Season round up

Nearing the summit of Ben Eighe

As I said in the last post I wanted to round up the season with a post about what I have learnt in my first seasons racing. For me what I have learnt covers a broad range of things from technical/training/equipment type stuff, useful to make racing faster in the future possible and the deeper stuff, about myself that training, focusing and digging deep brings out. For me the latter is the most interesting but hardest to fully explain as half the time I don't really understand it myself!

• Inspiration is key

I chose Celtman as my first go at triathlon. I wanted an experience that I would remember, I wanted a goal that I was not sure would be possible. I also wanted to be among the mountains and the sea. I had seen the Norseman Extreme Tri video and it seemed the perfect race. Then I found Celtman and knew I had to enter if I could. It represented everything I wanted and needed. The thought of swimming across a sea loch surrounded by mountains got me out of bed at 6am and down to the lake when the temperature was just 7degrees. The 125 mile bike course had me out on 5 hour plus rides on flooded roads, into headwinds and everything else on my trusty Cougar bike. My legs soon got strong enough. The run over the top of one of Scotland's most beautiful mountains put the icing on the cake. The thought of the challenge and experience motivated me beyond belief. 

• Things don't always go to plan!

Seems a bit silly but I  find I get lost in the thought of reaching a goal and expect it all to go perfectly. My reaction at times when it does not is often not the most productive at first. When my bike broke on Celtman I thought of quitting, on the run during Hellvelyn I felt the same and at many times during training things did not go to plan. How you deal with these moments is key. In a way many of them are beyond your control so you just have to do what you can, keep moving forwards (or sideways :) ) no matter what. Reacting like a spoilt child is not positive. The races and training give a chance to work on this stuff and it is so applicable to life in general. Expect the unexpected and react accordingly!

• If you think you have dug deep, you can probably go a little further

The more impossible the goal or harder the challenge the richer the experience becomes for me. Standing on the start line with a bunch of other super motivated, talented and brave athletes will bring out the best in all of us. By racing others I find I always dig deeper. I avoided racing and competition for years because I was afraid. At the end of the day for me it is not about a position in a field but getting that last bit of effort from myself. Finding what is truly inside. A race atmosphere provides a gateway to this. You can then draw on these experiences when you are on your own, as I was with Wasdale Tri.

• Get the entry in and start training now!!

Life is too short. If you want to do something get it done! Dont be intimidated by distance, terrain, conditions or your current levels of fitness. The process to reach an inspirational goal, whatever it is, will be an amazing journey. Dont listen to the negatives from yourself or others. Do listen to the positives and surround yourself with them. Look for and  accept help. Listen. Take action.

• Sometimes the Mojo is low

I go through periods when the motivation is just not there. The psyche is low. At times I also feel a little unsure of the path I seem to have chosen. But it always passes, guaranteed and comes back stronger. Over training is easy to fall into, I find it creeps up and hits me hard. If the mojo is low this could be the cause. Be aware of your body, keep a record of your training and use it to assess if you are doing too much. I also find after reaching a goal low mojo can strike. Something is missing. Take some time to chill and do other things. I am currently planning on doing some cross country races and spending some time trail running. I am also spending more time with friends training and socializing. I will also be reading some books and drinking lots of tea! It will return!!

That will do for now I think. It is far too much to write in one post so I will save a bit for another. Hope this is helpful to someone, it does help me to write anyway.

Had a good fun run out with Steve in the snow the other night. We ran Helvellyn and took in Stepped ridge on Brown cove crags on the way. YakTrax and Ice axes essential. The first after work Alpinism outing of the season! Racing Carlisle leg of Cumbria cross country league with Ben tommorow. 8km with the greyhounds. Should be interesting!  

Two inspirational videos for your enjoyment!

Unfinished business. Wasdale Tri

It is 3am. I am fully awake and my body has a familiar ache all over. My mind is racing. Thoughts of clear emerald tinged water that feels so pure you could drink it, the screes dropping into the depths, the steepness of the lakes toughest mountain passes and the determination needed to climb them and traversing the roof of England as the sun sets. I feel the emotions and pains of the day loud and clear.

The opportunity had arisen to go and complete the course of the Wasdale Triathlon. Steve was keen for a day out. He also knew how much effort I had invested into preparing for this race. He is a good friend who understands. He had not biked or swam for a long time but was still up for it. Legend. We set off for Wasdale on a wet, misty morning. After three weeks of massively reduced training I did not know how it I would feel. Apprehension hung in the air. A tough day lay ahead. No prizes, places or chip timing. Just a day in the mountains and a chance to explore your own limits.

Steve had raved about swimming in Wastwater since last Easter. It was great to finally experience it. The weather cleared as we began to swim. The water was fresh, not too cold and had a clear green tinge. You really did feel you could drink as you swam. The screes rose above, Kirkfell and the Scafell's also loomed. The swim experience came close to the Celtman. No jelly fish though. Clear water, mountains and the rhythm of the swim. It seemed to pass quickly. I came out of the water, ran down to transition and headed out for the bike section.

