With its ice-cold lake swim and mountain run, the Snowman triathlon is one of the toughest in the UK ? but also one of the most exhilarating
I'm halfway up Moel Siabod in Snowdonia. The wind is howling and the fog is so low that visibility is only about 100 metres. I'm running up the mountain with about 300 other triathletes in one of the UK's toughest triathlons ? the Snowman ? and I'm loving it.
Having only started triathlon this year, I've enjoyed the constant challenges (though not so much the tiredness and permanent hunger). I was looking for one last challenge to complete my season, and when I heard about the Snowman, with its ice-cold lake swim and mountain run, it was too good an opportunity to miss.
I spent many childhood summers in north Wales, so I thought I might as well make a holiday of it. Triathlon holidays are growing in popularity in the UK, with a rise of more than 30% this year. Wales seems particularly well suited to this: there are several beaches just 20 minutes' drive from a mountain, and the region has an incredibly high concentration of outdoor activities.
With a free day before the triathlon, I thought I'd make the most of being in Wales and take a hike through Snowdonia. Being short on time I contacted Active Terrain, which offers guided walks in the area. I met my guide, Barry, for a delightful three-hour walk near Trefriw, taking in the oldest church in Wales, in Llanrhychwyn, and the stunning Llyn Geirionydd, which wouldn't have looked out of place in the Italian Lakes.
Towards the end of the walk, Barry pointed out Moel Siabod, hiding under thick cloud despite almost clear blue skies. It looked intimidating and bleak, and I began to wonder what I'd let myself in for.
Bright and early the next morning I headed to Plas y Brenin, the location for the Snowman, nestled in the truly breathtaking setting of the Snowdon Horseshoe. The Snowman is the third in a series of triathlons from Always Aim High Events, including the Slateman and Sandman, which all take place in north Wales and feature unique challenges. There are two distances for the Snowman and due to some niggling injuries I opted for the sprint, which involved a 400m swim, 31k bike and 5k off-road run. I was so glad I went for the easier option!
The swim took place in Llyn Mymbyr. As we headed down to the water the wind was howling, forcing small waves to break across the lake, but, with Snowdon still visible at the far end below the clouds, there was no denying the beauty of the setting. The lake was freezing and we were swimming anti-clockwise into the current and wind, making it one of the toughest swims I have ever done. I found it hard to get into any rhythm with all the waves, but it was also one of the clearest lakes I've ever swum in, and I soon stopped noticing the cold.
After leaving my toasty wetsuit in transition I began the stunning bike ride, and could have happily carried on cycling all day. But after 31km of delightful scenery and several tough climbs, I was back at Plas y Brenin to leave the comfort of my bike and begin what the organisers describe as "possibly the most incredible run on any triathlon route in the country".
"Run" might be overstating it. I have done a little fell running, but that is completely different from running up the side of a mountain. My early attempts to keep running, whatever the speed, soon gave way to walking ? then to scrambling. It was damp, foggy and windy, and I wondered out loud what on Earth I was doing. I was not the only one feeling that way. I soon teamed up with Lindy, who was having similar thoughts, and we encouraged each other upwards.
We passed a photographer huddling against a rock and asked how far it was to the turnaround point. He replied: "I have no idea. What are all you crazy people doing this for?" But there was a real sense of camaraderie on the mountain, with runners cheering each other on, whether they were on the way up or down.
Eventually we reached the turnaround point, and the descent was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. I lost Lindy on the way down after I slipped thigh-high into a bog, pulled my leg out with no shoe on and had to dig around to retrieve it. Covered in mud, wet and exhausted, I was having an amazing time and realised I was running downhill, arms wide, with the biggest grin on my face, already wanting to do it all over again. I'll definitely be back for another go at the Snowman.
It has been a challenging and enjoyable first year of triathlon, and I am off to enjoy my end-of-season break and think about my challenges for next year. Any suggestions?
? Joanna's weekend was organised by Heart of Adventure. Accommodation was provided by the Royal Oak in Betws-y-Coed.
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