NOW I am back home in Yorkshire after an eventful few days in Scotland ‘living my dream’.
On Thursday I arrived in Kelso village in a quant and ‘since time forgot’ hotel called the Ednam House hotel. What a great place, really like stepping back 100 years . Amazing. I started my Scottish trip via Yorkshire and had a days filming a scene for the British movie ‘The Awakening’-. Set in 1921, the day went smoothly doubling the actress Rebecca Hall, which I’ve been for a few weeks, this was a straight forward stunt falling backwards over trip wires and a few pyros.
The next day I started with a run and a traditional scottish breakfast . Lovely. And onto the drive to the race venue which was only 30 minutes away. It was sunny but cool when I left as I negotiated the winding roads the rain set in and the tempertrture plummited, well it was the borders, in the mountains. Beautiful countryside and I was exccited. I encountered one tractor and one Pheasant on the way
Once there I had only a couple of hours to set up and get ready for the race but was not worried , I was going to enjoy this. The t.v camersa were rolling and the interview done for the Adventure show on the BBC, I was pulling on my wetsuit ready for the cold 15 degree swim in the loch.
My bike was set to go and after a couple of laps on the swim I climbed on the bike and was off on the hilly start. Then a tricky descent and boggy terrain which of course I managed but only to come over the handlebars having stuck a rivvet in the bog. BUT a soft landing to make a change.. The camaraderie was great from fellow athletes and the stewards so cherrful in such adverse weather conditions. It goes to show we BRITs are a hardy lot! Cold and rain aint gonna deter us from enjoying an event.
I was soon rounding off the second lap which was surprisingly short as I was so used to long and technical Xterras. The transition area was so roomy I had loads of space to pull on my trail shoes for the run, then it was the BIG LONG hill. It semed to go for ever. With a camers in my face asking how I felt? My reply ‘Well tired right now but loving it all the same.’
After about 5 km of hill we then had a nice off road & boggy technical section.
I finished strong and came in third. Podium.:))
I had a big smile on my face as I really enjoyed the event with such amazing people and countyside, with somewhere to race at home.
The hog roast was next and medal ceremony where we were given both the BTF medal as the National British Cross Triathlon race. AND the Durty TRi awards too.
FUN FUN FUN.
