Dave McGuire reports:
Dave McGuire (Vet40) 05:00:56
276th overall/106th age cat. pos’n.
Swim (1 mile): 33:25 min/sec (352th/130th)
Transition 1: 4:58 min/sec
Bike (38 miles): 02:35:53 (473rd/183rd)
Transtition 2: 4:46 min/sec
Run (9 miles): 01:41:54 (65th/22nd)
581 completed the triathlon.
211 completed triathlon in Vet 40 age group.
An amazing experience on my debut triathlon. I chose, what could be deemed almost a half iron-man distance event, as my first tri, because of the wonderful surrounds this race was set in. I thought it would be more stimulating and much more appealing than a more regular tri and I believed I had enough stamina to take on a more advanced challenge distance wise.
The weather was perfect and the day was fantastic in every way. My aims were; to get round and complete the event; to enjoy and find out about myself and all the challenges involved and finally; to pace myself to use up every last bit of energy ie to do my best.
For the record I swam in Ullswater Lake in lovely water, if a tad cold and a bit choppy. The views of the surround mountain terrain, whilst swimming, were special.
The bike involved the grueling 20% climb up ‘The Struggle’ along Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside – which again went well and was a right scrap to get up. The Kirkstone Pass Inn at the end of the climb was like a mountain stage finish on the Tour de France – mini style, but still really fun with crowds cheering competitors to complete the super steep ascent.
The run was a 9 and a bit mile fell race up Helvellyn, including a 45 minute speed hike up the first third to the base of Red Tarn and some major scrambling and climbing via Swirral Edge to the top of Helvellyn. The views from the top, on a clear day, were spectacular, especially with the marching ants that were the competitiors’ below me, where I’d come from and the competitors ahead and across the next mountain, descending over toward the east and back to the finish at Patterdale.
A massive thanks to Jan with her, as usual, superb and unstinting support, helping organize me, and support at the start, transitions and on the finish back down the final hill.
Well done Dave!
