Sunday, 13 December 2009

Aberystwyth 10K 2009

13th December 09 Aberystwyth 10k 37.37 14th.
Superb weather for the event which had attracted a whole host of runners to the town. My aim was to beat last years time, but i knew it would be tough because my running had been limited to short runs due to more niggling injuries. I started off at a quick pace and settled behind my pacemaker and sat on his heels until half way mark. At this point i started to slow myself as i was pushing pretty hard, lost a few positions at the 3/4 mark but consolidated on the run home to finish 14th. Very happy with the time but definitely room for improvement. into the 35's next year. Watch this space!

Monday, 23 November 2009



Sosban 10mile MT 22.11.09
My 2nd attempt at this race and for the 1000th event this year i dragged Tina along for the ride, even an 8 hour wales v Argentina squash session couldn't stop her. The weather had been horrendous all week with extreme levels of flooding and wind. A nice feeling approaching a race where you are aware of the settings and the course, makes a difference to preparations. The race was started by Ray Gravell's wife and off we went. My aim was to beat last years time, which shouldn't have been to hard considering i played extra time footy 32 hours prior to the event in 08. The course begins with 1.5 miles on tarmac with a brief spell on grass, I tried to keep a top 20 position but was struggling to hold onto the heels of the runners in front. The twisty forest single track was great fun with many up and down twisty tracks. Worst moment was the 5mile mark where we approached a 100m up hill dash on sand, a real tester. Between 5-6 miles the calf's began to tighten and really held me back, lack of training and dehydration once again at fault, I lost places at every mark and was holding out for a finish. The 1mile beach run was not called for, leaning at an angle because of the strong wind and the sporadic soft sand which caught you out when you found a rhythm. Got passed by the 1st lady at this point which I couldn't believe, Tried to keep up but the legs were not going any faster. A flowing tree run to the finish I kept my position and held onto #40. Testing day out, but could have been a lot worse if the rain had caught us. Dry and windy day.

Time - 69m 8sec DYLAN LEWIS CERIST TRI M 27 ms

Sunday, 11 October 2009

Aberystwyth Twin Peaks 2009




11th October 2009 -
50m.33sec
6th Overall


My first local event of the year and was really up for it after a few months of solid training. The course passing my work helped as I was able to recce the course in the nights, which made a huge difference to my pre race confidence. The day started off wet and misty and the twin peaks weren't even visible when i arrived at the start line. A full field of 100 included an Olympic athlete and all the local runners from Aber athletics and UWA. When the race started off at 1.00pm the skies were clear and perfect running conditions saw the field stretch out towards the marina before climbing the first peak Pen dinas. Kept up with the front pack until we reached pendinas were the front 3 took away but I managed to keep myself close to bro dysynni until we peaked and my slow down hill running cost me a place to our local butcher, James. Managed to keep up with him until the marina where the legs were screaming for a slower pace, slowed down along the prom were I was comfortably settled in 6th. Crossed the cheer leaders and start line and approached constitution hill. Arrived at the top of the 2nd peak well and truly finished, took 5 paces of walking to get me back into my stride and finished with a canter to 6th place. As I was running alone from pendinas onwards, my pace was not tested to the full, and definitely a few seconds to be gained next year. Very enjoyable day.

Monday, 14 September 2009

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




Monday, 7 September 2009

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.

Sunday, 16 August 2009

Purchse - Garmin Forerunner 205


Garmin forerunner 205 on the way.

Monday, 3 August 2009