52km GERALDINE MTB RACE 20.3.11

For a change I did not have to drive for hours to the race venue. This time the race was right here in Geraldine, which suited me as I could have a wee sleep in, good breakfast and still have plenty of time for warm-up.

Standing on the start line - it was raining. Again. After all those hrs of training and past racing in the rain, it does not bother me any more and I see it as an advantage to fellow competitors who are not used to it as much as I am. The gun went off. Single line of bikes created in no time as we headed off to the river 4WD tracks. The tracks were so muddy that the tire selection was critical. I have put a new tire on just before the race which was smart thing to do. I was also happy with my race tactic as I made sure I'm working with someone on the long straight flats, gaining valuable meters on steep climbs and have a clear run on tight technical muddy single tracks.

Half way through the race the field have spread a little and I found myself riding with Timaru rider. We stayed together right to the end putting good pressure on each other. But none of us managed to drop the other one. He out sprinted me to the finish. Unluckily we were in the same age category. I finished 6th overall, and 3rd in my age group after 2hrs 17 min of racing. Happy with my day.

K-BAR AGE GROUPS NATIONAL MULTISPORT CHAMPS, Feb 2011

History has been made at Kaiteriteri beach in Tasman Bay. For the first time in New Zealand national multisport champs took part. It was good to be part of it.
Rain drumming on our tent woke us up on the race day. I have organized all gear and food night before, so all I had to do was set up my two transitions, as the race was going to be self supported – one on the beach with kayak and the other one with mtbike. During my warm up and looking at the sea the kayak leg started to make me little bit nervous - looking at the waves and swell. But all the worries disappeared with the start gun.
The race started with 3 km trail run to spread the field before 11km sea kayak leg. It was good to see so many people cheering us up as jumped in to kayaks. I’ve paddled my Sharp6, but many competitors were using surf skis as there are more suitable for sea paddle. Once we left the safe harbour the sea greeted us with 1m swell and wind coming from all directions. I had limited opportunities to train on open sea, so the kayak leg was about surviving then concentrating on the perfect paddle stroke. Even due to challenging conditions I still managed to keep my placing. I can proudly say after that I am better paddler now :)

It was good to be on land again. The rain stopped as we headed off for 32 km mountain bike leg – my strongest discipline. The mtb course climbed and climbed and climbed more before descending down purposely built sweet single tracks in native bush. We have been warned about some parts of the track being very steep. Due to rain they also became muddy and it was little bit tricky to walk them down. The course suited me well with lots of climbing and I managed to gain couple of places. After 2 hrs of biking my bike’s drivetrain was getting really muddy so I was pleased to make it to the last transition without any technical problems.

Lucy cheered me up in the transition and I was away for the last leg – 9 km trail run. Now we were racing in the hottest part of the day so it was good to be running in the bush. Just as I was thinking that I did not have any cramps trouble, I ran past a guy who was obviously struggling due to cramps. I was glad that I adjusted my nutrition after my last race.
The clock stopped after 4hrs 8min. I finished 2nd in my age group.
Also those who placed within first 3 in their age group qualified for the elite race next day. I took that opportunity to race with NZ top multisporters like Usher, Hagener, Voyce... Those guys are just incredible. For me the second day was more about enjoying myself as I was pretty tired from previous day.