After completing IM Barcelona and IM Zurich, #TeamTCUK athlete, Alison Lamputt, was looking for her next long distance racing test. There was only one race on the cards: the iconic   Challenge Roth. Find out how Alison got on in her race report below!

As I was wondering which long distance to tackle next after Barcelona and Zurich, Matt said: “Don’t do Bolton, do something iconic, you never know when it might be your last” (errr, what? I think) “Do Roth” and that was it! Decision made and what an awesome decision it was!

As I’m rubbish with logistics I decided to buy a race package rather than booking the race (even if I could have got in) and my accommodation independently. Again I feel that was a good decision. Although we stayed in Nuremberg about 25 miles away, the company made sure we were where we needed to be at all times. I can’t fault their organisation and would recommend it every time. I couldn’t have independently got myself from swim start/T1 the 10k to T2 and another half a mile to the stadium. Also there isn’t much accommodation in Roth itself so that needs to be factored in.

Pre-race

In addition to my training I did as much as I could to find out about the event beforehand. I watched You Tube videos of the race, ‘spoke’ to people on Facebook, spoke to others who had done the race, analysed the course maps, did copious lists of timetables, kit etc. I did everything you can think of to ensure I felt in control and prepared. Nothing was left until the last minute which won’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows me.

For my training I did what I was told by Matt. I felt really well prepared for the race and was eager to get it done. I’d had a hip/knee/shin issue since November so had been doing additional daily exercises. Due to this my longest run in training had only been 11 miles and my longest run at all had been Chester middle distance. Matt was confident this was the right approach and it turned out he was spot on.

Before the race there was an American woman in T1 crying saying she didn’t know why she got herself into this. Others were reassuring her, putting their arms around her and saying she’d be fine, we were all in it together. What? No way was I in it with her, I stayed well away. Soar with the eagles and all of that!!

Swim

Time: 1.17.26

There was some talk about it being the first non-wetsuit swim in the race’s history, so again ‘be prepared was essential. I’d bought a swim skin for Zurich’s non wetsuit nemesis so made sure it was packed.

There was a swim reccee on the Friday and Saturday. I would thoroughly recommend this to everyone who is doing the race. I took my swim skin as it hadn’t been decided about wetsuits but I wore my wetsuit as most people were wearing theirs. I got in and swam 200 metres and thought it was warm so I got out, took off my wetsuit and got back in wearing just my trisuit, no swim skin. It was fine temperature wise so I knew I’d be ok whatever the day brought. I do get cramp in my calves after about 2.5k on long open water swims but this didn’t worry me. When I got out I saw Jon and Tess who had just been in the water, wetsuits down to their waists. ‘What?’ I thought, as they had been saying ‘Bring it on’ for a non-wetsuit swim!!

On the day it was wetsuit so this was great for me. Mass starts with small numbers made it a manageable swim but there were faster male waves behind so I got swum over and bashed a bit. I stayed near the bank just in case I got cramp which happened after the usual 2.5k but I managed to flex my ankles and kick it out.

Sighting was a dream as I just swam along the bank. I settled quickly and breathed two to each side as I’d been practising in training. This also helped the sighting. A fast swim as it was out and back but I felt I was swimming slowly and was really happy and shocked when I looked at my watch as I got out. My previous pb was 1.25 in Barcelona and Zurich was a disastrous 1.50 due to the non-wetsuit swim.

Got my wetsuit down to my waist quickly, grabbed my bag and into the T1 tent.

T1

Time: 5.27

Having a helper was great! She tipped my bag out for me and packed up my wetsuit, goggles and earplugs. She then packed anything I decided I didn’t need.

Really funny, she asked me how old I was but I didn’t understand her at first as I don’t speak German. When I realised I said ‘63’ but she didn’t react. I must have looked bad; I think she thought I was older!

No flying start for me, I’d break my neck J

Bike

Time: 6.58.11

Very pleased to do sub 7 hours but paced it badly. I was flying to start but my power was above where it should have been according to my race plan. I did this at my last race and should have known better. I pulled it back but too late I think. I slowed down in the second half due to both setting off too quickly and the increasing wind (weather not me) but luckily managed to finish ok. I’d been practising my nutrition plan on all of my training rides. Banana, malt loaf, flapjacks, gels and jelly babies. Start eating at 10 miles, eat every 5 miles, 2 or 3 solids to sugar. Got it like clockwork in training. One bottle of energy drink, one of water, change them both once on a 100 mile ride so 4 bottles in total. Did I do it in the race? No because I went off too fast I couldn’t eat after 40 miles so relied on energy drink and water.

Managed the hills on both laps, little ring on the front, easiest on the back and span up them. ‘Just keep pedalling’ was my mantra. Pleased with this as I walked up one hill on my last long distance race. Tried hard downhill as well which was good for me. New bike this year which I’d been fitted to as a TT bike and it was great on the flats although my stomach meant I had to keep sitting up. It was very windy at times on the open roads and hard work!

 

Great support on the hills, lots of crowds. Solar Hill was emotional! I remembered what Matt said about sitting up and savouring it which I did. My friend was on the hill screaming at me that I was awesome and doing an amazing time which really helped.

Me on Solar Hill

The bike isn’t flat, there is about 5,000ft of climbing with one challenging hill (Greding) which you go up twice but it is a fast course. The open flat bits where there is no support are a bit demoralising especially with the wind but the other parts certainly make up for this.

