As I didn’t fancy doing Gullane or St. Mary’s Loch Triathlons in typical Scottish summer weather conditions, I made the trip to York to do the Classic Triathlon at Allerthorpe.

A great venue, pan flat, water temperature 21 deg(!) and a warm but slightly breezy day (20.5). Perfect & “a no excuses day”!
Swim was 3 laps of the local leisure lake which created a sort of whirlpool effect which suited me & for once I actually enjoyed the swim! Bit of fighting at each buoy but I know a thing or two about that from my Rugby days! Came out of water in 30.58 which was an open water PB for me.
After the usual comedy act of getting out of my wet-suit, and emulating Ally with putting on socks, flew out of transition after falling over another competitor (She was very small & I didn’t see her!) Leapt on to my bike & nearly ended myself as flexibility is not as good as it used to be!
Decided to keep the watts down into the wind for first half of bike course, but still found myself purring along at 32km/hr so happy. Passed all those uber swimmers on fancy bikes & colour co-ordinated gear & went for it hitting 47km/hr at one point in second half with the wind. Finished in 1:09:09 which was a big PB for me!
Feeling “hyper” now, charged ( wrinkley style!) through transition and out on to the run.
First First km 4.38, 2nd km 4.39, wow! Then a certain snag associated with ” wrinkley” status occurred! Quick ( took bloody ages) dash into the bushes, & away again! Kept plodding on passing a few younger athletes & trying not to feel smug.Legs came off a wee bit towards end but ma aged to stride (shuffle) into the finish in 2:37:18. Big PB for me by 7 mins so very happy!
A very good event & venue & well worth entering if you are looking for a fast course & PB territory. Won my age group & would have won age group below also, so feeling very smug!! Next event – Great Scottish Swim. Bring it on!!

PBterritory.
posted by Ken MacEwen on
07/08/2017