London Marathon 2004 Race Report Page

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Sherborne Half IM, 2004. (Report 1)

Catherine Cazin reflects on her race weekend.

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I drove down to Sherborne with a friend of mine on Friday afternoon. As you can imagine, there was a lot of traffic about and a lot of them were going to Sherborne. You could spot the cars with the nice bikes in/on. The car in front of us was one of them. We followed them most of the way, that is until they broke down in Stonehenge. Out of solidarity towards triathlete colleagues .. I helped them push their car to the nearest lay-by ... mama mia!!! All this training was at last put to good use. "Poor guys ... what a bad start to the race!" I thought to myself.

Off I went in the wave 2 at 7:20. There was a lot of people ... in fact there were quite frankly too many people for my liking. What a brutal and violent swim! For the first half, up to the return point I had virtually no water to swim in, just shoulders, arms, legs everywhere. It was impossible to swim. The worst open water swim I've seen. I am still carrying the bruises from the fights for space. Did I place myself wrongly at the start? Probably... but heh... surely it was everywhere the same. I reckon I swam half the distance underwater and in the process drunk at least half the beautiful brown murky water. Now ... no wonder my swim time is disappointingly slow!

Whilst the swim is usually the most pleasant bit for me and never a problem, I wasn't disappointed to see the end of it. Off on the bike ... I could have had an outstanding bike leg if it wasn't for the technical problems I encountered. On the first hill of the first loop, my chain slipped as I tried to change down. I stopped, fitted it back in, jumped on the bike up the hill and managed another 2 revolutions before it slipped again ... and again ...and again. It would simply not stay on the small chain-ring past the 21 sprocket at the back. Now ... that was going to be a problem for me as I was prepared for this bike course with a lovely 26 at the back ... not 21!! Heh Ho ... grind all the hills on the way, off the saddle!!! And I completed the bike leg. Considering the chain slipped an annoying total of 7 times, I actually think I didn't do too badly with my bike leg. I really enjoyed the bike course ... I was ready for it, feeling good, and going for it. It was a good ride and the weather was good.

Unfortunately, all the hill grinding did take its toll eventually and I had very little legs left for the run. The first lap was hard but I ran all the way, even though that hill at the beginning was a right $%^&*%@ !!!! But the second time round ... the hill was just too much and I'll admit that I walked it. I feel quite disappointed at the thought right now as I have never "walked" a run before, let alone in a race. But hey ... I'm sure I wasn't the only one

I am a little disappointed with my overall time as I was hoping for 5:30. But if I look at it objectively, I didn't do too badly considering it was my first half Ironman. So I shall keep my head up and smile.

Funny ... on Saturday I heard from registration that Sherborne next year was going to be full distance and I would have booked myself in straight away had it been possible! On Sunday during the run, there was one thought in my mind "no way" !!!

Right now ... although still a bit tired and a little stiff, I am considering the Vitruvian in 3 weeks time.

Catherine Cazin.