Monthly Updates
March: Low-Key but Loaded
March felt like a quiet month, but honestly, it was kinda stacked. I kicked things off with a 400 swim where I managed to drop a few seconds. Not as much as I wanted, but hey — time off is time off, and progress is progress. The day before I had taken part in my first crit race, because apparently I don’t believe in recovery.
The next couple of weeks were basically sponsored by wind and rain. Gotta love Scottish weather. I spent so long on the turbo I swear I started negotiating with the wall.
After what felt like forever, I finally got to start the tri season with the East Fortune Duathlon. First race back after a long off‑season, and honestly it reminded me why I love this sport. The day was windy and cool, but the first 5k run was pretty chill — big group at the front, everyone just settling in. Onto the bike, I was hanging onto the back of the front pack, looked up for half a second and suddenly a small group had gone off the front. Tried to get the chase group organised but no one was having it, so I just went solo. Didn’t make much ground, but at least I tried.
Came off the bike just behind another athlete, tucked in behind them for most of the last 2.5k, then kicked with about 500m to go. Managed to hold them off and finished 3rd overall, 2nd Scottish athlete, and 2nd U20. Not bad for the first one back.
A week later I was over at the Gifford Road Race for my first proper cycling road race. Whole different world. Riding in a big peloton is nothing like triathlon — in tri the swim spreads everyone out, but here it was like being in a moving classroom where everyone already knows what they’re doing except you.
Still, I finished 12th overall and 3rd junior, which I’m buzzing about. Loads learned, and I’m ready to put it all to use when tri season properly kicks off next month.