XTERRA NZ: The lowdown
As you now know, I had a great day at XTERRA NZ, taking 2nd, a mere 20 sec down on professional Terrenzo Bozzone. Probably best I give you an account of the day huh?
For me, the result was extra satisfying in that it was the culmination of a long build up. One where I actually succeeded in a one-off targeted event. Too often in the past I’ve been solid year round, yet never pulled off the big result when I needed to.
Unlike Australia last week, I went in with the right frame of mind. As Stu Houltham had text me the night before “I don’t wanna here any coulda, shoulda, woulda. Leave it all out there. No questions.” He was dead right. I went in thinking it was my course, I had the best equipment, and if anyone was going to beat me they’d have to earn it. And so it proved.
Despite never getting to the front, I was confident I could run down a couple of minutes gap. As it transpired that’s just what I needed to do. At the end of the bike there was 2min to Tim. 30sec to Scott Thorne. As a steadily narrowed the gap, spectators continued to mistake me for Terrenzo. I took it as a compliment. At least I must look like I can run I figured?!
By ½ way I had taken the lead, running free. Although the crowd was still cheering for Terrenzo….. and at that moment I realised they really were cheering for him; he was on my shoulder. Bugger! 5km to go and I’ve got a 30min 10km runner to chase. I was screwed. My thoughts turned to salvaging 2nd until on the sidelines Brian Hall urged me to chase. Something clicked. Why not. Leave it all on the course. So I chased; hard. And at 8km retook the lead. “I’m actually going to win,” I started to think. Until a red flash blew by at 2.5km to go. I couldn’t respond.
A 20sec gap established, and I held that till the end. Close enough to watch Terrenzo break the finishing tape just ahead. Not the view I wanted, but to race so well was amazing. I’d said anyone that beat me would have to earn it. It took a race record run split from Bozzone to do it. I think he earned it?!
For me, the result was extra satisfying in that it was the culmination of a long build up. One where I actually succeeded in a one-off targeted event. Too often in the past I’ve been solid year round, yet never pulled off the big result when I needed to.
Unlike Australia last week, I went in with the right frame of mind. As Stu Houltham had text me the night before “I don’t wanna here any coulda, shoulda, woulda. Leave it all out there. No questions.” He was dead right. I went in thinking it was my course, I had the best equipment, and if anyone was going to beat me they’d have to earn it. And so it proved.
Lining up on the beach I don’t think I’ve ever been so relaxed before a swim. I lined up behind a few guys I knew swam a good minute or so quicker than I, and simply planned to follow their feet for as long as I could. That may have only been 300m or so…. But it started things out well. I felt solid, and exited the water feeling good. I’d decided against using a watch. Didn’t want to know. Just race hard as you can were my thoughts. Later I would find out I had swum a PB by about a minute (yet was still giving up 3min to the front).
Despite never getting to the front, I was confident I could run down a couple of minutes gap. As it transpired that’s just what I needed to do. At the end of the bike there was 2min to Tim. 30sec to Scott Thorne. As a steadily narrowed the gap, spectators continued to mistake me for Terrenzo. I took it as a compliment. At least I must look like I can run I figured?!
By ½ way I had taken the lead, running free. Although the crowd was still cheering for Terrenzo….. and at that moment I realised they really were cheering for him; he was on my shoulder. Bugger! 5km to go and I’ve got a 30min 10km runner to chase. I was screwed. My thoughts turned to salvaging 2nd until on the sidelines Brian Hall urged me to chase. Something clicked. Why not. Leave it all on the course. So I chased; hard. And at 8km retook the lead. “I’m actually going to win,” I started to think. Until a red flash blew by at 2.5km to go. I couldn’t respond.
A 20sec gap established, and I held that till the end. Close enough to watch Terrenzo break the finishing tape just ahead. Not the view I wanted, but to race so well was amazing. I’d said anyone that beat me would have to earn it. It took a race record run split from Bozzone to do it. I think he earned it?!
