Forestman 2008

Well, we didn’t have thousands of competitors; no-one went sub 9 or 8hrs (or even 10!!!); no new UK “bests” were recorded but I’m willing to bet there wasn’t a happier place to be last Sunday than at the finish line of the inaugural “ForestMan” .

Race day dawned bright and still and after a final briefing  75 brave (and fairly thoughtful souls) took to Ellingham Lake, 42 of them starting their first Iron distance race. For many of them it was to be a once in a lifetime experience and they were well aware that the course that lay ahead would be tough. After the swim and a “rolling” 112 miles on the bike they would face a “typical RaceNewForest” run with all bar 2 miles off road and to say the least “undulating”.

As if the day would not be tough enough already the swim was long!!! Funny how race organisers rarely get any flak when it’s short!!! For those who don’t already know, Richard had become paranoid about ensuring that the race was not short: conscious of the fact that this was a “one-off” for so many competitors he dreaded short-changing anyone and at the last minute had a couple of the turn buoys moved “just to be certain”!! Thank- you Richard….

Out of the swim the early leaders were Pete Gowans and Steve Bailey (Iron Novice but 20+ years in the sport) and they held a fair lead over a small group including Debbie Shaw who was the Swim/Biker in a Farnham Tri relay team, Mark Sage and Mark Roberson. The leading lady was Annabel Gates who held a handy six minute lead over her nearest rivals. The three lap swim had spread the competitors around the whole perimeter of the lake and 2hrs 20 had elapsed as Susan Turner brought the lakeside action to a close as she headed out on the bike already nursing a very tight hamstring.

Out on the bike, a rolling route through the glorious New Forest morning sunshine, the big mover was Nathan Blake who had only decided to enter during race week. His 5:21:10 was 18 minutes faster than his nearest rival, Pete Gowans with Hanno Nickau the only other competitor under 6hrs (although Hanno did have 2 punctures).

Meanwhile, Christine Costiff had begun to move through the field to arrive in T2 still behind Annabel but with a chance to launch an attack during the run.

The run!!

(“Personally I can’t see what the problem was:- we litter picked it yesterday and it made for a perfectly pleasant afternoon stroll!!!” ….quote from Richard)

First a mention for Ann Lonie and Paul Woolf, who with 3:54:50 and 3:58:39 respectively, were the only non relay competitors to break the 4hr barrier and for Miles Cudmore and Wendy Davies, relay runners who ran 3:13:08 and 3:35:36 respectively. This is not an easy run, as was pointed out to Richard in colourful terms by a number of “happy” finishers.

24 of the 26 miles are off road and whilst the surface is mostly very good the terrain is truly testing, rolling through heathland and woodland in equal measures.

The other question to be answered was whether anyone would “Beat the Clock”

Paul had secured the loan of the Hardley Runners Timing Clock for the event….thank you Mick!!...but it became apparent that it had a fundamental flaw, it being a Marathon timing clock which only ran up to 9:59:59!!!
Nothing that a bit of yellow electrical tape couldn’t cure as long as no-one went under the 10hr mark at which point we would start the “adapted” timepiece and all would be well……….you don’t get this level of creative thinking at your average big city Ironman , you know!!!  If they did, the reward would be a suitable timepiece!!

Back to the race for the podium and it soon became clear that Nathan had been far happier on two wheels than two tired legs! Pete Gowans dragged himself into the lead and spurred on by the fast closing relay teams managed a 4:05 run to seal victory in 11:01:40 from a tired but content Nathan Blake and Hanno Nickau who completed the podium with a fantastic third place.

In the Ladies race Christine Costiff capitalised on a consistent all round performance to surge home to victory in 12:36:25 with Ann Lonie closing to within 10 minutes courtesy of that fantastic run. Rounding out the Ladies podium was early leader Annabel Gates.

It was amazing to see the crowd swell at the finish line:- each subsequent finisher and his or her supporters gradually gathering, taking full advantage of the adjacent bar facilities!!!….plus a bite to eat…and waiting to give full support to the last finishers who crossed the line as dusk fell.

Of the 75 starters there were 72 successful “ForestMen”.

So what have we learned?

• That you don’t need many competitors to have a great event…..just the right ones!!!
• That even that small number is not good for the old carbon footprint…cups, gels and general consumables
• That Mick’s single digit timing clock can be adapted to cope with a race this difficult….unless you’re the one to beat my clock, prove me wrong and win the watch!!!
• That a 4.2-4.3K swim:
  a) Spreads the field out nicely
  b) Makes it less likely that anyone will win the watch (see above)
  c) is not necessarily a universally welcome surprise on a sunny Sunday morning
• That putting on an Iron Distance event with split transitions etc is very probably as strenuous as taking part.
• However, it is also exceptionally rewarding..you get to blub along with loads of folk: not just when you cross the line
• That a race begins to develop a “personality” very quickly:- stops being a series of buoys and directional/warning signage and becomes a series of stories and reflections
• That it will happen at least once more, next year but that we will keep the numbers small……too much blubbing might lead to dehydration
• That a few words of quiet reflection pre-race help give the race a far broader context

My special mentions go to..(in no particular order)..

• Every competitor, not just for your efforts but for showing faith in us by putting your big day in our hands at an untried event and venue.
• Thomas Peoples for a combination of bravery, pig-headedness and shear stupidity in dragging himself around what might be the hardest Long Distance run course in the country with a damaged hip…..and a totally unique style of locomotion.
• To Andy Baker for his thoughtful address at the swim start
• To Del, Jane and Charles….I know you’ll be back!!!
• To refs Dave Doust and Janice Goble (to Jan in particular for my beer!! And to Dave also for his hidden commentary talents)
• To all the marshals “Probably the best marshals in the world”……….

• In particular to our friends at Farnham Tri Club for coming “mob-handed” and looking after the furthest off road section of the run before being locked in!!!!
• To Bill at Primera
• To Emmie and Mike at InfiniT and to all at Mule Bar
• To all the staff at Sandy Balls for the fantastic support for this venture.
• To Tom who was running the bar at Sandy Balls for showing a great deal of patience with four very hungry and very, very, very, thirsty Race Organisers after the Presentations

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

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