Helvellyn Triathlon

Way back in March and in the midst of LakesMan training, I must have been on a rest day and bored or something because I got to thinking about the latter part of the season. I had LakesMan in June and 255 Triathlon in July but that was it….. yet July felt far too early to end the season.

So in the usual Lindsay way of not doing things in half measures, I decided that along with my “first full distance triathlon” and the “worlds longest single day triathlon” I may as well throw “one of the top 10 toughest triathlons” into the mix too and on a whim I entered Helvellyn Tri.

“It’s not even a half distance” I told myself (and my long suffering husband) as I put the date in Training Peaks and the event to the back of my mind.

August 2022 comes around and Coach Paul says “right then, we best start doing some race specific prep” and so my plan was shifted from fast and flat to hill reps and fell runs.

During the next 5 weeks I amassed 3,300m running elevation gain and 8,000m cycling elevation gain, including 2 day trips to 7Stanes Glentress enduro riding with my teenage son.

“Three Pass Fridays” became a thing, hitting Whinlatter, Newlands and Honister in one ride (and finally conquering my inability to get up Honister in both directions!).

Race Day

I’d had the standard text from Coach Paul checking in the day before and my standard response was “you know me, I have my meltdown 4 weeks out and by race weekend I’m totally chill!”

Driving down into Glenridding the thick layer of mist on Ullswater was apparent and meant the possibility of a cancelled swim. But after an emotional minute silence for HRH the Queen, a delayed start to allow the mist to lift followed the race brief.

The swim was a couple of short and fast 750m laps but the famous Aussie exit had been removed – boo I love these!! It also meant that us slow swimmers in wave 3 had to wait until waves 1&2 had completed their first lap before we could go – not ideal as I couldn’t catch a draft from the faster swimmers, which is my usual tactic!

The rest of the swim was fairly uneventful but J somehow managed to pull my fastest ever T1 out the bag, no idea how that happened!!

The ride was straight into the tough stuff. After a few rolling winding hills along the Ullswater shoreline so begins the relentless 8.5km climb up Matterdale End to Troutbeck. 250m of ascent - almost a quarter of the routes total elevation gain within the first 6 miles!

It was then onto what is usually a fast and mostly downhill section of the course. Down Mungrisedale, past the wild looking Thirlmere and lush green Grasmere. Unfortunately the latter half of this was entirely straight on into a southerly headwind, that howled up St John’s in the Vale valley!

But at least it didn’t rain, which is standard for my rides these days.

The final part of the ride. The infamous “Struggle”. It is called this for very good reason.

At only 4.5km long it has over 400m of elevation gain from Ambleside at the bottom to Kirkstone Pass at the top. Kirkstone Pass being the highest pass in the Lake District. The route via the Struggle averages between 18-20% gradient for a large proportion of the climb. Within the first 3km there are two 20% gradients with a 10% climb splitting them. A little downhill respite allows enough time (just) to recover before the final and toughest section. 600m long, 90m of elevation, two tricky 20% gradient cambered hairpins and then just incase your soul hasn’t quite left your body yet, a 24% finisher climb to the top.

Phew – made it!

Briefly enjoy the view then tuck in for the super fast run down to T2.

You might now be thinking “ah I see why it’s a tough one!” but this race isn’t finished with you yet. The clue to what comes next is in the name. Yep. Throw on those fell shoes and make your way to the summit of Helvellyn, the third highest fell in England and some would argue, one of the most formidable due to its rocky ridge lines.

Aside from Louise catching up to me, then getting a cramp in both legs requiring Lindsay’s Fell Massage services, the run was tough but uneventful. Louise and I ran the route together and judging by the photos, possibly had a bit more fun and laughs than we should have while racing – but we did say when we entered that we were doing this one for fun!

The only part that’s tricky (and not for the faint hearted or those without a head for heights) is the very last section which is a proper hands on, 3 points of contact scramble up a ridge line known as Swirral Edge, the slightly tamer sister of Striding Edge which looms over the opposite side of Red Tarn basin.

Running back into Glenridding we crossed the finish line together – still smiling but utterly shattered!

As far as triathlons go I think you’d be hard pressed to find one with a more beautiful back drop. This race is definitely one for the bucket list and thoroughly deserves its place in the Top 10 Toughest Triathlons!!