Jon Embleton - 2016

(Warning, this is long)..

Went to bed at the Hilton about 22:30 in the hottest room ever, listening to all the club revellers outside, vehicle horns beeping and the hum of the table fan blowing hot air onto me, knowning our alarm clock was set for 03:20. Not good already. The bed wasn't comfortable and my ribs and neck were playing havoc, whilst tossing and turning for a mere 5 hours. Anyway got up and Lesley made breakfast which I forced down banana and porridge. Then made up my bottles and got ready before going to reception to meet the others.

You could clearly see that everyone else had the same amount of sleep as me, but the hype was kicking in and we all left tired but with high spirits. We drove the 20 minute drive in good time, but the parking arrangements caught us by suprise at the venue and the tailbacks were alarming. I was thinking of everything that needed to be done, i.e. tyre pressures, T1 bag, T2 bg, nutrition on the bike, garmin and put my wetsuit on. Needless to say I started to panic slightly as the time was slipping by fast as we were stuck in traffic. We finally got parked up approximately 1.5k to 2k away from the transition tents and we had to carry everything in one go. The venue is massive and very busy, I decided to get my bike sorted first as it was the furthest away from the tents. However, I forgot my nutrition and had to run back to the tent to get it. While inside a marshall came in and shouted "10 minutes people, 10 minutes" I nearly had a shit hemorrhage! I was nowhere near done and had left everthing next to my bike as I planned on going back.

I planned to place everything into my Transition bags in sequence but it was all just shoved in, which incidently snapped my bag handle and it fell to the floor. I tied it to the peg, which caused me problems in T1 after the swim, as my motor skills were shot after having just swam 2.4 miles. Anyway grabbed my cap and goggles and ran to my bike to grab my wetsuit. I met with Lesley and Phil when I heard the same female marshall shout "make your way into the water." I'm serious when I say this, I started to blummin cry! I stepped into my wetsuit in panic mode and pulled it up so fast, I pushed two fingers straight through it, making a massive hole at the front. My head was done in, I felt like walking away from it all. Lesley reassured me, zipped me up and we made our way to the water.

I chose to jump into bay 2 and stayed at the back so that the faster swimmers could swim off and mingle with the stragglers of bay 1. Before I knew it we were off! I set off really slow and attempted to stay on the feet of whoever was in front of me. But by the time I reached the first bouy, the traffic was heavy and I recieved a punch to my right cheek causing my goggles to pop of my right eye, filling with water. I had to breifly stand up and put them back on and set back off again. This caused all sorts of feelings to run through my head. I started to tense up and fought off anyone who came next to me. This effected my swimming but due to so many bodies around me I just had to stay as calm as I could and wait until the pack thinned out. By this time, I was half way up the lake and it thinned out enought for me to plot a route through some slower swimmers giving me some much needed confidence and before I knew it I was back and in a rhythm. I used the swimmers on either side of me for guidance rather than sighting up the lake, saving my neck muscles for later. I turned back and started the swim back towards the shouting and music which was getting louder and louder. I was really enjoying it by this time, the water was warm and I was in the zone 'my' zone, I even started to sing in my head. I swam past the main building and the pack in front of me were lining up to exit the water. I ran up the ramp and even took off my own wetsuit without the help of the marshalls.

Got into T1, found a space on the bench and literally tipped my bag upside down and dumped everything on the floor. I quickly got dried but it was that hot in there, I was wet again in an instant. I had to get ready into my club cycling kit in limited space and onto wet skin, it was a struggle. Ran to my bike and heard numerous voices shouting for me from the sidelines, it was fantastic. I grabbed my bike and started my initial circle around the lake like a homing pigeon, before long I was out on the roads and away from the park. I was saying to myself, "breathe Jon, just breathe." I was surrounded by other riders and I was hoping that a marshall never rode past and accused me of drafting. I didn't want to overtake the riders in front and I certainly didn't want to drop back into free space. I got myself as comfortable as I could into aero considering my ribs and neck and just span the crank in a nice zone 3. I completed the first of the three loops and looked at my garmin to see that my average was 34.4kph over the first 40k! Bloody hell Jon, ease of you idiot I said and slowed down, letting the rider behind me to push past and speed of into the distance.This I can tell you was hard to allow and I wanted so much to chase him down and take back my position. But I managed to keep calm and think about the job in hand, easy does it. The roads were quite nice and I was enjoying the ride until I reached Oxton Bank on the second North loop. What a killer that was, the heat wasn't making it any easier. By this time I could feel the skin on the back of my neck and arms becoming tight due to sunburn. Selected Granny Ring and push it up the bank, passing people who had decided to get off and walk. Normally that incline wouldn't be an issue but today it hurt. I got to the top and could see another 'pit stop' in sight. I grabbed a High5 and a water and made off again passing Mr. Tucker who was flying. Before long, I was starting to recognise some of the roads again and knew I was back on the Southern loop for the last of the three loops. However, the wind picked up and I was pushing into a head wind, causing my heart rate to rise above zone 3. I went to grab a gel from my crossbar bag and managed to drop about 3 on the road FFS. I scrambled to catch them and managed to stop my friggin' garmin. My God, I could have screamed! "wind will you just fcuk off" I said and by this time my feet were stinging down the sides for some reason. Pushing on through the village was an uplift, with all the spectators shouting and screaming, especially Niall who said all the right things lol. I got back to the roundabout where the return road had reopened and I knew I was homeward bound. Came to the private land which we had the privilage to ride though by the owners and it was horrible! The road conditions were poor, gravel and speed humps everywhere. Got into T2 and was so glad to throw my bike at a marshall, my arse was like a piece of leather!