Now this is a tough bike course. The steepest passes of the lakes from both sides and a few others thrown in for good measure. I was riding the Steel Cougar with its 53/39/26 ratio. I doubted if I would make it up the passes let alone be able to run after. Somehow I did. My heart rate certainly maxed out twice and I saw stars. Not exactly ideal for a Half Ironman. It is amazing what your body can do if you are willing to push it. Heading back to Wasdale I start to slow down the nutrition and drink a little water in preparation for the run.

Back into transition I meet up with Steve. I am looking forward to heading out on the run together having not seen each other since the start of the bike. The final challenge of a 13mile traverse of the Scafell's remains. We start the run together but Steve soon falls behind. Still feeling the effects of his awesome effort at the Ripon Ultra he tells me to go on. On my own again the loneliness sets in. For the first time I consider quitting  turning around and heading back. I would be so easy. Then my legs start to slow down and I feel dizzy. I am forced to walk. I had slowed nutrition down to early on the bike and have bonked. A Baz Ball (Nice one Coach!) revives me. I feel the energy flow back. I see no one else for the rest of the run. Mist and the call of a crow greet me on Scafell Pike, a reddening sky and the last rays of the sun are waiting on Scafell. I feel privileged to be here. It feels good to get into some running again on the descent to the Boglands. It is dark as I climb over the haunted moorland of Burnmoor Tarn. On tired legs the Bog saps my energy. I am greeted by the light of Steves head torch on the descent to Bracken close. It is good to see him again. The day is done, the challenge complete. Business is closed.

Today I experienced an intense mix of emotions and feelings. Moments of darkness, light and release. The mountains always seem to provide a catalyst for this. They give us a chance to explore ourselves in ways just not possible in day to day living. I always seem to struggle with the return to normality from these experiences  That is why I am awake at three am after a nine hour day in the hills after only three hours sleep.   A common theme in adventures books is that these experiences make us feel truly alive. We experience all that life has to offer. There will be more adventures, tougher challenges and I look forward to these. More chances to cut open the core of the apple to prove it exists ;) For now a little rest is needed though!

Steve made this little video for a tiny amount of footage. The window of the church at Wasdale Head is the highlight! Thanks for a top day Steve. Enjoy.

Cancelled!!

Gutted! After a wet night sat in a puddle, listening to the rain lash down and the wind blow the descision was made to cancel Wasdale Tri. To be honest it was the right descsion to make for the safety of competetors and marshalls. Only me and one other optimistic (crazy?) person bothered racking our bikes.

It could be veiwed as three months of hard training wasted but I know it is not. My swimming and cycling have improved massively since starting out last year. Now is the time to lock in the base I have developed for next year. The training will continue but without as much intensity and I will have more time for a bit of cross training, certainly some winter mountaineering.

I am going to post a review of my first season of triathlon in the next few days. What I have learnt, thoughts, feelings and lots of thankyou's! Planning to enter the Langdale Horseshoe fell race next sat to, another race I have always wanted to do, so will hopefully have some sensible weather and a good run!



Rydal water this morn. Getting a bit chilly!



A misty Rydal water (the pool)









Got out this morning for an easy swim in Rydal. Numb feet after and a little cold tell me the temp is dropping quite a bit. Nearly time for the Amblside Winter Swimming Club to meet, although it is not cold enough for Steve yet! Will be out for a run this evening. Plan is to run from Hartsop over Highstreet, the Beacon and down to the Kirkstone pass. Leg 2 of the Ian Hodgeson Relay. Running with Ben and a few others so may become a bit of a race! All good fun though.

2 days and counting!

Sat in Bilbos cafe in ambleside, enjoying a pint of tea and a slice of choc cake. No posts for a while but plenty has been going on. Moving house, the last hard training sessions before Wasdale and a classic fell race on a beautiful day.

The last 10 days has been tapering. I have to say I am feeling strong and confident. Pretty sure the run is back, Wrynose and Hardknott feel a little easier and The Coach has lent me his wet suit which feels a little faster and warmer than mine! The weather is set to terrible so all that training in the wet and cold should have been worth it. The more suffering the better for me I think. It will hopefully slow the racing snakes down!

Three Shires Fell Race

The race route

This is a race I have always planned to do. It happened to fall 15 days out from Wasdale, is 12 miles long with 1300mtrs of ascent. About the same as the route on Wasdale! The perfect race to test out the run. I have been working quite hard on my run recently after feeling a little disappointed at Helvellyn. Working hard uphill during runs up Fairfield and Red screes seemed to have done the trick. I came 26th with a time of 2hrs 16min 59secs. I felt stronger on hills and the leg speed was there for the descents. I recovered quickly aswell. This really is a great fell race, running on rough trods with plenty of scope for picking your own line. Very well organised by Ambleside AC and the support on the course was fantastic. Steve  had a run out to in preparation for his goals this winter. Legend!