Great news, I feel so made up! I learned a new skill on the bike – twice! Luckily clean socks were waiting for me in T2 J. Looking at my overall time, there was no way I would have been under 14 hours without my new found skill!

T2

Time: 7.30

Really weird getting off the bike and handing it over to a helper. Another volunteer took me to the bags and yet another one got my bag and gave it to me. Into the tent where another one emptied my bag and helped me to get sorted. All brilliant time savers. I know 7.30 isn’t fast but it was fast for me!

So at that point I thought OMG I don’t think I can run so I walked out where my friend was waiting. She fed me 2 Paracetamol just in case I hurt lol and said ‘You’ve got time to walk if you have to’ then ran off to the next aid station.

Run

Time: 5.29.59

So I started jogging. I remembered what Matt had said about keeping my HR down and about I could be running faster than it felt. My race plan said to keep my HR at the top of Zone 2 so I kept a close eye on it and off I went.

Then I thought ‘I can run, I don’t have to walk, I can do this’. So I did what I’d been told and just put one foot in front of the other and knuckled down to get the job done.

I couldn’t believe how ‘good’ I felt. My hip was fine, my knee was fine, my shin was fine. Yes of course I was tired and I probably looked like I was having a stroke but that’s normal for me on long runs.

So I ran 1.5k walked the 50m for the feed stations then 1.5k and repeat and repeat and repeat and didn’t stop except for 2 wees which I did in a portaloo to be kind to others.

My nutrition plan on my last long distance was water, coke, water and a gel to sip. In Roth they have water melon so I swapped gel for water melon and just had one gel I think. I took on nutrition until about 3k from the end when I thought I couldn’t stomach anything else.

I had a friend racing who is faster than me on the bike but crashed with 3k to go so she was behind me on the run. She’s about the same speed as me so when I met her on the first out and back she said she was trying to catch me so we could run together. I kept glancing behind but she didn’t catch me so I knew my pace was ok.

2 legs along the flat canal wasn’t the most inspiring run but easy and a softer surface which was great for me. The last leg through the woods to the village with the lake where you turn around was hilly and hard but I just kept going. Saw Jon Overment at this point as he was on his way back in and he assured me I was doing a good job (I was actually faster than Jon on the run but I don’t know if he knows that J)

I kept to my zones and my nutrition plan for the run, I couldn’t pick it up at the end but maybe if I’d also stuck to my plan on the bike I would have been faster. I’ll never know : -)

Back into Roth to be met by my friend screaming at me that if I could keep going I was going to be under 14 hours.

And I did!!

Overall time 13.58.32. Thirteen! Sub 14! PB swim and run! Not on the bike but Barcelona was pancake flat.

Finish time: 13.58.32

When I finished I felt sick and just the usual ‘not quite there’. I also knew I was dehydrated as I was thirsty. I made the mistake of lying on the floor, just for a moment, as I feel better if I am horizontal (don’t we all?) but I was hauled off to the medical tent to be put on a drip. I’ve never been in a medical tent before and couldn’t believe it. It was like something out of MASH! About 30 people all wrapped in blankets on drips! They took my pulse but their machine wasn’t working so I looked at my Garmin and told them my HR was 77 so they were happy with that. I started to feel much better once I was horizontal as I knew I would but they wanted to insert a drip. After three tries, back of both hands and my arm they admitted they couldn’t find a vein so I suggested maybe they stop using me as a pin cushion and just give me a drink which they did. Good bruises to make me look hard though! They let me leave then, I think they’d had enough of me; I don’t know why lol.

Found my friend, got the bike and bags from T2 and delivered the bike safely to the transport lorry.

Had 3 bratwurst on a big cob and a cup of coffee then back to the hotel.

In bed by 1am still buzzing

Next day

Post race

It’s now Wednesday. I rested on Monday and Tuesday. I’ve done some conditioning, foam rolling and stretches and today I’ve been for a 3 mile walk.

I feel really good. I’m looking forward to my next adventure.

I’m doing Vichy 70.3 in August because my aim next year is to qualify for the 70.3 World championships in New Zealand. If I don’t manage Vichy I might look at Weymouth as a back-up if there are still spaces and Matt says it’s ok. Otherwise I’ll try early next year together with Kalmar as my 2020 full. My support crew are already looking at accommodation!

Coaching

Matt is a great coach because he gets to know you as an individual. I would think I’m easy to coach in one way because I just do what I am told and don’t miss sessions but almost impossible in another way because I am totally anal with lists, details, getting things done way in advance etc. So thanks Matt you’ve got me well and truly weighed up and make sure I am well prepared on race day.

The best thing for me this year has been to meet other TCUK athletes. Matt has coached me since November 2015 (or thereabouts) but it’s only recently that I have met others. This has been brilliant for me and the support from everyone is amazing. Tricamp was excellent and I hope I can go every year. The run clinic and swim analysis have also been invaluable and also being able to swim with Swim Revolution on occasion has been good.

Any training/camps/events that can be provided to get people together would be great. Training for long distance can be a lonely journey. I’m a member of a local triclub but only a couple of us do long distance and I train mainly on my own.

I haven’t yet been to the Christmas Party but maybe this year now I know people.

Would I recommend TCUK to others? Ermmmmm, lol yes of course!