alixta

Got up at 3:30am for 4am leave from Brisbane.
Dropped bikes at Donnybrook at 5am, still dark so no chance in working out where to beach the kayak later in day.
Registered & got ready race, arrived on ocean side of Bribie at about 6:45am.
Race started about 7:11am

Ocean swim
- 800m in rolling surf, felt like about 8km. Drank at least a few litres of salt water.
Beach run
- Nice trip around the bottom of Bribie Island, about 8km I think. Made up a few places lost in the swim.
Calm water swim
- 2 x 400m swims in calmer water. Felt better this time, kept salt water intake to a minimum. Lost a few more places.
Kayak
- 13km of swearing and cursing at my total lack of paddling form. Got passed by dwarfs paddling bathtubs, and everybody else. Hurt my shoulder & paddled last few km outrigger style.
MTB
- Finally into comfort zone. 20km ride along mostly open gravel fire trails. Legs were working well, made up some time & places here.
Trail run
- Nice 9km run around Wildhorse Mtn, and a not so nice walk UP Wildhorse Mtn. The view from the top would have been worth it if I’d not cursed seeing it in a previous Adventure race.
MTB
- Return trip on slightly more interesting terrain, somewhere between 20 & 30km. More places made up due to superior ground speed of the 29er wheels.
Kayak
- Mild enjoyment gained from MTB/Run legs helped to convince another 10km in the Kayak was worth a go, it was. Not that I was any faster or skilled this time, it just seemed more … tolerable.
Street run
- Final leg, 4km run along Bribie foreshore footpaths. Minor stitch turned into major stomach cramps which made me groan & grimace, much to the amuzement of day trippers sharing the path. Made up 1 place.
Finish
- Crossed the line in 7:37 hours. Didn’t seem to take near that long.
- Despite being frustrated at not being able to paddle & swim as well as I’d want I am pretty happy with my first dig at the race.