HEVER CASTLE TRIATHLON
Racing for a charity close to his heart, Oliver Lancaster returned to a family favourite, the Hever Castle Triathlon, to continue the good work… and hopefully go sub-3hrs
Oliver Lancaster on his charity challenge
I'm a member of the Phat Dads Club, which helped set up in order to raise money through charitable events for Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Kent and London. Initially a small group of five dads, the club has grown to include many more dads, mums and kids over the years. It sprang into life following my wife Louise’s battle with breast cancer five and a half years ago, which then led to a nervous two-week wait as Louise was tested to see if she carried the gene that would have been passed on to our then seven-year-old daughter – thankfully, she was given the all-clear.
But every year we compete and support at the Hever Castle Triathlon, one of The Castle Triathlon Series’ events, who have helped us raise over £60,000 for the children and families of Demelza.
This year’s Hever weekend saw several of our teams compete over various distances. On the Saturday the girls took part in the super sprint – Louise racing solo against her sister-in-law Penny, who formed part of a relay team supported by husband Sir Rod Stewart. The girls finished in style, with Louise just pinching the win.
PHAT DADS ARE GO
Sunday saw the boys take on the Olympic distance. I’d entered the individual race along with five fellow Phat Dads, including veteran Bradley and first-timer Neil. Despite having completed a few triathlons, including Ironman
Wales, I was surprisingly nervous. At just under 16 stone and with torn cartilage in my left knee having been fused back together, I had my excuses. But with a swim, bike and soft off-road run, there was no real reason not to perform.
As my race number is written on my hand the nerves kicks in and my pulse picks up, the casual stroll now becomes a quick jog to rack my bike. No time to check my stuff over again though, as the speakers bellow ‘Olympic competitors to lakeside for briefing’.
I meet the rest of the Phat Dads down at the lake, as the pressure of the race and what it means for the charity start to make me nervous. Brian the race director explains the details clearly but I just need to get it on and in that lake, which looks like an antique mirror in the morning sun.
Within moments we’re over the bridge and dropping into the lake – gasp! I thought they said 16°C, it’s more like 10! As the starting shot is
fired, I stay back having forgotten to warm up my shoulders. I let the adrenaline settle and slowly make my way through the pack, but the pack is fast! Gulping too much water and leaving it too late before turning left into the narrow stream, I decide it’s better to maintain a comfortable pace and catch up on the bike.
The nice Hever Castle volunteers are ready to help me out of the lake, and I need it as I’ve forgotten to kick hard in the last few minutes to get blood into my legs for the run to T1 and the bike. Not much so far is going right! T1 is slow, too slow, and as I set off there’s nothing in my legs. The first long hill appears within minutes but the legs are still cold and empty. I feel my breathing quicken so tell myself to calm down and try to make it up on the second bike lap.
BACK IN THE ZONE
Fortunately other bikers look like they’re struggling after the cold swim so I’m in good company. But as soon as I refocus and remember why I’m racing, I pick up the pace and get back in the zone! I finally catch up with my first teammate on the second lap, and then all the others within the last 2km. All of us enter T2 within one minute of each other and miraculously leave together. Now the race is on, the lead changing hands many times within the first 3km of the 10km run.
Veteran Bradley finally makes the break, but I manage to follow. That split decision throws off newbies Greg (20 years our junior and first out of the water) and Neil, who continue to battle together behind. The lungs are burning and Hever’s hilly off-road course makes staying with Bradley more and more difficult. After 6km I know I can’t catch him, but have to make sure I’m not caught and can stay in second. The last 4km, especially the last 1km with the steepest hill, is a killer for legs and lungs, but the reward of seeing my children waiting 100m before the finish line eases the pain, and immense pride and love flows as they run with me to the finish.
The sub-3hr time has eluded me but the sheer joy of being at Hever with my family, the rest of the guys and the supporters for Demelza Child was amazing. To surmise in the words of Demelza Child, it truly felt like ‘Adding Life to Days When Days can’t be Added to Life’.
Not much so far is going right! T1 is slow, too slow, and as I set off there’s nothing in my legs