It was already warm at 6:15 am when we were leaving Geraldine. I knew then it will be one hot race day. Since Lucy is 23 weeks pregnant we asked friend Derek to help with support, to carry kayak and bike gear around.The first 40 km bike ride was a good warm-up. Before the race I was talking to a Timaru A-Grade rider and he was keen to go in to breakaway. Knowing that I chose to bike in my cycling shoes instead of running shoes and baskets so I can be more efficient. But nothing really happened. Later on I found out that he had some technical trouble. There was the usual chaos in the first transition and I could not find Derek – who supposed to take the bike off me. So I ran with bike until I saw Lucy. I was ready to take off, just the Camel Bag now. “OH shit!” Lucy sad “I left it in the car!” I never saw anyone 23 weeks pregnant run so fast! Few seconds later I was on my way to 24 km run over Mt.Sommers. The heat started to increase and I was glad for every river crossing – drinking out of every creek trying to get some extra fluids in. I usually don’t get cramps but on this super hot day, at the end of the run I could feel little signs of cramping. I could not wait to see Lucy and Derek at the next transition in Stavely – they had food, water and other goodies to get me back on track again. Half way through the 25 km bike ride to Rakaia Gorge I started to come right. The strength to the legs returned after the rough steep descent from the saddle and I could push it again. I was also expecting to pass someone or to be passed by team cyclists but from this run-bike transition I was on my own till the end of the race. At the end of this bike leg I was feeling good, which was good. I did not wanted to be tired kayaking down Rakaia River.
Next transition was very smooth – Lucy took the bike off me and we ran together to the river while putting on kayaking gear and eating at the same time. When we got to the river Derek was already waiting with the kayak in the water. Well done guys. The 18km of river paddle was my favourite part of the whole race. Water splashing of the paddle going through the rapids kept me cool in this unbelievably hot day. Because there was no one in sight to follow I had to wisely choose a brade and rely on my own. After over an hour it was good to see my support crew again in the transition. Derek pulled me out of the kayak and Lucy /still23 weeks pregnant!/ started to run with me while changing gear and eating again. From the river it was a short 2 km uphill run to bike.
During the last 10 km bike ride to the finish in Methven I looked at my bike computer and saw 33 dg. Celsius.
After 6hrs 37min of racing in very hot weather cold beer tasted sooooooo good.
Splits: bike 1:05:47 run 3:00:03 bike 54:10 kayak 1:05:11 bike32:19 total 6:37:30
