Bala Standard Triathlon 09

13th September 2009.......
My first standard triathlon this time in 2008. I've put in some decent training leading up to the event but for the running were the "runners knee" was threatening again. Arrived at Bala 8.00am with 870 others, and the numbers showed, the transition and registration arrears was a busy area. Nice goody bag and the towel which I'll be showing off at the local pool. Cwrdd a bois clwb Cerist, Owain bedwyr, Rich and Pete. Rich was the boi to beat as Daf was not competing this year, (Coldplay gig). Rich had beaten me in Harlech Tri by 5 seconds so the pressure was on for the first Cerist member home. I set up the kit with my Nike Free trainers for the run. I finally decided to sort out my running leg of the tri with some new trainers, finishing the hardest leg can be very demoralising with cuts and bloody socks. After testing the free's bare foot they were perfect for sock less running.
We entered the water 30m late after a low lying mist, which was stunning in the morning sun. Vaseline up and off we went for the swim, lake not as cold as expected, and no sign of the blue Algae which was warned on the news. Got into my stroke and kept a solid pace, then the goggles started steaming up, mainly because of the warm sun. Couldn't see much only the splash ahead, so followed best I could, definitely cost me time. Came out of the water 28.55m (315th) which was 6min faster than last year, progress. Felt little shaky running into transition, bike shoes, helmet, number then pushed the bike out, clipped in and off we went. Bike was superb going out, really fast and only had 2-3 pass me which was encouraging. On the way back there was a headwind which was not expected, really nasty up the climbs were I lost a bit of time. Kept with a bunch all the way back to Bala and recorded a time of 1h 7m 08sec (304th). Seriously could have gone 1-2 min faster as I was not tired at all putting the shoes on. Once I started running I knew I would enjoy it, legs felt good and knee was painless. Kept a solid but comfortable pace and completed the 10.2k run in 41min 27min (129th). Finished with a little push with a big grin, definitely enjoyed it to much and could have pushed much harder. Next year look out!! Beat Rich by 1min really because he had a poor transition, the long legs holding him back. But the biggest surprise was Pete (MV) who beat me by 4 min... Ouch. Superb day, weather warm but not scorching and faultless organisation. Best Tri yet

The Trans Cambrian Cyclo Sportive 2009

7th September 2009
Entering the unknown by signing up to this event as the most i'd ever ridden was 63 miles some 3 years ago. With my sidekick Daf signing up having not touched his bike for 3 months I knew I wouldn't be doing the chasing. My old man also entered but was way ahead of us with the training hours as he'd just returned from a 3 week cycling holiday around India. The Trans Cambrian was 87 Miles with 2600m of climbing and started from Rhaeadr through Mach,talybont, Ponterwyd, Devils Bridge, elan valley and back to Rhaeadr. We arrived in the Cattle market in plenty of time and quickly sign up watching all the fancy bikes and gear rolling in through the gates. My predictions for the race were to finish comfortable and enjoy the day. Dyma ni mynd - We started shortly after 7.45am and were one of the first off, pace was good for the first 15 miles, loosing the Huw on the first climb out of rhaeadr stuck in his granny gear. Weather was superb, warm, dry and no wind. The ride from rhaeadr was sweeping and very enjoyable, the hard work began after we left llanidloes. I knew the climb to Dylife would be the toughest of the day and once past the first clywedog damn Daf was feeling a little cheesed with the relentless hills. Sweeping run down to Machynlleth saw our first feeding station which was very welcome. Cheese rolls, cakes, biscuits, energy drinks and gels. Couldn't have asked for more. The road from Mach to Taly was as it was, rough and head wind, uch. Stopped at home for a drink and toilet and then spent the next 30 min riding between home and talybont looking for daf as I'd gone ahead of him before my break. Eventually I zoomed off from the White inn and caught up with him half way up to Nant y moch, he was in a bad way and really wasn't enjoying his day, dim ond 46 milltir i fynd. The climb from nant y moch was from sea level to 1500ft over a distance of 6 miles. The slog continued all the way to devils bridge were there was a constant head wind. A long climb up from the falls up to the arch and the second feeding station. 10min break to fuel up and off we went down the elen valley. The wind was picking up at this stage and following the damns down to Rhaeadr it was a direct head wind, struggling to spin the pedals. Finally arrived at rhaeadr after 7h 6min of riding. I'd really enjoyed it and would do next years event aiming to beat the 6hours mark. Daf on the other hand promised that he'd never ever do it again. Hero for finishing.