Highland Warrior - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The start was a bit shambolic - Spook was shouting 30s to start and we were still standing at the side - bit of a mad charge to get into position bfore the off - I didn't get there and kind of cut the corner to try and get going quick. The 1st half of the Out was a bit of a scrum really -

The water was rough!! Wind was picking up from the South and we had proper wind against tide waves - coupla times I found my propeler legs flapping in the air up to the knees as the water just disapeared below me!

Spent my whole swim catching people, until the last quarter when I got caught behind a couple of folk and didn't spot the lead group cutting off to the right - I probably should have gone to them, but I stayed where I was...

I was only 37s behind Rupert and 2:30 behind Kelly van Toorn - she was 5min clear of me last year, so I'm happy with that!

Should've paid more attention to the start time! (5 strokes towards the start buouy does not constitute a warm up!)

Seems like an awfully long time! I lubed my suit, but forgot about my heels and then got tied up in my bike waterproof (which was definitely needed!) I'd left my jersey at home - ended up just running off half dressed and sorted it with some dodgy no-handed action on the bike about a mile up the road!

For wet weather, I reckon I'd have been better getting wet with just my cycle jersey - the waterproof in the pocket for if I had to stop for a puncture(!) or something.

(Need to not leave my cycle jersey at home then!)

I was going well - wee bit hesitant on the descents because of the weather - still managed over 40 at one point tho - got a rear flat at 18miles which used 2 inners and a bit of tape to fix the split tyre sidewall, then went on he offensive to make up the time. Back tyre only at 70psi, so no chance really!
Should a been about 2:45 to 2:50

I discovered later that I had a slow puncture in the front tyre as well - no wonder it felt so tough!

I worked my ass off and would have been well within my target time if I hadn't spent 15min faffing with tyres.

Use bomb-proof tyres and avoid patches of gravel!

T2 is a dead stop, up a curb then along a muddy, grassy path. I didn't know where my bike was going and lost time getting it racked...

Get to that briefing and walk the Transitions before (like I normally would!!)

Mile #1 was 6:58, then had to stop for a pee. My legs seized up during the pause and my IT Band left me knackered for the rest of the run. :(

Not push so hard on the bike!!

More like a warm-up! Went into the swimming pool showers and defrosted for a while, got the compression stuff on, then went to join the rest of the gang for some of Lynne's Chocolate cake (num num num!!!)


Hello?! 3 (that's three!) punctures!

Really need to be more thoughtful at the start of the event and visualise the T's and warm-up properly...


Love the event - just not this year!