Lake Bala Standard (European Qualifier) – 08 Sep 2013
Temeraire kindly agreed the association had this event added to the Rec travel list so I
booked a Pool Vehicle for the 300 mile drive from Plymouth to North Wales. Imagine my joy
when I discovered the 7 year old vehicle was not fitted with a trimble device! No big brother
monitoring my speed. I set off on the Saturday morning as I had the pleasure of ISSC the
week before. There is no better prep than being gassed, drowned and burnt prior to a race!
In honesty though I could have done with a few swims in the week leading up to this event!
Fig 1. Lake Bala
The drive was uneventful and I arrived to a very bleak and blustery lake. The weather
forecast was mixed but there was a significant drop in air temperature and the lake was a
balmy 16 degrees. I had a walk to the Lake side and then registered at the leisure centre
adjacent to race start. Wrecsam Tri have a good set up and it was quick and efficient and a
full goody bag provided. After a £10 pre-race massage I walked the short distance back in to
town and booked in to my hotel. I used booking.com and found the Plas Coch Hotel. It was
a pub that was firmly set in the 70’s but was clean, tidy and functional. At £49 B&B I couldn’t
argue apart from the fact that the locals leave the town on Saturday evenings and loudly
return at 0300 on Sundays. That aside I had a good nights rest ready for the race. Race
start was 0950 so I had a decent breakfast and got my kit together. Stu Dinwoodie
mentioned the cold and I felt somewhat unprepared as I only had my tri-suit and tri shoes
with no warm clothing. Luckily I had a spare swim hat to keep the heat on my head during
the swim. There were four waves starting at 0930 at 10 minute intervals. The first was male
16-39 followed by the females and then my age group the 40-50 which was the largest age
group and then the vintage age groups. At 0945 my group were counted in to the holding
pen ready for the off. I then lined up to the far right ready for the start. The course was
straight out for 750m in to what felt like a strong tide due to the wind over the surface and
then a return straight back to transition. I seemed to swim alone and had a disappointing 27
min swim.
A slow 58s transition took me out on to the bike course. This consisted of a 20km route SW
adjacent to the lake and a 180 degree turn before heading back the same way. The course
is on closed roads which allowed for some fast descents. It was quite hard work on the way
out in to a fresh SW breeze with a few climbs but the road back was very fast. I noticed a
few guys of similar age and seemed to overtake lots and lots of people it was nice to have
targets to aim for and cycle past at speed. I started to feel the cold and started to lose
feeling in my hands and feet, if I race next year I will wear suitable attire! As I approached
transition I attempted to brake and steer but failed miserably as I couldn’t feel my left side,
luckily the crowd I cycled into kept me upright and steered for me. My bike split was 58:02
and it looked like I had caught almost everyone in my age group bar perhaps one other.
Another pants 51s transition took me out on to the run course which was down the same
road for 3 and a bit miles and back. I couldn’t feel my feet but they warmed up by the turn
round point. I have been training to run 5:56 minute miles off the bike and was disappointed
with a 6:08 then 6:14 but this was up an incline in to wind. My subsequent splits were 5:59
6:04 5:42 5:44 as I warmed up and got in to a rhythm. At the turn round point I saw a rival
age grouper so pressed hard. The drizzle was now heavy rain and I was glad I was near to
completion of the race. I completed the 10.25km run in 36:49 and went across to the timing
tent provided by stuweb and typed in my number for the result. I got a print out of my splits
but I had no idea where I had come in my category. I returned to them once I had showered
to confirm I had won the 40-50 prize. I waited for presentation and was delighted to be
presented with a cheque for £200! More importantly I knew this had secured me a place in
the European Championships in Austria 2014.
Overall this is a great race in a great venue. Just be prepared for the Welsh Wet Weather!
Now to get ready for the Worlds…………………..
Royal Navy Tri Results:22 Carl Harwood
24 Richard Ebbage
2:04:10
2:05:02
Lt Carl Harwood – DAEO - HMS OCEAN
1st 40-44 Euro Qual