Solid efforts there, coming in at similar times; 15:13, 15:20
6 Likes
Christina McKenzie is on course to break the women’s LEJOG record. Current record is 52 hrs 45 so she needs to reach JOG by 12:45pm today
8 Likes
OK, not really tracking, but a write up and I thought this was the best place to put it.
Cleveland Steelman 2020(1)
Background…
Like many, I booked this for 2020 and it was carried forwards. During May 2020 I had a serious MCL strain ( Water fight in the garden. Bare feet + wet grass = lost footing ) so the cancellation of the event the following week was very welcome.
Managed to get my training back on track in October. Unfortunately, I had a reoccurrence of knee pain in April, so had to back off and lost another month.
My initial aim was and optimistic 5.30. This was revised down to a more realistic 6.00
First things first. 10am start!!! 
The swim was single file start so I went off pretty much last and just did my own thing having little experience of group swimming or mass starts. Passed plenty of people and came out in 35 minutes which was about my target time for the 2000m.
T1 took forever as it normally does for me. Over 6 minutes to do what most people managed in 3…
The bike course is quite tough. It’s undulating, so no big climbs but it’s hard to get into a rhythm. It was nearly all over 2 miles in when I hit a stray bidon at 25mph. Very lucky not to come off. Felt good on the bike. Pushing up the hills and grabbing a breather on the descents. Given there where 3 stops for road works I’m really happy to have averaged 31km/h ( 19.5mph ish in old money)
T2 was a bit faster but still managed to take 4 minutes…
The run is mostly trail. A mix of grass, gravel, woodland paths and a bit of tarmac. I had to choose between run/walk or just shuffle round. First 5km went great and I was on for a half marathon PB! There was no way that was gunna last so I reined it in a bit and just aimed to go sub 2 hours. The second half was hard going. I stopped at the aid stations and walked a bit while ramming Clif Blox in my mouth. The run was bang on 21km, so my sub 2 hour pace got me home in 1:58.
Happy? Yes! Official time 5.42.
Given last years injury and reoccurrence in April I was looking at 6 hours.
I can confidently say the MAF training got me round in the end. Average HR for the run was 135bpm…
Anyone who fancies a low key middle distance race, I would definitely recommend Steelman…
17 Likes
well done mate 
1 Like
Thanks for the report & well paced/raced.
1 Like
Well done. Sounds like you enjoyed yourself.
Love the ghetto, industrial shot 
3 Likes
Well we where in the North East! 
To be fair it’s a really scenic bike route. Sadly this is the only picture I have so far. Was hoping to at least get one of me on the aero bars…
1 Like
Well-done @Midlife_Trisis on your race. I’ve done the Steelman too, it’s a great little no fuss, grass roots half.
1 Like
Sounds good actually, might give it a go next year depending on dates, etc.
1 Like
First glance I thought you were riding with a face mask- closer inspection, is it an impressive beard?
1 Like
Yeah it’s a beard. Fully grey now. My daughter is egging me on to grow it so I look like Santa!
2 Likes
OK dot watchers, if paint drying is too exciting for you, on Saturday you can follow me on the Shropshire Way 80km
14 Likes
Woohoo. Good luck @doug
2 Likes
Lovely area of the country - look forward to the race report
1 Like
good luck Doug
1 Like
McNamee going good at IM Frankfurt…
Trying to watch it from the start but FB not rewinding.
Nilssen’s bottle down the front of his top - is that a practical alternative to cages? I’m thinking there’s some cooling going on too as a bonus….
1 Like
I seem to remember in aero testing that came out quite well, but yeah could be for another reason.
@jeffb has always loved a bit of that
Who’s the guy leading? Not heard of him.