Good luck to the Vanuatu boys for Hells Bells AR
alixta |
of bikes and bits |
Got up at 3:30am for 4am leave from Brisbane. Ocean swim
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
- 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.
Digs MTB (29ers rock), roadies, trail running, endurance racing, adventure racing, camping, pushing my personal limits ...
