The Outlaw... The Final Countdown

So that's about it folks, all the work is done, now just a few hours training this week, and this time next Sunday I'll be out there. I've been pretty relaxed about it all so far but it's starting to get very real. The thing with Triathlon is there is so much kit and so many things to remember, this is multiplied when it come to Iron distance with all the extra nutrition/hydration and the changes of clothing. I've made a list so fingers crossed I don't forget something, I guess it's not far to nip home if I do, but it's fair to say I'm pretty stressed about it all.

I've been so incredibly touched by how generous people have been when it comes to sponsoring me. As I'm sure you're aware by now I'm racing for the Karen Green Foundation, find the details of what they do by following their logo on the right hand side of this page. I just want to mention a few people who have helped me raise the money so far, I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to asking for money. Ann Lumley has been amazing in asking pretty much everyone to sponsor me, Ella at work has asked anyone who has come into the office, and Sally and Sue took my sponsorship form home to get people who I've never met give generously, thanks guys you're amazing. Everyone has given so generously, some of the individual amounts have been amazing. I also want to tag on a little extra thanks to Sue at work, she offered to cover for me so I don't have to work on Saturday. It may not sound much but I can't explain the amount of stress this has released, it also means I can get my mug in group photo that is being planned :-), thanks Sue.

A few more special thanks, Lummo, all your support and enthusiasm and words of wisdom are always appreciated (not to mention your Garmin) see you at the Nottingham half-marathon??? Sam, who has had to put up with triathlon 24/7, I have been incredibly selfish and I really appreciate your support. Whether it be that you don't see me for hours while I'm out training or that when you do I'm too tired to be much company. Thanks for humouring all my talk of triathlon, I can't imagine how boring it must be for you ;-). And finally someone as yet I've overlooked. Matt my housemate, he's kind of been there through everything I've been through in the last few years. He may be untidy but he does have very straight hair. Thanks for all your support (I think), and thanks for the amazing donation Gonzo.

I want to just quickly mention a club mate too, someone who inspired me to even enter this race in the first place. Unfortunately she has had to pull out due to injury, she will still be doing the bike leg of a relay but I know this is a poor substitute for her. It really affected me when I heard the news last week, I didn't know what to say, I can't imagine going through everything we've been through (winter and all) and then pulling out so close to the race. But needless to say she will be back fully fit and stronger than ever, I know she has set her sights on next years Outlaw. She is stronger and more determined than even she realises, when it's her time she'll be an Outlaw without doubt.

Finally a word for my Mum and Dad, I had a nice chat with them yesterday catching up after Dad had gambled badly all week at Royal Ascot, still they had a great time I think. After we finished the call Dad rang back, he often does this if there's something he's forgotten. Well this time it was just to tell me how proud he and Mum were of me. Thanks guys, brought a tear to my eye too Dad. We're not overly emotional when it comes to words as a family which is why I told him to stop being soft :-).

Some final race info for anyone wanting to come and spectate. My race number is 302.

I'd recommend checking out the info from One Step Beyond:

  http://dload.osb.s3.amazonaws.com/info/outlaw12spectatorinfo.pdf.   

An estimate of my race day for anyone supporting:

06:00 - Swim Start
07:30ish - Swim Finish/Bike Start
14:00-15:00 - Bike Finish/Run Start
17:30-19:00 - Finish (hopefully)

NB: All times are subject to change :-/

Everything starts and finishes around Holme Pierrepont. You'll be able to track my bike splits after 40.2, 66.4 & 89.5 miles, and periodically on the run via StuWeb Timing website.

It'll be great to see some friendly faces along the way.

I guess that's about it for now, if anyone wishes to donated, please follow the link on the right to my Just Giving page, Matto_out xx

The Tri, The Gig and The Baby.

Today I completed my 2nd ever Triathlon, and my last race before the big event. One Step Beyonds sprint Tri at Southwell, 400m Swim, 17.6km Bike and 5km Run.
Swim: 08:34
T1: 01:19
Bike: 34:44
T2: 01:10
Run: 17:13
TOTAL: 01:03:00
A well run event and great conditions, plenty of work to do if I want to be fast but enjoyed it. I've just received the text confirming I came 121st out of 600 and 22nd in my age group (Male 30-34). Great turn out and great to see so many Absolute Tri Club mates.

My band are playing the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham on Tuesday, check out our latest song on the YouTube player and follow the link for detail http://www.rescuerooms.com/gig-guide/186/love-ends-disaster--foreign-office.

I also just want to say congratulations to Helen and Howy on the birth of their daughter, good work guys, look forward to seeing you soon :-).

Thanks to everyone so far for sponsoring me, your generosity has been amazing, but still along way to go to reach my target. Check out the Karen Green Foundation link to the right to find out who I'm raising money for, and follow the Just Giving logo to sponsor me online.

Short and sweet but time is limited! :-)

7 weeks to go :-/

And out.

The Clumber Park Duathlon and Wedding Bells...

Hello again, this has been the first week when I've not missed a scheduled training session. I'm absolutely shattered, but I'm starting to feel like every second counts with 14 weeks to go. It's roughly about the time I started running about a year ago. I started training for a 10k at Wollaton Park and haven't really stopped since, it's scary to think how far I've come but how far I've still got to go. Nothing out of the ordinary this week, except I substituted my long run on Saturday for the Clumber Park Duathlon.

This was only my second attempt at a multi-sport event and lets be honest, I need all the experience I can get. If it's possible I've come back even more addicted. I really enjoyed the event and the competition, and despite the 25 minute delay due to fog, it went pretty well. A quality school boy error as I came out of T2 still wearing my bike helmet and sunglasses, which I had to dash back to drop off but hey, it's all a learning curve :-). I came 64th overall and 30th in my category, under 40's. Not a bad start I guess, the running was ok but still a lot of work to do on the bike. I set out with a goal of going under 02:30:00 for the event.. I should quickly explain... Classic Distance Duathlon is, Run 10k, Bike 40k, Run 5k.

So it went some thing like this:
Run 1 - 39:14
T1 - 01:20
Bike - 01:18:47
T2 - 01:29
Run 2 - 20:46
TOTAL - 02:21:36
I was made up to run a sub 40:00 10k, but a little to disappointed not to go under 20:00 for the 5k, the bike took a lot out of me, but overall I'm satisfied, sub 02:20:00 next time :-).
It was great to see club mate Nick there too, we finished pretty close as well.

On Thursday I finally got my new bike set up, with a great bike fit with Mick at Langdale Lightweights. Delighted to get my Ribble out on the roads finally, so thanks to Mick. I'd highly recommend the bike fit, it makes such a difference, and the new bike is great.
I had a great Saturday night, which I managed to get through by having a sneaky afternoon nap on the sofa, great food and great company, thanks ;-), and it was great to have a quick catch up and cuppa with Catherine today... trying not to neglect my friends too much, although the pressures of time just keep increasing and increasing.

Oh, I nearly forgot... Wedding Bells... not me :-) but my best friend Andy and Gabby finally got engaged. I've always said life isn't like TV or the movies but I'm pleased to say they've pretty much proved me wrong. I was pretty speechless when Andy called to tell me the great news, it'd be an honour and privilege to share there special day so when he asked me to be best man, I was well and truly over the moon. Great people, loads of love to you too, hopefully see you soon.

As for the rest of you, matto_w out xx