National TLI Jersey

You may remember my post about the National Open Cyclo Cross Race at Prestatyn, organised by TLI Cymru, where I was entered as and under 18 in the race, but the organisers changed their minds and put me in with the seniors?

http://team.inov-8.eu/2010/10/national-open-cyclo-cross-championship.html

Well, while at Race 5 of the Revolution Bikes at Glynllifon near Caernarfon last week, the organisers presented me with the TLI National Jersey and gold medal for my U18 junior win at the TLI championships! It was a great suprise, and something that I was not expecting!

Owain being presented by Barry Davies

More pictures can be seen on the SportpicturesCymru web site.

Snow Training

The snow has hit hard over the mountains of Snowdonia, and although I'm unable to get out of my village to train at the local track, it is still possible to go for a run!

I've had a shoulder injury over the past few weeks, which has stopped my early morning swims, so I've been able to fit in some more running.....even in the snow.

Using my Roclite™ 312 GTX , I started on my four mile run. Even though it was cold, the shoes kept my feet warm and dry, and along with my Inov 8 Zip Tech tee, there was no issues with the cold.

Moel Eilio

Develpment Squad Call Up

Following my Welsh vest with Welsh Triathlon during the summer, I've now been invited to attend a four day Christmas Training Camp at the Welsh Institue of Sport at Cardiff.

The development squad has been formed to provide the necessary knowledge and support to allow the most talented young athletes to develop and progress on to the Great Britain performance pathway. This is being delivered through training camps in the school holiday periods and Academy training days. The squad is being supported by services at the Welsh Institute of Sport. Currently 6 athletes (3yth, 3jnr) are part of the squad. Selection is based on performances at National Series Triathlon events and individual sports.

Welsh Colleges Cross Country Vest

A cold day greeted runners from all over Wales to Colwyn bay, in order to compete in the Welsh Colleges Cross Country Trial Race today.
The previous days rain had taken it's toll on the course, as it was extremely muddy in parts. Complaints could be heard from some athletes due to the condition of the course, which would only get worse, as we had to run five laps of the five mile course. I was however quietly confident as I was wearing my X Talons 212, which I’ve found to very reliable in previous races, with plenty of grip.
As the start gun filled the cold air with smoke, the usual stampede started as most athletes vied for position. After the first corner some athletes had pulled out due to possible injury, but the vast majority got stuck in. With a lap to go, my legs were hurting due to the heavy conditions, but I motivated myself to carry on. Coming home in fourth place secured the Welsh Colleges vest, and a trip to Loughborough in April 2011.

North Wales Cross Country League, Bangor

A year's worth of weather greeted the runners from across North Wales and the borders for the second in this years North Wales Cross Country League at Bangor.

The mornings sporadic rain was followed by dry weather, but as the junior men and senior women lined up for the start, the heavens opened and down came the rain.

Two an a half laps of Treborth Athletic track fields saw me up with the leaders, as the rain stopped and the hail stones started to bounce off the runners as they snaked their way along the field and through the woods!

The X Talons 212 copped well in the mud, with plenty of grip on the up hill sections.

At the half way point, I started to pass a few runners, eventually coming home strongly in fifth place.

Pictures can be seen on the SportpicturesCymru website.

National Open Cyclo Cross Championship

Day two of the weekend, saw me compete in my second race of the weekend. This time it was the National Open Cyclo Cross Race at Prestatyn, organised by TLI Cymru. The weather was kinder today, as riders from the UK travelled to North Wales to compete for the cyclo cross jersey.

I was competing in the 16-19 age category, but riding the full course with the seniors. My legs were tired after the Cross Country the previous day.

My usual bad starts at these races, was today followed by a better one, as a stampede of riders tried to make it to the very tight corner in first place, in order to avoid any possible crashes. I came out unscathed, and dug in for the full hour of racing.

The course was very technical, but relatively dry following the bad weather of the previous day.

With about 2 laps to go, I couldn't feel my legs, but I clung on to finishing, in what I thought was a category win and the TLI white jersey.

