This race was one of my main goals for the season - a 2k/80k/20k hillfest based around Bala lake in Wales. However, as it got closer to the race and I took more of an interest in the route I realised that to replicate the type of climbing prowess required for the race (both on the bike and run) was pretty bloody difficult in my local Norfolk flatlands.
The days before the race had been a worry weather-wise, with heavy rains, high winds and flooding hitting large parts of Wales. This was proven when we arrived at the venue the day before and found the transition area and nearby picnic tables underwater.
Race day dawned to perfect calm - not a breath of wind and temperatures in the mid teens, perfick. Race start was 9.30 which made a nice change. I breakfasted on the usual porridge and a little bit of toast - not so easy though having to sit in the b&b while my wife had a full welsh breakfast and I had mine put in the fridge for later (even harder running past b&b during the race later on crazing sustinence of any and every kind!)
Race start came around before I knew it, and I made sure to get into the water early to 'acclimatise' to the 12 degree temperature. The wind generally comes along the lake, which has the potential to make it extremely wavey and rough going. With such a calm day though this wasn't a problem at all.
The actual start line for the swim wasn't particularly clear, and as the starter didn't have a microphone I ended up completely unprepared and out of position when the horn went. I hit the first 150m pretty hard, but with a straight 1000m out and back course the fast swimmers were pretty spread out. I ended up swimming with another 2 guys, with 3 up ahead. My swim felt smooth but slow, but there was no need to push - expend extra energy and end up in no man's land for the sake of 30 seconds. Swim time - 28.39, 5th place.
Out onto the very hilly bike course, which kicks straight up out of town - 40k out, 40k back, with the harder section to my mind being the return. I went for a pretty controlled effort, moving up into 2nd within the first 20k, then dropping down to 3rd for the bulk of the ride behind Richard Anderson and Paul Hawkins. The hills were tough, but I'm sure if I enjoyed descending the downhills would have been fantastic! Unfortunately though I hate descending and, while the descents were lovely and open I started getting twitchy at 38mph+ each time, roughly coinciding with the usual "what if I was to get a puncture now..." etc thoughts. My brake tapping ended up costing my pretty severely though, I would say somewhere around 15-20 seconds per descent, which over the course of the 80k would equate to 3-4 minutes.
I felt pretty good on the bike, and while the hills were tough, I could see that I wasn't losing any time on those ahead of me - pleasing for a heavy Norfolk lad. However, while you can push on the climbs and seemingly recover on the descents - all the while it's just sapping away at your energy reserves. Around 60-65k there were a couple of real kickers, reducing my speed to a race worst 7mph - to which my body seemed to go past it's point of no return. I got passed into 4th with about 5k to go and went into T2 about 30 seconds down. Bike time - 2.17.03, 5.01 down on fastest split.
We'd driven the course the day before - 5 1/2 miles on very undulating roads next to the lake, then a horrible 1 mile kick up to the turnaround point before returning the same way. From the start I felt pretty good - psychologically I still see a half marathon as a long run so was running well within myself. I got through the first 5-6 miles comfortably at 6.10-6.15mpm pace - 3rd place was moving away up the road but I felt pretty good.
The last mile up to the turnaround was a real beast though - and while I pushed on through, just focussing on the road a couple of metres ahead, I realised when running back down that I really didn't have a lot left in the tank. I dropped down to 5th soon afterwards by Peter Brook, joking with him on his way past that I'd watched him on the TV the week before - running away from everyone at the Slateman Triathlon. It was a good way to psyche me out though! On the return I knew I head time in the bank to 6th, and was really dying a death. I'm sure if I'd have laid down on the grass for even 2 seconds I'd have been asleep instantly - this really is a hard bloody sport! I eased down and just got through the second half, dropping 4-5 minutes vs the first half of the run. Run time - 1.22.42.
Overall time - 4.10.36, 5th place.
I can't say I was pleased with the overall result - but I wasn't too disappointed either. Up to the last 5 miles of the run I gave it everything, and was beaten by some quality competition. Onwards and upwards, now a few shorter races before the build up to Vitruvian at the start of September....
