First Double - Second Race

So, after an early rise, I found myself toeing the
line for my second reace in just as
many days. This time, I made sure I had my timing chip on, and
experience the moment of silence before the starter casually announced
"When you're ready, you can go". I started this race a bit more
conservatively then the former and soon found myself in a small group,
and enjoyed their company all the end of the swim.

After finally putting my race top on correctly, I stole out onto the
roads of Canberra, and took a mult-lapped tour of some of the burnt out
areas, Parliment House, the High Court, the Carillion, Commonweatlh
Park, and other just as exciting places I didn't really notice.

I established a good pace in the first lap, and considered chasing a
few riders, although I was definitely not going to chase the guy decked
out in full Aussie colours with aero-booties and a give-me-a-hard-on
type bike.

The 2nd lap brought out all the classic riders, and I was surprised that
none of them overtook me, although all the fast ones would have already
been ahead of me. Some guy did overtake me, but he was in my race, and I
though it unwise to chase him. Towards the end of the ride I was
surprised to overtake my friend's cycle coach. I must
have paced the ride well.

I started the run with Bruce Thomas, former Australian Ironman Champ,
who was running as a team in the Classic
race. I managed to stay not too far behind him up until the 5km marker,
where he turned around, and I kept on going, losing the company of the
classic competitors.

I had now entered the dead zone, populated by roller bladers, dog
walkers, and Sunday morning joggers. Every few km there was an aid
station to give me liquid and encouragement, but most of the run was
quite lonely. I actually enjoyed this, as the scenery was great, and the
weather fantastic. Finally a fellow competitor caught my eye, but she
was running quite slowly, and part of a team.

Eventually, I did mange to sight someone in my race, and after a few
kms, I managed to catch up to him. Just before I did someone told me I
was 6th outright, which was soon to be 5th, but actaully 4th, as I was
sure there was another team runnner ahead of me.

So as I continued my tour of the capital, the Carillion chimed, the
Captain Cook Fountain sprayed, and the next runner was sighted way ahead
of me on the bridge. I thought he was too far ahead to catch, but I knew
that either he or I could blow up (in the non-terrorist sense), so I
made sure I kept up my solid pace and liquid diet.

He gradually was getting closer, and the girl at the aid station was
great, as she ran about 200m to give me what was left of the water I
ordered. There were a few small but steep hills in the last few kms, and
I saw my quarry walking backwards up some of them. He was in my sights.

Finally with about 1.5km to go, I surged as I overtook him and kept that
pace up for a while, until I was sure he was no where near me.

As I entered the finishing chute, my cousin's kids ran alongside me,
reconising my effort, as I finished amongst the classic athletes, only
to find fruit and water in the finishing area.

Sunday, 23rd February, 2003
Sri Chinmoy Long Course (2.2km, 80km, 21km)
Swim: 34:22
Ride: 2:17:42
Run 1:23:49
Age Group: 1st
Overall: 3rd