Powerade Triple Challenge Reloaded

Two out of two! Managed the double, winning last weekend in Sun City and earlier this morning at Inanda Dam after starting the 6th Powerade Triple Challenge in Pietermaritzburg in near perfect weather at the imperfect time of 5am. It was another tassel with Iain Don-Wouchope who went out hard on the run to make a chase similar to last year. Despite some theatrics along the way, I came out on top for my second Triple Title.

120 of the 650 participants started at 5am this morning in the individual race covering more than 100km of mutlisport trails, starting with 22km run, 55km ride, and 24 paddle. Iain lead the field out of Maritzburg at blistering pace, which I admire and respect, as that was his chance, to build a lead he could defend on the paddle.

A few kilometres in and I was solo, with Iain out of site in the misty forested areas we ran through, and the group behind me I couldnt see. I must have lost 2min over the first 5km, and only another 2min over the next 15km to Iain. Twas less than expected and encouraging to my legs that were still feeling fatigue from last weekends Totalsports Challenge. Especially on the ups I could not push as comfortably as I would have liked, but seemed Iain neither.

The girls race was always going to be exciting with last week’s Totalsports winner Jeannie Bomford racing Abbey Miedema. I was as interested in their race as I was in my own really, and their strengths would keep us guessing till right at the end.

I was happy to get onto the bike, been feeling comfortable there. Just clipped past a train I would have had to wait for had I run any harder, so took that as a sign in the right direction… Splits were far anf few between on the hilly hilly ride. Lots of steep little acents moving from tar to gravel, tar to gravel. Iain was hovering between 4 to 5min ahead, and I wasnt bridging as easily as I’d hoped.

And after a serious spill on the biggest descent of the day, I thought I’d be chasing some 7min on the water. Cas van Aarden was back in third, but some measure off, it would be between Iain and myself again. The crash was 10km from the end of the ride – a serious rain eroded rut across the road made me bunny hop, but at an angle to be more perpendicular to the rut, but I landed on an off-camber section of the gravel road, and couldnt straighten to get to the centre again, and drifted closer and closer to the ditch on the side of the road. Strange how those few split seconds can feel and eternity. Front wheel pegged and I went flying, head first. Thought that was it, enough fun for one day. But seemed all limbs were still attached, and even seemed the bike was unscathed. So figured I may as well hop back on. After the adrenaline spike, came my low for the day, but despite feeling empty for the last 10km, I must have closed 3min on Iain over this stretch.

Starting the paddle on a glassy Inanda Dam, I could see Iain a few hundred metres ahead, and started to relax.

The race was incredibly well planned, managed, and executed in fine style. Max Cluer and his entire team do such incredible work, and mulitsport is thriving in Natal as a result. The triple is probably the pinnacle of this, and great to have been a part of the day.

Jeannie managed to hold off a brilliant fastest paddle of the day by Abbey, to take her first Triple title.

Racing through ‘real’ Africa in the Valley ofa thousand hills, I was filled with gratitude to my Father in heaven for talent and opportunity. Racing past thousands who’ll never have the opportunity to, was humbling. How fortunate I am.

Oh yes, got to go for a spin in the chopper as part of my prize…

More tomorrow…

Thanks for the support.