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.