Well that bloody website has taken me down a nice little rabbit hole.
Just ‘wasted’ the last hour at work looking up TriTalkers iM results
I forgot Stenard did Mallorca last year 
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Probably being a bit harsh on yourself there mate. Mentally weak people (which is harsh in itself) don’t do multiple LC triathlons IMHO.
These last couple of years have been like that at various times for everyone I reckon. I was in great bike shape last summer, swimming better than ever. Then without even realising I let it all go because I was in a real funk. I think the covid restrictions and new working patterns finally got to me. I’d give yourself a break over last year.
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Yeah - not a great turn of phrase there 
Sorry 
I had a naff race at Staffs, but knew I would, as I’d not put in the training. But I really enjoyed the run. Absolutely wrecked afterwards - massive cramp in places I didn’t know existed. Never before have my triceps cramped during a run 
Waddling around Stafford afterwards, my wife asked me why I do it to myself.
I think I enjoy the race more than the training, even when it all goes Pete Tong, as there’s something to learn for next time. Because there’s always a next time. 
But you need to train to be able to do the race.
Turns out you can’t really half arse a half 
Anyways…sub-10.
Lakesman / Outlaw 2023.
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This weekend so the website tells me (2022 version obvs!)
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Great weather for it.
@Tupperware went 9:33 last year.
I think he overbiked and underran. But that seemed to yield the same net result for him, as he’s an awesome jogger.
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The man’s been doing his research.
The seed is planted 
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I’m doing Lakesman this weekend…will let you know if it’s fast or not.
Not that i’ll be going sub 10!!
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Yeah can’t believe its this weekend - no idea how I got kinda LC ready by mid June!!
Lakesman felt much better/nicer to me. Is either faster?!?!?
Swim
Lakesman: nice, clean, 2 laps (think it used to be 1 larger), deeper water, no weeds or debris. Biggest issue was getting in and out with the giant rocks.
Outlaw: arguably easier to sight (long as you remember to turn at halfway), can walk to make up time!
T1
Lakesman 400m uphill on carpet, tiny transition once you have your bike
Outlaw: 3 miles or thereabouts
Bike
Lakesman: Quieter roads; less susceptible to wind (tho we did have it hard going up the coast road; which I think was unusual). Loop comes late on so get some extra wheels to chase
Outlaw: Horrific final couple of miles. Wind always seem to a bit more prevalent.
T2
Lakesman 50 metres
Outlaw - 3 busses and an uber
Run
Lakesman: Mind numbing dual carriageway (down, up, down up) - but great to see so many others racing/suffering. Steps (WTF). Bit of undulation.
Outlaw: Was Narrow river path - think its now staying on site; so lake laps (no shelter from the 45 degree sun); bit of undulation around the white water course. I’ve not done this new version.
Tho I had a sh1tty race - everything about Lakesman (bar that dual carriageway; but I was in bad shape by then) felt better, nicer and faster (tho appreciate theres counter arguments to everything here).
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I think Outlaw have gone back to a one lap swim now along with reintroducing the mass start
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A bit? It’s like UTMB
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Oh yeah - I’ve never done the 2 laps down there (forgot that had changed and too lazy to get down to watch that bit)
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Actually laughed out loud at that!
Back in 2010-2012, T1 was about 100m.
2021 T1: 6min T2: 7min
2010-2012 3/1:30, 3/1:30, 3/2
So yeah, it’s a bit bigger these days!
RE: Outlaw Course…
Swim is ace, properly simple. Out, back, done.
1 lap. Rowing lake has 250m markers, which is super awesome.
Plus rock hard chain buoys to smack you head/hand on 
Bike: Mad bad if it’s windy. Main road (A6097) which joins the north/south loop isn’t closed to traffic and was absolute chaos going back up the little hill last year.
Run: Still goes into town along the riverbank and back. White water course bit is good, bit of a break and breather here - it’s good to get away from the wind around the lake and a bit of undulation in.
But…the fact remains that the lake is horrific. Support is scant and it has destroyed my soul every year I’ve done it. Along the embankment and into town is ace, though.
Just be wary of internet strangers lurking under bridges and sledging you
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Think I’m the complete opposite.
I need the goal to train for, but when the event rolls around, mentally I lose the plot and can’t perform
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Despite not having done a tri since 2016 I think, maybe 17, it is still in the back of my mind.
Best was Outlaw
1:15/5:32/3:19 I think, came in at 10:19, so very similar to Poet.
The previous year at Outlaw (which was the one which was moved to the surface of the sun) I swam a 1:10 so I know I can. This was all off 20 minutes a day for 3 months prior and a smattering of slightly longer.
The bike was all off a commute of 1 hour each way in London and an even smaller smattering of longer rides, I think I did a half at sandyballs prior and an Olympic in Kent which at least had a longer bike than 20k.
The run was well just a run, which as it turns out I am quite good at.
I remember my power on the bike started at 180 and dropped to 160 near the end, so likely over biked. I also set off at 7min/mile pace on the run and slowed later so probably could have paced both better.
Anyway all the above and the fact that I was a 3 hour marathon runner and now am a (v near) 2:40 runner would suggest I should be able to do it, I just need to wrap my head around biking again. Always next year right…
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Are you a 5ft 4in 50kg “climber” or what?!?!
Or as aero as the Concorde?
That’s mental!
5:32 off 170w is not that out of the ordinary surely? It’s 20 mph which road bike aero-ness for a 70kg rider on a good flat route which I thought Outlaw was (unless my calculations are off somewhere)? Remember it’s loads more watts to go 5 from 5.5 than it is to go 5.5 from 6.
I’d say sub 10 is very, very doable for YKK almost certainly got massive gains simply from riding, without even worrying about any specific training if the commute got the previous result.
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I only did one IM, IMUK in 2007. Finished in 10h49: 57m/5h53/3h51 plus transitions. Was pretty active in TT1 around that time. Ttowel did the same race and was over an hour and a half faster, plus I think he had to change a tub which slowed him down. He came 13th in 9h13. Scott Neyedli won in 8h35.
After that I remember thinking for a while that 10h might be a good stretch goal. Better bike, proper wheels, flatter course etc.
But then I realised how much training would be involved, and the kids and work started needing more attention, and yadda yadda. So occasional sprints it was for the next 15 years.
Now I’m an old crock so that ship has probably sailed, also I still don’t want to do that much training. Even though I probably could fit it in now… simply too lazy 
But will definitely give a thumbs up to anyone who achieves it 
Edit: trip down memory lane, here are the results of IMUK 2007
https://www.coachcox.co.uk/imstats/race/133/results/
Just noticed @Daz in there too 10.05
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Cheers @JibberJim 
I was riding 58:xx for 25TT and was 70kg when I rode 5:20 on the Outlaw course.
I didn’t have a power meter at the time, so don’t know!
Strava estimates 194W 
I rode 211W last year for a 5:14.
So yeah, maybe not as big wattage as I thought
My ride from Outlaw last year, I weighed c72kg, I did switch the Garmin off a bit early. It was a pretty fast day.
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