Race Report by Lee Mather one of Performance Edge athletes racing the British and Scottish Middle Distance Championships at Aberfeldy in August 2021.
This race for me was a late alternative to my planned A-race of 2021 which should have been IM Copenhagen, but due to travel restrictions and logistical complications that one had to be deferred. Luckily timing wise, they fell on the same day so my training plan wasn’t disrupted.
Although I did manage a race at Outlaw X at the end of 2020, and race a standard distance in Southport in May 202, I felt training wise I had been in a bit of a holding pattern forever and a day. 10-12 weeks out, I started to notice a change in my training schedules and knew this was gearing up for the race. That helped massively in terms of motivation and giving that extra push.
I felt my training had been strong and had managed to work on some of the weakness we had identified at the end of 2020 and set as targets for improvement. Coming into the taper, I felt I had give it my all, got as strong as I could, and was feeling confident that whatever happened, I could go into the race race giving it my best shot.
Pre-race
Travelling down to the race 2 days before, I had the “usual” confidence crash - what I am doing? I’m not good enough for this… This is short lived and Saturday morning I was feeling confident and strong again.
During the day, I discussed the race plan with my coach Neil, focusing on how we would tackle the bike leg. Don’t go too hard on the climb out, strong steady loop of the loch, and then hit the gas on the flat. I was feeling like a real athlete as Neil was giving me a plan that was based around my strengths and what may work best.
I was looking forward to the pre-race meal that had been organised by Neil, as Performance Edge had 10 athletes were going to be racing either solo as part of a relay team. This was a great opportunity to meet team mates, relax and enjoy on of the best pre-race meal to be had anywhere. Big shout out to the “Three Lemons” restaurant in Aberfeldy and a huge thank you to Jaco for hosting us.
I had an early night and solid sleep and woke Sunday morning race day, again feeling confident. Breakfast was yoghurt and muesli. Toast would have been a welcome addition but not when I’m camping.
After breakfast, I racked the bike, checked kit again, and again, and probably again then kitted up for the swim. I made my way to the swim start and was delighted to see other members of the team. This was all new to me and a positive mental boost. As the start approached, I got myself into “the zone”. I just switch off to what is happening around me and start visualising the race. Some last minute advice from Neil for the swim, and then it was time for the start. Just race my own race, and what will be will be.
Swim
It was a rolling start for the swim. Within seconds of entering the water and setting off, I knew I was going to swim well. Water temperature, calm loch, and everything just seemed to click within a few strokes. Normally I would expect a lung busting first 400m but it was like I just hit my stride….or stroke. Talk about a positive start, I got it!
I exited the swim knowing I had done as well as I could and can say with hindsight, it is the first triathlon swim I have really enjoyed. This was to set me up for the day ahead if I could stick to the plan.
Bike
I set off, building to pace quickly and getting warm, ready for the climb. Just plug away, know my limits on the climb. I reeled people in on the climb but that was not my goal, I was just racing my race and fighting hard mentally to restrain myself but knowing it was the right thing to do. I have blew up on the bike too often (Pre-Performance Edge and being coached).
I was using a power meter and feel to judge my effort levels.
Coming off Schiehallion, going into the descents, and undulating loop of the loch I felt I could open up. I was passing more and more cyclists as I went and can say I was passed only a couple of times. I felt I stuck to the plan well here because although I was passing many, I wasn’t racing them, I just kept on within the levels I had set myself on this section.
The descent on the way in was going to be fast, but the race conditions, drizzle, wet roads and so less efficient brakes made me keep things in check. The last section maybe 6-8 miles of flat back to T2 was where I was going to open up, and I did. Being able to do so filled me with confidence as I knew I had gone strong so far but avoided blowing up.
Run
Coming out of T2 the athlete in front of me set off like he was coming out of the starting blocks. Why were my legs not feeling that good? Have I blown up? No, just race your race. I know that I will not feel anywhere near getting into my stride in the first couple of kilometres and I should just use that to settle in. Then comes a huge boost as I approached “Performance Edge Corner”. Cattle bells, name shouts and smiles. What a boost when you know you are just starting a half marathon. Around the 5k mark my legs started to feel like my own again. My pace had been good and been fairly constant. All I could do now was try to hold it. The kilometres ticked by and at the turn I knew I was going well, but still had the return to do. Confidence was good but I could feel the fatigue kicking in. This is what we train for, bite the bullet and just keep at it. It was a relief to come off the undulations and back to the flat. I was beginning to dread the last climb to the finish. I knew I had given my all but could I run up that hill. Well, I had one more pass of Performance Edge Corner to top up the fuel tanks on smiles, cheers and high spirits and so hitting the last climb was going to be easy then.
I ran well, a good pace and finished with a good run time, and a good overall time. I was pleased.
Overall impressions
I think I run the race as planned, a great swim, a good bike strong bike leg, setting me up for a strong run.
Nutrition wise I had it right too, alternating energy drink and water on the bike and energy bars (Voom bars- Thanks Sarah Atwood!). Then a couple of High 5 energy gels on the run to get me over the line. No stomach upsets, and didn’t feel like I was going to bonk. This was a pleasing result too.
Positives
The Performance Edge Supporters and meeting my team mates, plus the fabulous pre-race meal top the bill in this section!
Swim - A good strong, evenly paced swim where everything just clicked, and exiting the water in good shape.
Bike - a strong bike leg, stuck to the plan and felt I had put down good power with a very strong finish but with enough left to give a strong run.
Run - A good steady paced run and crossing the line knowing I had give it my all.
Areas for improvement
Swim - To improve further, I need to improve technique. I have the strength and endurance and any more big gains will need a improvement in technique, sinky legs are still with me.
Bike - Same as last year, try and improve power and strength endurance so I can hold higher power levels for longer.
Run - Focus on speed and running strong off the bike.
My race weekend was topped off with a message from Neil informing me I finished 5th in my age group in the British Triathlon Championship, and 2nd place in the Scottish Triathlon Championship, bagging a silver medal.
Thanks coach!