23rd August 2014
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Team members: Sam & Johno (plus our dear friends Pip & Doug who came along to support, cheer and be our official photographers - see below).
Our sixth challenge brought us up into the Highlands of Scotland, to the banks of beautiful Loch Lomond.
The time was 3.25pm as we stood encased in neoprene at the start line with 200+ other hardy swimmers. With the warm up complete and swim caps nervously pulled into place, the countdown from ten began. The vast horde of orange heads surged towards the choppy waters, wading to waist deep and then diving forward into the cold, peat-coloured depths. The usual thrashing of elbows and knees for the first 200m as clear water was sought. The course took us straight out into the middle of the Loch, the unknown depths beneath hidden by it's murkiness. Starting directly into the wind, with one foot wind chop crashing over us, the first half mile was particularly tough. Eventually, at the first turn swimmers began to find rhythm and the field spread out, each focused on the seemingly never-ending distance to the next buoy marker.
After 1hr 12m, Sammie turned the final corner and her feet touched down at the finish. Painfully stubbing her toe in the process, but ever the pro-athlete, she surged on over the finish line. Johno was close(ish) behind, coming home in 1hr 26mins and seemingly spending his time in the water turning into a fish having briefly forgot how to walk at the finish...
This proved a particularly tough challenge for your brave team C14'ers and it was with much pride and relief when warm clothes were donned and a local curry house was located - with medal's worn of course!
Next up is the Eton Dorney Triathlon, 28th September.
Special thanks to Pip & Doug for the support on the day and taking photos which you can see below!
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Team members: Sam & Johno (plus our dear friends Pip & Doug who came along to support, cheer and be our official photographers - see below).
Our sixth challenge brought us up into the Highlands of Scotland, to the banks of beautiful Loch Lomond.
The time was 3.25pm as we stood encased in neoprene at the start line with 200+ other hardy swimmers. With the warm up complete and swim caps nervously pulled into place, the countdown from ten began. The vast horde of orange heads surged towards the choppy waters, wading to waist deep and then diving forward into the cold, peat-coloured depths. The usual thrashing of elbows and knees for the first 200m as clear water was sought. The course took us straight out into the middle of the Loch, the unknown depths beneath hidden by it's murkiness. Starting directly into the wind, with one foot wind chop crashing over us, the first half mile was particularly tough. Eventually, at the first turn swimmers began to find rhythm and the field spread out, each focused on the seemingly never-ending distance to the next buoy marker.
After 1hr 12m, Sammie turned the final corner and her feet touched down at the finish. Painfully stubbing her toe in the process, but ever the pro-athlete, she surged on over the finish line. Johno was close(ish) behind, coming home in 1hr 26mins and seemingly spending his time in the water turning into a fish having briefly forgot how to walk at the finish...
This proved a particularly tough challenge for your brave team C14'ers and it was with much pride and relief when warm clothes were donned and a local curry house was located - with medal's worn of course!
Next up is the Eton Dorney Triathlon, 28th September.
Special thanks to Pip & Doug for the support on the day and taking photos which you can see below!