No Fuss Big Puddin’ Duathlon

A rushed visit to see Kenny Riddle regarding hydraulic disc brakes, a tub of engine oil and a big box of the now legendary Pett Scotch Eggs… All sorted before the party bus hit the road to Aonoch Mor at 9.30am!

The course consisted of a 5km run – 20km mountain bike – 5km run, and it was tough! The run was on forestry tracks, along the Witch’s Trails, with lots of little hills to make or break you but plenty beautiful scenery to admire if you were going at my pace. After destroying your calf muscles on the run it was time to work the quadriceps on the bike, climbing for what seemed like an eternity along wide forestry roads, I felt I was worthy of a Honey Stinger shot – however climbing and eating at the same time will be a skill I will have to work on… sticky handlebars and gloves! At the top of the hill the forest opened out to give us spectacular views but through the next section there was no opportunity for sightseeing with our eyes glued to the trail, rocks, moss and bogs in the more technical decent section. I had an absolute blast, whizzing down it with the comfort of the MTB… Julie however had opted for the cyclocross option, coupled with a dodgy hand she must be the most brave (stupid) member of the club! Back onto the forestry roads the cyclocross bikes got their own back and whizzed along down the long hill into transition.

To complete the course we hauled ourselves round the run course again, although looking at the splits me and Andrew seem to have scampered round the second run only slowing down by 8%. The geeky statistician in me has worked out the differences as a percentage for everyone – which can be viewed in the results sheet – duathlon 3 2012, when you order us by this column we were 5th and 6th! For the rest of you I will organise some brick training sessions… But back to reality, it was a great turnout from the club – Julie Wilson picking up 1st vet female, completing in 1:56:05. Brian Knowles, party bus driver, also sneaked in under the 2 hours, fastest club member beating Julie by 4 seconds. Win Millar was third club member home, beating last years time in 2:01:22. Other club performances were Barry Hughes 2:09:22, Ian Chessar 2:13:37, Andrew Pett 2:22:03 and practically bringing in the course at the end, Jane Pottie (your editor) in 2:26:02!

The No Fuss Events gang put on a brilliant show as always, and the ice cream stop, while it was snowing in Fort Augustus, ensured we upheld club traditions into the new season!