Bela Bela 5150

[Crossmonster]

A Week to go, everyone ready?

 

[TYWALK]

yup, gonna crack it!

[Crossmonster]

I'm very nervous about the swim. Don't have a wetsuit, so it's gonna be freeeeezing!!

[GlockG4]

Looking forward to it, it is always a great event, the swim is just not that pleasant in that freezing milk.

[Crossmonster]

the swim is just not that pleasant in that freezing milk.

 

Thanks for making me even more confident about not having a wetsuit 

[GlockG4]

Thanks for making me even more confident about not having a wetsuit

haha no worries!!! But apparently the water won't be THAT cold this year.

[Crossmonster]

What to eat during the morning?

[IceCreamMan]

What to eat during the morning?

whatever u normally eat...for me its one weetbix and some jungle oats over it ....

 

good luck to all entrants ....FOMO going on here

[Raab]

Guys, sorry quick question: Can anyone enter the Ekurhuleni 5150, even if no previous events were entered / completed?

 

Thanks

[IceCreamMan]

Guys, sorry quick question: Can anyone enter the Ekurhuleni 5150, even if no previous events were entered / completed?

 

Thanks

yes...

 

no previous experience necessary, can enter ironman too with no resume.

 

there will be some medical related questions, if you trigger a flag they may request a medical certificate though.

[Raab]

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yes...

 

no previous experience necessary, can enter ironman too with no resume.

 

there will be some medical related questions, if you trigger a flag they may request a medical certificate though.

 

Thanks, appreciate it

[davem]

Good luck to everyone for tomorrow. Have fun.

 

For people doing it for the first time, your bike check in closes quite early at 11:20. Your start may be quite a lot later. Bela Bela is very hot and transition is in the blaring sun.

 

Keep your water bottles is a small cooler next to the bike with some ice blocks. Otherwise they will be the temperature of coffee by the time you start riding. Or put coffee in your bottles which will be perfect. It will only take a few seconds to put the bottles on the bike (don't forget) but will be worth it.

 

Lesson learned the hard way.

[GlockG4]

Does anyone have the water temperature? I am wondering if I should bring my wetsuit, don't want to overheat.

[Azi]

Any way to track an athlete?

[Raab]

Any feedback from those doing this as their first tri?

 

I am targeting Germiston as my first and any input would be valued.

 

Thanks!

[Crossmonster]

So I managed to compete in this weekends race, and I’ve gotta say, WOW, what a race!!!

After the initial scare that I might not be able to participate due to a swollen gland under my jaw, I woke up Saturday morning with the swelling down, feeling fresh and excited to take this on.

 

Firstly registration on Friday was a breeze, the process was quick, and the goodie bag contains quite a few nice cool things.

Arriving Saturday at the race the atmosphere was just incredible! The music playing, you can hear commentators in the background, all the athletes around, what a buzz!

Finding the transition area and my place inside was easy, very well marked and I also didn’t feel that the allocated areas were too cramped, just perfect for all my stuff.

Thanks for the advice in freezing my bottles, by the time I arrived after the swim they were defrost’ but still lekker cold.

 

Off to the water for the swim, ofcourse me not having a wetsuit, I was nervous about this. However the commentator mentioned that the water was a very pleasant 19.8 degrees which made me allot more comfortable as the water in Tzaneen at the Wik triathlon at Stanford lake was 17 degrees. Got into the practice puddle and immediately knew the water was perfect.

Parking in the water for 5mins prior to the start does cool you down for a bit before the start, but that was nothing to worry about, or so I thought. BEEEEP, racetime!!! I tried to keep my rhythm but immediately realized I was suffering from that dreaded hyperventilation again! People kicking around me, goggles fogging up, just a frenzy, so I dropped back a little and tried to regain my composure. Nothing, I just eventually gave up and swam versuipslag all the way around, unfortunately this meant getting out of the water almost last of the entire wave. I was lucky though that all the athletes in front of me created a draft otherwise I would’ve climbed out somewhere in the 40min region. I’ve made peace with the fact that I need to see a swim coach about my open water swimming technique. When I’m in the water all training and technique gained in the gyms pool is out the window anyway. I must also commend the guys, there were very little walking happening this year during the swim.

 

Luckily not wearing a wetsuit I was through transition quickly, passing quite a few guys. Onto my mountain bike – which I knew was a setback to the other guys to start off with – It didn’t bother me one bit and I was dead set on racing and catching quite a few okes in front of me. The cycle is long and tough in that heat, those climbs are grueling and the cars passing kicked up allot of dust, but I pushed on, even gear troubles on the bike didn’t stop me. I just wish they’d put another aid station at the turning point on the top of that hill. That last downhill into town is awesome! What a feeling knowing you’re done with that stupid uphills lol…

 

Transition 2 was quick for me aswell, and when I started running I realized my legs were very reluctant to start moving. But I just pushed on. The run course was awesome, crowd support was very very motivating and allot of aid stations throughout the entire route. The heat was intense but I pushed hard passing quite a few guys on the run as well. The last 3km was torture and elation in the same sentence, legs protesting! PUSH PUSH PUSH, and then 1km to go, c’mon up the pace! Push, then that final stretch on the red carpet to the finishline and my entire family cheering me on! I’m getting goosbumps again! What a feeling! I’ve done it!

And in the process smashed all of my goals, finishing in under 3h30mins with a time of 3:23:48 J

 

From complaints I’ve read about previous years races I must mention the following: Firstly the marshals / referees were all very polite and pleasant, I only noticed two incidents were people were reprimanded, one for taking an ice cream from a spectator and the other for urinating against a tree, both apparently DQ’able offences, both were just given warnings. The volunteers pointing out the running course in that blistering sun also needs to be mentioned, very dedicated and cheering and singing for almost all the athletes throughout the race. 

 

The race is well organized and a very very pleasant experience participating. I am without a doubt truly addicted to the sport after this weekend and can’t wait for Germiston.