Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Day 11
Scott designed a decathlon (with seven events…) to mix things up a little. None of the events held particular promise for me but I needed to pick up some points in the events involving running.
We started with a push-ups to failure contest. I managed 50 which placed me equal 7th I think. Clas won easily with 90. We then has a basketball free throwing contest – best out of 20. I slotted four, which I was chuffed with but the Americans predictably dominated.
Then a 1500m race on a track. I came 7th in 5:05 – Clas won again. Straight into a duathlon – 3/15/3 with the runs being on the track. I was 6th into T1 but Jeff beat me out of transition mainly because he ran with his helmet on and road with his runners! I was chasing hard but got a flat tyre. I changed it but it flatted again a little time later despite me checking for sharp objects. So a DNF for me. I knew it would be costly because the next events were in the pool and I was going to be a laughing stock. I was disappointed in not getting to see what I could do on the second run. I had a chance of a tope 10 which would have been good in this company – but we’ll never know.
First a 50m sprint (25m pool). I did 35.90 which had me well down the field. Bjorn won. Then a 200m kick with a board. This was new to me but I struggled through. Bjorn won again in 2:59! The grand finale was a 400m individual medley – involving three strokes I do not do….
I am pleased to say that the three nuff-nuffs in my heat provided plenty of mirth for those on the deck –particularly the butterfly. I came about 4th last – which was a victory of sorts if you look at it hard enough. Several (who had actually done a 400 IM before) did PBs and Bjorn won in 5:23.
I guess there are no easy victories when you have a bunch of A-type personalities competing. It’s not like school or a work off-site get together. Still we had some good laughs and some good workouts on a very rainy day. Clas won the decathlon overall. Of course, I would have included more events that involved catching and throwing because, as my cricket team mates used to say “Triathlon is a sport for people who can’t catch”.
Tomorrow we ride to 180km or so to Canberra to catch the plain back to Sydney. Because of the need to catch the plane we have to leave at 6am and there will be a cut-off time about 100km along at the lunch break! If you don’t make the cut-off…. You’re in the van. Something we have literally taken great pains to avoid.
One day to go.
We started with a push-ups to failure contest. I managed 50 which placed me equal 7th I think. Clas won easily with 90. We then has a basketball free throwing contest – best out of 20. I slotted four, which I was chuffed with but the Americans predictably dominated.
Then a 1500m race on a track. I came 7th in 5:05 – Clas won again. Straight into a duathlon – 3/15/3 with the runs being on the track. I was 6th into T1 but Jeff beat me out of transition mainly because he ran with his helmet on and road with his runners! I was chasing hard but got a flat tyre. I changed it but it flatted again a little time later despite me checking for sharp objects. So a DNF for me. I knew it would be costly because the next events were in the pool and I was going to be a laughing stock. I was disappointed in not getting to see what I could do on the second run. I had a chance of a tope 10 which would have been good in this company – but we’ll never know.
First a 50m sprint (25m pool). I did 35.90 which had me well down the field. Bjorn won. Then a 200m kick with a board. This was new to me but I struggled through. Bjorn won again in 2:59! The grand finale was a 400m individual medley – involving three strokes I do not do….
I am pleased to say that the three nuff-nuffs in my heat provided plenty of mirth for those on the deck –particularly the butterfly. I came about 4th last – which was a victory of sorts if you look at it hard enough. Several (who had actually done a 400 IM before) did PBs and Bjorn won in 5:23.
I guess there are no easy victories when you have a bunch of A-type personalities competing. It’s not like school or a work off-site get together. Still we had some good laughs and some good workouts on a very rainy day. Clas won the decathlon overall. Of course, I would have included more events that involved catching and throwing because, as my cricket team mates used to say “Triathlon is a sport for people who can’t catch”.
Tomorrow we ride to 180km or so to Canberra to catch the plain back to Sydney. Because of the need to catch the plane we have to leave at 6am and there will be a cut-off time about 100km along at the lunch break! If you don’t make the cut-off…. You’re in the van. Something we have literally taken great pains to avoid.
One day to go.
# posted by Vernon @ 9:25 PM 
