The day started out well we had our accommodation only 150m from the start of the race so I could be completely focused and ready to have a crack. I think the water was about .6 of a degree from being a non wetsuit swim so things got pretty warm in the wetty by the end but I got out to a good start and found a good rhythm about 600m into the swim. I've been doing a higher workload than usually would in the pool and this started to pay off into the second lap when I started to make my way past plenty of swimmers and get some good water to swim in. It was a good result to me to be in the first 20 out of the water.
The bike was where things got interesting, with all directions of wind covered in the bike (cross, tail, head) it was going to get tough as there was not much shelter and I knew I had to make the most of it. I must of passed a fair few people in the first lap, as the support crew got a shock to see me back so soon to the turn around point and by the second lap I had got myself into 3rd overall. I had a crack at trying to get closer to the lead two but the wind picked up and I wasn't making anymore ground so I just settled into a steady cadence for the tough section and made the most of the tailwind sections.
Out onto the run I had about a 30 second buffer on 4th but I knew the guy behind me had always had my measure in the run and being in 3rd I knew I had to have a crack and sort of disregard my race plan. So I went out pretty hard for the first 4km hoping the tough ride had took a bit of toll on him and the small chase might just be enough to tip it over the edge. But that wasn't the case and I got caught within the first 3k and then it was a matter of trying to go back to the original plan. Well that was what I was trying to do I slowly self destructed and the 30 second buffer went to a 8 minute deficite but after all that I still had one of my best 21km(yes that's what my gps said) times off the bike for me.
Overall the day was a great success for me getting the highest result I've ever had and getting a good hitout to start the season off, and giving the new race suit a good try with great results. Once again I have to thank the support crew of Bianca firstly closely followed by Mum and Nancy for making the trip and providing the pre race hydration for Bianca and themselves. Also thanks to the Reeses for the cat feeding and the Gillins for the dog sitting. Quite a mundane race report but I'm sure I'll have some more captivating stories in the future escpecially when I hit NZ and the support crew consists of Dad and my sister Kate (I already feel sorry for Kate, after having dinner with the folks last night).
Cheers Toby
Swim start at Lake Bonney
Bike turn-around point
Coming into the finishing chute
Race debrief with my number one groupie.
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