Sandy Balls DuathlonPosted by Jonhinio on November 17th, 2009

Only a bit late…but it’s about time I shared my BCTTT attack on lower half of the results table at the Sandy Bals Duathon last Sunday.

What a lovely morning for racing, the sun was up and there was a light wind blowing as I arrived late as usual for a race. Cue mild panic as my profile bottle wouldn’t stay on the tri bars, so I abandoned that and decided to just go with bottles.

I made it to transition with 5 minutes to spare before the compulsory race briefing, and before having time to warm up we were whisked away to the start. The start began at the bottom of a valley with the first 800 metres winding it’s way out of the valley’s steep side again. I took this very easy as I know some people would blow up early. I’d get them later. The run course had changed sine last year’s race which included a 1 in 4 hill which you ran down on the first lap, and up on the second. We were happy to see the back of that one.

Alas, the organisers had found one road with a huge down and uphill section on an out and back course so by the end of the first lap I realised I hadn’t done enough training! Still, the bike would give me a restbite. It was the first time I’d raced my new steed, and blimey what a difference a few less pounds and carbon frame makes. I was hurtling a long like a man posessed. Then… my drink bottle decided to jump out of the rear cage and land in the largest deposit of New Forest Animal shyte that it could find.  So 3 k into the bike leg, no hydration and still a way to go.

After about 5k I heard a clatter behind me. Looking round I saw a girl had come off (possibly been clipped by a car that had got too close).  I quickly came to  a stop and went back to check on her. Thankfully she was alright. So I got back on my bike and carried on.

The return leg of the bike made me realise that the wind wasn’t light, and in fact I’d been cycling with a strong tail wind as it was a lot harder than I thought getting back to T2.

Once back I donned my trusty NB trainers and set out for the last 5k. I was feeling ok still and took it wasy on the last downhill. As I reached the bottom and started to climb the last hill my calf started hurting. Thinking nothing of it I pushed on. As I reached the top it all was too much and my calf spasmed. Possibly lack of hydration put pay to it. So I hobbled the last 1km back to Sandy Balls with a whole raft of people overtaking me. Got a good cheer as I came into  the finishing straight. Despite the injury I still finished 7 minutes faster than last years race mainly thanks to the bike leg.

And in true BCTTT fashion I finished in the bottom half of the table. Still I loved it and have great respect for the Race New Forest team who are consistently the best race organisers I have come across.

Next year I’ll be back!