Bestmed Campus to Campus 2010 - Race Report

You can read about last year's race here

My not so favourite part, the early mornings!!  We had to get up just before 5am so that we could be out the door by 05:30.  Ouch!!  Weekends around this time are not my own.  Saturdays I tend to be up early as I go to WeighLess at 07:30 to get my weigh-in over and done with, leaving Sundays as the sleep in day but alas that is not to be at the moment.  At least this weekend there are no races for me.

We picked up Harry on the way and off we went.  This was a far one, one of the furtherest we have to travel to.  We got there just in time.  Harry immediately got his bike and stuff sorted and headed for the start line as he was doing the long distance.  I went off in search of a toilet.  While doing that I quickly munched on a Bran Muffin - yummy!  From then onwards it was a mad dash to get everything setup from HR monitor to MP3 player (don't worry I only used one ear piece and can quite comfortably hear everything around me - safety is a priority for me).  At least I did not forget the sunglasses behind this time.

I met up with my friend Sandi at the start line.  Hubby managed to get a few pics and it was time to start.  This year the groups were very small.

From the start the wind made itself known and did not let up.  I don't think we had a break from it, from head-on to any other direction it could come at us - it did.  Sandi was behind me at the beginning and then I lost her - I was on my own with a few riders in front and behind.  At least I was not going to be all alone the whole time.

And while I was out doing my thing.  My support team found trees.  Gotta love those guys. 

I really enjoyed the race even with the wind and when I smelt the finish line I pedalled hard.  Hubby even said I came in fast.  Told him it helps coming in on a downhill instead of an uphill. Hehehehehehe.

We waited for Sandi and then headed off for some pancakes and refreshments while we waited for Harry to come in.

The good news is I improved on last years time :

2010 :  2:23:42

2009 :  2:50:05

My next race is on the 10th October.  It is one of my favourites, Race for Victory.  Cannot wait...

At the last minute : Bestmed Campus 2 Campus (50km)

After Saturday's disappointment of having to abandon my race because I was not prepared enough when I got a puncture - I came home and started making some calls to see if I would be able to get a late entry into Sunday's race. I managed to get hold of one of the organisers who said they would be taking late entries - and we prepared ourselves for another early morning. We made sure we got there by 6am only to be told by someone else that 'sorry for me' they were not taking late entries - I was broken and slightly mad but what can you do. Hubby was elsewhere where people were saying they were taken late entries and confusion reigned. I headed back to hubby and then tried getting hold of the person who had told me there would be late entries, thankfully she had diverted her landline to her cell phone and assured me there would be late entries. By 7am me and many others were entered. Shooooooooo!! Me at the start line. I was in the last batch to go. We're on the move!! We had to walk over the timing mats - about the safest way to do it, it seemed.

Off we go!!

Would you believe it, 10 kms into the race and what should happen, I got a puncture. This time I was prepared but it ate into my overall time. It must have taken me about 20 minutes to change the tube and get everything sorted. The best part is I did it myself!!

While I was off doing my thing, the 'support crew' went investigating and exploring. The race took place at one of the Universities in the province and it had huge grounds. It had loads of ponds with ducks and geese. There were Springboks and monkeys as well. They had fun exploring! The finish line!! I was happy to see that finish line. It was getting really hot out there. I was under the impression that I was the last of the 50km entrants and the ones behind me were all the long distance entrants but according to the official time there were still 3 other 50 km entrants behind me. I never saw them. After fixing my puncture I was on my own for the majority of my race.

Woohooo, over I go!!

Drinking a coke after the race and catching up with a friend who had also taken part but come in about 30 minutes before me. Sandy's batch started earlier than mine. We were waiting for her hubby to come in but by the time we left he still hadn't crossed the finished line. We found out later that he had suffered 2 punctures - OUCH!! He had taken part in the long distance race.

I'm glad I did it even with all the earlier 'hiccups'. This is the furtherest distance I have now done. A new personal record for me.

This week is another 'take it easy' week as I have another race on Sunday. A 54 km (33.55 miles) cycle race.

The plan is just to focus on training and speed after this week. Just over a month to go until the BIG race - 94.7 km's.

Have a super week. I'm seeing a dietician today which I am very excited about. I cannot wait to tell you all about it.

I also owe Hanlie a post which I will hopefully get to later today or tomorrow.

Edited to add that my official finishing time was 02:50:05

Hugs

Mich