At the presentation, there was no sign of my win, but 3rd in the senior men category, which the organisers had kindly decided to put me in. A disappointing end, to an otherwise good weekend of racing.

More pictures can be seen on the SportpicturesCymru web site.

Revolution Bikes Winter Cyclo Cross Series

It was the second of the Revolution Bikes Winter Cyclo Cross Series, on Sunday 24th October at Bethesda, on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. Again, blue skies greeted a depleted field of 21 cyclists. Discussions were abound as to why, but there were a few other races on the day. The Coed y Brenin off road duathlon and the Border League 10k race at Caernarfon to name but two. However, I think the main reason was that this race was also a duathlon, consisting of five laps riding, one running, 5 cycling and finishing off with another run. This suited me just fine due my triathlon background, and hopes were high of a good finish.

Problems with my pedals, saw me at the back of the pack, so some serious riding had to be done in order to get back with the leaders. The heavy rain on the previous days, had made the course wet, but it wasn't muddy.

A new longer course going in the opposite direction to the same race two weeks ago, made it slightly easier I thought, but still challenging.

On the first run lap I was comfortable as my triathlon training saw me running strongly, as some of the others suffered with jelly legs following the bike ride.

A few more laps on the bike, with another run lap saw me passing two more, to come home as first junior, and sixth overall. Two wins in two races, sees at the top of the leader board. The new bike worked well, along with my X Talon 212's, which worked extremely well in the wet conditions.

Great pictures can be seen on the SportpicturesCymru website.

Busy weekend next week, with the second round of the North Wales Cross Country League, followed the next day by another cyclo cross race.

Anglesey Festival of Running 10km Road Race

I was down to do the Fleetwood triathlon on Sunday, but as there was a local road race on my doorstep, I decided to head over to Anglesey to do a 10kM race.

A sunny but cold day greeted all the runners, not only doing the 10k, but also a 5km race, half marathon and a marathon!

A good start to the race saw me up with the leaders, and after about 3kM we'd broken away from the rest of the runners. At the halfway point, the two senior Eryri athletes runnig with me started to pull away, but not too far as I fought to stay with them.

As I ran into the Anglesey showground, I knew that a PB was on the cards, and I came home in a time of 36:15, over 3 minutes quicker than my previous 10k run.

Results are here with sime oictures on sportpicturescymru.

Patron of the Festival - Colin Jackson.

Llanberis Hill Climb

It was the last of the GCA races was held on Sunday 12 September, with the Llanberis Hill Climb. The route goes from the car park at Nant Peris to Pen y Pass, a total of 3.05 miles, with an overall gradient of 6.42%, with 12% in some places.
My time for the last climb at Pen y Pass was 16:49. My time today was an unofficial 13:41, a pb of over 3 minutes!
The results can be found here, with some more pictures here.

Picture courtesy of Jeremy Williams.

Llanrwst Sprint Triathlon

It was the Llanrwst Sprint Triathlon yesterday, with 168 triathletes competing for the honours on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park..
The race consisted of a 400m swim, 30k bike and a 5km run.
The swim took place in the local Llanrwst swimming pool, with a 500m run to transition. I was last to go, as I had the fastest swim time on paper. A good swim and a personal best saw me running to T2 in a time of 4:44, and the fastest time of the day.
A new bike course greeted the next leg of the race, which consisted of a 30kM time trial along the twisty and hilly roads of North Wales, and west of the beautiful Afon Conwy. A fast and steep decent to the turnaround point had its advantages, but the disadvantage was that I had to ride back up, before tackling the head on wind and 15kM to the finish. Back to transition for the run, which had a sting at the start, consisting of a 500m steep ascent to a forest track, where I battled for honours along 4kM forest trails, watched by the mountain bikers tackling the Marin Trail. Back down the steep decent to finish the 5kM run time in 18:40, which gave me 2nd fastest run time of the day, and a total triathlon race time of 1:22:05.
Good day’s work, which gave me 11th overall and 1st U20.

More pictures on sportpicturescymru.

