Event 3: The HELLy Hansen Challenge

Tommy stepped up to the plate on this one and has written this report of the event. It's long but so was the event! hope you enjoy. Take it away Tommy!

And so to event number 3. The Helly Hansen Challenge and really the event that was the catalyst for the whole 30b430 adventure. Set down in Pirbright the challenge that laid before us was a 10k cross country run, 25k mountain bike and a 1k Kayak. This event unlike the previous was a team challenge, Team 30b430 was comprised of myself and Sully naturally and our good friend “Kersh” who came along for the ride. To make things interesting another good friend of ours Olly, entered a rival team. Team Macho Macho Macho!!!! Was to be made up of Olly, Ben and Wideboy and with that the challenge was set, losers buy dinner!

Upon arrival and not too dissimilar to the Brutal 10k it was freezing and staying in the car seemed like a much better option, however we had to register and make a few last minute alterations (more on these later) so we braved the cold.

Registration was right next to the finish line where trailplus had their signature finish of cargo-net followed by the infamous slippery wall! We also noticed several liters’ of vegetable hiding underneath the wall just to make it extra slippery!

Team 30B430, Before the Races

 After placing our bikes in the “transition zone” and a few last minute stretches it was time for the Elite group of runners which coincidentally Team Macho Macho Macho had confidently signed themselves up for, to gather at the start line. They had a brief explanation of the course and then they were off. This meant that it was our turn to linger around the start line! Now I should mention at this point that Team 30b430 were carrying injuries. Sully unfortunately had rolled his ankle in a hockey match the day before and I was carrying my long term torn hip cartilage injury, so to say that we were in tip top shape was off the mark. Nevertheless we put those minor setbacks aside and lined up!

Gathering at the start

 The brief description of the course from what we could hear (why these events don’t invest in megaphones is beyond us) was as such. Run, Bike, Run, Kayak, Run finishing with the mini assault course which included the slippery wall!

We set off into the woods amongst the crowds and finding space was difficult but soon the field thinned slightly and we could open up and attack the course at our pace. Almost as soon as that happened Sully rolled his ankle again! Amazingly like the Black knight from the Monty Python film, he carried on. ‘Tis but a scratch! We rounded the run quickly and began are assault on the rest of the field and of course, chasing Team Macho Macho Macho.

Tommy and Kersh in first transition

 Onto the bikes we transitioned quickly and headed out again! Sully and Kersh who cycle to work on a regular basis and me, who hasn’t really ridden a bike in about 4 or 5 years! After about 2k we realized that I wasn’t going to be able to keep up with them, potentially due to my lack of practice or more likely to do with those last minute alterations I had made! Having borrowed the bike from another friend (thank you Redders) I needed to lower the seat to accommodate my shorter legs and in doing this lowered it way to far, meaning that I had to cycle twice as hard to get the power needed! This strangely however may have strangely worked in our favour as although we lost time, all it meant was that I had to walk up the hills and that Sully and Kersh got a rest at the top of them!

We soldiered on and at the end of the first lap we had started to build our momentum, I had caught up with the rest of the team and we were flying through the steep downhill section. In fact it was so steep that at one point someone decided that they would stop immediately in front of Sully causing him to slam on the brakes and fly over the handle bars. However with expertise and grace he managed to go feet first and land on his feet! Which could only have been bettered if he had somersaulted too, either way Kersh and I gave it an 8 of aesthetic effect!

The second lap flew by and on our way back to transition we passed Team Macho Macho Macho coming the other way on their run to the kayak, not too far ahead of us but with a gained lead even from their head start! Spurring us on we quickly changed, grabbed a “gel bar” courtesy of Kersh which is supposed to blast energy into your fatigued muscles and that I can only describe as a melted calippo, we headed for the run to the kayak! Around half way to the run, marvelously my hip froze and I was reduced to walking while the other two ran on to set the kayak up!

Pushing on I caught up with the others at the water station by the kayaks and noticed that we had also caught the third team, not involved in the wager, but competing against us for glory and pride! This team “The Three Amigos” consisted of Sully’s brother and two of Olly’s friends from Hockey. Into the Kayaks we set off, synchronizing ourselves so that we had maximum power we started to tear up the field in front of us! Catching The Three Amigos as they struggled to co-ordinate themselves and constantly spinning we blazed past them!

Kersh using his nautical prowess and leading from the front.

 After the Kayak was the final run back to transition and the finish line! With The Three Amigos chasing us and us chasing Team Macho Macho Macho the race was on! With cramps setting in and muscles seizing we went passed one marshal asking how far to go, his response……errrr maybe 1k!!! Helpful! Either way we upped the pace to get away from the chasing pack and as we came to the final assault course we were told by our support (Zoe and Mattress) that team Macho Macho Macho had only just crossed the line! We hit the “ski’s” which were planks of wood with rope loops that you had to walk on as a team. Co-ordination and synchronization again fella’s outstanding as we charged the field in front of us while the onlookers tried to figure it out! Through the cargo net (which is harder than it looks on tv) and onto the slippery wall. We all attacked it and despite slipping somewhat managed to bundle ourselves over and a sprint across the line!

Blazing through the ski section.

emerging from the cargo net, before the slippery wall

Elated that we had finished such a challenge we grabbed our complimentary milkshakes patted each other on the back at the effort but convinced that although close Team Macho Macho Macho had walked away with the spoils! A quick check of the times located by the finish line we had completed the course in 2:46:28. Not a bad effort! Then out of the corner of his eye Sully saw Team Macho Macho Macho 2:46:50! We’d WON over nearly 3 hours of racing it came down to 22 seconds! Amazing!!

Muddy faced and tired after the finish.

 A thoroughly enjoyable challenge that I would recommend to anyone, its tough but rewarding and competed on a great day. Now on to challenge number 4: the Sidcup 10 Miler in February.

A big thank you to Zoe and El Mattador for coming a lot to support, and especially Matt for all the photography, it's really appreciated.

Oh and Team Macho Macho Macho, you owe us dinner!!