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| The Marshalls - The guys that "make it happen" |
The rain probably stayed less intense than we expected but the wind was brisk from early Sunday morning and for most of us would kill off any possibility of a PB on the bike. But "Hey.. it’s the same for everyone". The impressive new Mid Argyll Tri & Cycle Club flag was bent double in the breeze but the temperature was pretty good for late September. Matt, Tim, Richard and the team did a great job mobilizing an infinity of cones and the signage was really clear – even if some of it was in Spanish. Chip timing mats were laid out and at 08.30am Nina Simone was belting out "Feeling Good" signaling 30m until Registration opened. I had time to make up the Marshall’s packed lunches, get the new transition layout in my head, tape up some cones, view the run crossing points and make the introductory announcements before heading off to collect Rachel and Jonathan – who were lap counting in the pool.  |
| Rachel and Jonathan - Counting Laps |
Kirsty was really keen this year to have a "clean" transition area – meaning no bags and no boxes – and therefore absolute minimal clutter. When you think about it she’s exactly right. You really only need the bike on the rack, bike helmet on the bike, race belt on the bike, bike shoes and run shoes on the ground. If you use socks these can be in the shoes and if you must have nutrition (you don’t need it : here) put that too on your bike. So there’s no need for boxes and bags. The oddest thing was that some people had bags preventing their saddle being wet ! This is the same people who have just come dripping from the pool and who are about to ride 20k in a monsoon. Go figure ! Anyway these are the folk new to our sport and we embrace them. The Marshalls that police transition need our love – they have a tough time. People are tense, anxious and somewhat uncertain of the layout. This year the poor lady in slot 106 had her place usurped and the offending bike had to be moved away - causing new anxiety to that competitor. If you find yourself confused in transition then over-communicate. Be polite and explain your problem – the Marshall’s will help you.
Teams are a major feature of this event as the Committee are focused on accessibility and for many people the thought of linking 3 sports is daunting. It's an excellent entry point to triathlon and is a defining feature of the Mid-Argyll Sprint. The lead team swimmers were the Fusion ladies who left the 500m swim in a stunning 7 minutes. I watched the teams start their bikes and retired to the car for some breathing and visualization exercises. Being in "Heat 7" meant a lengthy wait and a lot of visualization. I was to share a lane with Peter - with whom I have had a cat & mouse relationship the past 3 years - and with John and Matt. John was on his first event since being thrown from his handlebars and hospitalized during the Craggy Island Tri while Matt is probably in his best ever triathlon form - with appearances this year in all distances up to Half-Iron. Tim and Stephen were appearing in the elite "Heat 8" - which was a pity given the good-natured rivalry we enjoy- but it reflects the major swim progress of the pair this year. Truth be told I ate a banana and kept hydrated. If you need to know more about banana's in multisport (and who doesn't ?) you need this podcast : here. Post-banana I actually did some relaxation breathing to try and strip away some pre-race nerves. This worked really well until Simone's excellent briefing when I genuinely felt very anxious. Peter, Me, Matt, John was the start sequence and I felt sure I would not hold my own in a Peter-Matt sandwich. I did warn Matt that I'd be giving way to him very soon and would try not to hold him up. In my best version of this swim I'd cling onto Peter's toes for as long as possible and take the first 100m slower than "best" pace. This year we had a good 2m to warm up and the water felt good. The anxiety thankfully ebbing away. People reading this should not expect triathlon swims to be stressful - they aren't and especially not in a pool setting. This is something specific to me and I'm trying to work through it. Many people : Sharon, Sally & Hazel have been so helpful on this during the year.
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| Liz - fastest lady out of T2 |
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| Matt : approaching T2 and ready for action |
You want to know something amazing ? Liz Feeney took just 16s to negotiate T2 and Super-Vet Arthur Bolwell needed only 10s ! How cool were they ? Inspired by Liz and Arthur ? Want to know more .....
My bike was a largely lonely affair - me, the Specialized, the rain and my Garmin telling me to up my cadence and move those legs. I took off like a rocket. Honestly, for 2-3k my Planet-X wheels experienced what life would be like with a proper cyclist. Of course the southerly gale on my back probably had something to do with this and on a circular cycle route there would soon be a price to pay. Nonetheless 2 individual km splits were in excess of 40 kph. The heat leader from the swim was ahead and I caught him fairly early on & from then it was just me alone with the elements.
