Ocean Lava Lanzarote Triathlon

Ocean Lava Lanzarote Triathlon

I was thinking - ' how I am going to finish my triathlon season this year?'  and my friend Brent came up with an idea of doing The Ocean Lava Lanzarote Triathlon Half Distance team relay on the 2nd November. Minimum number of the team had to be two. We debated who will be doing what as we both have strength in running. During my training for Half Ironman I was confident to do swim and bike, so Brent did the run.

The event was held in Puerto del Carmen which is the main tourist town on the island of Lanazarote, Canary Islands, Spain. The whole area is a volcanic landscape with a warm climate all the year round. We arrived two days before the race as we had to go to the registration and also we wanted to get familiar with the race course. We practiced swimming in the sea for a few hundred meters and we cycled up the steepest hill on the island called Femes. I didn't want to train to much as it was the day before the race.

                                                   Getting ready for the swim

The race for half distance was 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike and 21.1 km run. The start was 8.00am in the morning. It was a glorious sunny day with little bit of breeze. The swim was in the sea, which I haven't done it before but I trusted my training. The water was crystal clear with great visibility. I could see bottom of the sea as well as a few types of fish. The water temperature was around 21 degrees. Wetsuits were optional so I wore one.  The swim course consisted two loops with a little beach run half way at the Playa Grande beach. It look like a triangle shape. There were 2 big boats on each end  and a yellow buoy close to the finishing point. The swim was  actually 2.4 km long. It was supposed  to be 1.9 km but the wind blew a boat a bit further away. The water was a little bit choppy and sun bream was very sharp especially when we swam from one boat to another. Luckily the boats were visible but in some point it was difficult to see them. The swim course must been completed in 1 hour and 10 minutes and I did it in 55 minutes. As soon as I reached the transition area where my bike was I felt sick. I might had been a sea sick or an energy gel I took before the swim upset my tummy. I forced myself to eat a banana as I needed it to top up my energy. Then I carried on as my main task was waiting for me. A big hilly 90 km long ride in the heat. I was mentally prepared for it: Every up hill has a down hill.

                                                     The bike course

The bike course had such a beautiful sceneries of landscapes including volcano fields as well as the wine area of La Geria, picturesque villages of Yaiza and El Golfo where I picked up my appetite and started eating my energy bars. We continued to Las Brenas and the climb to Femes which is an incline of over 20 percent!  Luckily I  knew what to expect. Many people stepped off from their bikes and walked as walking was legal. I was already tired from long never ending climb before but I didn't want to walk. I was pushing hard and overtook a couple people on this hill. When I finally got on the top of the heavy slope I almost cried from my achievement. Then we cycled across the Timanfaya National Park. The colours of the volcanoes were amazing. The whole bike course was well marked and police coordinated traffic as we cycled through junctions and roundabouts. There were  only two drink stations on the course. The bike course had to be completed in 4 hours and 35 minutes. I managed to complete in 4 hours and 5 minutes. I was very pleased with it.

                                           On the way out from the transition

Brent was waiting for me at the transition area. The run course was three loops. Brent ran out from transition area towards to the turning point at Playa Los Pocillos. It was boiling hot and I was cheering Brent in a few parts of the run course. I gave him some ice in a cup as he requested. Running in the heat is quite hard and your performance can be affected. Also on the run was cut off time which was 2 hours and 45 minutes. The good thing was that we could run together the last 100 meters as a team to cross the finish line. So Brent did it in 1 hour and 54 minutes.

We both were extremely happy with our results as we did it for fun. It was such a great challenge and we have enjoyed every single bit. We would love to do it again!

                                                             Me and Brent

Brent adds: 

This was a wonderful event with a very competitive field. Karin did a great job in the first two disciplines  and an especially good time on a long swim course. I have done around 100 half marathons and this is up there as one of the hardest. The heat was intense and drained the life out of me. If it wasn't for Karin shouting at me I may well have stopped so well done Miss Polcerova. I was jealous when the swim went off into the beautiful ocean. I may even have a go at the shorter distance next year – and that's from someone who just doesn't do swimming. The water looked that good.

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