Gregory Barnett completes his first Iron-distance triathlon (“The Gregman”)

The Big Day

Like all other Triathlons I’ve taken part in, the day started with me laying in bed, listening to disc three of the Skyrim Soundtrack. I don’t know why I do this. I think I did it on my first (Lakesman Half 2022) and it has stuck as a ritual.

The day itself now seems like a blur, so I’ll try my best to pick out the bits I remember.

I was most nervous about the temperature of the water. I us

ed a double swim cap (ironically from Lakesman half 2022 and 2023 (two halves make a whole)), wetsuit gloves and booties.

Grant and Sarah from the club had come over to support me on T2 and the run. My Mam, Dad and Auntie Gwen were also there to support me on the water and out on the bike course. I remember putting my wetsuit on in silence and feeling the customary mixture of calm and apprehension. The lake was so flat and quiet this early in the morning.

On the swim, the water was initially very cold on my face, but I acclimatised to this after five minutes. In prior years, I’ve known that my sighting was an area for improvement. This is where you look forward every three to six breaths to check you’re going in the right direction, so luckily the fog wasn’t thick and visibility was good.

I opted to sight every three breaths as my destination islands were 3/4 mile apart with no intermediary points, I could easily go off course and travel unnecessary distance. I focussed on my arm technique (particularly the pull) and before you know it, I’d finished the swim leg in the time of 1:24:02.

I took my time with T1 (where you get out of the water and onto the bike), ensuring I didn’t rush or make any daft mistakes. This included using bike overshoes as instantly wet feet aren’t much fun for the next 100+ miles.

The bike is my strongest discipline of the three so I felt most in my comfort zone here. It was forecast for constant drizzle with a light wind south-to north. I kept my efforts steady, knowing I had such a long ride ahead of me. I’d arranged for meet-up point one at 33 miles where I could refill my liquids and take on more food.

As an iron distance triathlon takes all day, I definitely wanted some solid food, especially on the bike. I had my (somewhat infamous at the Club) rice krispy bars, Snickers bars and Primula cheese with milk roll sandwiches for the bike meetup points. I’ve done half iron distances with krispy bars and the Coast to Coast a few times with Snickers bars. I usually eat Primula cheese sandwiches when out hiking. However, as part of training, I didn’t do a brick session of a long bike then a long run, therefore hadn’t trained at this distance with that combination of foods.

This would come back to haunt me, so make note of this.

Bike meet up point one (mile 33 in Whitehaven) and two (mile 56 in Allonby) went well. My legs were feeling good, I had a tailwind and was just trying to steer around the potholes. My elbows took a battering whenever the road surface was rough and they were starting to feel a bit sore at this point. Also with deep section rims, it’s harder to control the bike, especially when there was a sidewind. When on fast descents, I made sure to get out of the tri bars and have my hands near the brakes.

As this was my event and I had no goals except to finish, I took the time I needed on the bike meet up points including having a chat and a laugh with my support team. Hence why there’s so many pictures of me standing around grinning. Hahaha.

Silloth was the northernmost destination of the route and at the turn around point, I knew that my much-loved tailwind would turn into a most-hated headwind. Also, the closer inland I went (through Aspatria to Cockermouth), I’d be gaining elevation on rolling hills, so my average speeds would drop off. Having this prior knowledge was the greatest benefit from going over to do a recce.

Around mile 80 was when the little doubts started creeping in. I knew the next 15-20 miles were going to be absolute filth (from the recce) so was mentally ready for the drop in average speed and rolling hills/ elevation gain.

When I rejoined the A66, I knew I was nearly home with only 10-15 miles left. The road was fast and smooth so I could start thinking about the upcoming marathon.

I finished the bike leg in a total time of 6:50:08 (averaging 16.4 mph)

T2 was opposite the theatre by the lake, near where the official Lakesman transition is usually located. Having an absolutely solid support team really took the pressure off me. I needn’t worry about my running kit not being there as I knew Grant and Sarah had my back. When I arrived, South Shields Tri’s resident Ironman (mentioned as inspiration above – 2022) was in attendance, which was a nice surprise. He offered to run with me, I said thank you but I’d trained alone so didn’t want to change my plans at the last minute.

At just under 10 minutes, it wasn’t a hugely slick transition. However, I needn’t worry about that because who cares? The main thing was that I was ready and comfortable for the run. Having been going for eight and a half hours at this point, I set off on my first loop of the lake.

The biggest surprise at the start of the run was that my legs weren’t heavy. In my previous five half-iron distance events, my legs would feel like someone else’s by this point. This helped keep me in a good frame of mind.

In preparation for this event, I started running with a vest/backpack. I had a 1 litre bladder in the back with water, 2x 500ml bottles on the front with flat cola, salty crisps and jelly babies. The official Lakesman has aid stations every mile or so. However, I would be going up to nine miles between meet up points. Therefore, carrying this stuff with me was essential.

Remember when I was talking above about what I ate on the bike? Yeah? That came back to haunt me as my stomach started feeling iffy at mile six. I’ve been one of the fortunate few not to have tummy problems over half iron distance and marathon running as I stay away from gels, opting instead for jelly babies. As part of the recce, I knew where the available toilets were and was carrying money for those with an entry fee.

I used the toilet next to the theatre by the lake at the end of my first loop. However, I was feeling bad again after less than a mile. This was the one point where I considered not finishing. It had nothing to do with being tired, fatigued or not being able to cover the distance. It had everything to do with not reaching a toilet in time.

I’d came so far by this point; I wasn’t going to give up. Absolutely no way. This was the critical point between me either becoming an iron distance triathlete, or failing to achieve what I had trained half a year for.

Every time my stomach felt bad, I would stop running and walk. I also stopped taking on food (generally speaking inadvisable) and only drank water, hoping it would settle my stomach. I made it around the second loop of the lake and my stomach had sorted itself out. Due to the time of day, the second loop of the lake was much quieter, with all the people having either gone home, or to the pub (once upon a time, that would have been my preference).

There were eight miles still to go… but only eight miles left.

The Keswick to Threlkeld bike path, like the lake, was not busy at all unlike other times I’ve ran or cycled along it. There was a quiet serenity to it, which in turn helped keep me at ease. If there were loads of other competitors and spectators cheering each other on (like at the official Lakesman), it would have been a totally different experience.

At the turn around point/ end of the bike path, there were only five miles to go (three back down the path, two up Latrigg). At this point, I knew I was definitely going to finish. The end was so close. Me passing the entrance to Low Briery holiday park was the indicator for my support team to head up Latrigg and the finish line.

Again, other times I’ve gone up Latrigg, it’s been very busy with dog walkers, fell runners and hikers. On this ascent, I saw pretty much no-one as it was 8pm by this point. I knew the steep sections to walk and the flatter sections to run. Looking at my total time, there was a chance I could go under fourteen and a half hours. I used this to push me on.

I had a mini welcoming committee by the bench on the summit because Sarah and Grant had gone up early to set up the Tri club flag. I actually overtook my Mam who was still walking to the top as I had climbed faster than planned/expected!

Plus, even better, I was awarded a “Gregman” t-shirt and trophy which Grant and Sarah had made for me. I finished the run in 5:58:26.

The feeling of finishing is difficult to describe, especially doing a Lakesman on a year when the official Full didn’t run. I had achieved something I’d worked so hard for and it was finally over.