So that’s why they put castles at the top of hills…… – T minus 4
If you say it quick enough, “two ½ Ironmen in a fortnight” doesn’t sound a lot. “It’ll be good for you…. you’ll see” also sounds believable. As does Mark (yep him again) when he says “the Beaver’s a flat course, you’ll love it.”
Well, as a point of order, can I just clarify:
- Two ½ IM races in a fortnight (with a full week of training in-between, including a 100 mile ride) IS a lot.
- I’m sure that the two events will prove good for me….. eventually.
- Mark is a lying b’dard. The course is flat – but only between the hills.
And to cap it all…..It rained. And rained. And rained a bit more. Followed by a bit of a drizzle. The weather was truly horrible, but not of course enough to dampen my spirits!
The Beaver is a well established and very popular race held in the grounds of Belvoir (pronounced Beaver) castle in Leicestershire. The setting is truly magnificent, and because the course is based around a series of laps, it’s great for the spectators – they get to stay in one location & watch Mum / Dad / Wife, whoever, racing around the grounds.
But, unfortunately, it’s hilly. The bike has one nasty hill that you have to repeat four times. It’s tough on the first couple of laps but by lap four some people are walking. Me – I stayed on, but I left some really big teeth marks in my handle bars!
The run doesn’t seem quite so bad – but the gentle gradients take it out of you after a while, particularly when you still have the previous fortnights race in you. It was that hilly that I could swear that the swim was slightly uphill as well….. Perhaps I’m wrong here, but it was full of sediment (the lake is shallow & so the bottom is easily disturbed) & so it was difficult to get your bearings.
Anyway, job done. Monday off, Tuesday back on programme. This weekend just gone saw two rides one of 100 miles & one of 50 miles. I should have been running but I’ve tweaked my calf a bit. Although Little Richard (from HeadStart) worked his magic on Friday, he advised me to rest it for a few days. Believe me when Richard “advises”, you’d better comply. Put it this way – I swear his treatment room has had the door widened to allow him easier access.
Anyway enough from me!
Oh yeah. You do know why they build castles on the tops of hills don’t you? Yep, that’s right. Just to P traithletes off!
Cheers
Simon
