A race report from GRC’s very own Liam on his first triathlon:
I woke early in readiness for Fauldhouse triathlon. A quick breakfast and on the road just after 7:30 to arrive for registration at 8:00. The weather was pleasant, slightly overcast (weather obsession is clearly an age related thing!). On arrival we parked just up from the centre and walked down. It was an impressive sight to see the new bike racks, fencing, and banners already set up, the team had clearly had a very early start to their day for the place to be this organized. A well co-ordinated registration followed and as this was my first triathlon, I experienced a number of firsts so this was the first time I had ever let someone scrawl with marker pen “42”- I am not a number I am a free man sprung to mind! (Possibly again showing my age or my terrible taste in old TV shows!).
So, checking my times, I was in heat 4 and had the reassurance of swimming in the same lane as Damian “I plan to do every Traithlon in Scotland” Byrne! A rough calculation in my head and I estimated I would be starting at about 10:45.
Then my next first – getting set up. There was a great spirit at the transition area, and I realized that I wasn’t alone in worrying above these as I heard “how do I set up the bike, which side do I out my towel, does anyone have any talc” actually that was me, forgot one of Robs bits of advice from the putting it all together event… I did learn one thing which was to bring a pair of flip flops as I discarded my running shoes as transition. I organized my kit and then returned to the main building. Then by random chance I met a girl from my work Susan, who was doing triathlon number 3. Who knew so many folks did triathlon!
I hung around in the pool viewing gallary and watched the first 3 heats go off, the atmosphere was electric. Myself, Damien and Rhona from GRC were all there! The support for everyone was fantastic, with all swimmers getting a cheer as they departed from the pool. And finally at around 10:50 we stood pool size waiting for my start ( you might be reading this wondering if this would ever happen) swim hats on, goggles on, race number given to the Marshall, and into the pool. The swim manager, spoke with the voice of reason and authority ( Barney!) and we had a couple of warm up laps, I was in a 3 person lane, lane 1. My heart was beating fast, and I felt like I needed to pee (again 5 times in one morning!) and the countdown, 5.4.3.2.1 and we are off. My first triathlon!
I started off at what felt a stupidly fast pace, couldn’t help myself but after a few laps I calmed down and got into my own stride, I struggled to keep cont but managed to pass my lane compadres around 20 and kept going, I felt my pace slow but then Darren, the lane counter tapped my head, I got a swell or excitement, this was it my last two laps, I really he done it, first triathlon swim, I pulled myself from the water, my legs wabbled and I was off, at a trot to transition.
Transition was not my best moment, I dried myself off, and head John shouted “stop drying yourself off so much” and then tried to get my talced sockets on, and gave up! Shoes on gloves on, and then John voice again, maybe it was all in my head! Shouting like a 1982 World Cup song with John Gordon Sinclair “it’s no the ball your kicking it’s me” actually he shouted “put your helmet on” as if I would forget such a crucial piece of equipment… As I deracked my bike, I galloped from transition, towards the bike line, feeling great, if a little wobbly and nervous for my first triathlon cycle.
Departing Fauldhouse, I followed a car past the centre and out on what felt like a never ending climb before passing houses and taking a sharp left, and on to the fast section not a car in site and felt like a proper racer! Then onto the well marshaled route and a sharp right turn and through a housing estate. It was very quiet and hardly a soul around. Then down towards a roundabout with a little more traffic and a sharp right then what I will describe as the lonely mile, and the realization that I was half way round the bike course. At this point when you are by yourself you truly appreciate how triathlon is an individual sport and mentally it was very strange. I was then passed by Damien “the demon on the bike” who shouted some encouragement, we took a sharp turn back towards Fauldhouse then the bit I had dreaded, the “famous” leg killing hills on the return, with what felt like the worst head wind ever! Over these hills as the demon flew off into the distance, after a few ups and downs hit the fast section in to Fauldhouse, and I was flying round a tight bend, and then on to the dismount line, off the bike jelly legs, and up the ramps into transition, and I got a massive boost as my family had arrived to cheer me through transition. I have to say it was a relief to get off the bike but was super excited to get into transition, with tonnes of support, what a great feeling, the bike section was done and it was tough, although actually not as bad as I had thought.
Through transition, quick as I didn’t have to change my shoes, and out onto the run, to climb the heart break hill of fauldhouse (made up), I could see the demon ahead, and slowly crept up as we climbed into the forrest, my legs felt very strange and even in training I hadn’t felt this strange for so long, the sun was out and beating down so the run was warm. I passed Damien, my legs improved, and without realizing the first loop was done, onto the second loop and still no-one around, indeed it’s a lonely old sport! The marshals we’re great cheering you along, giving you a kind word, and finally round loop two. Then the last leg (Adam Hill would have been proud!) I could see the centre as I ran through the hills and I have to say I was really enjoying the experience, I felt elated and strangely emotional getting to the end of my first tri. I turned the corner at the garages, down the side of the centre, and into the carpet, I could see my wife and little boy, the inflatable finish line, and the support was great.
I crossed the line, felt shattered, lots of hugs, a great medal and goodie bag. All the hard work was worth it, a time I was proud of. And … I actually really wanted to do another one! It was an amazing experience. The event was brilliantly organized, fantastic marshalled, and the shouts from Barney Rob and John along the way. Fauldhouse tri is the best I have ever done (admittedly the only one but who cares!)
G.R.C. Tri 