Duel Ultra Triathlon Race Report

As mentioned in my Midmar Multisport Festival report, I’d won my first triathlon nationals at Midmar Dam ten years ago. Yesterday morning I got to keep my head above the famous ‘Midmar Mile‘ water for the first time with a 15km paddle to start my Duel Ultra Triathlon. Two options to start the day, a 2km swim or 15km paddle, 80km bike, and 20km run.

(Stunning Midmar Dam – Heading out to run leg)

Fraser and myself came up late on Saturday afternoon, just late enough to create some chaos trying to build bikes, source my boat, throw a pull strap in, change the seat, miss the race briefing, grab some last minute’rs from a SuperSpar.

(An attempt to calm some chaos the night before at Max’s…)

The race is only in its second year, but yet mature in its operation. All was very smooth from the start, and I’ll recommend the race to anyone half tempted. The venue is great, with a bumpy two lap bike course, and a great out and back flat 2lap run course.

(My Garmin Forerunner 305′s trace of the course)

As mentioned in the week, I’ve been a little fragile since the Totalsports Challenge and I was grateful for an easier day out with no one chasing me down. Body felt alright going through the motions, but then I didnt really have to get close to red lining. Makes such a difference being able to drop to the smaller blade, without pushing to breaking point on every little climb, so perhaps its not a true reflection on my recovery yet.

I got to paddle with a friend of Ruth’s, Rick Stutterheim, who was racing for team. Great to have a wave to tag on, and the three laps ticked b surprisingly quick. My last paddle at that, for the next five months or so. The views from the dam a class, green rolling hills. Fraser said they were much like home in Scotland.

The bike course was the tester. Not a 100m of flat road. I really enjoyed starting my ride in the last 10% of the swim field. They were totalling around 500 entrants, and as the paddle took 1h15, the swim only 25min, and we started 40min before the swimmers, I was ‘way-down’ in the swim field. Never really get to see that side of things. The true enthusiasts, the guys on 70k worth of machinery with full tt setup, sitting upright holding onto his cow-horns. Eish. There were some sights for sore eyes. But they make the sport, and each was making his way success in their own terms.

I could have greeted each of the couple of hundred I passed by name, as we were given personal numbers with names on which were to be displayed on the back for the ride. The second lap definitely hurt a little more. I wasnt flying past anyone now, as there were probably only 25 still ahead and realing them in had become a slower drag. The sun was out, and although the humidity I’d feared had stayed at bay, the steeper climbs in my lightest gear were cooking my ass. I should have gone with my normal Specialized 2D Helmet, the lightest helmet in the world, and equally impressive on air ventilation, as the tt helmet I had on was just getting too hot. Too hot.    

(Coming in off the 80km bike)

(This Google earth image doesnt do the hills justice…)

The bike was well marshalled, the turns at passionate water stations, and I even spotted a draft busting referee or two. I was optimistic coming back after one lap seeing on my Garmin that the bike was going to be short, only to go past the resort and double back from further on.

Up front I could see the show unfold, with Carl Storm leading out Fraser by a few metres each time they came from the front. Anton Storm was in third starting out, but after lap one it was Charl Keet, who’d saved my Xterra in Buffelspoort, in third. The girls race was even tighter, and passing the top four girls in close sucsession, being able to gauge their effort versus comfort, got half excited for big run from the one who wanted it most. The first five girls must have been spread by no more than four minutes coming off the bike.

I came off the bike in 17th in the overall count, and tried to find some comfi rhythm with eye on my HR display. Not far in I started scouting the land for an opportunistic moment, only to realise, with a smile, that there were countless public toilets in the reserve. Luxury. I felt a new runner after…

Fraser was running just too well, and Carl was dropped after 5km. Charl hang on to third to within the final kilometre, before a guy none of us had heard of reeled him in. I still dont know his name, but he posted the fastest run split of the day.

(A good day at the office.)

Each time I criss-crossed the lead girls, there was building excitement. Carla Germishuyswas running too well, and ran through the field from 4th off the bike. Five seconds separated Claire Kingsley and Wilma Daniels for second and third.

(The emergency detour triangle)

Ruth’s brother, Doug Bird, and his business partner Stuart Berry, were on the mikes for the day. Its like having in house support. Insider trading. Fraser had met Doug in the Bosch over New Years as well, so for the both of us, it was marketing cheating.

(Puma – its about looking good in sweat)

Again, I’d like to compliment Ian Feely and his Duel crew. Ultra smooth, professional, and well rounded. Fine detail, like kilometre markers, ice cold water sache’s, a run through shower, all added a fine touch.

The prize giving ended with Felt Bikes giving a bike as prize. Justice prevailed, and one of the development lads got drawn from the hat. Raw excitement. Good for him.
 

Here is some of the data I’m able to view after racing with my Garmin:

(Map and total elevation)

(HR Graph)

(Lap data)

I could not manipulate it (as I dont know how to) so its not perfect. I forgot to stop it after crossing the line, and my laps arent accurate. I pushed the start to bike twice, hence the little short ones, and I started the ‘run’ split with a 100m to go on the bike type of vibe. But it’ll be an interesting view of general HR and time spent in the various zones all the same. Not a full tilt race I know, but seen in that context it might be usefull for comparision down the line.