Wensleydale Tri

[theNoor]

Awesome!

Yep, I'm down for it - cannot wait.... dead excited (like a small childon the night before his 5th birthday - see Wasdale Horseshoe thread for similar feelings.)

I cycled over Kirkstone Pass on a 45 mile ride on Wednesday just to get in the rhythm.

Did Prince Bishops olympic distance triathlon last weekend - 19th out of 125 was pleasing, but not as much as being 1st out of 125 on the 10k run split!

I just hope I can still give it all on the 12 mile Shunner fell run to up my placings as I am crap on two wheels.

I like the idea that only 50 or so finished it last year (not that many more started, just I like the idea of a small event - like lining up for Beacon Hill fell race last year with just 13 other runners!!!)

After Wensleydale its Helvellyn - a good warm up me thinks!!!

[bestathlete]

This type of event is the kind of thing i would love to have a go at if i could swim. Helvelyn too - i usually cycle down to watch and have a run to the top with my camera.
Does anyone know what terrain/ground the run is over? Tarmac will be OK but i'd prefer grass/stoney/muddy.

[dominion]

**Caution thread hijack!!**

Is the Helwith Bridge Duathlon a reasonable event for a first crack at a duathlon? I seem to have been doing a bit more cycling of late so something else involving running and cycling seems a good idea!

I can't swim so don't ever even suggest an easy triathlon...

Ta much!

[Ady In Accy]

**Caution thread hijack!!**

Is the Helwith Bridge Duathlon a reasonable event for a first crack at a duathlon? I seem to have been doing a bit more cycling of late so something else involving running and cycling seems a good idea!

I can't swim so don't ever even suggest an easy triathlon...

Ta much!

Don't see why not - no silly hills on the bike route (like Wensleydale) and both the run and the bike legs are quite modest in length. Nice scenery if you do blow up anyway!!

[bestathlete]

A new thread on Helwith Bridge duathlon required I think.

Vince, perhaps you want to start one then you can include some details (date, distance(s),brief description etc etc) in the first post?

[dominion]

No worries, I'll do one.

[Clive]

Wensleydale Tri Sun 12/8/07

My rationale for doing my first ever tri and first ever outdoor swim was to try out a multi-sport event and use as a warm up for the Big Triathlon (Ben Nevis). Should be a giggle!

Having registered and dropped off my run stuff at transition 2 my other half drove me to transition 1 next to Semer water. Dropped off the bike stuff (why are most bikes Trek, Giant, Specialized and Cannondale? Are they better bikes than the likes of my Bianchi?) and then put on the wetsuit. Arghhhhh, disaster, a tear in the arm. After a chat with another athlete, pleased to be reassured that this shouldn’t affect me too much! More worried that Martin from Kudu Bikes would want to charge me for the total cost of the suit and not just the hire cost. I shouldn’t have worried! Thanks for your understanding.

After instructions, walked into the water with all the other athletes. Some commenting on the huge rocks and temperature of the water, but I was totally focussed to just enjoy! The start horn went and we were off. I chilled right at the back as I didn’t really want to be punched and kicked and swam over for my first ever event! Wow, what a shock, no view in the water whatsoever! Blackness! Started breastroke (as I am quite good at this) but after about ¼ of the course I had a chat with myself – not too sensible using legs for a swim if I’ve got a 42 mile bike over big hills then a nice 12 mile fell run, reverted to crawl. Was warned by marshall in canoe to stop straying near to path of elite swimmers returning from first lap. Realised my mistake. I was trying to head for the floating marker buoy when I really should have pinpointed something on the horizon over the buoy. So much for staying out of the way of other swimmers……even though I was about 10th from the back, I still managed to get the odd hit and a swimmer trying to swim over me! Also occasional swimmers passing me at right angles…quite hilarious. My fault or his/her…..probably both I guess!! New goggles rubbish or perhaps a rubbish idea to use something new instead of my old trust pool goggles. Had to keep stopping to empty water and to try to reset! Great lesson learned there I think! By lap 2 I started to get into some kind of rhythm but kept telling myself not to go too fast.. Enjoy Clive, this is your first tri. Eventually got to the finish and staggered/crawled along the big rocks like a catfish…quite funny really. Felt OK getting out of the water. To the transition.

Managed to get out of suit OK but luckily lots of room as many athletes were out of the way, well on their next stage. A banana, some isotonic, a chocolate bar and I was on my way.

