Third Bangcock
It was our (Lanark Multisport) annual post-Christmas race this morning, the Bangcock Challenge. Two years ago this was my first multisport race (which I finished down the running in about 25th place) and last year, after a decent early winter's training, I made a bit of a breakthrough in my head and finished in the top ten, just before a decent race at the New Year's Day Triathlon.
This year, the race wasn't "officially" organised - there were no marshalls and no entry fee, everyone just turned up, ready to race. Or, rather, they didn't, since only 8 of us appeared (plus one cyclist).
So, no-one was taking it too seriously, but the weather was perfect - cold and frosty but sunny and still. The ground was frozen solid, which I knew my ankle wouldn't like (it didn't) but it was pretty good for running on.
The eight runners jogged up to the turnaround for the first leg in such a slow fashion that I was second at the top. That didn't last on the way back down and I was nearer the back at transition. My ankle wasn't mad keen on running too hard downhill.
I was using my triathlon bike, since my road bike was in bits, but I hadn't ridden it for months and my arms were complaining after a few minutes. A few more minutes and a dodgy noise started from the back and another few minutes and the chain locked. Unfortunately, my rear mech had disintegrated, so my race was over. Not really the aim of the day. I got picked up by the sweeper car.
We arrived back at transition just as my mate Paul was arriving after his ride, so I stuck my running shoes on and joined him for the run up Tinto. I wasn't feeling great - the cold air was burning my lungs - but I hadn't been cycling so my legs weren't goosed.
I quite enjoyed the run up and completed it in just under 50 minutes, not as fast as last year but decent.
So, not a great day. Indeed, I think that might just be my first DNF. Now, I'm going to have to kick it up a notch during the next couple of months to rebuild my fitness.
