Since Yeppoon I had started doing some actual run training. After a bit longer than normal recovery following Yeppoon (as it was my first half marathon since April), I got stuck into some running, still with an element of caution. My body reminded me in a couple of different ways that it still wasn’t 100% ready to take the training load I wanted to inflict upon it, however with a good 4 weeks or so under my belt I was really looking forward to Japan 70.3. I figure any performance will be an improvement on Yeppoon following a flat tyre and a return to running at that race! Questionable about the swim though, Yeppoon was a breakthrough day for me and I was hoping it had stuck.
So after half a molar fell out at my stopover at Singapore airport I made it to Nagoya, checked into my hotel, where I then head-butted the basin in the bathroom and got a little ride in amongst sleeping and eating. Great to spend some girlie time with my mentor and idol Belinda Granger and some of the pro men I’ve met at various races. Saturday was just race officialities and a little training. The race is logistical nightmare. You are put up at a hotel on the island where the airport is and all official race procedures occur at the airport, however the entire race is over the bridge which you aren’t allowed to ride or walk over. The only way to get over to the city of Tokoname by either train (and your bike needs to be in a bag/box) or by car/ bus. So the day before the race they bus our bikes over to T1. Early night to bed and was really looking forward to the race.
Race morning saw the swim shortened to 1200m due to some apparent ‘current’ that I never felt- normally I’d be quite happy about this, but now I’m swimming well, and in Asia I’m actually a very good swimmer! Pro women’s field was down to 5 even though there were 8 on the start list. Aside from Belinda and I, 3 Japanese girls made up the remaining field. So once again, just had to finish to get paid, however I was hoping to go one better than my 2nd place from last year. Gun was off and the pro men and women scrambled to the first buoy. Lost feet quickly but by T1 I was only about 20seconds down from Belinda which is another big improvement for me. There was another girl about a minute in front of us though; whom I remembered from last year was a gun swim/runner. Off we took through the multiple 90 degree turns, narrow streets, rough roads and up/ downs of this tricky course. A marginal improvement on last year’s course, but still incredibly dangerous. The format of the ride consists of a large section you ride one way, past T2 to complete a couple of dog legs, back over half the course to turn around and repeat the dog legs again, to then do a shorter second loop back before heading to T2….does that make sense??? Didn’t to us either and briefing didn’t help much either! Belinda and I went over it about 10 times before the race. Things were going ok, sitting in 3rd, Belinda had moved up to 1st and I was putting time into 2nd, it was only a matter of time before I would catch her. Hit 30km mark and over a small crest to descend- piiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssssstttttttttttttt- NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO not again!! I couldn’t believe it- front tyre completely flat to the rim, nothing pit stop and CO2 could fix this time. No spare (don’t know how to change a tubular) so I was stuffed. Came to a stop where 2 volunteers and 2 security men were stationed as guides. After lots of back and forth actions as English wasn’t an option managed to get in contact with the mechanic on a mobile who assured me he was on his way. 50minutes later he shows up on a PUSH BIKE! By this stage, 1- my race was over 2- was there any point in finishing? 3- what a waste of a trip (and an expensive one at that!). He offered me his front wheel and told him to send a car to get me, this option meant waiting until everyone was off the course! HOURS! So I took his wheel and thought, stuff it, make it a training day. A disappointing one, but get some training done. So back onto the bike course and I was passing everyone! Into T2 and off on the run about an hour behind all the other girls. Felt amazing for the first 10km and at 6km ran past another pro girl walking! It’s not over til the fat lady sings and I’m pretty massive at the moment! Ok, so even when you’re having a bad day, someone out there’s having a day a lot worse than you!
At around 14km you actually run past the finish line and the massage tents. So me, with 7km to go, look over and see Belinda having a massage, bugger. That’s when the run began to slow considerably, I began to feel every 34 degrees of the sun and more and more negative thoughts were creeping in as well as the temptation to walk. One foot in front of the other, I kept running to the end and then I completely lost it. Overcome by overwhelming emotions of why the hell is this continually happening to me? I was dehydrated and devastated…. And continued to be for the following two hours. Either I’ve done something really horrible in a past life and I’m being punished now or this is a test or maybe someone somewhere is trying to tell me something….
Anyways, 4th pro, with the most horrendous time/ bike time. I though getting a flat in Yeppoon 4 weeks ago, losing about 5minutes fixing it was bad luck, but it can ALWAYS be worse. Still no DNF though and a good training day none the less. I still don’t know what kind of race condition I’m in as I haven’t had an unbroken 90km on the bike and even though I clocked a disappointing run split, it’s hard to push yourself when you are so far behind, not to mention having been burnt to a crisp whilst standing on the side of the road for an hour.
So I'm now back home for another couple of weeks and am peeling off an incredibly massive 3rd degree sunburn. Staight back into training as I have just booked my big trip to USA. Fingers crossed for a little more luck there. Maybe third time lucky?
I will keep you posted
Rachie xo
