Swimming in Llyn Padarn in the Snowdonia National Park in May was never going to be warm, but for someone like Emma Lamont, it didn’t faze her at all. She battled with the notoriously difficult course, to come a creditable 5th overall…
I was very excited in the lead up to this race, it was my “different” race for the Season – after doing Escape From Alcatraz in 2014.
The race took place in Llanberis, in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales – which is a beautiful part of the county and also a first for me, as I had not ventured to this part of Wales before.
After a lovely day on the Saturday, race morning was a chilly affair, which resulted in the planned 1km lake swim being shortened to a mere 500m in water (of barely 11 degrees). The open water sessions that we have done up in Scotland have been in similar temperatures, so I was well prepared.
The swim went quite smoothly, with me coming out of the water in 4th place. It was a relief to get out and onto the bike. The long climb started as soon as you were on the bike, which was a great way to get warmed up and raring to go for the rest of the 50km. The course was to my advantage with the rolling hills.
Slateman is famous for the brutal run course and it definitely lived up to its reputation, with the tough climb up out of the quarry, whch again began only a couple of km in and then even when you thought it was over, there were some nasty little kicks right to the end of the race. There were great little pockets of support round the run course, which kept you going when the going got tough.
In the end, I finished in 5th place, so not quite on the podium and this has reignited my fire and I will definitely be back to take on the Slateman challenge again!!! It was a great race, well organised, super hilly and in a beautiful location.
With thanks to www.sportpicturescymru.co.uk for the excellent photographs.
A big thank you to our sponsors for making it happen:
www.wilier.it – Triathlon Frames
www.ffwdwheels.com – Race Wheels
www.huubdesign.com – Wetsuits
www.schwalbe.com – Cycle Tyres
www.ismseat.com – Saddles
www.invisciddesign.com – Speedfil Hydration Systems
www.lezyne.com – Pumps, Tools, Bottle Cages
www.zyro.co.uk/altura – Triathlon and Cycle Apparel
www.fenwicks.info – Lubrication
www.camelbak.com – Bottles
www.tifosioptics.com – Sunglasses
www.limarhelmets.com – Helmets & Glasses
www.lakecycling.co.uk – Cycling Footwear
www.jagwireusa.com – Cables & Housing
www.swansuk.co.uk – goggles
www.shimano.com – Groupsets
www.amphibia-sport.com – Transition Bags
www.stagescycling.com – Power Meters
www.racewaredirect.co.uk – Custom Garmin Mounts
www.zeropointcompression.uk – Compression wear