Always waiting for Matt and Peter but it was younger legs (without surgical stockings) that whizzed past just after the half-way. Try as I might I just couldn't stay with him and as I turned south at the 12k mark the wall of wind simply made it impossible to even pretend to stay in touch. As my cheeks rippled with the G-Force of the oncoming wind Graeme was getting smaller and smaller powering his way to the 5th fastest bike split of the day. Chapeau Graeme. So it was just a grafting slog all through the remaining 5k - some observers noting that athletes were pedalling just as hard down the hill as they had on the way up ! The improved road surface in parts did help though. Have to give major thanks to Matt for spray painting the worst of the potholes on the cycle route. He did a fantastic job and his alerts undoubtedly saved several punctures.
Arriving into T2 Graeme was well ahead but I clawed back nearly 40s in transition and embarked upon my 1st sockless Mid Argyll sprint run. A supportive cheer from the Armagh contingent shipped-in for the weekend was deeply appreciated. It was then I realized a deep flaw in my training. On bike-run bricks I had always taken a 15m cool down after the bike interval session - but today there was no cool-down. It was straight out there into anaerobic oblivion. The legs felt awful - heavy leaden things that probably should have belonged to someone else. I tried to stretch them with strides but it just felt grim. Graeme was my immediate target and I took my focus off the "legs-from-hell" and onto him. Crossing the road I noted my good friend Tom wrapped up against the rain and wind. What a great job these Marshalls do. Chapeau Tom & Stan and Caroline. Now the canal bank and the games begin. Michelle and Martin are on the return leg : High 5's and "looking Good". Ahead Graeme is hurting and I'm gaining and it feels very primal. I want revenge for the bike. He dropped me and I had no answer. Now I sense it's different. I know I'm going to take him - it's just a matter of time. And when it happens it feels good. I want to say something like "that's why it's called triathlon" but instantly feel shallow (and 11 years old) and say nothing. Just focus. But I'm back on top - leading the heat. Feeling good and in control. But then - one year on and suddenly I'm Graeme. Peter ran me down in 2010 (see this blog) and I heard him advancing for the longest time. This is surreal - surely not again ! The "patter of talented feet" is gaining and the cadence is amazing - honestly it sounds almost musical. But with the inevitability of the Jaws theme competitor 51 gains, holds, passes and is gone - I know there is no way I can stay with him. The talent and form seems perfect to me and I'm lumbering while this guy dances his way to the turn-around. I have no idea who he was - I just know he wasn't Peter. But this Guy was "something else".
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| "51" - Danny : Grace Under pressure |
Reaching the half way was a great relief - I had held Peter, John and Matt this far at least. Hazel was marshaling the turn-around and we exchange greetings. So good to see her. Only 3.25k of the season is now left. Under 15m. Don't let yourself down. Throw in the surges and try to get at least 1km under 4m pace. I start to count the seconds until I reach Peter or John or Matt. It's Matt first, John's on his shoulder - then Peter. A few minutes later there's Stephen and Tim storming in from "Heat 8". I figure Matt, John & Peter will struggle to catch me - but I have no idea where I am compared to Heats 8 or 6 so I have to keep working - and anyway this Tri was part of the "Run for Sarah" fundraiser for NICHS. It needs to be as good as it can be. I am delighted to report that the 5th km split made 3:59 - a little close to the wire but under 4m all the same.
The crowd support on the last 500m was amazing. These people had been rained on for hours and still they stayed cheering and encouraging. Turning for the finish and giving all I can I see our family group waiting on the line - thanks so much to Pamela, Rachel, Jonathan, Tilly and Averil for the outstanding support. My overall time was well outside what I'd hoped and I blame the weather for a slower cycle. That said the overall winner (Torquil Clyde) improved his time by over a minute compared to last year and also improved his cycle time. Plenty of room for improvement then ? Absolutely. Despite Torquil's outstanding performance I think the weather prevented PB's for many on Sunday - especially for Stephen - which means there's a solid foundation for the 2012 season. Much to look forward to in a very special Olympic year.
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| Torquil - going faster despite the conditions |
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| 2011 Winners : Mid Argyll Sprint Triathlon. |
Very sad to say that during the writing of this Blogpost Sarah lost her battle and peacefully passed away on 27th Sept. Many thanks to all who supported the Run For Sarah and Tri For Sarah through JustGiving.Com. Live the Moment.
