A little over a week ago Jackpot’s Neil Waller took part in possibly the hardest Iron Distance Triathlon there is, The Full Wasdale X.

Here is a little about the course.

At over 17,000 ft (5100m) of ascent in 140 (225km)miles of gruelling Lake District mountains, The X is the world’s toughest extreme triathlon.

Swim 2.4miles (3.8km) around the head of Windermere, England’s longest lake, before tackling the route of the famous Fred Whitton bike ride; at over 12,000 ft (3,700m) of ascent the Fred Whitton route is the hardest bike section of any ‘Ironman’ type event in the world.

Competitors transition from Bike to Run to complete the 26 mile (42km) marathon to the top of Scafell Pike and back. Climbing over 5,000 ft (1,400m) from the foothills of the Langdale Pikes before entering the high central mountains, traversing Esk Hause and onto Great End and Scafell Pike, England’s highest point

It’s not just the total ascent, 16,994 ft (5,137m) over the traditional ‘Ironman’ distance of 142 miles (226 km), that makes it the toughest, it’s the severity of the climbing on the bike and run that distinguishes The X as the world’s toughest.
(Ref: http://wasdalex.co.uk/index.php/full-x-2016).

With the huge challenge here is how Neil’s race went.
“So Wasdale wasn’t the result expected but believe me in no way I’m I disappointed in any way..
Arrived at the swim at 3.30am to a freezing cold lake in the dark. A mass start. So cold I struggled for a mile to get my stroke and breathing anywhere near where I wanted it. In fact overall due to the visibility I swam just short of 3 mile in 1h 25m😂
Then onto the bike.. Wow..
For my friends and team mates who will only really understand the full brutality of this whole 112 mile bike ride which takes in England’s biggest and toughest climbs back to back. Straight on the bike you head onto Kirkstone pass which gets that heart rate flying at 6.30 in the morning at 25% incline.. Then onto Whinlatter, Coldfell, then onto the one and only Hardknott 33% followed straight into Wynrose 20%.. the heat was nearly 27 degrees. And on busted legs it was tough.
As I was descending down Wynrose disaster and I ripped my rear tyre which needed a mechanical assistant to replace which took 45 mins. I took this opportunity to strip down and lay in a stream to cool down and at this point knew my cut offs were tight. Back on the bike I pushed back to Ambleside and out on the run. I had 90 mins to run 7 mile. Made it with 20 mins. Onto the next cut off. Made it with 20 mins.
Then I saw the true meaning of climbing on busted thighs.. Rossett, Esk Hause, and Broad Crag.. I made the cut off at the top for 7.40pm and had one more before Scarfell. I had 20 mins to hit the 8.00pm cut off. 8.15pm game over. TBH I felt a sense of massive satisfaction rather than disappointment. I had pushed the run so hard. I was like a pissed up mountain goat climbing the sheer climbs. Hot and sweaty and with a contact lens full of suntan creame but this event was like nothing I have ever entered and will be in no rush to do it again. I nearly made it and who knows without the split tyre. On route back down I bumped into a gentleman in difficulty so we walked back and chatted out being nearly men.. he was a top bloke and I shared the last of my fuel with him as he had run out. I’m now going to enjoy my time with the girls and going to have a chilled Father’s Day in the lakes.. Thanks to my girls as always for being here just no medal today.”

A massive well done to Neil.

Sunday 14th May brought Jackpot’s Tom Van Rossum in action in the Leeds Half Marathon.  Here’s Tom Race report.

“Having never done a half marathon without a swim/bike warm up, I accepted the offer of an entry to Leeds half marathon on Saturday afternoon. After my ritual pre race feed of Pad Thai, I rocked up on Sunday morning in the place of Sarah (green pen, predicted 2h30 finish time). Targeting a slightly faster pace than Sarah, I wished Bron good luck on her race, and squeezed myself in between the more serious runners in the blue pen, hiding the coveted green bib from the vigilant pen guards! 

My race plan was to go sub 1h20. Some pre race calculations showed that 3.45 min km’s would bring me in at 1h19 and change (mindful that I may need the extra seconds for the inevitable explosion of my legs as I hadn’t done any long intervals or prep for a half marathon).

The gun went and I settled in with a small group, as the leaders shot out of sight. The first few Km’s ticked by and sub 3.40 felt comfortable. Having a chat with the guy I was running with, he mentioned he was aiming for for 1h15. “Too fast for me” I thought, but I stuck with him as we reeled in the stragglers from the fast starting lead group heading up through Meanwood. I ticked off the first 10km averaging 3.40 min km’s. Arriving at the ring road at the half way point, I figured that was the hard bit done and it was all downhill from there. Heart rate was above threshold with another 10k to go and moving at pace was an increasing struggle. I also really needed a pee by this point. Contemplating the spectators reaction to me peeing my pants, I relented and hoped the finish would arrive a little bit sooner. At the next aid station I grabbed a gel and washed it down with the 2 pro plus stashed in my pants. Probably a good reason for not having that pee I needed earlier. The sub 1h15 dude was long gone by this point and I was now becoming the stalked, and not the stalker. Down on to Kirkstall Road for the last leg home and the double burst of carb and caffeine kicked in. Ticking along towards the finish in town, I knew the final hurdle would be the small rise (but feels like a mountain) over the ring road to reach the finish. I was wrong. Note to self, check the position of the finish line prior to the race. It turned into the longest finish sprint following the numerous turns around the town hall. Knowing that I was well under 1h20 pace I didn’t really care about my time at this point, I just wanted to finish. With the line in sight (but at the top of another hill) I was doing the worst impression of sprinting and finished in 1h17.50. Sarah was 18th overall, 1st female by over 3 minutes and scored a huge PB. 

Aiding my recovery with the well received post race beer, I waited on for Bron to finish her race towards a PB. With the clock ticking towards her target time of 1h45 it was going to be close. Executing a far better example of pacing than myself, she crossed the line 10 seconds shy of her target, smashing a new PB in 1h44.50! That’s how to pace a race”!

Also in action in the Leeds half Marathon was Rich Knell-Moore. In response to his race, Rich said “What’s there to say about a half marathon!”.  Rich let his feet do the talking and and finished with a time of 126:31.

Welldone to Tom and Rich  with strong running and two PBs.