A Good Fling

What a difference a year makes. I actually felt that my training going into last year was better but I know that the heat and my execution on race day let me down. This year was a slightly different story but I think I just felt a lot more relaxed. We camped which meant dinner and into bed early, up before the 6 AM bagpipes for breakfast, coffee and last minute checks.

Would have liked to be a bit further up the field for the start as there was a bit of traffic but there's enough fire road and first few hills to sort things out. Arrived at transition feeling really good. The second section is where it all came unstuck last year but I actually enjoyed every but of it, hills and all. Had a great group through the singletrack and that kept the pace up nicely! Coming into half way I felt good enough to continue but my race plan had me stopping so decided to stick with it. Over the farm road just before Wingello there was a group of us all taking turns up the front which kept the pace well up without anyone getting too tired.

Arrived at Wingello right on 4 hours and felt really good. A quick stop and off again. Forgot how tough the singletrack out the back is after a long ride and there were plenty of 1/2 flingers walking the small climbs which made progress a little slow and bought on the cramping a little (yes, shut up legs). It did mean that I hit the grass hills feeling good and had no issues with them at all. Met up with a guy I had ridden with earlier and we kept each other's pace honest over the last 10 kms.

Difference between this year and last? Nutrition, for sure, I cannot understate how much of a difference sticking to my plan made. At times I didn't fell like eating but I knew it was time so pushed something down. At the same time, being able to adjust slightly. My stomach felt a little dodgy so I dropped the Endura gels later on and stuck with Gu. Also, having a few more races under my belt made a difference. I think Ants said spin through the singletrack to save your legs for the hills, that made a difference. Lastly is the rocket that I rode on this year, it is an awesome bike and just flew along.

Considering that I thought around 7 would be good, 6.5 would be great and I would be stoked with anything between 6 and 6.5, I am definitely happy with the result. I reckon I had a bit left in the tank so maybe I should have gone harder earlier but maybe I would have blown up so glad to stuck to my plan and looking forward to the next race and next year's Fling!

Congrats to everyone else, glad to hear it sounds like most people enjoyed it as much as I did.