One race too far
This is going to be quite literally the ramblings of a racing addict. Am sitting at home, enjoying a sunday of general laziness and relaxing. Quite simply, I'm smashed. The few weeks of big races finally caught up with me this week, and especially yesterday when I raced the Crazyman Mtn duathlon in Wellington.
I finished 'Cabin' (that's the new name for 2nd) to Dave Rowlands. I had entered thinking I could break his course record. But in reality thats no reason to race. Its a bit arrogant really. And I paid for it yesterday. If you wanted to break a record and trained hard for that event then thats a different story.
It was cold and wet, and I struggled to get excited. It was a mental battle all day to keep going hard, my motivation was lacking and unlike last week there were to be no beer shortcut's to look forward to. Giving up 6mins or so in the 18km mtn run left me a lot of work to do. Then missing the turn in to the MTB (thanks to the marshalls?!) and losing another 4-5 didn't help. So starting the chase over 10mins down, with 35km to get it back? equals pretty flat feeling.
It was good for a hile when I caught Multisport legend Richard Ussher, as together we pushed the pace along. But I inched away from him then he punctured. On my own it was a struggle. I felt like rubbish. Legs were heavy. And it was a constant mental battle to stay positive and focus on what I was doing. I just wanted a hot shower. I eventually took back 7mins on Dave, and coasted in for 2nd 3-4mins down.
There is all the "what coulda been's". But in reality I didn't deserve it. I certainly hadn't bought my A game. My head wasn't in it. And I'd put diesel in the gas tank instead of race fuel. Mr Rowlands on the other hand had prepared well, raced positively and determindly, and deserved his victory. He even broke his own course record on a very difficult day. So congrat's Dave.
I'll just have to go back and try to break the magic 3hr barrier next year?! for now I have a whole lot of doing nothing to catch up on. The couch is looking very inviting....
I finished 'Cabin' (that's the new name for 2nd) to Dave Rowlands. I had entered thinking I could break his course record. But in reality thats no reason to race. Its a bit arrogant really. And I paid for it yesterday. If you wanted to break a record and trained hard for that event then thats a different story.
It was cold and wet, and I struggled to get excited. It was a mental battle all day to keep going hard, my motivation was lacking and unlike last week there were to be no beer shortcut's to look forward to. Giving up 6mins or so in the 18km mtn run left me a lot of work to do. Then missing the turn in to the MTB (thanks to the marshalls?!) and losing another 4-5 didn't help. So starting the chase over 10mins down, with 35km to get it back? equals pretty flat feeling.
It was good for a hile when I caught Multisport legend Richard Ussher, as together we pushed the pace along. But I inched away from him then he punctured. On my own it was a struggle. I felt like rubbish. Legs were heavy. And it was a constant mental battle to stay positive and focus on what I was doing. I just wanted a hot shower. I eventually took back 7mins on Dave, and coasted in for 2nd 3-4mins down.
There is all the "what coulda been's". But in reality I didn't deserve it. I certainly hadn't bought my A game. My head wasn't in it. And I'd put diesel in the gas tank instead of race fuel. Mr Rowlands on the other hand had prepared well, raced positively and determindly, and deserved his victory. He even broke his own course record on a very difficult day. So congrat's Dave.
I'll just have to go back and try to break the magic 3hr barrier next year?! for now I have a whole lot of doing nothing to catch up on. The couch is looking very inviting....
