Raby Bay vs the Canadian

Well the morning started out slightly windy and light showers. Sounds better than the weather back home...

I can't believe my super-family for getting up at 4:30am to come and cheer me on. I definitely owe them one.

The race consisted of 1500 entries in different races, from the kiddies to a starter and finally the sprint.

As we huddled under the squad tent, I notice some of the people greasing up. I ask what they're up to and apparently it was too cold for the Ozzies without their wetsuits. Fine by me, I grab mine and suit up. Having the wetsuit makes a big difference and with the huge distance between the swim exit and transition, why not.

My heat was called down to the wharf and in we jumped. A deep water start followed by the 400m swim. The horn goes off and there I am, in the middle of the group. I'm getting hit, I'm hitting people, even tried to swim over someone.....too cool for me. The bad part was I was wedged in and couldn't get out of the group. I just settle into their speed and do the best I can. Up the steep ramp and there's my cheering squad loud as can be.

Of my group there were 52 and I was 39rd, so not the last. Swim time 7:08. I wasn`t last!!!
WOO HOO!!!

Now on for the 250+m run to transition where my bike was waiting. Drop the wetsuit grab the bike gear and head out for the 3 lap 15km bike....in the rain....

Lots of wipe outs but I took it really easy into the corners and saved my self from road rash. I was somewhat surprised in my 21st position in the category but still a solid bike of 31:02.

I was really pushing on the bike but I really wanted to hit a 16 minute run. If I hit 17 minutes, I would have been disappointed. I put on my soggy shoes and visor, and headed out of transition for the 2 lap 4km run.

Well I gave it all I could, almost to the point where I knew I was maxed out. I just wanted to hunt down as many people in my age group so I kept looking for the next calf with an ``M`` on it. I hit the turn around of the first lap and had someone try and keep up with me after I passed him. I heard him breathing really hard, so the nice guy I am, I picked up the pace to see if he wanted to stay with me. Within 30 seconds, I couldn`t hear him.

I really wanted the race to done, but wanted to finish as strong as I could. I saw a couple more people in my group and gave it a strong finish to the end. Was it good enough....I think so!! Total run time, 15:25 for 11th in my category!!

Overall I finished in a time of 53:37 and 23rd in my age group.

Good effort with lots to build on for the next one.......









Until next time.....Thanks for reading.