Cycling Time Trial

It was the last of the cycling time trials on Tuesday 31 August. At only 3.8 miles, it's one of the smallest that is arranged by Clwb Rasio Mona on Anglesey. There are no prizes on offer, just individual competition against friendly club riders based in North West Wales.

The end of a sunny day on the island saw 30 riders compete for honors. A personal best for this course, saw me return to the finish line in 10.01 min, and placed 13th overall.

Results are here, and photos of the time trial can be seen on sportpicturescymru website.

Salford Quays Aquathlon

I travelled to Salford recently in order to take part in the last Salford Aquathlon race. I celebrated my junior series win by competing against the seniors.

The race included an 800m open water swim, and a 5kM 4 lap run.

I was out of the water in 4th place, and a quick transition saw me start my 5kM measured course.

I finished my 5kM run in 4th place with a run time of 17:06, and an overall time of 28:40.

Welsh Triathlon Vest

I travelled to Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar on Sunday in order to take part in the Welsh Triathlon IRC qualifier. An early registration at 6am, saw the best triathletes from Wales, and many from England who wanted to take part in the race prior to the Inter Regional Championship in September.

I was racing at 9am, which included a 600m open water swim, 12kM draft legal technical bike course, followed by a flat 3km run. 18 athletes walked into the cold lake at Parc Bryn Bach at 9am. I took and early lead, taking full advantage of my swim speed, before I was passed with 50m to go. A 100m run followed to the transition from swim to bike, which saw me re take the lead with an excellent transition.

A 12km cycle ride followed, which saw the eventual winner, Liam Lloyd from Llanelli, take the lead. The bike ride included 3 laps of two hills, a flat section and technical turns, which saw myself and two others competing for 2nd place.

Back to transition for the 3kM run saw me fighting for 2nd place and a possible Welsh Triathlon vest. At the half way point, I made my move and stormed ahead into second place, coming home in overall 2nd position in a excellent 3kM run of 9.09min.

Automatic selection was not an eventuality, as previous form was taken into account from all previous races. I've had a busy year, taking part and doing very well in a number of senior triathlons. I've also won the Salford Aquathlon series at Manchester, and was 13th in the British Aquathlon Championships at Hyde Park, London. With the Welsh Triathlon selectors watching closely, it was a long 24 hours before I was confirmed as a Welsh Triathlete. I'll return to Parc Bryn Bach on the 19 September to compete against my fellow Welsh, and also Scottish and English Regional triathletes.

Pictures can be seen on the sportpicturescymru website.

British Aquathlon Championships Salford Quays

Another trip to Salford, England on Saturday, 17 July saw me take part in the British Aquathlon Championships organised by Manchester Triathlon Club.

I was taking part in the youth category, which involved a 400m open swim in the Salford Quays, followed by a 2.5kM run.

The first wave saw the youths, senior females and male age groups I+ take to the water. Whilst the youths and junior races were not championships events, they certainly provided some great practice and an opportunity to weigh each other up in advance of their championships in Hyde Park next weekend.

A good swim saw me coming out of the water in 1st place, leaving the senior athletes to complete another lap. A 2.5kM run followed, bring me home in 1st place.

The race report can be seen here and here, with pictures on the sportpicturescymru.

Cerist Triathlon

I took part in the Cerist senior triathlon on Sunday, with an early 6am start to Machynlleth. I was competing following my success at the Northwich triathlon the week before, where I was 1st junior and 13th overall, and also the Salford Aquathlon series in Manchester, where I came home with the spoils.

I set a blistering rate, coming out of the pool in the fastest time of the day, to complete my 400m swim in sub 5 minutes, and a PB. The bike leg involved an out an back course to Corris. A steady uphill climb was followed by a fast decent, which brought me back to transition in 34 minutes, shaving 5 minutes of the same distance in the Northwich triathlon the week before. Finally a 5kM run complemented an excellent triathlon. I was back from the run in 20:33, and fastest runner of the day.

I won the junior category and was 8th overall.

Salford Quays Aquathlons Race 1

I nipped over the border to Salford, England on Thursday, in order to take part in the Salford Quays Aquathlon series organised by Manchester Triathlon Club.

