It is not all biking – there is alot of Ellis play time as well. She is becoming very fun at the moment, but I fear the terrible twos are just kicking off. We get foot stamping tantrums, throwing herself to the floor screaming fits and moments where she cries in the corner. She is not all sweetness and light at the moment. But every now and again she gives you a smile and a kiss and all is forgiven.
Early start on an Autumn morning, summer is fast ending and this was evident by the frosty windscreen this morning. A quick drive over to Glen Clova where Rich and I met up with Stu and we set off in the cold morning air up into the hills.
A long carry up to the top of Mayar ( Munro at 928m) then a superb but technical descent down Kilbo Path. This was ‘concentrating’ and ‘clenching’ at certain places. Totally brilliant descent though!
Once at the bottom we set out along and up into Glen Doll. We obviously don’t like riding our bikes as we once again carried our bikes up Jock’s Road as far as the shelter and rode back down it. Again, another very technical and rocky descent. Our bums were fully clenched out by the bottom with huge grins on our faces. Superb weather and a lovely day in the hills.
The rest of the photos can be seen by clicking here
Some time ages ago I was sitting in a pub having had a few to many brave juices and decided that I would do another triathlon, infact I thought it would be good to go back and try the one I did last year the Craggy Triathlon on the West coast in Oban. Unfortunately for Rich – he was with me and he too had consumed a few to many pints of brave juice and decided he would enter as well. The only difference is that Rich can’t swim….
So the time passed and we trained no were near enough and all of a sudden we are standing at a slip way to get on a boat to take our stuff over to the island we are going to be swimming to (can see the swim above). Rich was silent, I mean literally silent, the poor bloke was shitting himself. the bike and run part was of no real significance to him and easily in his capabilities, but the swim was going to be a big challenge.
We went over to the island and set are stuff out and went through how the hell and what the hell we had to do to get from being in a rubber suit to riding a bike, to then running. All a little confusing and quite logistically intensive.
Back over on the boat to the main land we went and got our wetsuits on and lined up at the start line where we finally met frank who was far to happy and excited about this race ( he is not quite right in the head is our Mr Pinder)
We had the race briefing and got told to get into the water for the start, Rich announced his love for his daughter and offered me his belongings if he didn’t make it to the other side. Once in the water a lot of shreaks and high pitch squeals as the water got into the wetsuits…….. and then we were off!!!! A furious splash and frenzy which turned all the water white with arms swinging everywhere. I don’t remember much of the swim apart form the concentration to get my breathing right and my fogged goggles meaning I could not see where i was going. Every now and again I thought about me dear friend Richard drowning some where behind me and blamed his demise on the beer we drank that fateful evening in the pub when we decided to do this.
Dry Land came in in 11mins 13 secs for me and I ran up the concrete ramp for transition ripping at my wetsuit trying to get it off. I slipped on the grass and ended up on my bum to the spectators delight. Once in the transition all the logistics we went through went out the window and i was all over the place. I eventually got myself sorted and got my bike and ran out of transition. By looking around I estimated that I was around mid pack now ( 200 people took part).
I was on my bike, my comfort zone, what I am good at and off I went. I was soon fast over taking people and it felt good, legs were working well and lungs filled easily. Soon people started to thin out and I was on my own for the last few kms of the ride. I got back to transition and it looked strangely empty, just two bikes….. I looked puzzled and the nearest marshal sensed this and said ” you are in 3rd place hurry up!!!!”
Not knowing how the hell that happened I ripped my cycling stuff off and got my running shoes on and off I went. I have been in this situation before, gone out way to hard on the bike and just been slaughtered on the run ( one tri in Malaysia where i came back 24th on the bike out of 300 and finished in 210th after the run). I needed to try and mentally prepare myself for the run and the soon to be constant stream of people passing me. Last year I came 57th out of 200 so my aim was to come around 40th, that worked out to be 37 ish to pass me.
Up the hill I went, there are no paths on this race, it is a proper hill run ( me above in the green). I was in my head making sure I was swinging my arms, lengthening my stride where ever I could and trying not to get distracted by people over taking me.
Near the end I managed to muster up a good stride along the last flat 1km and came through the finish line in 18th. Over the moon. Not sure how I did it, but very happy with that result…..
Just wonder what the next stupid idea will be after a few too many beers in the pub!
Well that was that, managed to pull it off. Rich and I have organised 5 rounds of races this summer around the ABZ area. We managed up to 47 people at ones race.
The final one was held last Friday at Scolty.
We did the first two stages in the day time, and then as we don’t have much light at this time of the year, we decided ot have a BBQ and a few beers
And then do the only thing worth doing – go back out and race it again at night!!!!!!
Was great fun and we all went down the pub afterwards and drank beer. Was a great summer racing, met loads of new friends and people to ride with.
till next year……
As many know I really like to whip out the old slackline when there is nothing better to do. For those who don’t know it is just a bit of tape between two trees that you put some tension on and try and walk along it, bit like tight rope walking – but less tight, and more emphasis on the slack, thus the name.
Lara is getting much better at it, and managed the first 6 steps along the line ( NEW RECORD!) , I was having an off day and was not up to much cop, but still fun and what i love about it is that you do have a really good work out swinging your arms all over the place trying to keep balance.
As is the way now – anything we do – Ellis wants to try it. We were pretty impressed with her, she managed to put one foot in front of the other and walk along the line if we held her hands. not bad for an 18 month-er!
Four o f us left Linn of Dee on Saturday morning and rode through the hills to Aviemore, went out and had a bite to eat and a few beers then slept at Glenmore Lodge. Got up the next day and rode back the other way. Great fun, great biking, and no rain!
The Blog of Dave Lara, Ellis and Freddy 