Robert Johnstone’s Lakesman Journey

Regular Watchtree visitor Robert Johnstone is competing in the Lakesman Full Distance Triathlon on Sunday 19th June 2022 in aid of Watchtree! We are honoured that Robert has chosen Watchtree and Watchtree Wheelers as his chosen charity. Every penny raised goes back to the reserve or to develop our fleet of adapted cycles, making nature and the outdoors accessible to all.

Please support Robert by donating via his sponsorship page by clicking here and help him to smash his target!

The competition consists of:

2.4 mile open water swim in Derwentwater

112 mile bike ride out along the A66, towards Egremont, then back along the coast for a loop near Silloth, before heading back to Keswick to do the run

26.2 mile Marathon distance run – 5 loops around Keswick

Robert has been training incredibly hard towards this event, with a slight disruption due to him contracting Covid19 in April but he is back on track and ready for his final preparation for the Lakesman. Coming up, he has the Epic Man competition in Newby Bridge, South Lakes on 29th May 2022, as well as Carlisle Tri 10k on 1st June 2022. He will complete the Ullswater Mile Swim on 5th June 2022.

So far this season he has completed the Langdale 10k on 11th December 2021, the Brampton Trail Run (4.5 miles), The Resolution Run on 10k 23rd Jan 2022, the Denton Holme River Run 10k on 13th Feb 2022, the Haweswater Half Marathon, 6th March 2022, Carlisle Half Marathon 13th March 2022, Three Village 10 Miles 3rd April 2022, 3 Bridges (Lancaster) 10K 10th April 2022. Rob contracted Covid in April 2022 which set his training back for a week – he recovered by doing half of his usual regime for two weeks until he got back up to full strength. First event back was Watchtree’s Cycle the Solway Sportive at 108km on 14th May 2022, then Southport Tri – Standard Distance (1500m swim, 40k bike and 10k run) on which brings him up to date!

Robert’s tough weekly training routine is not for the faint hearted and has built up over a period of 30 weeks. Block one: base training for 10 weeks with 2 swims; block 2: build phase – 3 swims and longer runs and finally phase 3: peak phase. Training begins on a Tuesday with a 1 hour swim, 1 hour on the bike; Wed 45min bike, 15 min run; Thurs 1 hour swim, 1 hour bike; Fri 1 hour run, 1 hour swim (open water or pool); Sat 5 hours bike, Sun 2.5hr run. Monday is a day off! Training is a huge commitment, not only for him but for his family.

It will be amazing for Robert to achieve his Lakesman goal – let’s give him an extra helping hand from Watchtree and all our supporters! To donate please click here!