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Sunday 4 November 2012

Virgin Active Indoor Triathlon


  • Took part in the Virgin Active Indoor Triathlon on Thursday
    http://www.virginactive.co.uk/indoor-triathlon/the-event
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  • Really enjoyed this event. Was really simple to sign up. Joined online & picked the distance i wanted to do. Picked my time slot for 7am & rocked on up to the Virgin active health club in Norwich about 6.30pm.
  • On arrival i was given a locker key and directed to a registration desk. They signed you in then took you down to the changing rooms. This Tri was a bit different as it was in reverse order & all indoors.
I'd opted for the max distance event
2.5k run
10k bike
400m swim
 
Not used to running on a treadmill so they gave me a little practise first. Thought I'd take it steady to avoid any mishaps. Although the longer i went the more comfortable i got so kept cranking the speed up. Finished the run in 9min 47 seconds.
 
You then had 2 minutes to get on the bike which was just in front of the treadmill. The bike was set at a really high cadence so felt like i was cycling the 10k in first gear. Finished the bike stage in 16mins 13 seconds.
 
You then had 5 minutes to go downstairs to the pool, so i dropped my trainers off in the changing room & took a quick shower. Was wearing a tri-suit so just showered in that. Pool area was really nice but a very shallow. Swim involved 16 x 25m lengths which i completed all front crawl. Swim time 9 mins 52 secs
 
Once that was done it was time to get changed and head back to the registration area.
 
My results
Position overall794 of 3034
Position male666 of 1840
Position 35-44 years male189 of 493
Total time 35 minutes 52 seconds
Thanks to the staff at Virgin, they certainly understand good customer service. Really helpful and very friendly. Great event, you even got a medal
 

 
  • Reactions to feedback
 
Thought i'd write this next bit due to a recent reaction I have had when providing constructive feedback about a local event.
What is the best way to react to feedback?
Below are a couple of examples where myself and others have provided feedback on events that we have done recently. The first is Glen Moulds reaction & response after he was given a lot of feedback on the Great Barrow Challenge.
 
Changes to the Great Barrow Challenge
http://www.greatbarrowchallenge.co.uk/
 

After listening to your feed back from Facebook, emails, feedback forms and meeting with the GBC team we have decided to implement the following changes:









1. 2103 Great Barrow Challenge will now be on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to allow less time off work and more people to compete in it. Dates waiting for LDWA and Thames Toad to confirm their dates.
2. The walking / running classification must stay to prevent walkers from running and making it an unfair walking challenge.
3. Everyone in all categories sets off at the same time i.e.8am. This will allow one main briefing and shows the size and spirit of the event with walkers, runners and cyclists all going off together, then peeling off at their different points. It also allows those doing
 the lesser distances to walk/run/cycle with the main group. It also enables checkpoints to be manned only for the specific times required and not all day waiting in case someone turns up on the day to do a 6 mile walk. There will be a 1 hour window to start then checkpoints will start to close.
4. Car parking has been added to the entry fees starting from the Christmas challenge.
5. There is also now a ‘fully inclusive package’ for the summer challenges which includes all food and accommodation.
6. Price increase also reflects the new checkpoint provisions from water on tap but also squash, and a good selection of snacks and food at ALL checkpoints.
7. There will be a medal for ALL entries regardless of distance and days done, the GBC medal still remains for the big 4 days.
8. Bury Parks roads have been taken out (same as Wickhambrook route) and a more pleasant side road used with tracks. We will continue to monitor routes for any danger areas.
9. More information on route description…point noted for the future
10. The line “the great barrow challenge has already begun” which comes up AFTER the event has been deleted by the web team (I have been assured)!
11. We have linked with LDWA and the Toad challenge to ensure we don’t clash dates again.
12. There will be a ‘rolling party’ at the end of the event where food will be served, bar open and music playing while we present medals throughout the day. This will enable to enjoy their medal celebrations and leave when they wish.
13. There will be an open WI-Fi to use on site
14. All entries will have hot food upon their return, this is also available for cyclists after their 60 miles before they do their final 60 miles. This facility has been built into the price after meetings with health and safety people.
15. Free tea/coffee and squash will be available throughout the event.
16. Free Phone charging facilities available.
17. Watch this space as we look at other changes!
 
Glen Moulds Thanks guys, I run this event because I really do have a passion, and to see the pain and joys when people complete their challenge. I know we can't always get it right but you guys are the ones at the front end and anything we can do to help you and make it a more enjoyable event should be our priority! See you at Christmas.

 Very positive from Glen, who has embraced honest feedback. This shows the attitude of someone who wants to keep developing his event into something bigger and better. I would highly recommend the Great Barrow Challenge events.

CTC reaction to feedback about their their event, well, the responses from Tony Clarke http://www.norfolkcycling.co.uk/RuffStuff.html

If anybody wants to complain the job of organiser for next year is up for grabs so speak up now and show us how it should be done.
Andy are you offering to run the event next year? - remember them that can do and them that can't complain. Put up or shut up!

Based on the above i would certainly not recommend, nor will i ever take part in any more events that CTC are involved in.

Which event would you do or recommend?


Training this week

Tues - 4 mile run
Thurs - Virgin Triathlon

The least amount i have trained all year. Weekend has been a bit of a write off due to over partying on Friday night. Will behave myself till the next party on 30th as need to be ready for the Norwich half marathon on 25th November. Looking at two 4.5 miles & a 9 mile run next week. Still laying off the cycling for another week.

Off topic but wanted to mention my daughter & the good thing she has done this weekend.
Arleya has been out selling poppies this weekend & making me a proud dad as usual. Well done.


Nothing else to report.

Happy training


Join the Facebook Group - The Ironman Journeyhttps://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/287319678021088/
 
Say hello on the Fatman to Ironman forum
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?dt=&UTN=191464&last=1&V=1&SP=

My charity page for event listings & making a donation
http://www.bmycharity.com/clearseaz


The allotment Journey Blog
http://allotmentjourney.blogspot.co.uk/

 

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