Triathlons and Duathlons
Like many runners, members of Carnethy Hill Running Club will touch on many things outside of running. Sometimes climbing, sometimes swimming, maybe road cycling or MTB, or perhaps just rhythmic dance. It’s nice to dabble, after all, we’re not hillrunning robots. Not road running though, that’s a step too far. For those that occasionally cycle and maybe a little splashing round a pool, there’s a wonderful world of triathlon out there.
Triathlons can sound a little daunting, and most people fear the swim part in particular. I wouldn’t worry too much about that as the swim sections can be as short as 400m (8 lengths of the Commonwealth Pool) for the “Come and Tri” events. Obviously the cycle and then run sections are equally short (around 10km cycle, 3km run). At the other end of the spectrum there’s Iron-distance triathlons consisting of 2.4mile swim, 112mile cycle and 26.2mile run. Between these events there are many flavours of Triathlon, consisting of varying distances, along with onroad/offroad cycle, onroad/offroad run, indoor/outdoor swim. There’s even some events that are even more mental than iron-distance, but that’s for another day. For now, all you need to know is that we have a wee section dedicated to the reports from Triathlons, along with any nuggets of info that may help you on your exciting new sport!
Reports…
Selkirk Standard Triathlon
I took part in this on Sunday. Didn’t do particularly well. Struggled on the run especially. Need to up my game for ArranMan and stop watching Netflix.
Results here: https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/1Bf
Mike Lynch
Bowhill Duathlon
Three Carnethys ventured into the mudfest that was the final long race of the three series of races at the Bowhill Estate near Selkirk. I keep saying I am going to stop doing these races since the courses don’t change, but keeping on doing them as a mountain bike race and a run make for a good day out. After the recent rains and snow, the course was probably the wettest, most boggy and slowest I had seen, and that is saying something.
I had an average race not helped by not doing anything on a mountain bike since the short race in November, and not realising that my back brake lever was about to fail after the first time I needed it. The bike section had with three quite gnarly technical single track descents which were not the best place to be with only a front brake. At least I had one brake, but had to let folk past regularly and run down the steep bendy sections.
Nick Williamson managed to go the right way (for a change) and despite my encouragement to get the guy in front as he passed me on the out and back run, and held onto a creditable 2nd place. Chris Boustred had a good race coming in 11th. I came in 42nd out of about 130 racers, despite starting near the front…
So, if you like mountain bike and running combos as a Duathalon involving varying quantities of mud, gloop, ice and snow, lookup the Bowhill Duathalon Series from Nov – Mar next winter and get Durty.
Results here http://www.durtytiming.com/race-results.html
Mark Hartree
Minor medals for Carnethies at the New Year’s Day Triathlon
Is there a better way to open the New Year than by taking an invigorating dip in the Commonwealth Pool and then whizzing three or four times round Arthur’s Seat, with the sun abetted by masses of bemused spectators to encourage you and a northerly breeze to keep you cool? At least seven Carnethies were amongst the 400-odd who thought not and cheerfully lined up for the New Year’s Day Triathlon.
Mike Lynch was the fastest Carnethy, in a respectable 25th place, followed by three first-timers separated by little more than a minute and a half: Chris Henty (66th), Mary Lye (79th) and Matthew Jones (81st). Mary was second in a very tight F40 category, the first five in it finishing within a couple of minutes of one another. The Nimmos started trailing in twenty minutes later, led by Anne (second F60), just managing to hold off Ailish (who took ten minutes off her PB) and with Ian fighting his customary rear-guard action (second M70 of two).
For once the seniors didn’t take the main prizes: the race was won by an M40, Stephen Clark, and the first woman (27th overall) was a junior, Lauren Dickson.
Results here. Bob Marshall’s photos: here.
Ian Nimmo
Bowhill Duathlon – Short Race
So, you like a bit of hill running and you like a bit of mountain biking, but the loch or sea water is a bit cool for swimming in winter and indoor pools just don’t make the grade for a proper off road Triathlon. So, hunt out a Duathlon and skip the swimming lark! The Bowhill Duathlon Series takes place about 75 mins south of Edinburgh just past Selkirk. It forms 3 races over the winter with a short, medium and long race around the Bowhill Estate (ssshhhhh Secret Scotland…). Today’s Short race gave us a surprisingly dry romp around the estate tracks, trails and forest, probably the driest I’ve seen it for what is usually a Durty mud fest of a race.
