I've raced Gullane Beach Triathlon a couple of times before, in 2009 (Check
Gullane Triathlon 2009 on Youtube to see why they cut the swim short) and in
2010. It's a great race with a beach start where all the senior men ran into
the water at 9.00 am.
I had checked the weather report the day before and it looked like it would
stay dry if windy. The organisers had issued a warning during the week about
there being stinging Weever fish buried in the sand that had bitten someone in
the previous week, not an exciting proposition. They also mentioned this in the
race briefing and that if you get stung by them your race is over because of the
pain. Apparently there are sometimes jelly fish too but to be honest in the
times I've trained and raced there I've never even seen one let alone be
stung.
So I had got everything ready the night before, even had a gentle swim with
the club at Loch Lomond as I hadn't open water swam in a couple of weeks. I
hung my wetsuit up to dry, packed my kit and headed off to bed knowing that it
was just a matter of getting up at 5.30am and throwing everything in the
car.
Some breakfast and I was in the car heading through by 6.10 as Gullane was
roughly 90 minutes away and registration was 7-8. Why is triathlon always so
early??
I managed to get to Gullane by 7.15, registered, was body marked and set up
my transition area before the race briefing. This is pretty much a miracle for
me as I'm usually running around trying to get everything ready. So I was
feeling pretty smug as I headed to my car to put on my wetsuit. As soon as I
got to the car I remembered I hadn't taken my wetsuit off the hanger, it was
still at home!!! I spoke to a firefighter triathlete I know and then to the
organisers at which point a race marshall (Gavin) who's role was to stand in the
water looking after swimmers offered me his wetsuit. It was a little baggy but
I'd have taken anything at that moment. Cheers Gavin!
I had a little dip before the start, they had said it was 13 degrees but it
felt baltic and the water seeped into all the spaces inside the wetsuit.
Besides feeling like I was swimming in my pyjamas, the start of the swim was
awful. The water was very choppy, people seemed more violent than usual, I
still have a sore jaw from one elbow and salt water swimming is very different
to our tranquil loch on a Friday night. I checked my watch throughout the swim
as I had been hoping to exit the water in around 29 minutes but I was a lot
closer to 34. 4 minutes longer than 2 years ago. Could've been the wetsuit,
could've been the conditions and apparently one of the buoys had been moved
too. Your swim time for Gullane includes a 2 minute run up a hill to transition
from the beach. So it was 36 minutes before I got near the bike. It was pretty
easy to get the baggy wetsuit off though I still ended up sitting on my arse
getting it off and bike shoes on. I had tried a bike attached to pedals at
Gullane start before but it ended in disaster, having to stop the bike, tear off
my shoes and put them on properly, so this time I took the easy option.
Once on the bike I knew I had been cycling pretty strong this season with
lots of solid training. I had one aim to keep my av. speed as close to 20mph as
possible. It was straight into a headwind and I was soon catching people who
hadn't swam in their pyjamas. There is one main climb in the Gullane course
which isn't too steep but lasts a while around 5 miles in. I tried to keep my
cadence up and thoroughly enjoyed the bike. It stayed pretty windy but the sun
even came out at a couple of points. They had shortened the course from 42km to
38km because of roadworks and as I headed up the final drag, through the
headwind back into Gullane I was reasonably happy to see my av. speed was 19.6
as I was coming off the bike. My bike time was 1:06 and t2 was 0:36.
The run for Gullane is tough. Within 200 yards of transition you're
heading up an off road hill, trying to catch your breath and get into your
running form. Not easy. It then takes you through a couple of streets along by
the beach and up another killer off road hill beside the golf course. I had
walked this hill on previous years as do most people but I just set myself the
goal of tiny strides but a fast cadence, using my arms to propel me up. I
managed up to the top and then through the mud and grass and heading back beside
the transition area where there was a water stop and a flat out and back
finished the first lap. Dawn had given me some sort of rocket fueled gel that I
decided to try on this run. It was unbelievably gloopy but I took small sips
and stuck it in the side pocket of my tri top. I took a little water at the
water stops to wash it down and continued that way through the second lap of the
10k.
I felt pretty strong on the 2nd lap of the run and great on the last out
and back. I even managed to keep running the hills with my arms swinging
furiously.
The last time I had run Gullane my 10k had been 49 minutes so I was pretty
pleased to come in on 47 minutes for the run this time.
Overall a time of 2 hours and 32 minutes. Happy days. Roughly 20
minutes faster than 2 years ago though the bike today was a little shorter, but
2 years ago I hadn't been swimming in my pyjamas.
A Few Words on ATHelite Triathlon Club
Hopefully we'll be able to continue the great work and dedication that
Colin and Gen have put in over the past few years. We should be able to see
over the next few months how and if that works, but it seems that there is
plenty of enthusiasm and willingness from tonights meeting. If everyone manages
to put in a little and works together I'm sure we'll be fine.
I had a couple of thoughts while I was driving on my way to work. I spoke
to Gen about this and I think it would be good to have a monthly
training/social/instructive event. The Sunday long runs don't seem to be
happening at the moment so we could have them one Sunday morning each
month.
In August a number of us will be up at Aberfeldy.
I thought we could organise another Arran trip for the 30th of September
before the weather gets too rough. I'll put up details on an events page on
Facebook.
In October if Michael M and Gareth J (and others who are bike savvy) were
available we could have an emergency bike maintenance day, we would just need to
find a venue and date for this.
In November (the 18th provisionally) I am happy to run a Yoga workshop
maybe with another teacher (or John Young?) to help out too. Again this would
need a venue.
In December if people were willing, I could possibly speak to the main Chi
Running instructor for the North of England and Scotland and we could have
a short running form workshop. This may involve a charge but we would only need
a park as a venue. He runs a full day course that I've attended that I would
recommend.
We also need to organise a Christmas night out. If anyone (Shirley?) wants
to take on the role of organising a venue and date for this that would be
great.
Each of these days would give us a chance to do something constructive,
hang out and eat together.
Warm regards,
Mark.
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