A Day in the Lakes Triathlon Relay 26/6/15 - A Harriers' Tale

Martin Duthie - one cycling shoe & one running shoe = 75% power

As some of you may know, a number of Harriers have been participating in the above tri as relay teams for a few years now. Usually teams are discussed and formulated after Brampton in the Star Bar over a few beers, and not unusually when the time comes closer, there is a change in personnel/teams due to either sobriety kicking in or injuries have arisen.
This year was no exception, 3 teams appeared to have been agreed and written in blood, Sandy Hayden had decided after attending the previous years “festivities” that a ladies team was the order of the day, and decided/invited Mandy and Frances as her cyclist and runner respectively.

Alan Derrick was sticking to a winning formula of Martin, brother, Robin, and himself as the swim, cycle, run order.
Billy B enrolled Andrew and Kenny as his stronger links with Andrew swimming and Kenny running.

Andy B exits the water in 8th place.

Well times and teams change, Mandy was persuaded by Martin she should be his bike mechanic or so she tells us, which she proved on the day by pulling out allen keys and bike repairs and bike setup advice with no hesitation at all.

The ladies team was saved from pulling out by Andy Cleland who was sweet talked by Frances into doing the cycle. As Andy is a proper cyclist this was definitely a bit of a challenge to team Billy especially as on paper that made them strong contender for the Harrier team 2 over the line, Alan's  team still being the much fancied option who the betting money would be on.
Well so much for that! Next thing we hear is that Robin was laid low by injury and would be unable to participate for Alan's team.
Kenny was struggling with injury but managed to do some warm weather training in Portugal which convinced him he was no longer injured just short of training mileage but he would definitely be running.
Then the final hammer blow arrived on the day of the Harriers trail race, Frances while marshalling managed to stumble over a tree root causing an injury to her ankle which ruled her out of the running completely.

Billy with some surplus bike parts

When the going gets tough the tough get going, heroes arise, step forward Martin Duthie who volunteered to do the swim and the bike ride for his team, and Frances is some motivator as she talked Andy into doing the cycle and the run. These guys are proper athletes; the thought of doing more than one leg, especially when it includes the cycle, is above and beyond the call of duty – well done to both of you.

Final teams on the day Team Sandy (race number 42)    – Sandy – swim, Andy Cleland – cycle, run
 Team  Alan  (race number 69)   – Martin – swim, cycle, Alan – run
 Team Billy  (race number 125)  – Andrew – swim, Billy –cycle , Kenny – run.

So with all that sorted out we drove down on the Saturday to set up camp and register for the race starting early Sunday morning. Frances deserves a mention here for putting up her “wee But and Ben” first time with no help whatsoever (she had been well coached by Geo in the back garden on how to go about this).

Kenny "Don'cha think my......"
Confused as to how to wear the ADIL buff.

Martin and Mandy (bike mechanic) arrived and as I was getting my trusty steed off the roof of the car was advised that my bike setup needed some attention. I am sure Bradley Wiggins does not have to suffer the abuse, sorry advice I got, your wee under the saddle bike bag is a parachute / pannier get rid of it, what have you in it anyway “a three course meal and picnic set “as well as that my wee spoke reflectors had to go, safety is not an option when speed is paramount (speed! Me! Someone was getting confused here).

Anyway with the bikes setup, Martin decided to leave his in the safekeeping of the big tent with Kenny and I rather than take it back to his B&B (some people like their comforts, especially bike mechanics).

Our swimmers pre-race

The Sunday morning arrived, grey wet and windy and altogether not very inviting, especially as the wind was from the south which would be blowing all the way up the length of Ullswater.
First things first though Martin discovered he had a problem with one of his bike pedal cleats such that his right cycle shoe would not clip in. The solution was clear, strong tape and a running shoe!
Mandy can fix anything. (Sabotage was not engaged in overnight despite allegations made.)
To the race briefing where due to wind and waves we were advised that the swim course was altered from its original format of an out and back route to a still choppy rectangular 2 lap course in the more sheltered bay next to the camp site.
The change in swim route did not cause a problem for our swimmers; Andrew was out with wave 1 and completed his swim leg in  33mins coming 8th out of the water. Martin and Sandy were in wave 2 and did well Martin doing 35mins and first of the second wave, while Sandy did an excellent 42 mins.

Billy head down and kicking up some spray

The bike ride was tough with the wind and rain in our faces heading due south to the first long haul up Kirkstone Pass. I must admit I got off with about 200 mtrs to go to the top, was probably walking faster than I could pedal at that point, but once at the summit climbed back onto the saddle and stayed there till the end, despite a few negative thoughts along the way at some points.
The Shap  climb was not so bad as it appeared the wind and rain had veered a bit in direction and was actually assisting, either that or the gels were kicking in again.


Martin and Andy did both pass me as expected, Martin did shout encouragement to me and I did reply “what kept you” though it fell on his deaf ear; it turned out he had forgotten to take out one of his earplugs from the swim.

Andy must have passed me at some speed or more probably I had my head down struggling as usual, but passed me he did. The sun did eventually break through, the rain stopped and the wind died down a bit. If I had not had about 50 mins to go I may have enjoyed it a bit more but cramp was setting in to the legs taking my mind off the lovely scenery and improving weather.

Eventually got back to transition in 3hrs 43mins 17 secs, which after the bike setup optimisation scenario earlier, was a whole 3 seconds faster than last year!!
Martin was unfortunately disqualified during the bike ride for riding through a red light at some road works, something we did not know about until after the team had finished. A judgement was made by Martin as he rode up to them at in excess of 30 mph downhill; they were at green but then changed when he was too close to risk braking abruptly due to the wet road conditions and had little choice but to carry on through at that point.

Martin had a great time for the ride at 3hrs 6mins and Andy was not far behind at 3hrs 16mins.
Finally the run , Alan was off and running in a flash while Andy spent a wee while in transition changing out of cycling gear into “his/hers” running outfit (ask him). Kenny meanwhile enjoyed some more sunshine waiting for me and I got there eventually to fall down on the spot and get a fine leg massage from Andrew to try and convince me life was worth living (anyone want to buy a bike for next year’s event).

Alan sets off on the run

Did I say it was all sunshine and blue skies for the runners? Typical, a hard 12.5 mls over the hills and Alan did a spectacular run coming in at 1hr 37mins the 2nd fastest overall run of the day. Kenny did overtake Andy and finished in 2hrs 11mins a great performance considering his problems with preparation for this.

Kenny enjoying the best of the weather although into a strong head wind.

As for Andy, what can I say 2hrs 34mins and crossed the line with a smile on his face, brilliant work, but he will not be answering any phone calls from Frances any time soon.
It was a good weekend and no doubt somebody will mention it again in the Star Bar leading to who knows what next year .
Some more photos at this link (and more photos to come from Sandy. Also trying to identify photos of Andy Cleland to add in).
Plenty more official photos on the AWOLadventure.com web site.
Billy