Wasdale Half Ironman Review

4 fine fine beasts undertake what was said to be the hardest middle distance in the world, the Wasdale Half Ironman Triathlon. DEEPEST, STEEPEST, HIGHEST, HARDEST. Will they manage to get to the depths of the Lake Distric with all the equipment? Will they get to the start line? Will they complete it? And will they want to ever do another one? Find out by reading the below review of the Wasdale Triathlon – a tale of sweat, blood, pigs, crashes, ham sandwiches and love. A great review of a great event.

This short post explores the experiences of the four members of our group who took part in the ‘SainteLyon’ relais 4 in December 2016, offering useful advice for other teams thinking of signing up to the Relay 4 event, and particularly those from the UK thinking of making the trip for it.

Jeremy Lloyd was right. You do spend the entire event, and most of the weeks either side, thinking about how you are going to write the damn report.

Graeme searches for a qualification spot at the world championships in Chicago. He takes on the Dambuster Triathlon to make his bid for Walrus history! Did he make it? Did his relationship with Holly survive? Did he find his wallet? Read his account here.

My qualification for the UCI World Amateur Road Race had been somewhat accidental, the result of a frenzied fenland charge through the mass participation madness of mountain bikes and baskets at the Cambridge Gran Fondo back in June.

Alex tells of his experience at the Slateman Triathlon by Allways Aim High events. It’s a rip roaring read giving a deep insight into the inner thoughts of the club secretary. Usefully it also gives a good account of the race, the pros and cons and might help to address any questions future hogs might have when considering the Slateman Triathlon. Is it worth it worth the cost? Is it organised? Where on earth is it? Is it too tough?

Goosebeard wins the St Neot’s triathlon! Read on for this tale of a walrus in all his glory, conquering all before him through determination, hard training and the odd spike through the spokes of other athletes. Good on him!

Caspar wins his maiden road race! And what a tale it is too, full of all the things that make him so feared yet so loved among the Walrus clan.

The preparation was flawless.

In this insightful review, club chairman George looks at what options are out there in terms of jackets, helping you decide what to wear – and what NOT to wear – when the weather closes in.

Graeme Goosebeard’s first attempt at the club triathlon due to injury in 2014 and the 2015 decision to abstain due to the World Championships being the following weekend. Fair enough, I suppose.

Alex takes on the Henley Classic. A 4am swim up the river Thames. What goes through the mind of this man in this classic British event and in a world where people tell you ‘you have to do this event’ more regularly than you hear your own name – is the Henley Classic worth it for the cost and early bed time?

Graeme and Holly Goosebreath take on the Lakesman Triathlon 2016, an ‘iron distance’ race set in the heart of the Lake District. This post tells the tale of the lead-up to the event as they gradually go insane, even to the point of getting fully married as an extra stage of the race. Will they make it?

The report of the third instalment of this fine event, written in true Walrus style: largely incomprehensible and with very little useful content. But if you do make it to the end there’s a rather curious tale written by team captain Edward Wetbeak.

‘One of the problems with triathlon is that you spend the entire event thinking about how you are going to write the report.’ Jeremy takes on Lausanne triathlon, alone, wet and very very upset. Find out how he got on by reading his ramblings below.

It was early January when I finally decided to enter the IRONCAT TRIATHLON. The website read ‘A long distance triathlon in Catalonia for everyone. If you want to, you can do it!!!’. Sure.

A new and insane challenge was needed to distract from my rather saddening and anticlimactic departure from rowing. Could this be it?

Read here you beasts. Read here! The greatest of days. What a day, almost 24 hours of fun. Mist lay on the fields and waters. Kelmscott, peaceful and quiet. An early morning dog walker trotted after their companion through the dew. The sleepy village was quite unaware of who or what was about to arrive.

Some brave souls took on the Snowman Triathlon on October 5th. 750m swim in the cold lake Llyn Mymbyr, 69k bike with 1110m of climbing and a 9k up and down Moel Siabod. Did anyone freak out? Did anyone crash or fall? Did they all make it back? Find out here by reading the accounts of those who took on the Snowman. Alex Hadfish (AH), Eddie Wetbeak (EH), Caspar (CP), George (GH) and Roman (RL) tell their tale!

And so we went to Sweden for Ironman Kalmar, myself and the good doctor (half mad, half cocker spaniel – but with the power of King Alfred in his legs). With the doctor, his female companion (an age group podium competitor); and with me, the Korean, a splendid man, as strong as an ox – he would be our directeur sportif and photographer for this crazy expedition.