70.3 Mallorca 2014
The crew - Kerry Buddy: her first attempt at a long distance course, Justin aka transition king: his attempt at retirement, Lesley Legs: keen to beat the course, and Me: well I was there to smash out a PB.
I'm a novice, let's get that in here, a triathlon virgin of sorts. This would be my third race ever so I'm no expert however this last eight months I've been training under the guidance of British Triathlon Coach Roland Kemp. He's been taking me places I've not been and I've trusted the process, questioning where necessary but finding myself with a solid physical base to start the season off. My amazing trip to Kilimanjaro has left me with crap on my right lung so I've struggled with that and training in the lead up to 70.3 Mallorca was not as per plan A but rather plan B .. this is where a good Coach comes in!
So we got there - Roland & I had chatted strategy on the weds so I knew what I needed to do. Thursday we flew into Mallorca. Excellent bike box handling skills were on show at the airport, we all looked the part. Sun was shining so we relaxed into the day, put the bikes back together, signed on and settled in. Friday was about packing bags for transitions and checking in the bikes. Once completed we donned our wetsuits and headed out for a swim on the course. Clear sea meant I could see the fish, not quite as warm as the Samui waters I had been in weeks before but a damn sight warmer than Denham Lake!!
Justin and I felt it would be good to take Kerry and Lesley to drive the bike course. The first part of the course is out along the coast then inland for 20km of climb, 10km of this pretty "special". From the silence in the back seat it was fairly evident that the size of the climb was registering with my fellow race participants. That said 24hrs later we all smashed it so they were in hindsight unnecessary nerves!
Dinner was a quiet affair and I was tucked up in bed, ear plugs in and whilst not asleep the body was resting.
6am race day - all athletes in their corners eating quietly. My eggs and toast going down well despite no hunger. Trisuit on, hair braided and outside to jump in the car, wetsuit in hand. We were ready.
The start line - what seemed like a million pink capped, rubber clad freaks surrounded me, and oh yes I was one of these freaks! I was too far back this I knew but little I could do. Gun fires, we're off....
those million freaks have two million arms and legs, all thrashing about me, it's chaos! I even spot Kerry who above the commotion yells "oh my god buddy", I couldn't agree more. Head down. It takes a long time to find a rhythm, I'm not happy. On the final turn home I'm well in my stroke now, feels too little too late but I power through down to the beach. Then it's as I rehearsed in my head - zip down, hat and goggles in hand, pull wetsuit down, release the hat and goggles into sleeve, run, keep bloody running.....
I'm running because I know I'm about to find my happy place - the bike :)) This TT bike is about to get it's fifth ride with me, please let it be special. Roland had told me to fix average 28-30km/hr in my head so that's what I did. For me it was a steady ride, no issues or problems I was calm throughout. Only wishing I had more experience on cornering and descending on that beast TT. 10km from home and I'm sitting at average of 30km/hr, sweet. Should I have pushed more? don't know but race going to plan I'm happy.
Another transition to play out, again rehearsed in my mind ... bike racked, helmet off, shoes on and get out there...
I hear Roland as I run out of T2 "settle in your pace, good steady rhythm", ok I tell myself you've got this just run it home. 1km, 2km, 3km, 4km I'm on it this is ok and then the wheels came off. I lost feeling in my fingers then my feet, I couldn't breathe. I'd been here before in Samui struggling for air. My chest hurt I knew the only way out was to ease back so I did. Damn it. When I had to walk every water station in order to take on fluid and cough up a lurgy or two I knew it was a case of just get yourself to the line. I was unhappy. I passed Coach knowing I wasn't hitting my targets on this run leg, frustration killing me. I'm my toughest competition, a true nutcase when a number strapped onto me! Finally three arm bands and a lotta sweat later I crossed the line in 5:39. I'd beaten last years time but the min 10mins I'd lost on the run cost me the sub 5:30 I had in my head. I wait at the finish line for buddy - she comes home so strong, amazing woman! Justin announced he'd met his retirement target of a sub 6hours and Lesley deserved the top of the podium for enduring the heat of the day on that kick ass run. She has strength and stamina to outshine anyone I know.
For me, I've reran the race many times in my head in the week since, had good little chats to hubs and Coach and now put it aside knowing that there's more to come as this is just the start of the season.
Coming home I realise what a great weekend we had - the buddy team - we laughed so hard, there were tears and frustrations but mainly the sense of personal achievement for us all, including our supporters who had the onerous task of lifting heavy beer glasses each time we ran past on our run laps!! We raced hard and celebrated even harder :)
Anyone can play this triathlon game, and with a group of friends it makes for one hell of a laugh too. So come play with us.... it's a nut house!
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