Fenland athlete takes on Ironman Bahrain for the third time
Three Counties Running Club Member Andi Woolley has had a very busy few weeks.
Even though he lives in Saudi, Woolley is still a very active club member and is always pushing himself and excelling in triathlons and Ironmans.
He participated in Ironman 70.3 Bahrain, his 10th Ironman and his third go at this event.
The temperature leading upto the race was worryingly warm at 30 degrees air and 24 degrees water but as predicted, dropped literally overnight to 22 degrees overall.
Unfortunately this was caused by heavy rainfall and 50km winds which were just as tricky to navigate.
Thankfully for Woolley and the other entrants the waves calmed down by 6.30am on the morning of the race.
The start of the swim was carnage with people fighting, dunking and banging into each other to get into a good position.
On to the bike, athletes faced a 45km out and back, one loop course, incorporating a lap of the Bahrain International Race Track (as used in F1).
It was going to be tough, as at least 50 percent of the bike leg included strong head/cross winds.
Unfortunately, less than 10 minutes in, Woolley suffered a puncture to the front wheel and lost 6’ at the side of the road as the sealant hadn’t stopped the leak very well.
Back on and pushing through the winds, Woolley really struggled to find any power for some reason, but just hoped his run legs would turn up.
Onto the run, the temperature had risen to around 25 degrees but the new run course was flat and well shaded for a large part. His legs felt good but he really struggled to take on any nutrition, resulting in him being sick at one stage and flagging towards the end.
Woolley knew the puncture had cost him a chance of a new PB but he was still targeting a sub-five-hour time.
He was trying to keep an eye on the time and managed to cross the line in a total time of 4hr 57 min, his thirrd Sub-5.
Elements and times - swim 1.9km 36:17, bike 90km 2:33:21, run 21km 1:40:26. Total time: 4:57:33 (third fasted 70.3)
lThe Three Counties member had an incredible result finishing 11/61 in age group and 225/989 overall, resulting in him gaining a World Championship slot in AG for the finals in Marbella next November.
Following his Ironman jaunt, he raced in an event organised by the Ministry Of Interior (MOI aka Government Body)
This was a triathlon Sprint format - 750m sea swim, 21km bike and 5km run
The air temperature was up to 28 degrees as it was an afternoon start and the sea temp was about 22 deg but very choppy
Woolley revealed he had an horrendous swim, almost having a panic attack 300m out as he was battered with waves and swallowed a ton of water but made it to the beach in just over 14 minutes.
The bike section was straightforward, with an out-and-back, head-backwind scenario that at times reached over 50km/h. It was finished off with a hot but fast run.
Woolley finished in an overall time of 1:11:11 - 10th place individual and third place in age group.
Parkrun results
King's Lynn: Melvin Green 30:37
Sandringham: Joely Apps 40:10, Colin Apps 45:10.
Wisbech: James Hall 22:03 18th/155, Craig Freestone 22:54 24th, James Stace 23:31 30th, Sarah Johnson 24:03, Jonny Clark 24:11, Jayne Spurrier 25:39, Donna Johnson 27:51, Debbie Agger 28:03, Jodie Clark 28:34, Les Phillips 29:09, Tracey Else 29:10
Anna Holland 29:47, Sarah Lamb 29:50, Laura Vincent 29:51, Lauren Day 29:52, Kim Coultard 32:11, Steve Whitelam 33:22
Sally Fawkes 35:32, Sarah-Jane Macdonald 35:45, Keith White 35:50, Jennie Ambrose 41:51, Lesley Phillips 42:42, Moira Macdonald 42:43.
