Swim 33:13 - T1 03:07 - Bike 02:56:18 - T2 00:56 – Run 01:27:20
Total Time 5:00:54
6th 50-54 Age Group, 179st overall
For the last two years I done the 70.3 in Mallorca so it was
time for change of scenery. My race selection centred around finding a race
convenient to travel to, early in May and one with friends along to enjoy the
trip. A great plan, perfect except for the total failure to simply click the
button to open the course profile and check it even vaguely matched my
strengths. A school boy error that I would be paying dearly for.
Two weeks before the event a friend who was also racing
commented there was a significant hill in the middle of the course. So, I
clicked the course profile button and there it was in all its glory, not one
but three hills and 1400m of elevation; the flat run was of little consolation.
To cap it all, the map hinted at some ominous wiggly roads up and down the
hills. I very quickly dismissed any realistic prospect of winning or even being
on the podium for a 70.3WC slot.
A further googly that revealed itself in the briefing was a
rolling swim start. I wouldn’t even know if I was in the race or not until
after the event. In most respects the rolling start made for a very civilised
swim; just seed yourself on the beach and jump in with those of a similar
speed. In a way some of the fun had just drained away from the start, a pity
really as the adrenaline pumping just before the gun adds something special.
The swim was uneventful albeit slow for most and I am not sure if that was down
to conditions or the now neutered competitive experience.
Off onto the bike and through the streets of the town, navigating
around pot holes, speed bumps and ejected nutrition bottles. In recognising the
challenges of the first 3k there was an official amnesty on drafting. However,
nobody told the draft busters that amnesty ended at the town limits – there was
a good deal of pack riding with the marshals content to simply blow a whistle
and keep the penalty tents unencumbers with the cheaters. Only the honestly of
the course limited the impact of the cheaters on the podium. Climbing the hills
was fine, just select the right gear and grind out the power numbers but the
descents were different matter. There was a gulf of ability between me and the
real bikers. I had worked hard to keep pace with them on the up hills but they
just sped past me on downs as we hit the tight hairpins, me clinging to my
brakes hoods whilst they majestically swung their bikes left and right at each
turn. I was simply outclassed and had no response, I just focussed on staying
upright and making it to T2.
Sure enough T2 came but I had taken 20 minutes longer than
Mallorca and I considered that too tough for my inadequate mountain skills. I
knew I was running for pride so set off trying to hold a 4min/k pace to land a
1:25 split. At times my pace wavered a little but more down to concentration
than fatigue, I knew I would be in the right ball park for a respectable time.
On the way round I picked up another Brit who was gunning for a slot and it was
great to help pace him and see him cross the line to punch his ticket. The
consequence of the rolling start was that he just needed to cross the line with
me to actually post a quicker overall time.
Job done and in the circumstances the result was better than
I could have hoped for. The weekend was great fun and next time I will check
out the course before hastily pressing the enter button!