Three Carnethies featured and maybe starred amongst the 172 starters on what was a magically glorious day carpeted in valley frost and bathed in bright winter sunshine. Not icy, but firm under tyre and foot, we would have got a team prize if there was such a thing. Nick Williamson is notoriously fit and fast, but patently incapable of following a marked route around Bowhill, giving up a winning chance to come in third overall after missing a turn on the bike (again). Chris Boustred, who recently joined the club, showed me his heels on the run out and came in a strong 11th. I managed a pleasing 30th having had a blast on the running descents and the technical bike sections to regain a few places.
Paul and the Durty team put on well organised events and this one has great support from bike, tri and rotary clubs from the area giving ample marshals and great support. Give it a go sometime.
Full results and info here
Mark Hartree
Craggy Island Triathlon Poem
A year of niggles and lately sore knees
Meant alternative training might help them to ease
But not learning the crawl because water in ears
As a child had a history of reducing me to tears.
–
Willie G and Mike Andrew offered swim advice from afar
The pool training progresses and moved to Threipmuir Reservoir
With Pete B and Jim Hardie treading water patiently waiting
The Craggy Triathalon idea was in the making.
–
The swim went Ok, water clear, could be warmer
Getting out of a wetsuit gave 3 minutes of trauma
130th position meant last third of the field
The bike needed fury and many to yield.
–
‘Coming on the right’, many many places made
On a mountain bike I can nearly make the grade
Even HBT Don Naylor was taken
I’m sure, if I’m not mistaken.
–
An so to the run from a faster transition
I couldn’t make out my exact position
But the trails and green trods suited my style
To the top and bottom of the island with a track for the last mile.
–
I overtook some groups then lost a few places
That is the way in most of my races
A few jelly babies and another HBT vest to catch
Crowds cheering with the timers, sprint finish to match.
–
From last third in the swim, to finish in 26th position
The Craggy Island Tri could be a new tradition
With a swim, bike and run as a pretty good prequel
For the Pentland Skyline tomorrow, 3:40’s my target to equal.
Results: http://www.durtytiming.com/uploads/9/4/4/5/9445925/craggy_day_1_draft_results.pdf
Mark Hartree
Foxlake Night triathlon
Foxlake is primarily a cable wake boarding centre. They also host other events, trail runs and the Durty Events Night tri. The same team puts on Craggy Island and Aviemore triathlons. It promised to be a bit of fun, demonstrated by the fact – you drink a small quantity of beer and have 30 secs deducted for each of three possible refreshment opportunities. I did Gullane Beach tri and finished hobbling with a sore calf. I was uncertain until the day. It was 10 minutes ride from home and something a bit different on a Saturday night, decision made. First time I’ve asked for an on the night entry.
The floodlights made a modest impact. However wasteful the glow sticks were, they were colourful as I watched the first wave splash up the dark water. Only 200m, but decided on wetsuit, it was chilly waiting in the water. A few went without.
The additional tactics of making your bike visible in transition and avoiding navigational errors in the dark added to the experience. I left my back light on ready. Straight into trail shoes and flats with pins I sped off from transition onto familiar trails for a 5.7km ride. My rigid 29er mtn bike was just the job for the almost entirely flat course. The variety of lighting options made for quite a spectacle as the participants cycled and ran around the lake. My “Mary” bars made for tricky light mounting, I was glad for additional helmet lighting. Embarrassingly at the start of the 1.8km run I managed to choose a different path from everyone else, giving me incentive to run a bit harder.
I avoided the beers but having been put in the second wave with the women and the vintage was unsure of my position, it being dark added to the uncertainty. I was happy my calf held up and it certainly helped knowing the local trails.
Recommended for a fast and furious outing. Make a day or an afternoon and visit Dunbar, John Muir Birth Place.
http://www.durtyevents.com/foxlake-night-triathlon.html
Mark James