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Helvellyn Tri
Helvellyn Tri is the most beautiful course you could wish for - if the weather is favourable like it was on Sunday. It's tough yes. But you don't go there to get a PB only if your name is Alistair Brownlee who held the course record until this weekend.
The 1m swim in Ullswater wakes you up. Only 13 degrees with all the rain. Amazing setting with fells all the way round. The 38m bike kicks off with a long climb then rolls with a few fast stretches. All ok. As you come into Ambleside there's a sharp turn left. This is what the bike leg has been building up for. 'The Struggle'. It's a 20 percent climb for 3m. That's the average, so in parts it's less in others its more. I must say I only just made it up without putting a foot down. (Phil K has done this one) Many weren't so lucky. It is what the name suggests. A struggle. If it was 10 metres longer I wouldn't have made it and that was on my lowest gear ratio 35 x 27. This climb sets you up for an amazing descent for 10 miles back to transition. Twisting and fast. Would be dangerous in the wet. Many have fallen here before and crashed into the granite stone walls. We were well warned.
Onto the 9m run, or should I say scramble, up Helvellyn. Never done a triathlon run before when I've had to use my hands. The only way up to the rocky summit. Thought when I got to the top that the hard bit was over. It wasn't. Running down was even harder! Didn't like it whatsoever. People were flying passed me all the way down. I was pretty rubbish. But it didn't matter. I loved the event. Fully recommend this one.
Total time 5hours 29mins.
End of season.
The 1m swim in Ullswater wakes you up. Only 13 degrees with all the rain. Amazing setting with fells all the way round. The 38m bike kicks off with a long climb then rolls with a few fast stretches. All ok. As you come into Ambleside there's a sharp turn left. This is what the bike leg has been building up for. 'The Struggle'. It's a 20 percent climb for 3m. That's the average, so in parts it's less in others its more. I must say I only just made it up without putting a foot down. (Phil K has done this one) Many weren't so lucky. It is what the name suggests. A struggle. If it was 10 metres longer I wouldn't have made it and that was on my lowest gear ratio 35 x 27. This climb sets you up for an amazing descent for 10 miles back to transition. Twisting and fast. Would be dangerous in the wet. Many have fallen here before and crashed into the granite stone walls. We were well warned.
Onto the 9m run, or should I say scramble, up Helvellyn. Never done a triathlon run before when I've had to use my hands. The only way up to the rocky summit. Thought when I got to the top that the hard bit was over. It wasn't. Running down was even harder! Didn't like it whatsoever. People were flying passed me all the way down. I was pretty rubbish. But it didn't matter. I loved the event. Fully recommend this one.
Total time 5hours 29mins.
End of season.
Comments
Well done and keep the reports coming in as they are definitely inspiring and have given me a few ideas for next year.
Cheers