Half day saw us (me, Stevie and Izzy) heading down St Mary's Loch way for hopefully the first of many open water swims over the next few months. We chose the smaller Loch of the Lowes and swam for about 25 mins. Really all about getting and staying used to cold water...
...and we weren't disappointed on that front when we got in - absolutely freezing! Was soon regretting disregarding neoprene boots and gloves, but it soon warmed up. Conditions were pretty much perfect and the 360 deg views when we stopped in the middle of the loch were fantastic.
Izzy produced a nice hot cup of tea and homebaking which topped things off nicely. Stevie reckons the water will "only get 1-2 deg colder" over the Winter - I'll reserve judgement on that I think....
Its all very well fancying doing this crazy triathlon next July, but since my last one was New Year's Day, Edinburgh 1997, I'm not what you'd call experienced....
So, on Friday I was reminded of the Town Challenge, a Sprint Distance race organised by Borders Triathletes today in Galashiels and thought that was a perfect opportunity to get started. I then promptly forgot all about it and did 20 miles mountain biking at Glentress on Saturday. Great prep! Sunday came along and around around 3 ish I got in touch with the organiser who graciously allowed me to take part in the race which started at 430pm. Great planning!
While I enjoyed it very much and wasn't last, it was quite tough. Its one thing swimming, cycling or running in isolation - stringing them all together is another matter thats for sure.
I may not use my 35 lb commuting bike with dodgy cranks, mudguards and saddlebag next time either.....
Since supporting a friend at the first Celtman in late June 2012, I've had this constant background longing to do it myself. The support was great fun, taking in the atmosphere at the start, swim transition and then following Craig round the cycle. The best bit for me though was getting to do the mountain part of the run as competitors must be accompanied for this stage of the race.
I've been hill and fell racing since 1999 and can honestly say this was up there with many of the best courses in the Lakes and in Scotland. Sure, its a demanding and challenging course, and one which I'm sure is unlike any other Iron distance (except maybe the obvious one in Norway...) course out there. That this should come as a surprise to some of those taking part was interesting to say the least. I've seen a few moans online about it and heard a few grouses over the race weekend itself, but the course was well trailed in advance, so competitors should have known what to expect. For this fellrunner and I'll wager anyone used to the mountains, it was an absolute treat!
So the idea has been forming for a couple of months now, during which time I've done a 2km sea swim at Portobello, followed by a 5km swim the length of St Mary's loch. Not too fast but at least I've proven to myself I can swim the required distance of 3.8km. (We won't dwell on the cold,the jellyfish and the small matter of the swim being followed by a 200km cycle and 42km trail/mountain run!). I just need to get an entry now, which is likely to be a ballot, as interest is high after this year's success. Fingers crossed I'm one of the 175 that get in! Entries open at the start of November.
