June 13, 2022

Triathlon 25 - 52x52 Challenge

Sunday 12/06/22

Number Twenty-FIve

Swim 29.54

Bike 1.40.08

Run 59.24

Triathlon 25/52, second one in 2 days. This was an official one in Eastbourne called Tribourne. It was the setting for the full Ironman I did last year and I have to say I think I had a little PTSD standing there waiting for the off🤣. Once again like last year it was a sunny summers day, it seems Eastbourne is perpetually baking in the sun, or at least it is when I go there. The atmosphere was so good, music playing, about 500 competitors and most of them looking ridiculously fit and strong (making me feel all of my 53 years), and so many people turning up to support. I was grateful that Karly from my office was there to support me, it was a real boost to have someone there. The swim suited me perfectly, although I think the waves put the fear into some people. They weren’t big waves, just bumpy from the wind. But that’s the kind of sea I Iike, so I did a decent (for me) 29 minutes for the 1500 metres. Then onto the bike and the hills. You literally head straight out from the seafront and uphill all the way to the top of beachy head, before descending all the way down to Birling Gap, and then it’s a turn around and a cycle all the way back up beachy head and eventually back down to the starting point at the seafront. Then it’s turn around and repeat the whole thing! Proper challenging, especially in 24 degrees pure sunshine and a strong head wind. Once back and off the bike it’s quickly into running shoes and then you’re running, uphill of course, towards beachy head again. This was brutal after the ride. At the top it’s turnaround and head down to the seafront to complete a 5k lap before once again heading back up the hill to repeat for the full 10k. After doing my Friday Triathlon and then heading to Eastbourne at 5.30am for this one I was rather tired when I got back home in the afternoon. Luckily I was only doing a small BBQ for 13 people in the evening, so time to relax (not). But anyone who knows me knows I hate just sitting down doing nothing, so no complaints at all. So I am now 25/52 done and that means this coming Friday will be the Half Waypoint at last - all downhill from then on. It was funny being asked by people at the Triathlon if this was my first one (people always nervously chat at the starting line). I replied each time that it wasn’t my first. I never replied I had done one just 2 days before or had done 24 this year - I mean how ridiculous would that have sounded🤣.

More updates from Rob

Press

Rob talks to BBC News about his 52x52 Challenge

Posted Dec 05, 2022

Watch Rob Starr talk to BBC News about his 52x52 Challenge on the day he finished his 52nd and final Triathlon of the year!

Read more
52
Update

Triathlon 52 - 52x52 Challenge

Posted Dec 01, 2022

A short blog to end; Triathlon 52/52 done. So pleased it’s over. Lots of money raised for the Starr Trust and I really hope it continues as there are so many young people who need our help.

Read more
51
Update

Triathlon 51 - 52x52 Challenge

Posted Nov 28, 2022

That was one of the hardest yet both physically and mentally. Physically because my back is still in muscle spasm, caused by a Crohn's flare up that needed rest but didn’t get it. Mentally because the whole triathlon was done gym based, which meant no sea, no air, no trees, no birds - just a clock telling me I’ve hardly started!

Read more

KEep up to date

Sign up today to be kept up to date on all the latest news from the 52x52 Challenge

Donate