Race Report: Powerade Triple Challenge 2008

5h40

Sorting my Garmin 405

Biking in clearing mist

The ride was great. Got to spend more time on the new 09 Epic. Its a radical bit of equipment. The course is fast and undulating. On the fastest tarmac descent, I looked up from my tuck, and realised the taxi in front wasnt only stopped, it was reversing! T.I.A. Crazy days, but thats the valley. With that comes countless kids screaming on road side, wanting a high-five as you pass by. We ride through many cattle herds and goats, grazing where they will. No fences, even on road side. They dont budge, not once did one get a fright or step towards my line. It made for moments when I thought: “oh shit” – and it could be literal and figurative.

Preparing for the paddle

Many thanks to Barry for the boat. Got me around the paddle course in fine form. Juat a pity he coulnt lend me his set of arms as well. Started coming undone with 6km left. Made worse by the wind picking up.

Getting to 2nd Portage

Jeannie Bomford in T2

My greatest stress for the day was being beaten by Jeannie. I’v blogged about her class before. If the race was much longer, she’d have pegged me back I’m sure. Either way, totally in a class of her own on the girls side.

Super Seconds - Mystique and Eszter

The hurt

On the final portage, shuffling along at a running pace one could walk faster, a few kids came bolting along with coke and jelly babies and an excitement infectious enough to lift a weary soul. They were part of the Multisport School, and were manning the final water point. I sent them on ahead, with instruction to ready some more coke and many more jelly babies.

Multisport School kids feeding me

Which they did…

Tough day at the office

Big up to all who finished. The wind was savage and had many of the most underserved back markers swimming. My stroke technique was far from poetic on the final straight, crab crawling in. Sad state cramping to finish a long day.

Finishing PTC 2008

And start the holiday.

A timely Spur Burger

I was so properly hungry.

Max has rewarded the past winners with a 10min chopper flight. Third time round and the novelt hasnt worn. Such a treat.

Men's podium

So that be that.

Congrats to all who had the grit to get through that wind. And cheers to the Max Cluer Sports Marketing team for a fine event. They even swung a bouquet my way!