While registering in the expo marque tent on Saturday afternoon, beads of sweat dripping off my brow in 36degree heat, a friend mentioned he’d heard a rainy weather prediction for Sunday morning’s events. I assured him, quite confidently, that I’d grown up less than 5km away, and that it doesn’t rain here. Not even in winter when it’s meant to…
(Terra firma after 2.2km swim in Brandvlei Dam)
It was bucketing down for most of the duration of the event. Athletes’ and especially their supporters’ sense of humour was tested by rain from the top, rain from the front, rain from behind, rain from the sides. Small drops. Big drops. But cold rain in mid December in Worcester. Eish. I’d have bet against it.
I think the entry totalled 500 athletes, with some 200 odd tempting the Escape from Maximum Prison – 2.2km swim, 100km bike, and 25km run. I’d not been to road triathlon since 2004 some time I think, and if nothing else, truly enjoyed seeing some characters from childhood racing memories. I was also stunned at the bling bling environment. The latest and greatest needs have been met in South Africa. A good sign for the retailers, but comical for the outside observer and a different general crowd to the ‘off-road community’ where broken is better.
(“The shit that kills” – unpacking at the farm the night before)
Seemed strange to be at the farm the night before, and rather strange loosening out down the”trekpad”. Had a swim down in the Breede River as well, and some off the madding crowd staying on the farm for the weekend joined in. A few Serbs, Nikola Tosic, my blogging coach, as well as some friends from Stellenbosch stayed at the farm. Mattresses on the floor, big pasta free for all, the works.
(Pre race swim loosen at the river)
My swim was mediocre, and only on the second lap after a lengthy 160m run did I settle in a bit. I really need to get my swimming up. Although it’s near insignificant over a close-on-5hour event like this, its time that shouldn’t be lost. The three Storm brothers, Carl, Brad and Anton were pushing the pace out up front, with Frazer Cartmell, a Scottish athlete based in Stellenbosch for some summer training on their feet. I’d lost just over two minutes on entering the rain soaked transition in 7th position.
I rode alright against the wind over the first 25km to the turn around, and must admit I felt a little disheartened to see the four approach from the front. Gutted I’d missed the front pack. Figured it would have been great to do a non-drafting race… Teasing aside, I knew I’d have to bridge sooner rather than later. 3km after the turn, Carl Storm punctured, and I reckoned the three up front must have lost some impetus from his misfortune, as I reeled them in not far after Rawsonville on the way back. But turning in transition after the first 50km, I was still tagged.
(Taking a new bottle from my sister after lap 1)
I glanced round in now sleating rain with thunder asking for attention in the distance, to see someone had dropped off. I learnt after it was Fraser, who stopped in transition for a wheel change after breaking a spoke somewhere on lap1. Not far before Rawsonville, after 65km, I punctured. Day end.
In some ways I was a bit relieved, for my mid area anatomy more than anything else (yet to find a comfy tt seat), and in some disappointed. I do believe Fraser would have had to do four wheel stops to be beaten, as he is a real class act coming off a recent 7th at world 70.3 Championships in Clear Water. I was one of the 15%, if not more, to puncture on the day.
If they were my wheels and tubbies, I’d have put some mtb Stan’s Solution in them. Either way, I didn’t want to run the risk of owing my friend two tubbies. As one alone puts me in debt.
Fraser still had some time to make up on Brad and Anton Storm, but by lap one end, it was evident he was untouchable. The womans’ race was far more exciting, with three girls starting the run within four minutes of each other. Claire Kingsley held onto her lead till mid-way on the last of three running laps, before surrendering to Jeannie Bomford’s admirable persistence. Jeannie was one of those staying at the farm for the weekend, and we were honoured to have her at the dinner table to toast last night. She’s such a remarkable talent. Currently she’s gearing up for the Coast to Coast race in New Zealand which I did earlier this year, and I feel she’ll be hard to beat there. I’m hoping to profile her on the blog soon…
(The top three escape artists – Fraser on the left)
(The hard fought girls podium, Jeannie on the left)
I couldn’t ask for a race closer to home. Not that I call the Brandvlei Prison my home, but I hope to win some thing on local turf some day soon.
Nikola, brilliant blogger that he is, made a great album of the weekend:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tosicnikola/sets/72157603470781556/
That’s it for my year’s racing. I must admit to having struggled with the road focus over the past month, and very much look forward to more rugged prep for the Totalsports Challenge in Kleinmond on the 12th of January.
