Getting Durty

It's about 60 seconds into the bike leg of the Durty Triathlon and I'm regretting wearing my white tri suit. I'm not entirely sure what I was thinking when I put it on, rather than my, rather more mud-friendly, grey number. Last time I wore it was Ironman Austria, which was, coincidentally, the last time I competed in a triathlon. Running has been dominating my sporting activity this year.

The Durty Triathlon is probably my favourite event. 1. It's a triathlon, which is always a good time. 2. My buddy Paul organises it, and he is, quite literally, the nicest chap in Scotland. 3. It's 20 minutes from my house. 4. As a result, I know loads of people there and it's always very friendly. I did this last year as well, the shorter version (there are 2 events, a fast sprint and a slightly less fast standard), just before IMA and enjoyed placing 8th in 1:34. I was well back on the swim, rode well and held on for the run. This year, I've barely been swimming and I only really ride to work on a regular basis. So, I didn't really know how I would get on.

At 8 this morning, I was feeling decidedly unenthusiastic, looking out at the drizzly, grey weather, whilst Emily and Esme bounced around me. But, I sucked it up and got out the door, without breakfast. After registering and chatting to some folks, soon enough it was time to get into the water. It was not warm in there (although people were probably complaining a bit too much, it wasn't that bad) so I was glad to get started.

Both races started at the same time, maybe 200 swimmers in all and I got a bit bashed about until I remembered how rubbish I am in the water and let everyone swim away from me. I kept it together fairly well and I was out of the Loch in 17 minutes, faster than last year, which was a miracle. My transition was a bit slow, getting socks and gloves on but probably no slower than most people around me. I forgot how bad my legs feel on the bike after swimming and the long, draggy hill didn't help matters. I started to overtake all the quicker swimmers here. I used to get frustrated by the number of people who swam faster than me but now, I don't mind. If I put some effort into getting better, I'd be justified in being frustrated but, I don't so I'm not.

The bike course suits me - straight up, straight down, more or less. It was incredibly wet which also suited me, since most riders were avoiding going too fast and I was happy bombing down as fast as I dared. I think I walked more than last year, due to the wet conditions but my final time was probably much the same. I rode the technical section at the end, steep and rocky with lots of brakes required and was rewarded with a wee bit of a clap (at least, I think it was for me).

I was thoroughly filthy after the ride but I quickly whipped through transition, slowed only by having to tie shoelaces on my trail shoes (chosen since it was muddy, though, in retrospect, I could have worn road shoes). I counted the bikes in transition and figured I was comfortably in the top ten, which was a good result. I zipped off for the first hundred metres before realising I was going too fast when my breath left me and my body remembered how hard running off the bike is. I slowed down a bit and concentrated on my stride and slowly started to reel in the runner in front. He took a while to catch, two thirds of the way down the trail before the turnaround. Shortly after, the leading runners came past, so I could count them and find my position. I was 8th, a wee bit further down than last year - this time, however, I was running well and was overtaking runners (not many, to be fair) rather than being overtaken. A couple of hundred metres from the end, I caught the fifth place runner but he stepped up the pace (I think he was part of a relay) and I couldn't match it. One last surge from me at the end but it wasn't to be and I collapsed over the line in 6th place in a time of 1:27ish, 7 minutes faster than last year, despite not swimming or cycling much and in slower cycling conditions. Can't complain.

And, my reward for all this effort, is the best race T-shirt in the sport. A lovely white Craft number. I'll try to keep this one clean.