Apparently, this race is a bucket list race for a friend, and apparently she made the rest of us sign up the hour it opened as this race is a sell out in hours, but that was almost a year ago so I do not really remember.
Anyways, by no means was this race a goal race.No specific trainning was done, and infact I have been in a bit of a lull since the marathon. So this race was a 'see how you feel on race day' kinda race.
Complicated race logistics. This race is five hours away and involves a ferry trip. Luke came along for giggles. Thinking of ferry prices for the Chi-chimon I did not book a trip for the car, instead planned to ride our bikes around. In reality, it is very reasonable, and quite frankly biking everywhere while carring all your earlthy good on the island is not fabulous so, my advice is book a ferry. Stayed on the island in a old house and we ended up calling it Tri club summer camp. There was bunk beds, and dish duty, and even a person in charge- otherwise known as the person who stayed sober.
The race started at a very respectable 10am, problem was it was already hot, hot, hot. Occasionally there was a breeze but my first task at every aid station was to cool down. and dump water on myself.
Had a good warmup riding to the finish line then walking back to the start and some ABCs. For some reason this race completely intimidated me, all the females looked fit and fast. Seriously, i actually needed a pep talk to calm down, not that I was racing to win, I just wanted a respectable finish, I was thinking top 10 overall would be reasonable.
Lined up, did not want to be super aggressive in my position, but I could have been a tad up there. Settled in, figured sub 4:50 kms would be good. Did the first in 4:39 opps. Just picked people off until 12k, and then there were very few to pick off. Had to then just focus on pushing myself, usually like having a rabbit to follow. Was not easy, related to the heat, and it hurt. Saw Luke around 19k and told him that his wife was about to die, managed to hold it until the end, even did my last full km at 4:38.
Averaged 4:44km for a 1:40:26 time, which really sucked cause I wanted sub 1:39:39 as I am making a bit of an effort to be fast again. Ended up 5th female which kinda sucked as there was no age group awards, just top three. I would have been third in my age group. 18th male/ female overall so not bad. Could not catch 4th female, she ended up being about 35 seconds ahead, but really that is better as I would have been really mad about being so close to podium and not actually being on the podium. So I guess I really didn't need to worry about any of those fast and fit girls.
The finish line involves a catered dinner and bottomless cup of wine, well until they run out, which is OK if you are a sea gull like me, I just went around to empty tables and drank left over wine. As a result it was a rather interesting bicycle ride back to tri club summer camp.
Overall tremendously fun event, but perhaps a one and doner.
