Dirtworks

What a race! I had a ball at capital punishment, and this took it to another level.

I started the race in the first wave after the elites and I was happy cruising along at a moderate pace just sitting in the bunch while others around me jostled for position. I was keeping a keen eye on True Swain and others making sure i was in with a chance of being with them at the top of the hill. A rider fell in a car-sized mud puddle and went down causing a bit of a pile-up at the base of the climb - luckily though i avoided the carnage.

Near the top of the climb I found myself in 8th position with 9th a fair way behind. I made the decision to push harder than I planned just to make sure i joined onto the leading group. The next 20km were uneventful with me spinning my way to the GNR proper.

At the 40km mark when climbing over a fallen tree i was concerned when my first cramp hit in my hammies. Perhaps it was pushing harder into the red than i planned on the first climb, perhaps it was spinning quicker than i would normally on my way to the GNR. I spent the next few kays trying to figure out how i was going to assure they didnt come back. I lowered my cadence to place more effort onto my quads, had a gel and emptied my camelback. They were gone - for now.

On the approach to 10 mile hollows we started to come up the back end of the elite group. I spent two minutes refuelling and got on my way again, this time alone. I dont know how they did it, but the group i was with were in and out of there quicker than i was able to find the water tank!

At the 65km mark i had already emptied my second camelback and was worried. Cramps were starting to pop up again and i was running out of ideas. It turns out, as i sucked the remaining liquid from the depths of the bladder, that the powder i put in at the 50km mark hadnt dissolved and was now firmly planted in the drinking tube and mouth piece!

I decided to easy off the throttle and to roll down the hill to the next water point where i was going to spend a few minutes sorting myself out. I was greeted by Jenny Fay, who having broken her collarbone was volunteering at the feed station. With another 1.5L of electrolyte on my back and banana bread in my hand, i set off for the canoe bridge. Aside from falling in, it couldn't have gone any worse! Im not sure if it was the banana bread i shovelled into my mouth just before the bridge but i think i could have had a massive session at the pub and done better! I made it across by skating my bike with one leg clipped in.

Knowing what was ahead, the road section was more recovery time while i rehydrated and refuelled. I spent the steep switch backs taking it easy with a few tests of the legs to see how the cramps were. I had no twinges, felt great and so i progressively "opened the can". I felt a million dollars and knowing that once i make it to the top some 12km away i could recover down jacks track, so full gas it was. In that 12km i dropped the rider i was with and overtook another six, including four elites. As the great man once said, I felt like i didnt even have a chain on the bike!

Once at the bottom of jacks track i tucked in and buried myself for the last effort. Last year I cramped getting on and off the bike at the creek crossing so this year i made sure I had selected the right gear to allow me to power through in the hope of not having to get off. It worked a treat and i was off again. Turning right onto the home straight with my heart rate bouncing off the limiter, i failed to give way and almost ended up under a fire truck, which sent the heart rate higher by a few notches!

I was stoked to come across the line in 2nd place in vets in 4h41. That effort on the Womerah range hillclimb saw me elevate myself to the podium which was a very nice surprise.

Thanks to:
My dura-ace chain for not breaking;
Sram brakes for making it to the end;
Antsonline for the tips during a reccy run a few weeks ago;
Jenny for the GU Brew at 70km (even though i felt like i wanted to hurl during the whole womerah range with upset stomach, they kept the cramps away);
Lisa for pics and her encouragement and support.

Apologies to:
The two dudes i held up at the canoe bridge!

Nutrition:
3.5L electrolyte
1L water
4.5 endura gels (yes i only had half of the last one!)
1 endura bar
2 slices of banana cake

Husky - here we come!