At the end of a busy week, if I am being completely honest this was the last thing I wanted to be doing. I was shattered and hadn’t trained all week, recovering from Tough Guy The Original 2015.
But my best mate had said I ‘better not pull out’ after many of the rest of the team had pulled out. So naturally and just as I had been telling clients and TMT competitors, help each other be accountable. Be that positive friend, support each other to achieve more. I am so glad we went!
This was incredibly different from the series 1, we knew this was to be the cross-country event as it were, but little did we realise what we had let ourselves into. For me, this was a fun event, one that I signed up to do to support the team I had entered. Without the pressure of trying to really drive, its been great fun, just taking it all in and interacting with others.
Registration was smooth as could be and it was great to see some of the Alloa bootcamp crew (fellow Tough Guy competitors) who were marshalling. We prepped and set up the bikes and did something that resembled a highly inadequate warm-up. Yes, I know shocking, this should highlight where my head was at. But I was there and that was the main thing. Again, everyone looked very serious, however, it was their sport – Triathlon – Duathlon. Well equipped, wearing all the right clothing and there to do well amongst their peers. Nevertheless, this is not to say it was only those who were serious about the event. It was a very friendly race, everyone chatting and encouraging each other. Shouts from the sides from those who knew you and those who don’t is always vital I think to help push you on when you are feeling tired.
We lined up in front of the Knockhill Race track lights . . . then we were off. I felt heavy-legged and stiff, not surprising but it still felt great to get out there and run. It didn’t take long to run. It is definitely an undulating course that had some tough hills which take it out the legs before you realise it.
Twice around the race track before getting to the bikes. Despite the fact it was cross-country series, we still had the heaviest and potentially most beginner type bikes for want of a better description, for this event. I hadn’t been on my bike for some time, potentially even going back to the Coast to Coast/ last duathlon. As soon as I started the first lap of the route I knew it was going to be pretty daunting, the tracks were really muddy and you constantly felt like you were sliding laterally . . . . not even sure if it was my imagination or actually I was?????
The cycle route itself was 5 laps of an off-road circuit – tough – very tough! Lots of inclines, twists and turns, which for those of us that don’t spend much time on a bike, is pretty tricky. You think you are trying to go one way but end up sliding in another direction. I was very proud to say I didn’t have to get off and push once, not once on the tricky off-road climb. The grooves and tracks, which I thought would make it easier actually made it harder to get a constant cycle going. Coming back around to complete my first lap, I actually felt physically sick and believe I may have swore alot. I couldn’t see much as the mud sprayed my face.
5 Laps later, I have never been so glad to get on the running section. It was the final lap of the track and it appeared that practically everyone had finished already from the bikes missing in the hanger.
The legs were protesting at having to run the last lap but I managed to get into a good groove and plug it out. It was great! Felt good to cross the finish line!
Naturally, I supported my fellow teammate and bestie round her last lap – ‘No-one gets left behind’. Massive well done to Karen, I know she found it tough and daunting at points but she never gave up. That is the right attitude!
The marshalls at this event were simply fantastic, the weather was on our side, everything was smoothly run making this event very simple and easy to take part in!
Highly recommend series 3 folks: