Where did the year go?
2013 in numbers
2013 in words
Best triathlon overall
***Trident Tri, Ripon***
Why? For great organisation, reasonable entry fee, free camping and entry to the fancy house and gardens, equitable treatment of the women’s race, fast course, cash prizes, post-race cool-off paddling pool. What more could you ask for?!
Most fun triathlon
***Craggy Island Tri, Kerrara***
Why? You get to swim to an island with no roads, race round an interesting off-road course with captive spectators and run over a hill with stunning views.
Biggest disappointment
***Slateman triathlon***
I had made this race one of my two target races for the year, but felt I under-performed compared to my capability. I learnt from it though!
Biggest achievements
- Aberfeldy Middle Distance Tri. My second target race of the year. Despite being ill, I gave it all I could. Couldn’t have been prouder of my Scottish Championship bronze!
- 220 triathlon magazine article published.
- Shropshire Open 5. The series final racing with Lucy. We had been gradually improving and this was where it all came together in a fantastic performance.
Best new experience
***Dundee half marathon***
Well, I have done a half marathon before, but it was very many years ago! I entered this one at short notice and surprised myself at how much I enjoyed it and how well I did. I even squeaked into the top 10 of a proper running race with a large field!
Top 3 gripes
- Split female waves in open-water races
- Drafting in non-drafting races
- Quality of veggie food options at races! (special mention to Wild Rover Food though)
Best and worst aspects of training
🙂 Mini adventures
😦 5:15am alarms to go swimming
Most under-rated form of training for triathlon
***Adventure Racing!***
I don’t know how I’d keep fit and motivated all winter if I didn’t have an Open 5 to look forward to every month 🙂
Thoughts on prizes
I really like purple Haglöfs carry-alls, snugly bodywarmers, Tricentre vouchers, buffs and beer for Andy and excuses to spend cash prizes at the women’s specific triathlon store tent. I am not so keen on free entry to a race in 5 days time, 236km from where I live.
Big Thank Yous
For coaching:
Scott
For fixing my creaking body:
Kirsty, Graham, Ola
For spectating supporters:
Andy K, mum, dad, Chris, Heili, the Weetman clan, Laure
For lifts to and from races in order of first appearance:
Tom, Ian, Glen, dad, Pete, Andy B, Andy M, Lucy, mum, Jon, Stuart, Peter, Chris, Jo, Elizabeth, Chris & Anna, Marc
2013 in pictures
Posted on 04/01/2014, in Uncategorized and tagged adventure racing, bike, Mountain biking, race, run, swim, training, triathlon. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
Planet Byde 
Awesome year! Very proud!
Amazing when you won Kendal, despite the organisers doing a rubbish job with the results and shitty prize! They need to go to a Paul M or James T event to learn!
Chapeau to Paul for St Mary’s Loch…..most friendly Tri of the year. Biggest pork pie of the year was you saying that the run was flat! Excited about Itera this year and know you’ll dig deeper than should be humanly possible.
10000% reduction in text time after completing a race is, however, expected for 2014.
Thanks – I had forgotten really how great it was to get my first triathlon win.
The run at St Mary’s *was* flat! It was the bike that was a little more undulating than I expected 😀
Hope you noticed you got your text in double quick time yesterday 🙂
Can’t wait to read about 2014 too. Have loved your 2013 stories
Thanks! 2014 will be interesting, as I’ve signed up to do the UK’s 5 day adventure race again (it only comes round once every two years) 🙂
great post! looks like you had an awesome year! Love the photos 🙂
Thanks! I had a lot of fun last year, and I’m sure this year will be no different in that respect 🙂