Same technique as before and emptied my bag onto the floor and got ready as quick as I could. I felt good, apart from the sides of my feet but it was good to get my bike shoes off and replace them for some comfy trainers. Back out and again made my way around the lake before off out into the countyside and past Notts stadium. It was really hot but I felt good. I knew I was good for the distance as I've always felt comfortable in run training leading up to the event. I saw Chris H and Neil Y on the way back down and in jest shouted, "I'm coming for you guys" and laughed as I pushed on at a steady 5.30 mins per kilometer. Got around the park and was on the way back to the venue and there it came..... The dreaded brick wall....wham.....my body wanted to shut down! Jesus I've never felt pain like it, my thighs were in agony and it was a fight to keep going. I never wanted to stop and walk as I knew it would be the first of many and would I have the strength to start running again? Unfortunately, another pit stop loomed and I had to stop and take on more sugar. I opened a gel and squirted it into my mouth, but I physically couldn't swallow it, I knew I would throw it back up. I spat it into the bin and decided that it was only water from then on.

Back into the venue and another lap of the lake, before setting off back into the countryside and knowing I had to do it all again, it was brutal. However, up the dirt track passing Jude with the camera and stags everywhere shouting my name definately gave me a boost. But when the path singled out and it was all quiet again, the pain came back and doubt set in. Will I make it? Shall I just stop? People can die from doing this! I knew it was my mind playing tricks on me and I knew my body could handle it even though the pain was unbearable. I found myself having an argument with...myself and persuaded myself to keep going lol. That is when you know the training you've done throughout the year comes into play.

I came back across the bridge and past Andrew T and Andrew B who looked as though they had just set off, chatting away and smiling. They looked good. I past another feed station and grabbed only water and kept going before I entered back into the venue. I hobbled down the gravel bank and saw Humey to my right running towards me. He said he was on his last lap but was in agony. We walked and ran together for most of the lap, but I knew I had another one to do. I dug deep and started to run again past the finish line and set off for the last 4k. Passing the cheers again from all the clang but at this time I walked past them and had a chat. The last loop almost killed me but I guy who I'd been running with for nearly the entire course said to me that we we're on for a sub 13 hours if we kept at it. He gave me a jelly baby from his bag and we cracked on. The last feed station past and I walked again while I drank my water. This is when Lesley came up behind me and shouted at me to get my head up straight, "think of the hellium balloon Jon" she said. My running buddy and I laughed at this and he asked who she was, I said she was my partner and COACH and he said "you can tell!" Lesley cracked on and past me for her last lap and she looked strong, definatley stronger than me thats for sure.

The last 1k marker came and then 500m marker and I coud clearly hear the man with the mike shouting YOU ARE AN OUTLAW. I cleared my throat and could see the fork coming up towards me where I would turn left instead of right. I reached the red carpet and felt my body screaming at me, my legs wanted to crumble but I managed a fake smile and past the line just behind a family who stole all my limelight! But I didn't care, I was finished, I didn't have to run anymore and I actually was an OUTLAW. It was a fantastic feeling, knowning that I had completed the longest triathlon you can do. My time didn't matter at all, to me it was irrelevant. However, I remember Humey telling me months back that he believed that I could achieve a 12:30 time, I never told anyone about this time and kept it to myself. I came in at 12:55, some 25 minutes longer but with the sun and intense heat, I was still chuffed to bits. I grabbed my t-shirt made my way up the ramp and I went and sat in the food tent on my own and put my head in my hands for a while to collect my thoughts. I was hurting badly believe me, I felt as thought I'd been in a car crash, my whole body ached, even my eyesballs!

