Monday, January 17, 2005
Day 9
Race day. Scot and Gordo managed to concoct a real race atmosphere to provide us the opportunity for a little more intensity. We started with a wet suit swim in Lake Jindabyne. Predictably I was third last out of the water with Jeff getting a free ride right behind me. We had a little trouble finding the buoys at times and three of us would stop and look at each other and try to spy the markers with the sun in our fce. I spoted something and madea bee line for it and Jeff realising what was going on tucked in behind me. A little while later I almost ran into the buoy but just manage to veer around it. Of course, Jeff with his head down cosntantly tipping my feet to ensure a good draft smacked right ino it with his head. Never mind. He followed me around the next two markers and we exited the water to find a few others in T1 gathered around their bikes (which were all lying on the ground). Being the genius I am I roared off up the road to Thredbo then realised that that we were supposed to be riding to Charlotte Pass. So I turned around and road back past T1 losing 4:30. Bummer.
I caught Strawman who was more in need of sleep that a race after his last few days desperately trying to over haul me on the points table (which he did). Then I saw Jeff up the road and closed in. Unfortunately, Jeff proved to be a prickly customer. It took me ages to climb up to Jeff and when I did we had a little chat then I promptly fell back and watched him power away. I could see Mike P a long way in front but I couldn't make head way on either of them. I kept thinking "Surely some one has to crack" - then realised it was me. It took me 1 hour 50 to complete the 38 kms to Charlotte Pass with 95% of it up hill.
On to the run and felt OK. I passed KP within about 2km, then could see Mike P and Jeff running together about 500m up the road (and I mean up). My hear rate was climbing and the trail was getting steeper. I was starting to feel a bit well, stuffed. I passed Terry who was playing it cool but then actually decided to walk over the drainage humps that apeared evry 100m or so. The dan tral went on for ever. The finishers started trotting down giving us encouragement but I was hurting. I hate the high heart rate stuff - that's why I do IM. I managed to pass Mike P who even had a few encouraging words for me but Jeff hung tough.
I think I came around 14th which will do esecially after how I felt yesterday.
I caught Strawman who was more in need of sleep that a race after his last few days desperately trying to over haul me on the points table (which he did). Then I saw Jeff up the road and closed in. Unfortunately, Jeff proved to be a prickly customer. It took me ages to climb up to Jeff and when I did we had a little chat then I promptly fell back and watched him power away. I could see Mike P a long way in front but I couldn't make head way on either of them. I kept thinking "Surely some one has to crack" - then realised it was me. It took me 1 hour 50 to complete the 38 kms to Charlotte Pass with 95% of it up hill.
On to the run and felt OK. I passed KP within about 2km, then could see Mike P and Jeff running together about 500m up the road (and I mean up). My hear rate was climbing and the trail was getting steeper. I was starting to feel a bit well, stuffed. I passed Terry who was playing it cool but then actually decided to walk over the drainage humps that apeared evry 100m or so. The dan tral went on for ever. The finishers started trotting down giving us encouragement but I was hurting. I hate the high heart rate stuff - that's why I do IM. I managed to pass Mike P who even had a few encouraging words for me but Jeff hung tough.
I think I came around 14th which will do esecially after how I felt yesterday.
# posted by Vernon @ 11:06 PM 
