The Snowman Super-Sprint Triathlon 2021
Prelude
In May, I received an email from Always Aim High. Over the years I have completed a number of their triathlons including the Slateman (Sprint, Full and Savage) 6 times, the Sandman (1.5 times and Legend) and also the Angelsey half-marathon a couple of times.
However I thought my days with them were over until I saw that they had introduced a Super Sprint version of the (in)famous Snowman Triathlon. The full version of the event includes an ascent (and descent) of Moel Siabod in Snowdonia. Although I had entered once, I always considered that this event was beyond my capabilities, even before I had Artie (my new hip),
When I looked at the distances for the Super Sprint I realised I ought to be able to complete the event as the “run” was just over a mile and a half – walkable in a reasonable time. So I entered the event with a degree of trepidation.
My main concern was not necessarily the run but the swim. In the past I have completed my events swimming breaststroke at a reasonable pace and distance has never been a problem. But medical advice was not to swim breaststroke after a hip replacement due to the possibility of dislocation. So, after restrictions were lifted I started to go regularly to Bishops Castle pool to ensure that I could swim front-crawl for the required 400m.
Although I was fairly slow I found that in the pool I could do up to 1000 metres without too many difficulties and so I felt reasonable confident that I could manage the whole event.
The Week before
Training had gone well – I had completed several 1K swims in the pool, a full 50 mile bike ride in June and quite a lot of walking, although very few hills.
We had intended to drive over on the day, but then found that there were rooms available at Plas Y Brenin outdoor centre where the event was taking place. We booked a room and travelled over on the Friday night.
After some difficulties finding registration for the event, we had some very good food and took the car to the distant car park and walked back. Our room was warm and comfortable with good shower and toilet facilities and we had an early night. I was getting increasingly anxious about the swim as I had not swum in open water for several years. For some strange reason I became very worried about getting from the end of the swim to the transition area in bare feet. I therefore had a restless night and an early start.
The event
I got up early and collected my bike from the secure storage and set everything up in transition. There were about 20 entrants for the super-sprint and others for the sprint event and those doing the Savage – the sprint on Saturday and the full event on Sunday.
We had breakfast (very good and included in the accommodation) and I watched the start of the sprint event. The water was apparently a very warm 16 degrees (how do you do degrees on a computer?) so nothing to worry about on that front. I was even able to get my wetsuit on despite my increased weight over Covid.
The swim start was about 400m from the transition area so once the competitors in the other events had cleared, I joined the other participants in the super sprint at the swim start having left my sandals at the swim exit. A few minutes wait and then we were able to enter the water which by this stage was very muddy from the previous events. However it was warm and I was able to stand up to wait for the start. In usual SDR tradition I waited at the back of the group.
The klaxon went off, I pressed the swim on my Apple Watch and set off doing front crawl. Two immediate problems – I could not see anything in front of me and I immediately began swimming into other competitors. Even though there were only a few of them they all seemed to be directly in front of me. I think I panicked and after a brief stop began breast stroke with one leg, letting my left leg trail behind me. But at least I could see where I was going and could avoid the others. As ever there appeared to be one competitor who was swimming at exactly the same pace as me with a wayward sense of direction and we kept colliding (he/she probably thought it was me with the poor direction). But I was making progress and so continued my lop-sided swimming style with occasional attempts to try front crawl thwarted by the lack of visibility. I finally emerged from the water near the back of the group.
A walk to transition and then probably the slowest transition in my history (with the possible exception of the complete change at my first Weymouth triathlon in 1988). It just happened that all the people who were the same speed as me in the swim were on the adjacent racks and I was not able to access my cycling kit. T1 is always a slow transition for me as I struggle with the wet suit and the full change to cycling kit. This one took ages as I was too polite to push in.
So I think I was almost last finally leaving transition. I slipped my way up to the road and then mounted the bike. I then had to stop shortly after the centre to change activity on my Apple watch. I then set off and was pleased to find that all the time in the garage had paid off. I managed most of the climb to Pen-y-Grwyd on the big ring into the wind and I overtook several of my transition hamperers. Once I had reached the turn it was essentially all downhill and very enjoyable. I was back to the centre within my estimated 30 mins. You can see the detail on my Strava account here (minus switching the watch!)
A quicker transition as I was going to walk in my cycling kit and I set off. Over the bridge and then up, up and more up. It was immediately apparent why Always Aim High had changed the route as the steep path up the hill was very muddy with running water. In places there were slippery stone steps and running water. I was very fortunate that I did not encounter any other participants on this section as it would have been difficult to make way. I eventually emerged from the trees and hillside and began the slow descent down the forest track towards the start. I was overtaken by several runners from the Savage and duathlon who must have wondered why I was walking on a gentle downhill. The answer lies in the cost of a new hip and Mr Evans’ advice. Once my heartrate dropped after the uphill exertion it was a very calming stroll. You can see the detail (including the route profile here)
Back over the bridge and up the slope to the finish to collect my medal – a 2020 finishers medal and I fully understand the need not to waste money. I was pleased with my “performance” and it was good to get another triathlon done. I made a vow to try and improve my swimming in time for my next event – which is already scheduled for May 2022.
And there is a possibility of a relay team next year on the full Savage as Gemma has said she would like to do the run (up Moel Siabod) and I think I have persuaded Angus to do the swim. Look out for further updates.
So I can still move, (slowly obviously)
AJMB
