Some how am in control tonight, and not frantically sorting till 12pm. Perhaps the 5am start time has been the motivator for the earlier night. Staying at Ruth’s home in Pietermaritzburg, some 10min from the start of what I expect to be a really tough 5h30 race across three disciplines: running, mountain biking, and paddling.
I am feeling great and have had a really good week, and rather excited to race the Triple Challenge after all it meant to me last year. I marks a year from my decision to place my studies on hold and chase what seemed half a chance at life as an athlete. Its been a surreal year in too many ways.
The Triple Challenge was even more importantly perhaps the occasion to meet Ruth. Cant really imagine not having met her here on a drive back from the dam. Regrettable she’s stayed in the Cape wrapping up her honours thesis, but I have a little ‘R’ that she’s stuck on my handle bars for tomorrow, and sure will be thinking of her on course, as I was last year with infatuation.
The run is 22km of mainly undulating gravel roads, with a total of 5km on tarmac. The bike is where I reckon the racing will happen tomorrow, and trusting my 1.8 Fast Trak SLK tires will be sufficient traction and excess speed on the 25km road of the 55km ride. There have been torrential rains and dangerous ruts on the ride could keep the off road sections interesting, before getting into a boat on Inanda Dam for a 22km paddle, split into three legs by two short portages.
I am going to head out conservatively, and will happily give Iain as much as 8min lead on the run. I am feeling confident on the ride and paddle, but perhaps more confident in just being able to keep my system operating for the duration of the day.
I’ll post some news as soon I can. Thanks for the reading, thanks for the interest and support. Lets hope I can pull off the double.
One Response to "The night before the Triple Challenge"
Good luck and kick ass!