Lactic-Haze

I’ll start the race report with saying, this is one of those races I want to rather forget, but can’t. Why? Because it teaches you lessons. I was told this is a fast race, and I’ve been trying to get faster in my running. The Lion of Africa went well on a tough course and I was happy. Sunday, the BDO did not go that well. I learned to make peace with a goal not met, and to take the lesson, chill out, enjoy the ride.

Back to the report. Woke up at 4am, had breakfast and then drove to the start. Over Ou Kaapse Weg it was windy and misty and the weather looked shit. Eventually found parking, only to have to walk another 2.5km to the start line. Walked and then ran a bit to warm up with three other 21km entrants.

Picture from Action Photo website. I'll buy the original come payday!

They set us off and I felt ok, wind in the back and managing a decent 5:20/km. At Fish Hoek circle we headed to Sun Valley and the wheels came off a bit. My chest hurt, and while I wasn’t sick, something didn’t feel right. I started slacking off a bit, and eventually was matching the pace of another runner just to prevent myself from walking. We hit Black Hill and a solid headwind, and I managed not to walk, while a ton of other people walked it. It was still heavy going and not fun. Eventually went over the top and I was in a group trying to make some time on the downhill. Along the way I chatted to another triathlete I’ve met through the various events. The way back to Simonstown was in to the wind, and no matter how much I willed the legs, they were just not happy, and I could not get under 6mins/km.

Eventually I crossed the line at 2h02m02s for the 21km, not a happy puppy, but glad the race was over. That one hurt, and I realised I might have set some goals a but high for IM. The positive from it was it came at the end of a very heavy 3 week training block that included 2 x 21km half’s, loads of cycling and a ITU distance triathlon. Now to rest this week, enjoy life a bit, and then head in to the next block before starting to taper towards IM SA in 2 months time. Excited but very very scared!