I actually did the race as part of a team, me swimming, local and one of the best cyclists, Gareth McGuiness on the bike leg, and former Welsh International runner Alun Vaughan on the run. We'd been billed as the dream team prior to the race, and confidence was high.
I registered the day before, and the weather was atrocious. Gale force winds and horizontal rain!! I met Gareth at registration, and talked through our upcoming race. Alun couldnt make it and we'd arranged to meet him early the next day. The buzz, even the day before at registration was good, catching up with friends and fellow triathletes, and helping the organisers set up the trade stands, Revolution Bikes, Zoggs and Surf Lines.
We stayed a bit longer than we'd planned at registration, because of the weather, and it wasn’t getting any better! A quick phone call to my personal taxi, and we had a ride home. The VW T5 arrived, and we quickly put the bikes in the back, and off home we went, dropping Gareth off on the way.
The next day arrived soon enough, and thankfully the rain had stopped. The wind was slightly better, but still very strong. I arrived at race at 8am to meet Gareth, and Alun arrived soon after. We talked about how long our part of the race would take, so the others has a chance to warm up properly and have plenty of time to get back to transition to do the handover. I estimated my swim would take about 10 minutes for the 750m open water swim in Llyn Padarn. The triathlon bike course is part of a local TT race, and Gareth holds the record of 1:15, so in this weather he thought he could do it in about 1:20. Gareth was using his Specialized time trial bike with a disk wheel. As you can imagine this prompted plenty of comments from the other triathletes, as I don’t think I saw anyone else using one. Gareth’s only reply to them was, "Just see who comes back first" This left plenty of time for Alun to do his usual warm up. He thought he'd do the run in about 42 minutes.
Next on the agenda was the safety briefing, deliverd by Tim Lloyd.
So, all too soon, it was time for swim. I knew the lake had been cold for some time, partly due to all the rain we've been having in this part of the world. I wasn't disappointed as I stepped into Llyn Padarn! The Llyn was down to less than 11 degrees!! I had time for a warm up before the start, well that's what it should have been anyway, but the temperature ensured that everyone stayed cold. Nearly time for the off, so I went to the front with the faster swimmers, in order to get clear water and try and get to the front. Treading water for a bit, and then it was time for the countdown, I think they started from 10, and then off we went. The usual mayhem ensued, as everyone vied for position. On reaching the first buoy, I found myself in 4th position, but was then promoted to 3rd as the swimmer in front of me slowed. I soon reached the shore, and was out in a time of 10:09, but the run to transition meant that an official time of 10:46 was posted. The two in front of me were Jonathan Pryke and Hamish Shaw.
A quick handover to Gareth, and off he went running out of transition. It was now time to warm up, as I could hardly speak due to the cold!
By the time Gareth had reached the Victoria Hotel about 250 meters away, he was in the lead. Being first, Gareth had a clear ride up to Pen y Pass, well clear of cyclists at least!! No rain, just strong wind and gusts. The wind was ok up to Capel Curig, when he turned left for Dyffryn Ogwen. This is where the wind was really in your face, and in all other directions as well!! Gareth was used to the weather and the route, so he battled on, with the high peaks of the Glyderau looking down on the lone rider, hurtling down the pass.
Commentary at the field was by the double act of Matt Ward and Stephen Edwards.
After about 65 minutes, it was announced that number 412 was approaching the bends leading into Llanberis, a groan of disbelief spread across the field. How could one man and his machine be back so quickly? 412.....that number rang a bell, it was mine, and the rider was Gareth McGuiness!! As he approached the last 100m into transition, the spectators started to cheer and clap. Gareth dismounted his bike, and pushed his bike to the handover point with Alun Vaughan.
Alun, and ex International Welsh athlete stormed off towards the quarry, with no one else in sight.
Through the Dinorwic Power Station, before running up the endless road that snaked its way to the top of the quarry. A slight rest bite after reaching the top, making his way to bus stop quarry, before dropping down to the forest of Coed Dinorwic and the slippery bits. One more road uphill climb, before dropping down again down the steep road at Fachwen, before re entering the forest. Over the small river and up the last incline. As he reached the top, he could see the crowds in the field below. He then headed towards the quarry hospital, and as he did so, we could see him from the field. Along the road to pass the bottom of Vivien Quarry. Aluns last race of the day was against the steam train, which travels from Llanberis to the quarry museum. As the train hadn’t had to run up the quarry and down through the woods, it was the train that one! A few seconds wait for the train to pass, before heading over the bridge and into the field. As Alun came into the finishing straight, the crowds cheered and clapped, what a great atmosphere. Before Alun reached the tape, he stopped and asked Gareth an myself to join him, and we all went over the finishing line as a team.
An interview followed my Matt Ward, and at last I could relax and enjoy the rest of the day.The presentations were at 3pm in the community centre, a great ending to a great triathlon. The Slateman was well organised, great saftey cover by Surf Lines in Llyn Padarn, great marshalls and a great crowd.
Looking forwrad already to next year, and also to the Sandman in September....see you there??
Great pictures can be seen at SportpicturesCymru.
