Hi - So RACEREPORT from a NOVICE :-) Well to start off I felt that the race was very well organized. Everything simply looked to flow just right. I found the RED and YELLOW transition bags concept a fantastic inclusion to the race. As it turned out later the day it came down with a massive rain storm with cloud burst, lighting and small hail stones. The swim start was delayed by 30 minutes due to fog and as a safety precaution - ended up being a wise decision. The course was laid out well, however swim in between the sail boat may be a little more than some would feel comfortable with. The water temperature was 20 deg C which made it a wetsuit legal swim and to me that was an absolute NO BRAIN decision. I managed to get out the water in a new 1.9km - 2km PB of 34 minutes and still wonder how on earth the lads at the top of the leader board smashed it out in 20 minutes :-O Out of the water and a fair steep run, rip off the wetsuit top into a marked MALE & FEMALE transition tents where the clock for transition started. I was told this is a similar system as Iron Man, I for one enjoyed that and knowing your race number becomes a MUST to grab the right transition BAG. Little over 4 minutes to get rid of wetsuit, putting on cycling gear and rush out with your RED bag, handing it off to marshals an yet another fantastic inclusion I was told in the support of marshals taking care of your transition. Got to my bike and a strange, yet almost relieved feeling that I don't have to clutter the transition with wetsuit, swim stuff etc.... clean open - just grab your bike and go. I also enjoyed being on grass and with the mounting of the bike line virtually just off the grass, it meant SAVED MY CYCLING CLEATS :-D The bike course was tough, phew, 1100m of climbing in 90km, ok, most GPS distances recorded 91.7 / 91.8km meaning a longer ride than I prepared for in my noggin. I took it really slow out first lap, I recalled reading an article from Raynard Tissink saying be very careful not smashing that first lap hard. As novice one tend to just go all out hard and pay for it later. It was fairly hot and humid and I used ALL my water and my carb mix, which wasn't a lot, but I never run out of water or anything, yet I did - that end up to cost me a lot at the end. The hilly course was tough and if you didn't ready the bike course carefully, your next 2 laps would either see you fix an imaginary puncture or simply wait for someone to pick you up. NASTY climbs up the last 6-7 km of the loop out... Managed to do a 3h14 on the bike section, however compared this to the weeks prior 94.7, I believe this was tougher at Midlands, the road surface is rough, no road closures, no drafting and it's just you and your bike.... by the way did I mention this my longest ride on a TT bike.... just love that Argon 18 TT bike of mine. So on the last lap I thought, hang on a bit, 21km run in itself is not easy, so just hold back on he bike and leave some in the tank for the run. Heading back to the transition area I was greeted by a pleasant surprise by someone saying "I WILL TAKE YOUR BIKE", now people, I am from Gauteng, GP (Gangsters Paradise), right, handing my baby to just anyone was a big leap of faith, thank goodness for full comprehensive insurance LOL... Dismounted and someone took my bike and racked it well for me to find later on. Again through the transition tent area I made my first massive mistake, NO SUNSCREEN. OUTCH, I look like a TOMATO!!! Having finished all my liquids on the bike leg too early, meant I was struggling throughout the run. I started off the run quite OK, actually I thought today might just be my day with a good run, then.... slowed down and more slowing down and then the wheels came off. I started drinking more and more water and Coke and it just got me to a grinding halt. The run route was also undulating, nothing that will scare me at the best of days, actually, I would have loved to run it if it was just a 21km run, man that would have been fantastic. The handouts of sponges filled with icy cold water was oh so good. wow, it was hot out there and any means of cool down was a blessing. First lap down and proudly sporting my pink hair band, the start of the second lap was painful... I had to dig really deep for the white and the last lap's blue band. but knowing you have 3.5 - 4km left from receiving your last band, you know you are going home. Entering the final stretch, running on the carpet, announcers calling out your name and going wild, just gives you that extra step as if you are not tired or completed stuffed up, WOW, what a fantastic feeling. I did find the finishers tent a fantastic, 2 thumbs up great welcoming setup. Immediately given a medal, some GU recovery horrible drink and a water and the tent to spoil yourself with a hot meal - mmmm, Beef or Chicken curry with rice, slush puppy and a fridge to help yourself with ice lollies.... I saw all this and said, IF ONLY I HAD MONEY, but it was FREE, WOW! The tent included massage tables, soft cushions and pads to sit down or lay down, compression station to recover those tired legs, just ENDLESS support which was in my time of any sport, UNMATCHED no matter what I have done! The race got called off short due to massive rains, lighting strikes and hail, some people braved it to the end and some were pulled off and race was done for them. Me and my mates all made it and I sit back today, RED, fairly stiff and sore, but satisfied to say the least. From Saturday registration to getting your bike, rack it back up and leaving the venue, I am saying WELL DONE MIWAY and associate SPONSORS, this was a memorable day for me and I am sure for all. Thanks Collen - (race no 254)