I was taking part in the youth category, which involved a 400m open swim in the Salford Quays, followed by a 2.5kM run.

Sunny weather welcomed all the racers, and a balmy 15.4C water temperature meant that wet suits were optional, although everyone was wearing one.

A good start saw me up with the leaders, and after 400m I was third in a time of 5.55, before having to leave the senior athletes to complete another lap, and the start of my 2 lap, 2.5kM run along the Quays waterfront.

A tricky transition followed, as I had a bit of a problem removing my wetsuit. Food for thought, and some practice before the next race on the 17 June.

Conditions were hot during the two laps run, and I came home in a time of 8.36. Total time for the race was 15.30, which included the slow transition.

Race report can be read here, and pictures can be seen on the sportpicturescymru website.

Ras y Gadair

The annual Ras y Gadair (Cadair Idris) fell race yesterday, so time to have some rain. Dry conditions at the start gave false hope as the rain came down heavily further up the mountain.

My usual U16 category was replaced with U18, which meant I had to run the official 10k (actually 11.2kM) with the senior runners, before turning back for home and allowing them to go to visit the giant Idris at the summit!
I was in the main pack on the first hill climb of the day, which is actually the road leading up to the mountain. At my turning point I was 16th, but came home in my X talon 212's to take the win in my first U18 race.

Pictures of the race can be seen on Sportpicturescymru and Fellrunningpictures, with a race report from the excellent website Mud Sweat and Tears.

My younger brother, Rhys, also got in on the action, by winning the U14 category.

Abergwyngregyn Tuesday Night Series

6th race of the Tuesday Night Series last night. 4.5mile of firstly extremely steep run, followed by a fast course, crossing the bottom the famous Aber Falls.

Another good turnout, with a good selection of my category, U16 runners as well.

I was 5th at the top of the first hill, before the downhill fast course commenced. Final position 7th, with 1st U16 runner.

Crossing the Bridge at the bottom of Aber Falls.

Some pictures are on SportpicturesCymru and Fellrunningpictures.

Harlech Triathlon

Early rise for some of the triathletes at Harlech yesterday before the start of the 400m (16 lengths) swim, 30k scenic route, out and back along the Cambrian Coast and finishing with the UK's most spectacular triathlon run route. 6.5k mixed terrain including Harlech Beach and the 1:4 climb to the Castle.

376 competitors arrived on a glorious sunny day, including myself, competing in my second senior race.

Saw Matthew Gilbert at transition, great to see him again!

I was one of the last to go, as I had one of the fastest swim times. Came out of the pool after a swim of 5 minutes 27 seconds, 3 seconds behind GB triathlete Rhian Roxborough!

400m swim and the run to transition. Next, after a quick transition the 30kM bike. Undulating, with two big hills to cope with as well. On the way back, my chain came off, so lost between 30 seconds and a minute, to comeback in a time of 55min 27 seconds.

Last was the run, along strength sapping dunes, along the beach, before finishing with 1 in 4 climb to the castle!

I won the U20 men, and 35th overall, out of 376 triathletes. Really good race, which I enjoyed very much.

Pen Dinas Tuesday Night Series

The fourth race in the Eryri Harriers Tuesday Night Series took place yesterday, with about 500m of climbing in about a mile, it was a hard race. My new X Talon 212's got their first airing, and they performed superbly in the dry conditions.

Another win in my category still leaves top of the U16 series table.

Mynydd Mawr Tuesday Night Series

It was the 3rd race of the very popular Tuesday Night Series, organised by Mike Blake and Eryri Harriers yesterday. Still competing as an U16, I was able to start with the senior runners, but as the rules say I can only run 4 miles, there was no trip to the top of Mynydd Mawr today.

A good start saw me in 12th place before the long slog to the top (for most at least) started. At my turn around point, I'd made some places up and was 6th overall.

An steep and undulating race to the finish saw me confirm my 1st place as U16, and also confirming me as 1st overall in the series.

Next race is at Nant Peris on the 27 April.

Llanfairpwllgwyngyll Time Trial

First of the weekly Tuesday night time trial's have started. Good training for the triathlon I think!!