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Aberfeldy 2015

By CoachKev | Published 24 August 2015 | No Comments

Aberfeldy Middle Distance Triathlon 2015 – incorporating The Scottish Middle Distance Championships on 16-Aug-15

Bobble hat and gloves, 12°C and “slightly less in places” was the theme for Sunday morning’s Scottish Championship middle distance event in Aberfeldy. The cold didn’t stop the midges as they enjoyed the almost windless day leading to a flat calm Loch Tay. The water was so cold they had to shorten the swim to 750m from the standard 1.9km although the Garmin measured 910m and there was general consensus that the course was long.

Dave’s race:

No cars at the start and a split transition, so I cycled to the start in my wet suit which doubled as a way of staying warm and carrying my kit. Race briefing had been on Saturday so we had a fairly short wait from transition closing and the pink hats entering the water shortly followed by the green hats which include Jason, Noel, Graeme and me. Four buoys to spot and a particularly awkward and uncomfortable slip way and I ran up the hill to the bikes. My elegant “off with the wet suit” was hampered by my lack of balance brought on by the swim making T1 less than “perfect”. A damp tri-suit and 10°C air temperature helped with the motivation to ride hard which lasted almost to the 40-mile point when the second climb of Schiehallion revealed some very tired legs and with the thought of a 21km run some 15-miles later brought some sanity to the rest of the cycle.

It was tough to motivate myself from the bench that welcomed me at T2 whilst switching shoes but I mustered the enthusiasm and headed off up a nasty little hill just to test those cycling stiff legs. The rest of the run was uneventful reaching the 10-mile mark slightly off pace and realizing that 10-miles still meant another 5km! but I remembers Roy’s comment “hold form” (thanks Roy) and I reached the finish in 4hr 44min with extremely uncomfortable legs which brought many laughs as I attempted some stairs 10-mins later.

Jason’s race:

Some of the best weather of recent years apart from the cold water, but Loch Tay never seems warm and I always loose the feeling in my feet for both T1 and T2. Short swim meant a bit of a scrabble to get clear water and lots of drafting on the bike. I had hoped to warm my wetsuit in time honoured fashion but it was too cold to relax, so I had to have a pee stop on the bike only 3k in! My stomach didn’t feel great (might be unhappy at more gels after IM Switzerland) so I didn’t eat or drink until half way through the cycle, but still had to stop 60k into the ride for a visit into the woods. Sorting my stomach would save me more time than training will gain I reckon! The second climb over Schiehallion seems easier than in the past – must have been the training the weekend before following the Jackson boys up the hills. The half marathon was a steady pace that training with Fraser this summer has given me, and felt ok once I could feel my feet again. The run gave me the chance to have a chat with a few old friends as well!

Graeme’s race:

Ironically for a very weak swimmer, I was really disappointed that the swim course was shortened. However it was still tough enough as the wave behind came flooding passed! Once the swim was over I was hoping to settle into the bike but an official warning for cutting a junction was a reminder to observe the rules. A beautiful bike route but took it out of the legs for the run. After a few km, I thought I had my rhythm but all hope of that disappeared around 15km in and it was a real struggle from there. Finished in 5hr 14mins which for my first (and last!) Middle Distance was respectable.”

Noel’s race – and first triathlon!

My first tri returned a respectable total time of 5hrs 17min. A panic at the swim melee forced a call on breast stroke and sculling for part of the swim but cycling was better than expected, and I came out having raised over £2k raised for Alzheimer Scotland too.