Painathlon 2010
Challenge 1 complete I was straight on the bike in =2nd having run in my helmet and before long 3 of us were in a lead pack thanks to a handy red light. We had a chat on the ride and within 7 minutes the bikes were racked and we were heading up Raeboldt Hill a 1K climb of about 8% on bitumen. The adrenaline was still pumping after missing the start and I was running faster than intended but I was also keen on achieving goal number 1 getting some help for the 30K ride to The Truth into the wind.
I left Raeboldt Hill in 3rd but arrived at Kings Park 1st after the others took slower routes on the bike.
Michael was running quicker and he caught me near the top of Cardiac hill 1.3k at about 5% and we climbed the 80 stairs of the DNA tower together having a chat. On the way down the hill virtually the whole field was running up and I shared some high 5’s with those I knew. It was then on the bike to Mount Street or Mount Pain for 3 laps of 270m at about 30%. I decided to just take these easy as very little time could be made or lost. After 3 comfortablesclimbs it was back on the bike for the longest single run of the day The Bridges a flat run of about 10K.
Unfortunately I missed a turn and added a little to my ride maybe 3-4minutes. When I arrived at the Bridges I was well off the pace so based on my drafting plan for the following first big ride I just ran around at a comfortable pace finally getting caught by 4th insight of the finish.
Jumping onto the bike in unison it was quickly established that Kiwi and me would work together I quickly downed my 2nd muesli bar and fought off my 1st cramp of the day.
On fairly busy roads we set a good pace into a decent headwind. Not long after we were caught by a fellow rider on a flash looking bike but he whizzed by with cars beeping before we could get on his wheel. However he never made it out of sight and we almost caught him before he turned right when we were going straight.
The ride through Swan Valley was slower as the wind picked up. With barely 5k to go we were really pushing into it and I was hanging out to get off the bike. I was actually looking forward to The Truth. With a K to go I dropped off the back to try and get ready for the run. There was a short climb just before we arrived and I grabbed a drink and started shuffling uphill, for 20minutes! There was a few people in front meaning we’d either taken a longer route or just cycled slower. Josh passed me as I had a toilet stop atop the hill. Josh is training for the Hawaiian Ironman so I’d been waiting for this moment. My cycling training had started in June with very little in the 4 years prior. I found out later Josh had 3 flat tyres. 2 to that point.
The Truth is about 20% and after my 20 minutes climbing there was still 5 minutes down followed by 5minutes up before we turned around and headed back down. I punched my race card had a cup of water then started the descent. Cruelly the steepest climb was on the way back but once that was done it was just a roll down the hill back to my bike.
Transition was a sorry looking place as bodies started to complain about the punishment.
Being an ultrarunner I was aware of the time that can be wasted at aid stations so merely filled my bottles and got going. Josh was there when I arrived and still there when I left. I decided to have a muesli bar and wait him to share the work for the 15K to the Zig-Zag. Unfortunately when I tried to ride with him I would just cramp up so I had to let him go.
I had taken my directions out because I didn’t really know where I was going for the next few challenges.
I left Raeboldt Hill in 3rd but arrived at Kings Park 1st after the others took slower routes on the bike.
Michael was running quicker and he caught me near the top of Cardiac hill 1.3k at about 5% and we climbed the 80 stairs of the DNA tower together having a chat. On the way down the hill virtually the whole field was running up and I shared some high 5’s with those I knew. It was then on the bike to Mount Street or Mount Pain for 3 laps of 270m at about 30%. I decided to just take these easy as very little time could be made or lost. After 3 comfortablesclimbs it was back on the bike for the longest single run of the day The Bridges a flat run of about 10K.
Unfortunately I missed a turn and added a little to my ride maybe 3-4minutes. When I arrived at the Bridges I was well off the pace so based on my drafting plan for the following first big ride I just ran around at a comfortable pace finally getting caught by 4th insight of the finish.
Jumping onto the bike in unison it was quickly established that Kiwi and me would work together I quickly downed my 2nd muesli bar and fought off my 1st cramp of the day.
On fairly busy roads we set a good pace into a decent headwind. Not long after we were caught by a fellow rider on a flash looking bike but he whizzed by with cars beeping before we could get on his wheel. However he never made it out of sight and we almost caught him before he turned right when we were going straight.
The ride through Swan Valley was slower as the wind picked up. With barely 5k to go we were really pushing into it and I was hanging out to get off the bike. I was actually looking forward to The Truth. With a K to go I dropped off the back to try and get ready for the run. There was a short climb just before we arrived and I grabbed a drink and started shuffling uphill, for 20minutes! There was a few people in front meaning we’d either taken a longer route or just cycled slower. Josh passed me as I had a toilet stop atop the hill. Josh is training for the Hawaiian Ironman so I’d been waiting for this moment. My cycling training had started in June with very little in the 4 years prior. I found out later Josh had 3 flat tyres. 2 to that point.
The Truth is about 20% and after my 20 minutes climbing there was still 5 minutes down followed by 5minutes up before we turned around and headed back down. I punched my race card had a cup of water then started the descent. Cruelly the steepest climb was on the way back but once that was done it was just a roll down the hill back to my bike.
Transition was a sorry looking place as bodies started to complain about the punishment.
Being an ultrarunner I was aware of the time that can be wasted at aid stations so merely filled my bottles and got going. Josh was there when I arrived and still there when I left. I decided to have a muesli bar and wait him to share the work for the 15K to the Zig-Zag. Unfortunately when I tried to ride with him I would just cramp up so I had to let him go.
I had taken my directions out because I didn’t really know where I was going for the next few challenges.
posted by dave at 4:35 AM
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