The start of Three Shires 2012

So now it is time to rest, pack kit and get fired up for Sunday morning at seven am. As I said before I feel ready and as always just want to race as hard as I can. The rest will sort itself out.

Race report and photos some time next week!

Finding my feet

Good run out last night with Steve, although my legs felt heavy and a little achy! Think it was a good idea as they defiantly feel a bit fresher today! It was a lovely evening and the run takes in some of the best trail running terrain in the lakes, following the UTLD course for a few miles. It is around eight miles in total and starts and finishes in Elterwater. Good to get out again with a mate too.

Tour of Lingmoor run Photo by Steve Ashworth

I need to get my legs turning over faster again. Get back that light feeling during my running that seems to be missing at the moment.

The Slaters Bridge, Little Langdale

It will come. Have missed running in the fells lots the last few months. A pretty perfect evening really.

Check out the Runlakes blog for a cool short video and more photos.

Planning a full recce of the Wasdale Tri bike course tomorrow afternoon and a pool session in the morning. Will post how it goes.

Helvellyn Triathlon 2012 race report

Helvellyn Triathlon.

1mile swim- 38mile bike- 9mile run

Described as one of the toughest triathlons on the planet! A cold swim in Ullswater, followed by a bike ride including the famous 'Struggle' to Kirkstone pass and finishing with a run up Helvellyn, one of the highest mountains in England.

I decided to do this race a little last minute. My main goal after Celtman was Wasdale Tri. However I have always been inspired to do this race. Friends have raved about it, it has a true fell runners finish and a tough bike. The chance to visit a mountain summit during a triathlon seems to be important to me. It gives me the motivation and inspiration to train and race hard. Visiting the summit of Whiteside and the descent to Glenridding certainly pushed me and as I said in my pre race post a meltdown nearly occurred!

I woke at 5.45 am on race morning. A bowl of muesli, a strong coffee and slab of chocolate cake for breakfast got me going. Arriving at transition I felt fairly calm compared to Celtman. The day would be much shorter, I knew the course well and the fear of the unknown was not lurking as close. I wanted to race hard and treat this as a practice race for Wasdale, another training session to learn. I knew I was biking well so decided to leave very little in reserve during this leg. Lets see how it effects the run, learn the limits and how it feels.

Entering the water calmed me more.It was about to begin. The siren sounded and we were off. Arms and legs flailing. Spells of clear water, rough and tumble near the buoys on the turns. It is over in 28 mins. I am happy with this time but know there is so much room for improvement.

Transition go well and I am away on the bike. I soon move up through the field over the first climb. I do what I set out to do, race on the bike.I take it steady through St Johns in the vale, hold my position for a bit then attack again. I start spinning as I reach Ambleside to prepare for the Struggle. I hold my position and over take a few. The final ascent to the pass is lined with supporters. Cowbells and writing on the tarmac gives a European feel. The last bit feels as tough as it always does. I nearly vomit at the top, gasping for air. Then it is time to spin the legs ready for the run. I could have pushed harder on the last few flat miles but knew the struggle had taken its toll.

Another reasonable transition and the run begins. This is where the real pain begins. The heat of the day hits me as well as the steep path up mires beck to the hole in the wall. My legs feel dead, doubts creep in along with fatigue. Even when the path levels out my legs feel heavy and I am slow to warm up. On Swirral edge I try to keep running until the final steepening. On to Whiteside I force myself to run the descents fast but I am in pain. I had prepared myself for this but it does not help. I keep pushing down the zig zags. I am passing people but the pace is hurting me. At the bottom of the zigzags the path flattens. The calf cramps start to kick in. This pace is pushing my body to its limits. A Zinger Gel and a mouthful of water are forced down. I am worried I might not even make the finish line but hold the pace. I knew this may happen and accepted it. My body holds up, it does not shut down but I know I was close. I finished the run strong but was disappointed not to feel stronger at the start and middle.

I am so glad to reach the finish. The pain stops.

So what did I learn?

Preparation is key. I still have bike problems and raced on a bike that was too small and had acceptable gearing. A compact chain set would have taken the sting out of the struggle. I had to put the saddle back and as a result used the wrong muscles which prob affected the run. This will not happen at Wasdale.

My running needs a little work. Still playing catch up after calf injury at Celtman.

I am biking well. 2hrs 1min on a borrowed bike holding back a little in reserve. The struggle felt hard but the rest of the bike felt hard but comfortable at the pace.

The run was painful but it did end and my body did hold up. It is amazing how much further you can push if you accept it might all end in tears!

Overall I am pleased with my time. The race is truly amazing. Great atmosphere and a stunning location. Thanks to Steve (www.runlakes.com) for helping make it happen, Ben for loaning his bike and Mulebar for amazing fuel.

Swam in Rydal  the evening after the race, biked to work and back today. A little achy but nothing major. Last three weeks training before a proper taper for Wasdale! Psyched!!

Helvellyn

4hrs 15 mins. Ok (for me!) swim, good bike (to good) and the run was a world of pain!

A very tough race but super friendly atmosphere and great support.

 Will post more when a little less tired!