4 events in 8 days!

A report from the ever-busy Burgesses!

It was a busy last week of term for Verna and Stephen (15) Burgess

with 4 events in 8 days.

14th July: I was at Thame Sprint Triathlon and I was pleased with a PB

of 1:14:20 despite a crash on the bike and a frustrating swim with

overcrowded lanes. I thought the run was mega boring too – probably

will not do this one again!

Stephen was at St Albans doing an Eastern Region League event – by the

afternoon start it was burning hot and he did 29.02 and was 2nd in

his category.

17th July: This was the Waddesden 5k and is set in the grounds of the

impressive Rothschilds Waddesden Manor (National Trust). It is a fast

and furious race straight DOWN the main drive with a quick turn around

and then straight back UP. Again it was super hot. I did 22.58 (PB for

the course) and was 92/261. Stephen did 18.57, was 2nd male U17 and

was 24/261.

18th July: Stephen and I have been doing all the off road evening

triathlons at Box End Park near Bedford. This was the 3rd out of 4

races and another beautiful hot evening. We both decided to forgo a

wetsuit but this certainly slowed me down and I did not compensate for

the time I saved in transition. The hard dry ground made for a quicker

bike though and I finished in 1:17.23 and a couple of minutes off my

last time. Stephen has consistently been around the hour at these

events and did 1:02:32 and was 6/78.

21st July: Kimbolton Sprint Triathlon and another glorious day. This

was a very long day though as the younger kids races (Nathan and Zack

were in these) meant we were there for 7am and Stephen and I were not

racing till the afternoon. It was a great location though, with masses

of space and beautiful buildings. The bike course was quiet with very

little traffic and the run course was mis-measured and ended up being

4k and not 5k (some very happy people for a while thinking they did

some amazing PBs!!)

I did 1:07:59 and was 151/286 and Stephen did 54.49 was 20/286 and got

1st male U20.

I also did Ride London yesterday with a group from my running club.

Whilst not quite in the atmosphere league of the marathon I can see it

could develop that way. The organisational feat was incredible with

every side road on 100 miles coned off and marshalled and every road

hump, crossing, beacon also marked and marshalled (and the marshals

mostly smiled and encouraged even though they were there from 3.30am

to 8pm). Lots of support from residents too even though I would have

been quite grumpy at being told you are stuck in your house ALL DAY !!

We all got up Leith Hill and Box Hill (in truth easier than the

Chiltern epic climbs) and were pleased to beat Boris Johnson (just). I

did about 8 hours but actual ride time was just under 7 hours. Feed

stations were well stocked and there were a couple of vegan items I

could refuel on, along with bananas and energy drinks. For me this was

for the experience and not one to repeat. I reckon too they will never

have better ride conditions so pleased to have done it now!

Our event schedule coming up is and it would be great to know if other

Vegan Runners were competing:

11th August Bearbrook 10k

15th August Box End Park Tri

31st August Dorney Lake Tri

8th September Daventry Tri

15th September Cheltenham Half

28th September Hever Tri

29th September Roade Tri

26th October Beachy Head Marathon

Verna Burgess