The Roc triathlon England. Challenging, tough but good tough as no major incidents. The "tough" that I like.
The Roc guys ( and the weather) once again did not disappoint.
Registration on Friday went nice and smooth. Met few familiar faces and also few new faces. Few chats, laughs & jokes. All relaxed and in great atmosphere. You'd head down to YMCA Lakeside headquarters and pick up your bag with labels, map, bib, chip etc.
Pack up your mountain part essentials. All 'must have' items are highlighted in the athlete guide sent out in email on race week. This year I've ran / hiked in regular speedgoats rather than midsole just to test it and it worked well. I also used hiking sticks which were helpful. Due to a weather forecast I packed up extra electrolytes & a bigger water bladder. Had my fitness buff ready to protect head.
Due to my heart condition I've had extra medication and supplements too so if you struggling with health, don't forget to put that in your bag too.
The bag was handed in and Wife and I went for a little walk around. Check the water, visualise swim, walk from swim exit to bike transition, visualise getting in and out,making sure to know where toilets are 🤣🤣
Head down to campsite, get all the stickers on bike & helmet. Get bib ready, swim stuff ready, tested the bike, prep all nutrition / fuel and chill. Treated myself with compression boots, tasty pasta meal. Had plenty of water, extra cbd and went bed early.
In the morning we got to a carpark that's only less than 10min away. We got there around 7.15am as I don't like spending too much time waiting. Racked up the bike, prep everything and once again visualise entry and exit. Another toilet visit 🤣
Wetsuit half way on and get a little warm ( had no choice as forgot my morning heart pill so ran to carpark and back however I got a little lift as well - if you read it, thanks again)
Back to start line like 7.55am 🤣
For England I like to have a pair of trainers ready close to swim entry as its quite a way to transition.
Lake calmed down and was nice and smooth, sun out making the swim amazing experience. Plenty SUPs and support. No cockiness in the water too.
Came out, wetsuit half way down, trainers on and run to transition. Toilet before, set the bike gear and off I go.
This year, due to bike route being challenging I decided to ride a road bike. It felt good and although ride one was 3min slower, legs felt fresher at the biggining of hike. Past 4 years I only Rode my TT bike and this was my 4th road bike ride with 1st being a month ago.
Challenging yet Stunning course on the bike riding along mountains, rivers, lakes, forreests and waterfalls. Gone quick.
Mountain transition smooth again. Marshals are just top level helpful. Honestly. Everyone supportive. Quick transition, toilet and let's go. Managed to run/jog first 2 miles ish but then decided to walk every climb. It was really hot at the beginning and the beauty of Scaffel Pike is that it's all up and down which can be deceiving. Had my electrolytes regularly followed by a lot of water - either from bladder or the little fresh water streams. I'd soak my buff in cold water too.
Challenging mountain for sure, I'd say most challenging out of all 3. Never ending climbs. Some steeper than the others, some with smaller, some with bigger rocks.
Summit achieved with few stops for photos or chats. Everyone friendly - to include random hikers.
On way down I've tried to run as much as possible, unfortunately around half way through got adductors and hamstrings cramps. Bloody painful. On positive, not as bad as year before and somehow managed to get all way down. Right before transition jumped in the water treating myself with cold bath. Helped with heat and cramps.
Transition smooth again. Back on the bike. Again, although 1min slower- hips, legs felt much better from beginning and cramps went away after 10 min of riding. On TT year before took me 30-40min to get to a decent feeling.
Bike a little tougher than the way out a a little more traffic but no issues. Still enjoying views managed to get back to final transition. Running trainers on and finished the race with 1km trail run. Crossing the finish line, being cheered on by so many felt really good. All in all, without pressure, got 25min better time than 2023.
You'd get recovery protein, water and other snacks, lovely medal and amazing feeling of achievement! Well recommended!
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