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2013 Kowalski Classic Full Marathon


Brian's picture

By Brian - Posted on 23 September 2013

Re: This ride meeting: 
Kowalski Classic 2013
Team: 
SXC Racing
Status: 
Finished
Laps: 
1
Time: 
04:28:16
Position (Overall): 
23
Position (Category): 
3

My last full marathon was The Convict 100 in May and after a bit of a break I decided I needed a bit more of a structured training program. I approached Anthony and Kyle from Pepper Coaching and come July, Kyle was set to coach me and the Pepper program had started. Without going into the detail the commitment means now the alarm is set for 4:30am most weekday mornings.

A few training phases later the Kowalski Classic was set to be my first full marathon where my training wasn't hindered by sickness etc.

Wayne and I drive down Saturday where we meet the crew for dinner at a local Italian place, what now has become tradition the night before a race in Canberra.

Race morning we get to the start and set out for the warm up. I couldn't believe the pain my hands were in as they were absolutely freezing. Thankfully it started to warm up so come the race start the temp had risen to about 5 degrees which seemed a bit more pleasant.

After race briefing they get us to line up in our start waves. I had put myself in wave 1 with the plan that the elites would take off leaving me with open track. Normally when waiting at the start, being a bit OCD, I like to check things a few times and get myself ready for the gun. This wasn't to be, we line up and thinking there would be a few minutes all of a sudden it was 5,4,3,2,1 go. Not even seated or clipped in, I start the Garmin and quickly get going.

I like starting at the back of the elites because you don't get the crazy sprint at the start which seems to happen in the age categories. We're cruising along the first fireroad at a comfortable pace but I guess the biggest difference is when we hit the first climb the elites just hold the same pace. Half way up there was a clear gap forming and I was about 10 or so riders back in the second group. The plan was for clear track so I pushed and when we turned into the singletrack it was clear.

Most of the race from here was ridden by myself passing a few riders and being passed a couple of times so I'll just put a few points of highs and lows.

Highs
- Having the legs for the first hill to get clear track and not blowing up

- Having Kyle shout out words of encouragement during the race. I have no idea of what part of the track it was but there were so many times you would see other riders through the bush and you would have no idea how far ahead or behind they were. Obviously he was ahead Smiling

- Nailing sections of singletrack. I'm normally a brake/accelerate type rider but I seemed to find the flow yesterday.

- Having a quick 50km stop to take on more water. Using a camelbak over bottles you normally spend a lot more time refilling.

- Crossing the line and finding out I was currently 2nd in category. Due to the wave starts you need to wait for everyone to finish to get the net time which ended up seeing me in 3rd.

Lows
- Starting the second loop and having the worst feeling of a wrong turn as we ended up on the same track for a section as the first loop. I started cursing thinking I was doing the 50km loop again. I had a rider come the other way on single track. It turns out she was a 50ker who took a wrong turn and turned around after she realized she was doing the 90ker second loop.

- Getting to the top of the last climb, having worked my ass of for a 20 second lead over the riders behind me, only having to stop because I couldn't work out which way to go. There were arrows going left but there was bunting covering the track. 50kers on the other side of the fence said riders were going right. By then the rider caught back up and then got me on the line. Lucky he was in masters.

My splits were 02:26:58 for the 50km loop and 02:01:18 for the second loop. I have my race nutrition sorted so the only stop was at the 50km for water.

Thanks to the Pepper crew for coaching me. I'm loving the structure of coaching but its more than just training programs you bring.

It's been said before but the group of guys in SXC Racing are awesome. Thanks for all the encouragement and pushing me on the weekend training rides.

The next race for me is the Scott where SXC Racing have a couple of teams entered and then it's the Highland Fling to finish the year.

http://www.racetecresults.com/MyResults.aspx?CId...

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Antsonline's picture

In the spirit of the Kowalsaki Classic Brian - that was an 'effing' good ride you did.

It was no surprise however. Where to now? You have set bar awfully high - and I know there are people who will be chasing hard....

A well deserved result - for a bloke that got ihs first podium less than a year ago at The Scott, to this - determination, hard work, a bit more determination, and less sleep - and hey presto - riding at the back of the Elite wave. Like a #boss.

doc's picture

What a champion ride Brian - congratulations on the podium and well deserved. Looking forward to the next races !

Dicko's picture

Brian

You have now set the new standard. It has been great to see you progress to where you are today, and the effort and dedication that you have put in. like you said, it isn't easy, but you can achieve your goals if you work hard.

First and last time I saw you was when you turned into the ST at the top of the first climb.

Awesome ride, well done mate you deserve it !

@Pepper Coaching, you guys have an incredible talent, the combination of actual race knowledge, years of performing and writing structured training programs, and your mentoring capabilities is priceless. Your coaching record speaks for itself !

Looks like now I have to find another 10mins Eye-wink

W

garyinoz's picture

All that hard work is paying off, just show's what can be achieved. Well done on a great race.

Keep it up!

Tristania's picture

Glad to see the hard work paid off; hope you're recovering well. Third in a category for such an event is fantastic, and good that we weren't on the wrong track after all!

Look forward to riding again soon!

Blades_Utd's picture

A richly deserved result Brian. The level at which you are riding is testament to the hard work that you have put in.
It just leaves me wondering is how on earth I'll manage to hold your wheel... I think it will be some time before that's going to happen.
Congratulations

craked's picture

well done Brian,its so good to see you achieving these great results. Smiling

jp's picture

And great to meet you after the race.

Brian's picture

Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to the Scott 25hr as it should be a cracker.

GAZZA's picture

I think I said it last year and I recon I'll be saying it again at the end of this year,
Out of all the people I know and ride with, you're the most improved out of them all.
Let's home I'm saying it next year also?? Eye-wink

Antsonline's picture

its interesting what you say about the Elite start being 'slower' than the later waves. I reckon it would drive me completely mad if I started in a later wave with slower riders but found myself totally swamped by 1km heros....

I have heard it happens like this at the Convict - some real strong men belt off the line for all of 1km, and then sit up a puff of smoke...

I guess i take the relatively civilised approach of the Elite waves for granted....

ps's picture

However you went and ruined a perfectly good race report with a complaint about your poor fingers hurting during the warmup. My advice is to harden up!

btw your hands do stop hurting after a while

Ant, the convict is worse than that, they actually race all the way to the hill to see who can hop off and start walking first

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