This weekend was the Llanberis Slateman Tri and (thanks to the organisers!) a hyped up defence of my win last year. Chris Standidge had entered again as well as Paul Mountford (just out of retirement) and some other good athletes so the pressure was on.
To add to this the organisers (Always Aim High) had done an amazing job of getting the event televised on Channel 4 (Sunday 3rd June @ 7.45am). Now as an amateur this was all new to me and I had the added worry of not looking like a pleb in front of the camera. Yes, I excel at looking like a pleb.
For the race I was convinced Chis was going to beat me. Better athletes would have more confidence but I didn't. I still saw my win last year as a fluke and had it in my head Chris was there to make a point.
Race day was great weather and 750 of us were racing. The atmosphere was really good and apart from a cold swim it was set to be a great race.
First pleb move of the day was at the sign in desk where the lady politely asked me my race number (which I hadn't checked at the board at the start of the queue). Back I went tail between my legs to check my number. Bollocks, I was number 1. A little embarrassed, I went back to the same lady who asked me my number again and I murmured number 1. She looked at me confused (like I was an idiot) and before I explained I was an idiot and had struggled to remember the number '1'.
Next was a TV interview with which went well until club mate Andy gave me the Vs in the back ground and I lost my concentration. That and I also hadn't had my pre race constitutional. Smile at the interviewer , try and say something interesting/intelligent and try not to let one rip. Does Ali Brownlee have this problem?
Shortly before the start they announced a reduction in the swim by 250m to 750m. as a slower swimmer this was good news!
I was off in the first wave and decided to save getting in until the last moment. My theory was it was cold and I was a wimp so I warmed up on the side.
Once in it wasn't too bad and apart from a bit of a bun fight in the first 200m I settled in with a group and sat on some toes. Coming out of the swim I was in about 15th but being on a mission made up quite a few places climbing out and running into transition.
A decent T1, I hit the road in 6th and about a minute down on Chris. I quickly got down on the bars and into my race pace. I couldn't see anyone ahead and for what turned out to be the only time in the race I was by myself. About 2 miles into the ride you hit Penny Pass. Its a 4k climb you grind out in the small chain ring. Now this was pleb action number 2 - Check you don't have a 23-11 cassette on your disc when racing hilly welsh courses. Still I was feeling good and was flying up the climb funnily enough!
Half way up I had passed a couple of riders and was joined by the motorbike and camera man enthusiastically asking me if I was going to catch the others. In a world of pain I muttered something about 'trying' before it zipped off to the front again.
Up over the top I had caught 2nd & 3rd and could see Chris ahead. I had a plan of trying to keep him in sight but to my surprise I was catching him.
Now this was a first for me and not something I expected. I was so excited I nearly pooped myself when I passed him up the hill out of Capel Curig. Nothing was said between us but that's racing. We both wanted to win.
We swapped places for the rest of the ride enjoying the great support in the villages as we passed through before I managed to pull a small gap on him in the last few miles.
Coming into T1 was surreal with crowds clapping, the commentator getting excited and the camera bike following me in. I don't think I will ever have an experience like that again..
A quick T2 and I was out onto the run only to find the same motorbike camera crew riding with me. Up the zig zags I thought that would be the last I see of them but back they appeared again, this time on a quad bike!
My legs seemed to feel more tired than last year which was probably down to the Chester Half Marathon the week before but I pressed on unable to see if anyone was gaining behind.
Chris Standidge on the run
I needn't of worried though, as I crossed the finish line 4 minutes clear of second. Chris unfortunately got caught on the run by Paul Mountford who had a cracking run to claim second spot.
I haven't spoken to Chris yet but he didn't seem too happy. In defence though He had just got married and spent 2 weeks on honeymoon so I don't think he was on full form.
In the ladies race Beth Hughes from Chester Tri left it to the last minute to catch Rosemary Byde on the run. I race and train with her partner Chris and know Beth has put a lot of hard work in this year so it was nice to see her reap the rewards.
In fact I would declare the race as a successful English raid over the boarder by Chester Tri with loads of impressive results including Andrea Meagan as first female vet and Neil Thomas getting second in his age group in the sprint.
Next big race is Bala Middle in 2weeks where I'm hoping for a top 5. 69 Cycles have just got me a Rotor Q ring for the TT bike so it will be interesting to see what its like.
- The organisers put on a great race
- The marshals were all great - very vocal and encouraging.
- Chester Tri ruled the results!
- 69 Cycles should get on the TV
- I managed not to let one go in front of Annie Emmerson
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