June has been a heavy racing month—one filled with challenges, personal growth, and plenty of opportunities to test my fitness and racing strategies. From sprint distance triathlons to an aquathon format and a weekend in Mallory Park, this month pushed me to my limits in a way that highlighted both the progress I’ve made and areas I still need to work on.

Lochore Sprint Triathlon: A Great Test for Super Series Prep
The month kicked off with the Sprint Distance Triathlon at Lochore, which was perfect for preparing for the Super Series race in the same location. I knew it was going to be a big test, especially as it was my first chance to race at this longer sprint distance.
The swim didn’t go as planned—I came out of the water 4th, which left me feeling frustrated, but it was an important learning experience for longer-distance swims. On the bike, I was determined to make up some time. I transitioned quickly and came out of T1 2nd, ready to attack the course. Unfortunately, the 20k non-drafting bike leg proved challenging, and a few kilometers into the ride, I was overtaken.

Coming off the bike with some serious determination, I ran a 17:00 5k, which was the fastest run of the day. It was tough, but I managed to finish 2nd overall. This was a solid result and great preparation for the next Super Series event. The race also showed me areas to improve in my swim and bike segments, and I’ve been focused on those in training since.

East District Open Water Championship: A New Experience
A week later, I was back at Lochore, this time for the East District Open Water Championships. It was my first time taking part in an open water swim race, and I wasn’t quite prepared for the challenges it would present. With the cold water, the stitch I got halfway through the race, and sore legs, I struggled to find my rhythm. Despite those challenges, I managed to finish 4th East District finisher and 5th overall—not the result I was aiming for, but a good experience nonetheless. Open water swimming is definitely a skill I’ll need to develop further, and I’ve already made adjustments to my training to work on this.

Lochore Super Series Aquathon: A Scottish Challenge
The next major event was the Lochore Super Series race, which was an aquathon format.
This event was unique because it consisted of three separate races, with varying swim and run lengths. The weather on the day was typically Scottish—rain, wind, and sun all in the mix—but it didn’t slow me down.

I was racing in my new Huub wetsuit, which I was excited to test after my old one had a seam split during the East District Open Water Championship. Even though the water was choppy during the first race, I was pleased with how I managed my body position, keeping my head lower in the water, and I came out 8th, which was better than I expected. That gave me a good starting point, and I ended up finishing 5th in Youth B after the first race.
The second race didn’t go as smoothly. I lost my bearings during the swim and came out in 12th. But I wasn’t ready to give up. I set myself the goal of being the first Scottish athlete
over the line, which I achieved with another strong run performance. I finished 5th again, maintaining my consistency despite the challenges.

The final race of the day featured a shorter swim and longer run. The swim was fast and rough, with some competitors fighting for space. I exited in 8th, and after a tough run
through muddy conditions, I again finished 5th Youth B. I was really pleased with my consistency across all three races, especially at my local event—where I’ve raced many times and always find new ways to push my limits.

Mallory Park: Heat, Heats, and Final Challenges
The last weekend of June took me down to Mallory Park for another Super Series event.
This was a heats and finals format over two days, and the weather was a big challenge—definitely not the usual Scottish weather I’m used to! The heatwave made everything tougher, but the race organisers did a great job with cooling stations and even a shower to run through during the event.

The first race started with a non-wetsuit swim, which made things a little more intense. I got a great start and after some clear water, came out of the swim in 3rd place. The bike leg was uneventful; I joined the lead pack and stayed with them until the run. The heat made the run tough, but I finished 5th, securing a spot in the A final.

The final race was a rollercoaster of emotions. I came out of the swim 5th again, joining the lead pack on the bike. Everything was going well until the dismount line, where I had a huge wobble and ended up sliding across the ground. The damage was significant: I ended up cutting and grazing my knees, shins, and feet badly, which meant that I was unable to wear shoes or get back in the water for a while. My injuries were serious enough to restrict my training in the days following the race, which added some extra recovery time to my schedule.
Despite the injuries, I didn’t let it stop me. I gathered myself, got back up, and headed into transition 30 seconds behind the rest of the group.

The run was pure adrenaline. My legs were sore, and I was hurting, but I pushed on, making up a few places and finishing 11th Youth B. More importantly, I was the first Scottish athlete over the line. It wasn’t the result I hoped for, but I was proud of how I handled the adversity of the race and came away with valuable experience.
After a quick visit to the first aid tent and a quick look at my bike (it was a write- off—unfortunately not repairable after the crash), I headed home with a mix of pride in the performance but also frustration with the circumstances.

How My Gear Supported My Performance
Once again, the right gear played a big role in how I performed this month:

• Huub Wetsuit: My new wetsuit was a major upgrade and helped me improve my swim performance. Even though the water was choppy during the races, I felt much more confident with it. The wetsuit’s fit and buoyancy were perfect for helping me maintain body position and swim efficiently, which paid off in both the Lochore Super Series and Mallory Park races.
•  Precision Hydration: The heat at Mallory Park was brutal, and I made sure to stay on top of my hydration. Precision Hydration’s electrolyte products have been crucial during these high-heat races, helping me stay energized and avoid cramping. I felt like I was able to keep my energy levels up, especially on the run. 
• Ribble Bike: Although the Ribble bike held up through the first parts of the race at Mallory Park, after the crash, it was unfortunately unusable. It’s tough to lose a piece of gear that has helped me so much this season, but I’m already in the process of working on a replacement and considering the lessons learned from the crash.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Super Series Success
As we move into July, I’ll be focusing on refining my swim, bike, and run in preparation for the next big races. Consistency and mental toughness will be key as I look to keep building on the progress I’ve made over the past couple of months.

Key Takeaways

•  Resilience is key in racing—adversity during a race can teach you a lot about your ability to bounce back.
•  Consistency in training pays off—sticking to the plan helps to improve across all three disciplines.
• Gear matters—whether it’s the Huub wetsuit, Precision Hydration, or my Ribble bike, having the right equipment can make all the difference in race performance