Role Reversal

So, I am a week later posting than what I would have liked, however, as they say better late than never!!

Even though I am happy writing this blog, this particular topic is one where I would thought I would never write about.

A few weeks back a mate of mine, Jason (uber mtb'er) suggested that we do a team offroad duathlon. Now if you read between the lines here, you know where I am going.....if you can't here it is:

Offroad = Mountain Bike

Jason = Uber Mtb'er

This leaves me, having to do the run!!! I don't know if he was desperate to race and needed someone to partake in the running or he actually thought that we would be a chance of being competitive with me running for him?!?!?!

So after agreeing to race with him, and knowing that I had been doing a little bit of run training as this is my focus right now, we discussed the race with another couple of mates who also agreed to team up and have a crack at it.

With entries done, the banter started. Random emails and text flying back and forth and round abouts between the four of us. Race tactics were discussed and sledges were discovered. (And yes we were just taking the piss as it was only ever designed to have a fun day with some mates, and not racing for sheep stations)

That was until race morning. The abuse and sledging started as soon as we formed our convoy down to race HQ. Mind you the weather was a refreshing 1 degree Celsius when we arrived at our destination, Lyseterfield. Jas and Stormy (the mtb'ers) didn't understand the whole idea of transition and both complained that they would get cold waiting for Benny & I to drag our sorry arses around the run course....pfffftt, they were dreaming!!

Check in done and bikes into T1. I was under strict instructions to ease into the run and then wind up in the later stages. Obviously coach didn't know what we were racing for....bragging rights between mates, this being way more important than the final placings!!! A few weeks earlier Jason & I were also reminded that there would be others in the race. From memory our response was; doesn't matter where we finish as long as we beat Ben & Stormy!!

So, trying to keep with coaches orders, but not let Benny have to much lead after the first run, I started mid pack. Of course I ran hard from the get go, which I almost missed due to nature calling way to close to the start of the race. Had a good warm up getting back before the horn sounded. So, my mid pack start, in my mind meant I wasn't going as hard as I would if I was up the front. Yeah right, I looked down, only to see sub 3.30min k pace to start. This is going to hurt. I managed to lead Benny to the half way mark but once we turned, the old fox surged on me and I couldn't go with him. (He still didn't look like he was trying).

The first 3.5k done in 13 and 1/2 minutes with and ave HR of 188 and max of 195. I blame Benny on that, trying not to give Stormy too much start at the beginning of the bike. I entered t1 and handed the reigns over to Jas in about 13th position.

The bike was 20km and was more like a sprint for the seasoned riders. Little did Benny and I know that Stormy decided that enough was enough and decided to have a little rest mid race (Yes he crashed). Now depends on who you talk to depends on how major or minor the fall was. Now, I won't let the truth get in the way of a good story and say that he was lucky not break bones at the speed he was travelling!!!

Waiting for the guys to return from the ride was different, as we had no idea the order or the time it would take for them to return. The first 2 riders returned, and unlike the typical bunches that enter t2 in triathlon, there was a good 3 minutes between 1st and 2nd. Then to my shock (only because it meant I had to run like I stole something) Jason returned in 3rd place outright and 1st team. The 2nd team was only 30sec behind which meant I was a monty to lose my place and cope a spray from Jason for letting the team down.

Now, under strict instructions to take the first 2km easy then to "open up" (from coach) was quickly the further est thing from my mind due to pride taking over and the win only a tad over 6k's away. All I had to do was run my arse off!!!

Once again the heart almost pounded straight out of the front of my chest with the 3.30 first k. My mindset was to run the first 2 really hard and then try and settle into some kind of rhythm to hang on. The only thing I could think about was the tongue lashing I would cope if I let the win run by.

I did hold on with a sub 23min 6k with some undulations (once again, depends who you talk to - I thought it was a mountain pass) and held on for 3rd outright and 1st team.

The highlight for Jas & I was receiving the winners cheque, yep one of those fake ones you get. (see photo below).

This race was a really positive as my run focus is now showing some signs of ability albeit a tiny bit. No speed work has been entered into yet and if I can maintain focus and restrict injury, I am very confident of becoming some sort of runner. (I WILL NEVER LOSE MY BIKING THOUGH!!)

For now...

X-Man