However, back to the stands and met up with my teamies and their families and it was fantastic. Even Stefan was handing out the beers and it was greatly received, thanks mate. Was the event called The Outlaw or The Hartlepool Triathlon? We definately stole the show and it was fantastic, I could have stayed there all night. I love this club and everyone in and attached to it. If you'd have asked me then if I would do it again, I would have biten your head off. But now, yes, I'm there next year to take at least half an hour off my time and get that sub12:30.

Four days have past now and I've still got my bracelet on and I'm off into town to see about my Outlaw calf tattoo. See ya's later! XX

2015

Author: Chris Hill

      Outlaw Race Report - apologies for length but it's a bloody long day. Still not as long as Matt telling us about his shoulder...

      Woke at 4 after 2 nights of about 2-3hrs sleep. Nothing worse or is that jealous than hearing the young uns just going home from night club at 4-5 in the morning. Forced my self to eat some porridge and we left hotel about 4.45-5. 

      The morning at the race was quite relaxed really as we'd already done all the bike racking and kit bags were handed in day before so you just had to worry about swim kit.. the morning was beautiful as the sun rises at the far end of lake, this wasn't to last. We got the 10min warning so made our way down to the water. Seeing 1300 swimmers in the water at the same time is quite intimidating but a sight to behold. We made the decision to jump in bay 1 and start near the front as we planned we could get out to the side and have a clear run, it actually paid off. Hooter went off at 6 sharp and it was a swarm of swimmers, got to say I found this a little overwhelming and took me around 250m and a bit of breaststroke to calm myself and regulate breathing. Once I sorted that, it was head down, clear water and just turn the arms. However many times you practice the distance it still felt a long way. I'd like to say a quick change in T1 and I was off on the bike but as you can see from my transition times I'd be lying and I didn't take either transition quickly. 

      Bike ride went fine, but passed quite a few riders with punctures (apparently someone had thrown drawing pins onto bike course) And I felt really comfortable and holding a good speed, did have to check myself a few times as knew I had a long day ahead.. I was just on the hunt for Yatesy as knew he'd be miles ahead of me out the swim as I was a good 5mins slower than I would have liked and knew he'd smash it. So the chase was on and it was my driving force for 3hrs. Where's Yates..let's catch him... 

      Hit Oxton bank and was amazed how many rides tried to hold a big gear and churn out the bank out of the saddle. I dropped down the gears, sat in my saddle and spun out and passed about 12 of them on the bank alone. Finally round the back end of loop 2 i had tracked him down...wasn't sure it was him at first as I didn't know what Jersey he was wearing but the policeman in him had made sure he turned his rear light on, so there was no mistaking. It was him. it was a good feeling to see him as the ride is long and boring.. If anyone does a long event I would whole heartedly tell you to try and do it with a friend as I would have found the event very boring. After 4hrs in the saddle you've had enough and the run would be torture on your own. 

      After 4hrs the weather prediction was spot on. Heavens opened up and winds picked up, this was going to be a long cold 2hrs. We hit T2 absolutely freezing and soaked to the skin. Thank good for a full change of clothes and some food. Yates provided the greggs sausage rolls, could have been warm though. 

      Now for the small matter of a marathon in the rain, oh what joy. I made the mental decision to break it down into 4 x 10k runs as we had to run 2 out and back loops which were actually 16k each and this worked a treat. Out into Nottingham 10k back into lake 10k.. Right Neil we are half way there, we can do this. Neil was getting particularly grumpy around this time (I'm being kind to him as he was probably grumpy on 1st lap) and wasn't having any of it, it's not 20k its 26.. Twice round the lake doesn't count, come on. Well you just plod on and keep going, you've got no other choice, you high 5 other runners and have some crack and a laugh with them and you get through it. Passed Humey on the 2 outward legs and Ste Housley on the 2 return legs and both were looking good.

      We Finally hit the lake for last time and never have I been so happy to have 3 millhouse swim bands on my wrist. Right 1 quick loop of the lake and we've done it. We hit the home stretch of lake, only 1.6k to go. Crowds, volunteers and family were absolutely brilliant and cheered, shouted your names and joked everytime you ran past them. Got to 500m and the red carpet and finish line where in sight, hit 200m and we collected our boys and all ran down the red carpet together....

      Then over the tannoy.....

      Chris Hill. Neil Yates 

      Boys you are OUTLAWS...