St Mary's Loch triathlon

St Mary's Loch triathlon
14/9

Position- 3rd overall, 2nd Senior
Times:
02:14:13 - Overall
00:22:14 - 1500m Swim
01:10:30 - 40km bike
00:39:57 - Off-road 10km run

So i thought it was definitely time to update on what happened after Canada! Once i was home and ready to get over the puncture i was once again hard into training and getting prepared to race again.

I had entered St Mary's loch triathlon, my first race of the year in Scotland and a chance to use the fitness that seemed wasted in Canada. The race was set in a beautiful location south of Peebles and close enough to wake up in my own bed on race day!

Before the race i was feeling really good, i felt fitter than ever and my times in training were looking good, but really most of all i just wanted a chance to race. To get out there and give it everything.

The swim was mass start and pretty cold, i positioned myself well near some quick boys from Lanark and a good friend of mine Mr Cardwell who i thank for the pre swim advice! The swim was two laps and half way through the first i was starting to feel really good. I knew Cardwell was right there with me and so i just tried to stay with him and as we were the second wave overtook the slower swimmers! Coming near to the swim exit i had a few punches and bashes from Alan but it was all fun and games and i came out the water in a good position.

Transition was quite hard to explain. The water was a lot colder than i thought as when i ran towards my bike my head was spinning and i couldn't figure out what to do next, i fell over tying to put on my wetsuit and generally had no idea where i was. With a little guidance from my Mother i soon got my bike and set off on the course.

The bike course was dangerously fast, the road quality was incredible and it was a simple out and back over and down a mountain then turn around and go back up. The way out we had a tail wind, making it seriously fast and a little risky at times. But i just rode on my limits and set out to hit the course hard. I knew i was doing well as a few others in the race i knew i had not yet seen. After the turn around the 20km back was into a brutal headwind. At first i really struggled and keeping up race head was difficult but when i realised i was still catching people in the wind it was very encouraging.

After another little nightmare into transition i was out onto the run course and set off hard. The run was actually off road and involved jumping fences! Not the fastest running route but i dually set out to run hard.I caught a few more guys on the run then was alone and saw a few guys coming the other way. I couldn't figure out what position i was in so just tried to keep up my speed and not be caught by anyone.

I finished the line knowing i raced as best as i could which was a fantastic feeling. I actually finished third overall and second in my category! I was ecstatic, i had no idea i did that well and it was a big surprise. I also have the fastest run split which was very encouraging. After my disappointment in Canada this definitely helped.

Thanks as ever to my parents who came and supported as loud as they could as well as my brother!

Pictures
1. Family support as ever!
2. Shot from the run
3/4 Silverware!