Written by About two weeks ago I decided to do Global 11 Sun City Triathlon. It was non-drafting Olympic distance race, with very challenging course, especially running.
Me and Kurt left to Sun City on Saturday evening, because race start was early, at 7am. I hoped to have nice race in the morning and then spend rest of the day in Valley of the waves. Hmmm….unfortunately things didn’t went exactly as I planned. Evening before we heard that Valley of the Waves was closed due to private function, what a disappointment!
Ok, lets focus on the race. Bright and early into transition. I was really amazed of amount of people doing the race and even more to hear that for lot of them, it was first ever triathlon. Ladies started 6 minutes behind the guys. Not really ideal situation for us. I caught slowest swimmers already at first buoy, after about 300m and rest of the swim I just tried to find my way through lot of legs and bodies and not to get hit. I got out of the water first, about 1min ahead Ash, Rianna and Corinne. So far everything going well.
First transition was quite far from swimming finish, nice 800m hill run. And then another 500m hill with bike to mount line:) Once on the bike I tried to push, to get lead big enough that I could save some energy during the run. I didn’t feel best but i was able to hold nice pace, passing some more guys and got passed by few week swimmers / strong cyclist men. I suffered a bit going uphill at half way but then got back quickly into my rhythm….until last turn around at 30km when i realized that I am cycling on flat back wheel…grrr. So much for nice race…I had spare tube with me, so quick stop, change and back into the race…in my dreams:) From quick stop,it was in the end about 8minutes on the side of the road. Changing tube was easiest part but i also struggled with getting my wheel out and back into my bike (due to hit bike on plane from my trip to Barcelona) and then “surprisingly” with my CO2 bomb. First one didn’t work…ok it did but all the air missed my tire. Luckily with second one I was more successful. Back on to my bike, dropped from 1st position to 7th and my racing spirit dropped too.
On my way to T2
But I still finished the race, had actually very nice run and picked two places to 5th overall. In the end it was at least good training day and good practice for next puncture. Hope not too soon. Well done to winner Riana, she really had great day there and I am happy to see her racing well.
Enjoying my run
But in the end I was still smiling and very happy to see all Trifactri athletes racing great. Travis finishing 5th elite and girls dominating top ten – from 4th-8th and 10th place. Proud coach!
Very focused Erwan - 4th in 40 plus categorie