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Forestman Ironman Relay Report –  Sunday 13^th July

Miles Cudmore reports:

Our two relay teams gathered in the New Forest just in time for registration … and just in time to secure the last slots in the campground next to Sandy Balls where the Forestman event was based.  Team “Fast-ladies” was Debbie Shaw (swim + bike) + Wendy Davies (run) … an awesome duo.  Team “Catch-them-or-we-will-never-hear-the-last-of-this” was Kirsty Devonport (swim) + James Jimbo Eastwood (bike) + Miles Cudmore (run) … less awesome but also fit in pace (and looks of course). We entered to have fun and support Debs becoming an even more steely iron lady at Sherborne in September.

The race briefing was thorough and good humoured over plates stacked high with excellent food.  This was topped off with chocolate supplies … all the ladies opting for dipped flakes for reasons which have yet to be explained – something to do with texture and flavour.  For the men, chocolate was chocolate!!   The swim course was a few miles down the road from the bike run transition and the organisers did a great job setting up bag transfers etc. After racking our teams’ bikes it was time for excellent scones and raspberries as a starter before supper. Most team members went for light or healthy things like lasagne, but Jimbo true to form went for the biggest meanest burger he could find … a half pound venison burger with stilton and bacon + chips on the side.  Cyclists are clearly powered by different food to swimmers and runners.   Overnight camping was restless.  Noise from campsite kiddywinks and merry parents having a great time was replaced by all the 80s hits from a disco in a house next door to 2am.  We all know as we were all awake.  By 4am we were all up and sneaking out the campsite to the swim start a few miles down the road from Transition one.  Panic!!  James had left his cycling top back at Sandy Balls …. but 30 min of early morning rally driving fixed that before the swim start at 5:30am. 72 full ironmen competitors + our 2 relay teams started the race, arms lazily cutting into the still morning air and bodies ruffling the smooth waters of the beautiful crystal clear lake. The trees were reflected in the calm water, their tops picked out by the low sunshine slanting across the course. In the action zone, Debs was soon near the front.  We were convinced that Kirsty was tucked in right behind and cheered madly … except it was not her.  After what should have been 3.9 km (but was 4.2km due to moving buoys) in 78 mins Debs emerged as leading lady and number 4 in the field … incredible and definitely not cricket for a fun day out and “friendly” competition. James continued to faff with “what do I wear” and asking “do my calves look big in these tights” right up to Kirsty emerging after a superb 87 min swim.  And the chase was on.  But first the non cyclists did some marshalling, guiding riders out on the start of their 112 mile sojourn.  Wendy took this very seriously and was caught sunbathing in the road “resting her legs”.

The course was three laps across the stunning New Forest countryside.  The roads had traffic in places, and an added feature – animals.  Horses, ponies and cows which were either very stubborn or thick or both, having a tendency to just wander onto the road at will.  They are all bigger and heavier than cyclists so best avoided. Debs was going so fast and we were too disorganised to support her at the end of lap one. 

But we did see James who had cut the 9 min gap to 6 min and was all smiles.  The runners then attempted breakfast in the cafe….. slow service finally served soggy chamois leather pancakes which Wendy exchanged for scones…. and then made a mega mistake asking for them to be warmed which took forever.

After an hour of frustration we were ready for pre run rest.  Except Jimbo had other ideas, phoning to say he had punctured crossing the ford (others did so too) and was only able to partially inflate his tyre.  Some bike expert!  Wendy was happy for him to potter round to the end of the lap & help him then.  Miles sensing a “Fast-ladies” plot was soon guiding a rescue posse with Wendy at the wheel judging (correctly) that her driving talents were above her navigation skills.  Tyres pumped, Jimbo was now about 12 min behind Debs and still in good spirits.

Waiting for the bikers to arrive was a nervous time.  The hand over pen was right in front of the spectators who had great amusement watching Wendy break the “how many times can I pee in 30 mins before a marathon” record (answer, four).  After 6:16 on the bike, Debs powered in as leading lady after a fantastic outing and Wendy sprinted out of the gate.  James came in after 6:23 on the bike – a truly excellent result by burger boy especially as he only recently got back into proper training post crash.  Miles started the marathon with 17 minutes to make up, phone in hand to text progress of the chase during the run.

The marathon was on tracks with spectacular views over the countryside. The heart of the run was 3 laps along a ridge, dipping to the valley floor each end giving about 350m ascent / descent over the 26.2 miles.  Which made for many “gugger this” moments as some of the ascents were steep. 

As the run went to and fro on the same track, the event was drawn together and competitors could encourage each other.  More importantly it also let Miles gauge the gap ahead.  After 4 miles the 17 min lead was cut to 11 min, and after 6.5 miles a further 5 min had been taken out.  But Wendy was having a ball, smiling broadly and going fast – bad news for team “Catch-them”. 

Miles kept the pressure on, covering the first 10 miles in 70 min … but then in a “double gugger” moment found she had sped up and was still 3 min ahead. 

He caught up near half way, helped by mis-navigation by Wendy (on a straight path!) and a “clucking bells” hill.

  With “Fast-ladies” living up to their name, Miles’s concern was staying ahead so he pushed it along covering his second 10 miles in 70 min once more. 

The final 6 miles had sharp undulations, slowing him a lot before he finished in a pleasing 3:13.  Wendy’s smile got bigger as she powered through the final miles looking fresh and strong. 

She was delighted to finish in 3:35, her best long distance result for a couple of years.

The support through the event was fabulous.  Lee, Alan, Stephanie and Elliott all came to support the relay teams – a real lift. 

The finish and bike / run transition area was a hive of activity and news and at many points along the run and bike course people were out shouting encouragement – truly excellent.

So team “Catch-them-or-we-will-never-hear-the-last-of-this” was spared its blushes with a 6 min “win” over the “Fast-ladies” (11 hr 4 min 26 sec vs 11 hr 10 min 20 sec). 
It was a wonderful, wonderful day and by getting involved and encouraging the true ironmen competitors our relay teams were welcomed. 
Sometime in the future of course we will all have to come back and do the full thing … but one step at a time!!