Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Use this to post your race reports, posts must contain references to your obligatory mid pee fart...

Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby flavadave » 11 Aug 2014 08:45

Just a quick one I promise

Bit of an unknown this one. Was supposed to do this last year, and was in great swim shape for it having done regular open water swims of 4-6km and a 10km event a month before. A cracked rib the week before the event made sure I had a DNS though. I was well p1ssed. Not only for missing the event, but also I'd bought the hoodie be and now couldn't wear it. So, I had a date with 2014. However, I hadn't done much swimming as I was busy preparing for Race to the Stones...

Last few weeks have been playing catch up, swimming 1-2km daily at lunchtimes. Had to buy a new wetsuit (BS Reaction) and only got to use it once in my one open water swim since last year (only 500m as time was short). So, that was that. I was going to take the day as it came.

The race is run as a sportive and after the first 4km your placed in pods of about 20, each with a safety kayak and safety swimmer. There were going to be about 20 pods we were told so I was chuffed to make it into pod 9. Plenty of room to fall back if I needed to.

There are 5 points where you have to get out and these were also feed stations and a chance to regroup. DIstances between the stations were the initial 4km, then 3km, 3km, 2km and the final 2km. In short, I stayed with the group the whole way which I was chuffed with. The rain fell hard at times, one clap of thunder threated to have the whole event called off (another clap and we could all be pulled out). But I absolutely loved it! Yes I got tired, yes my elbow was quite painful towards the end, but I finished strong and pleased as punch. Total time about 4hrs 30. Swim time about 3hrs 30.

Special mention for Combatdwarf AKA Iain. Great to meet you again mate, I needed a friendly face to take my mind off things. Also I've never had a wetsuit fit so well after you properly fastened me up! Hope you had a great race.

Bridge to Bridge... Done! :D
User avatar
flavadave
 
Posts: 2186
Joined: 05 Jan 2010 20:21
Blog: View Blog (2)

Re: Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby Moff » 11 Aug 2014 08:51

Really well done. I'm planning to return next year to slay my B2B demons
Bopomofo wrote:They've literally like seen him on telly, all on the news and that and then like come to see me and are all like "Here, you're into triaflon and ting, what about this nob?"
Moff
 
Posts: 669
Joined: 14 Apr 2010 21:09
Location: Warwickshire/Leicestershire

Re: Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby CCS » 11 Aug 2014 08:58

Excellent work!!!
Ultra running; long distance swimming - what next?

... and I do have to ask... how was the boat situation on the Thames? :lol:
Talking to myself and feeling old
User avatar
CCS
 
Posts: 3933
Joined: 05 Jan 2010 17:14
Location: Surrey

Re: Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby Jack Hughes » 11 Aug 2014 09:30

Very, very well done. This has impressed me more than your race to the stones efforts.
Omnia Vanitas

Immortal (for a limited tme).
User avatar
Jack Hughes
 
Posts: 11085
Joined: 05 Jan 2010 17:19
Location: God's own county

Re: Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby Kevy427 » 11 Aug 2014 09:57

Well done Flava. Great effort on a pants day

flavadave wrote:I was well p1ssed

How Tritans is before any race
Pedalling between cake shops
User avatar
Kevy427
 
Posts: 4283
Joined: 06 Nov 2010 18:39
Location: The Principality of Pagham

Re: Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby Sir Jibbenstein » 11 Aug 2014 12:45

Well done flava. Wear your hoodie with pride!
User avatar
Sir Jibbenstein
 
Posts: 4151
Joined: 05 Jan 2010 15:12
Location: Southampton
Blog: View Blog (3)

Re: Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby combatdwarf » 11 Aug 2014 18:28

Awesome - I was wondering how you got on :-) and how is the DOMS today :-))
Husband • Father • Ironman • My triathlon journey from the rugby front row to age group ironman • http://iaindoestriathlon.blogspot.com/
Injured in 2014 so racing for FRANK water at the Bridge to Bridge • http://www.justgiving.com/iaindoesb2b
User avatar
combatdwarf
 
Posts: 1156
Joined: 10 Jan 2010 18:19
Location: Global (with work) Cambridge (at home)

Re: Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby Tritans » 11 Aug 2014 22:03

Great work Dave. I note the Laws training regime has another convert.


Penned in the finest quill from The Royal County.
One who wants to do something, will find a way.
One who doesn't, will find an excuse.

Confucius
User avatar
Tritans
Was married, is now single due to amount of time on here
 
Posts: 4890
Joined: 05 Jan 2010 15:29

Re: Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby King Sad » 12 Aug 2014 06:53

Well done :D definitely not for me :oops: Really impressed, good work :D
It seemed like a good idea at the time :? .



http://www.KingSad.UK
User avatar
King Sad
Clearly spends too much time on forum
 
Posts: 2138
Joined: 28 Mar 2011 07:05

Re: Henley Swim Bridge to Bridge

Postby SickBoy » 15 Aug 2014 19:54

Good stuff. Shame it was a miserable day weather wise, though it probably makes it more memorable!

Globally dominating Canada
User avatar
SickBoy
 
Posts: 805
Joined: 08 Mar 2011 14:00
Location: Montreal

Next

Return to Race Reports

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests

cron