A nice 1 in 4 to start proceedings on the bike. Then a slightly fast descent although I had to be careful as was wet. Arghhhhhhh, back wheel slipping as I brake for a bend, phew, just made it! Managed to pass 2 cyclists before the Askrigg. Now for the nice 1 in 4 and 1 in 5 ascents to the next climb. Another few cyclists past, one with a flat but he said that he was OK so I carried on. Two passed me, but I knew that they would be mine on the descent! Summit reached, views beautiful and slightly windy and wet but kept me nice and cool. Now was my specialism, the descent (having trained around the Hebden Bridge hills during the past year for L’Etape Du Tour and also reccied this course). I take my advice from the one of my heroes the great fell runner Ian Holmes, what’s the use wasting energy pushing too hard uphill when you can just use gravity to gain places…too true Ian. Passed about 4 on the descent and only had one lucky escape scary back wheel skid. Cycling through Muker I thought hmmmm, wouldn’t that pub be a nice stop for a pint…..not yet. I saw my next quarry ahead of me. Clive, this isn’t competitive……I know, but it would be churlish not to want to pass people on my first ever tri!! Passed a couple then the lovely Buttertubs pass. Passed a few going up here including someone pushing their bike and whingeing about their choice of gears……hey not my fault mate. Views as beautiful as ever. As I approached the top I saw a few cyclists in the distance……hmmmmm, descent here we come! By the foot at Hardraw I had sped my way past a few more, and also the dead roadside sheep that was there a few weeks ago……..glad it didn’t run in front of my bike! Another two cyclists passed on what I thought was the hardest bike bit (have been lazy and plodding out the miles instead of any quality/speed work), to Garsdale Head. Nice 1 in 4 above the railway station…hmmm, quite bleak up here. Passed a guy then dropped my sunnies so had to stop and push my bike back to pick them up d’oh, what a numpty. Luckily soon gained the place I lost (stop being competitive Clive). Once again absolutely excellent views. Nice descent to the station at Dent (flying past another guy) then I remember the dangerous bends so chilled little bit. From Cowgill it was a nice steady ride to the railway viaduct for the next ascent. As I climbed I slowly caught up another guy so passed him but knew I would have to be fast on the descent to Hawes not to be caught again. Nice descent, fairly easy, lowish heart rate, job done! Few little climbs around Hardraw and folk clapping so very nice and motivating. Dropping toward finish I saw one runner just starting his final leg, and at transition 2 I got my cycling shoes off and ran with the bike. Changed into multi-terrain shoes and stuffed a chocolate bar in my gob and set off. Heard other cyclists approach behind me into transition. Started the run, was looking forward to this as I like fell-running. Disaster struck when both the vastus medialis muscles started to cramp up. I stopped and massaged then carried on slower. Also ‘got rid of the choc bar as I just couldn’t chew it! Just before Hardraw the first competitor was returning. I congratulated him and carried on. Phew, thank goodness the cream didn’t win before I got to transition stage 2!!!! Tried to congratulate everyone running back down Great Shunner fell for their achievement. Most grateful, some just quiet and focussed. Couldn’t run uphill at my usual rate as the cramp was just on the cusp! No-one at all running in my direction but many good athletes retuning downhill. Some litter in the way of small drink bottles which I thought was very, no extremely selfish and sad (you might have road cleaners for your flat tri's but there isn’t anyone to wipe your ar5e on the fell. You could jeopardise this race due to your selfishness. Really, really have a chat with yourself!), but maybe I’m biased ‘cos fell-runners usually respect the countryside. As I approached the summit, after what seemed like the whole field running downhill I saw someone just returning downhill! Aha, I have a target. First one in 6 miles! Cramp still on the cusp but accelerated slightly. Eventually caught and passed and I nearly fell over due to slipping on a stone with crap grip shoes – running with your body at right angles to the ground is weird! . Also nearly lost attention and did my ankle in. Saw another 3 runners in my sights so really pushed it on the grass as I know had a great grip. Passed. Nearly swallowed a fly yuk!! Went topless for the last mile as I was boiling…..probably not a pretty sight. Passed 2 guys walking downhill. Walking, they must have been injured as I thought this was the easiest bit. Cramp still on the cusp, ouch! Clapped through Hardraw which was really appreciated. Would love to be outside the pub just watching and drinking! Through last few fields, saw competitor ahead of me on the road but once he saw me he was on a mission, nice one mate well done.

The finish quite an anti-climax really. Lots of clapping and support though, which was really, really appreciated. Didn’t feel knackered. Think the cramp stopped me really hammering the last leg.

That’s it, my first tri over. My swim not my best event as I finished about 10th from the back (or was I just scared!). Even though I passed athletes on bike and run, not passed by anyone. Thoroughly enjoyed it and very very very appreciative of the organisers and helpers. Many thanks. Also all the great athletes taking part, some really nice people. Great lessons learned, and lots to learn which is a good thing. Nice massage after where Jo told me to sort out my stretching (lots of tight leg bits, probably causing the daft cramp that limited my running ability).

Hope this wasn’t too boring, tried to give you all an idea of an event from a first tri point of view.

Many thanks to Martin and all at Kudu bikes etc etc.

Cheers ALL of you athletes, and respect.

Thanks to Rachael my long standing other half, wouldn’t be possible without you.

[Vince]

Fantastic write up, and I would have liked to be there supporting everyone. Unfortunately my other half had decided other things!!
Well done Clive!
If you like the aera try this thread! http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?t=2190

[theNoor]

Nice one Clive - a very enjoyable read, and a nice reminder of just 36 hours ago!

Keep us posted on the results. I don't remember seeing a semi-naked bloke as I came down of Shunner, but I do remember the winner, an Army bloke flying towards me - I think he won in 4hr 7min - some 20 minutes faster than last year!

It makes the Helvellyn bike ride seem like a cycle in the park!

[Clive]

Nice one Clive - a very enjoyable read, and a nice reminder of just 36 hours ago!

Keep us posted on the results. I don't remember seeing a semi-naked bloke as I came down of Shunner, but I do remember the winner, an Army bloke flying towards me - I think he won in 4hr 7min - some 20 minutes faster than last year!

It makes the Helvellyn bike ride seem like a cycle in the park!

Thanks for your kind comments. I'm also waiting for the results, but think you maybe beat me by about 50 minutes! My time was around 5h45mins. The army bloke stormed the opposite way when I was just plodding through Hardraw so I guess he must have passed you when you were near to the summit?
Yes, his time was amazing at 4h07 wasn't it?
See you next year eh?