Sunday, April 24, 2011

6 Hr Super Series Enduro - 10th April

Location for this one was the Murrenbong Scout Camp, same location as the LunarC but a shortened course.
Was very lucky to have Dad over from NZ for this one so he came up along with Stace to Crew for me.
Got there nice and early time to set up the Tomac tent and then headed out for a roll with Boz.... this is going to be another mud fest!!!! Plan of attack... hmmm just keep riding..

So lining up at the start line somewhere in the middle, the gun goes off and we are off... well slowly it was a crowded first lap but it stops you from going out to hard at the start.. The track cut out a lot of the climbing that was in the LunarC, but due to the mud it was just as hard..

The track continued to deteriorate especially the first 2 kms of the lap from transition.. at some points you just had to get off and trudge through it. Although once you got through this a the water crossing it was nice fire road and singletrack. The climbs became harder as the race wore on as the mud was doing its damage. Saw plenty of mechanicals along the way... was crushing to be climbing a hill was Boz and see his rear derailer snap off.. :-(

"Just keep Riding" this usually runs through my head many times during a race but it was not coming through loud enough, I was having major dramas trying to get my drink down which was really impeding my ride.. on a couple of my pit stops I struggled to hold on to a cup due to extreme shakes..  Thanks soooo much to Dad, Boz, Stace, Richard & Mikey for tending to my bike and me... No way it could be done without you guys...

Heading out with about an hour to go I was sitting in 3rd but had no idea how 4th was behind so once I got through the muddy section (which had really started to dry and there was a dry line through most of it) I saw the lady who was behind me... thanks to the caffeine gel boz got into me in the last transition I found the energy to really push it.. No way I was giving up this place after this long.. Smashing everything I could and running the couple of climbs I couldn't get (due to lack of gears). I was really happy with this lap coming up to transition I was going to come in just in time to go out again... through the creek and the last climb to the start/finish line.. and the legs were spinning but nothing was happening.. rear hub had given up.. so I pushed my bike up the hill and over the line... and it was done... a lap in front of 4th so thankfully I didnt need to go out again..Knackered!!! but really enjoyed it.. Stoked with 3rd.

Again I want to Thank Dad, Stace, Richard, Mikey & Boz. It is definitely not possible without the help of your mates.

Now to get ready for the 24...
Allio out
 Boz about to Give me a helping hand up the hill

Mud pack for the legs...

My anti climactic finish

The Winners for solo women, me(3rd), Rach Edwards(1st), Emma Thomson(2nd)

Tre - X Short Course Off Road Triathlon - 2nd April

Well not really sure what tempted me to enter this, I think just pushing my body by doing new things to see how much it can endure.. hehehe

This race was held Wildeco up on the sunshine coast.. This is a real nice spot to camp and to race.
I headed up on Friday night to set up camp. Couldn't convince any of the boys to come and give it a crack, so I was on my own.. Always a good way to meet people.

Saturday morning is was up and about... time to do rego and go set up my gear in the transition area... having never done a triathlon of any description before I was a little apprehensive... So I set up my bike and running gear looked at it over and over.. well I hope I have got it right.

Standing on the bank of the dam my heart beat running a million miles a second.. and the horn went... in we go.. legs and arms are going everywhere.. the first 50 metres was all about trying to get going and get a decent line... Note to self next time just go at the front and let everyone else go round you... I was pretty happy with my swim.. definitely could have gone harder but didnt really no what to expect.

So out of the water and running up to transition... on with the shoes, number, helmet and gloves grab the Mac and away we went.. the ride was quite frustrating as there were a lot of people on a really wet track and wasn't much room for passing.. eventually I got a clean line and time to put the hammer down, I can't really run to save myself so the ride had to be my strongest leg. And it was... 2nd fastest on the bike put me into 3rd coming into the run.

Transition to the run was good, and I headed out for the last 4kms.. I was having a ball.. The run was great fun even though I really suck at it.. the scenery was lovely and the hills were not at all mean.. Unfortunately I lost 3 spots in the run, disappointing but not surprising.. at least I know where I need to focus for improvement.

All in all it was an awesome race... I was smiling the whole way (well maybe not while swimming) I would recommend it to anyone.. it was definitely nice to have a change up from all the XC races.
Bring on the next one.

Allio out..
The O so flattering Tri Suit shot.. lol