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This year, Nick Dempsey (87-93) took part in the Mazda London Triathlon. Here is his account of the race:
“So it's been raining all summer and there was me thinking that it might be a relatively cool, damp and perhaps slightly wet typical summer day for me to "compete"..... Oh what a nice surprise that it was the hottest day of the year so far....
So anyway, picture the scene, 2.10pm on Sunday afternoon, it's about 2000 degrees outside, there are 300 odd grown men stretched into wetsuits competing to see who can look like the biggest gay in the village. They lead us outside and tell us to get into what can only be described as London Waste..... It's meant to be filtered bathing water but in truth I'm glad I had a tetanus not long ago... Then the hooter goes off, I set my watch and get on with this bloody triathlon. In case none of you have ever swum 1500m before, it's a bloody long way, and it becomes even longer when there are 300 grown rubber men fighting and clambering to get the best line... Make that 299, I just swam out a bit and got on with it. If any of you have been to Excel you'll know there is a big floating hotel there and when you swim by it all you can taste is diesel...Nice...
With only 300m to go I put my head down and got out in 31 minutes, it's then up the stairs to the bike racks. Imagine what 12,000 bikes in one room looks like... Now try and imagine you've just done a 1500m swim in radioactive water... Now try finding your bike... After searching a few different places I found it and it was on to the bike ride which thankfully is fairly flat around excel. 40kms later and 1 hour 13 later found my way back to my bike rack and into my "running" shoes... This is where it really kicks in and the legs usually start to feel like lead. For some strange feeling mine were actually feeling quite good and I managed to make it to the exit of the building before I realised that my legs were 3 minutes behind my head and they stopped working! The first lap of the run is 5 kms and it was quite possible one of the hardest runs I've ever done. The supporters were amazing and so it actually went quite quickly and I got into the swing of it. I finished the first lap and realised I might actually be able to finish in under 3 hours. Bear in mind when I last did it I finished it in 3 hours 19 mins and then 3 hours 27 mins so I was quite surprised by this! With the support of Beth, Johnnie and Trigg (who spent all afternoon drinking in the sun I might add, thank you so much for the support) I managed to come in just over 3 hours but well within my personal best.
I remember after my last Olympic triathlon I said I would never do anything so stupid again… well, actually I really enjoyed it and am going to go for it next year as well. I already have a few people who have said that they are keen... I'm holding you to it Pavey!
But seriously, it's great fun and a really good day out if there are a few people competing so have a look at www.thelondontriathlon.com for more info on next year.
Also, thank you to all who donated so kindly, I have managed to raise £450 for the stroke association and my site is still live for me to hit my target of £500! So if you are feeling my pain and want to help then please go to:
www.justgiving.com/Nickhastogetalifeinsteadofdoingthesestupidthngs and donate as much as you can.... But a fiver will do!
Anyway, thanks again to those who supported in person and in sponsorship and I'll be spamming you all early next year as I take on the next challenge which looks like it might be a world record for the longest ever touch rugby game in aid of Sport Relief. Guinness records will only acknowledge it if it is over 24 hours!”
Well done, Nick!
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