Triple Challenge Detailed
November 17th, 2009 by Dan Hugo
The race was both the first for the new chapter and the last for the 09 calender year. Really wanted to do just that, start and end off positively. Placed more emphasis on run leg, a 20km trail run, and was elated at my feel on the climbs, descents, and minimal flats. My leg turnover is coming on and believe my change in running gate is aiding efficiency. The bike was a scramble after somehow getting a cable dislodged when transporting the bikes with baggage and all. But aerobic capacity felt good, and despite having to grind more and run up numerous climbs, it was another positive ride after To Hell and Back. And the paddle, well handled better than expected - perhaps a compliment to Naude’s strength programme and my Pilates core work. So in all, a really great day that I totally enjoyed being a part of. Excellence by Max Cluer Sports Marketing, and the brands that made it possible.
Raoul (Urban Ninja) and I - two Puma ambassadors... Raoul won the Multicoss
Martin Dreyer - one of my sport icons for his mental tenacity - has been doing monumental work with a development programme called “Change a Life” by the Martin Dreyer Academy. His lads have come on a long way in Dusi performance, and now stand tall on the multisport side too. 4 of his athletes were my company on the run, and we set a great tempo from early on. Knew when they were ticking up some rollers at 3:45p/km on the 310XT that we were on for a brisk start to a long day.
On the run. New Luma kit!
After letting two go up the road to a max of 1min30 lead, and settling with two Change a life lads by my side, we started pulling the lead back, till finally closing the gap in the final 1km. By then I’d shaken my partner and joined the two leaders alone, so us three arrived at Camperdown as a unit. Just before the change over, I glanced down at my Garmin, and checked a 4:06/km ave at 161bpm ave - pleasing figures. Conditions were perfect for running - cool and over cast.
Need to mention my Puma Velosis choice shoes. The best trainers I’ve worn. Not something for faster racing, but played for comfort with the long day ahead, and they were unreal. Between the new models of Vectana and Velosis, the personal fit of the Velosis on my feet is best yet.
Chillled fingers couldnt get laces undone...
As the race goes point to point, I did not get to check my bike into T1 myself. But I’d prob not have seen the fault before riding, and still a little unsure where it went wrong. Long and the short - couldnt ride any gears at first, and after tweaking my SRAM cable dial, had only a few to work with. Between stopping and checking the drive chain, and easing on power when shifting, Eric Zondi went up the road with a big heart. It took me half the 52km ride to draw level. Took some exciting chances down into the valley, especially on the brilliant new single track added this year.
Between jumping gears, eventual chain suck, and gradients incompatible for a 28-20 gear, I was running up many climbs and that in my road shoes (there was no hike a bike last year…). My Crank Brother adapter kept clogging with mud from Saturday’s rain and made the on-off cyclocross efforts ridiculous. At one point I was desperate, pleading with the machine, fate, God, and any good measure for some grace. I somehow nursed in, and two crashes on Zondi’s side had given me a 10min margin onto the water.
I had never been more pleased to end a ride…
I love paddling and hope at some stage in my sports future to be doing more thereof. Inanda Dam is a sacred bit of water, where many legends have made them name echo against the Valley of a Thousand Hills. The reverse direction paddle route helped in that I could gauge the deficit on the first out and back, and could settled thereafter. I believe most of Martin’s Change a Life lads put together a faster last two hours than I did, another compliment to their form. Eric too pulled back a few minutes, but the damage was done and I was safe.
Jeep Apparel - Rocking out - always supporting Living Without Limits...
The wind stayed away, and my morning Tropitone shower in Factor 30 spray-on sunblock was never truly needed. Even the tailenders were spared this year. 500 were involved, some doing the multicross, some in teams. I’ve mentioned how I appreciate being a part of the multisport culture in Natal, and again, found myself winning a 4th Triple Challenge to the warmest welcome. Its become my other home, Natal, and big thanks to all there for support and growing the passion.
Congrats to Eric for a strong 2nd, and Cas van Aarden for a consistent 3rd. And Jean Hackland, apologies for missing you after - well done on your race. If only I was smiling like that.
Big thanks to Barry Lewin for his Legend boat. To Tim for seconding Justin and I. To Kita for the 101 last minute instructions, and especially, Max, Ewan, Bex and their team for creating such a magic platform to perform on. Thanks guys.
That ends a 2009 racing plan. I’ll reflect in a while on a mixed-bag-year, but one that has ended on a high.
Thanks for the support and interes, and cheers to 2010.
