A Day In The Lakes Triathlon

As some of you will know, I have been training for my first ever Triathlon. I picked a hard ½ IM length that was said to be one of the hardest in the country. It was a 1.2 mile swim of Ullswater Lake, 57 mile bike ride taking in Kirkstone Pass and Shap Fell and finished off with a 13.1 mile run which was said to be a mix of Cross country, Fell and Road. All-in-all it was to be a challenge to go from being unfit to being triathlon ready in six months.

My parents wanted to cheer me on so, at 6am I picked them up and we headed on our merry way. We arrived at the start at 7:30am with an hour to set up. I pieced my bike back together and set up my section in the transitions area. I changed into my wetsuit and I was ready to go!! On the drive in I noticed that the lake was very choppy so I was relieved when they announced that the swim would be cut short due to the waves. The swim was by far my weakest of the three and was to be 1000 meters long now (originally 1800 meters).

The Swim

I was in the Orange wave which was the second of the two. As I tiptoed into the water I was not too shocked by the temperature. It had been said to be 12 degrees but felt more like 16. We wadded out to the start which was good as it gave me a chance to climatise more. I was happy to stay close to the back so to avoid being swam over. Before I knew it we were off!! This was it, the start of was to be a long, long race.

The waves were troublesome and I constantly found myself going off course. I could see the marker at the other side of the lake but they were not that big so I followed the crowed of orange heads around me, swallowing half the lake at the same time. I turned the first marker easily enough but I could not see the second, again I followed the orange heads. I soon realised that that there were less and less orange swim caps in front and a look to the right confirmed that I, and a handful of other like minded swimmers, had veered off track and gone far too wideL. I quickly turned and set off after the now distant swimmers. The current seemed stronger on the way to the second marker and it was always necessary to adjust my position. I also kept getting gassy and the need to burp would frequently put me into a breast stroke. Finally I passed the second marker and I was on the way back. I started to race the chap next to me with bursts of front crawl followed quickly with breast stroke as I got my breath back. I passed him and set my sights on a woman ahead of me. I managed a reasonably long stint of front crawl and caught up but it was not enough to beat her to shore. My parents were there to cheer me as I stumbled out of the water, trying to get my shore legs working. I unzipped my wet suit, (eventually), and jogged to the Transition area in a time of 40:39.

T1

No problems here. The wetsuit came off easily enough. On with the cycling shoes, number, funky glasses and helmet. I gulped down an energy gel, grabbed the bike and I was off running to the mounting line in a total time of 4:01.

The Bike

Mounting the bike was trickier than I thought. I jumped on, at a bit of a run, and as my wet short hit the smooth seat I nearly slid right off onto the cross bar.

The weather was warming quickly and the made for an enjoyable ride. I pass a couple of people fixing punctures as well as a lad on a hybrid bike who was clearly struggling with the hills. About a third of the way around I came to Kirkstone Pass. The climb became steeper and steeper and I lost all momentum but I had somehow caught up with two other cyclists. I passed one in what can only be described as the slowest overtake in cycling history. I then wobbled off after the other. I eventually had to get off and walk with the bike to save my thighs. My yellow topped rival was sticking on his bike but I was matching his pace on foot. Eventually he gave up and started to push his bike. When the road evened out a bit I jumped back on the bike and passed Mr. Yellow. I soon came to the summit and really enjoyed the windy down hill ride back down the other side. I didn’t see anyone for a while until I passed a bloke who had pulled over to eat a sandwich. I had two bottles on my bike with energy powder in them which seemed to do the trick so I was surprised to see someone carrying a butty with them. I began to climb and I new I was nearing on Shap fell, a long drag compared to Kirkstone but not as steep. I noticed a cyclist in the distance wearing red and I set chase but I lost him just as quickly. My legs were burning as I pushed up Shap Fell, as I neared the top I saw Mr. Red Top again as he disappeared over the summit. I could not go any faster until I was at the top. My legs got a well deserved rest as I sped back down the hill. No sign of Mr. Red or anyone else. I was only a few miles from the transition point when I turned a corner to see Mr. Red overtaking another cyclist on a small hill. The chase was back on and I had soon passed the other guy and to my surprise Mr. Red had slowed down considerably, BOOM I passed him on the next hill going harder than was comfortable. As I came to a junction I looked back expecting to see him there, but nope, I was clear. I passed a lady, who was looking exhausted, before finally getting to the transition. My parents were sat cheering me on and enjoying what had become a very hot day.

Total cycle time 04:05:13:

T2

Quicker transition here as I shelved the bike, replaced my cycling shoes for my road shoes (important to do), ditched the helmet and funky glasses, downed an energy gel and grabbed three for the road.

Total T2 time 3:23

The Run

The run was a scary thing in deed. As I started to run my legs felt heavy and unresponsive. I was pulling on all my energy just to jug at a slow pace. I soon found myself walking at the first hill and downing an energy gel. I noticed I guy behind be in a union jack top who had also decided to walk. Once the ground evened out I started to pick up the pace again. My legs felt better but my feet were sore ant the warm weather was starting to wake its toll. I came to a large puddle, too big to jump, with footprints around it, I thought “if everyone else is going around that way, I should also…” as I sank to my knees in the muddy slush and began hauling myself out I questioned my logic before squelching off down the trail. After 6 Miles of tracks and puddle dodging I came two the drinks station were I got a much needed sponge soak and drink. The next 4 miles would be a 1400ft climb and descend. It was more like mountain climbing than running and due to the incline and wet ground I found it impossible to do at any speed. I passed the union jack guy, who had passed me while I was at the drinks station, and I finally got to the top. I caught up with an older gentleman and we pushed each other to pick up the pace. Soon we were heading back down and the hill. Jumping side to side, clambering down the rocky trail. Finally the inevitable happened and my road shoes lost their grip on the wet grass. My legs went up and I landed with a thud on my back. Luckily the ground was soft and I was back on my feet in seconds to keep the pace with Mr. Black Top (Yes I forgot his name). We soon passed the drinks station and the last three miles was road. So with wet feet and partial sun stroke we set off. We both voted to walk the hills and run the flats as there was nothing left in the tank. The final mile came and I decided to try and go for it. Mr. Black Top dropped back and I as the last bend approached I overtook a couple who had passed me at the start of the run, (which felt good). Again my parents were there cheering me on and I passed the finish in 3:13:20

It was a great day. I marshals were very helpful and the race was well organized. The whole thing took me 8:06:36 which I know is not fast but I was happy to be fit enough to complete a ½ IM (and not being last on any of the events was a bonus).

I believe there were a few accidents as well. Someone who was in second place on the ‘bike leg’ hit a wall, (literally), on the way down one of the hills. There were also reports of two cyclists that had come off and were all scraped and bloody. All this drama had dissipated by the time I trundled through the course.

I am now left with bad sunburn and funky, vest shaped, tan lines on my back. Not to mention some painful leg and butt muscles. As the name suggests it as a great day in the lakes and I would recommended to anyone.

Written by: David Wells

Submitted: 28^th June 2011

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor