With my recovery from heart surgery less than a month ago a little up and down, the prospect of racing and defending my previous years title at the Forster Anaconda Adventure Race was looking a little bleak. I so desperately wanted to race and win, but my mind wasn't really coping with the thought and my body felt well below par. Last week went a little like "yes I'm racing" in the morning to "No I'm not" in the afternoon right through to Friday. Eventually I made the call to drive up to Forster, do a few radio and television interviews, and see how I felt about it all come Friday evening.As soon as I arrived in Forster I had made a decision. I was pumped and ready to race. I would play it conservative throughout Saturday, see how the body was feeling, rest up and hope to be recovered enough to back up Sunday. The media interviews fired me up even more, and by the afternoon I was jumping out of my skin. It had been a long break since my last individual race, last November to be precise, and I was just hoping that I could remember what I had to do.
Saturday morning rolled around, wetsuit on and I was ready to start the 3km run to the first 2.5km swim of the race. The run went well, sitting comfortably on Deanna's shoulder, a strong and experienced competitor who I believe will be my biggest rival this season. Deanna had made the call to skip the wetsuit for the first run and swim, so I was a little surprised to be running with her so early on. The swim went without too much complication, despite missing a stray buoy on the way into the finish chute, but a quick detour corrected this without too much time lost.
Into transition and the news camera asked for some comments, I had a quick chat then remembered that I was racing and should get out of my wetsuit for the paddle (conversation is probably the strongest discipline in my racing)! Onto my ski I had a few girls to chase down, including close rivals Kim Beckinsale, Deanna Blegg and Wendy Wilson. Conditions were calm, a shame seeing my Epic V10L Ultra is the perfect craft for rough downwind conditions, although I managed to cause some damage to Deanna and Kim, not quite making up the deficit to Wendy. Getting a nice wave into the beach landing I was soon on the MTB and off to chase down Wendy, whom I caught within 5km. Everything going to plan, I decided to push on but save a little in the tank for tomorrow, taking into account the fact that I wasn't really quite ready for such a demanding race just yet.
Then the sky came crashing down as disaster struck. A stick got lodged in my derailer and ripped the whole gearing off my bike, rendering
it useless and beyond trail side repair. In a desperate attempt to stay in the race I threw the bike on my shoulder and ran 4km or so, before stopping trail side to try and sort out the mess so I could at least wheel it along beside me. After about 20 minutes of running, cursing and absolute despair (yes there were tears!) a training partner of mine, Simon, who had experienced mechanical issues of his own earlier on in the bike, pulled up and tried to help sort out the mess. 5 or 10 minutes passed and Simon told me to take his bike and chase down the girls to try and minimise the damage I would have to make up on day 2 of racing. A bit of a debate followed, but I gave in and took up Simon's very kind and generous offer taking off on his bike to chase down my rivals. Fueled by emotion and despair I rode hard and came into the next transition in 3rd position. The final run would prove to be crucial and I took off on a mission, hoping to minimise my losses. The run course had changed from 2007, and boy what an adventure, through swampy grass, shoulder deep in water at times, scrambling up over a waterfall, and dodging lake side boats, fallen trees and branches. My calves were pretty stiff after having run in bike shoes and I was seriously doubting my speed, although arriving at the board paddle 2/3 into the run I was informed that Wendy had just started the paddle and Deanna was half way across the 500m lake crossing! Head down, arms aching and really just wanting to go to sleep I paddled as hard as I knew how to arriving on the other side and resuming chase on foot. With Wendy in sight I reeled her in over the next km and ran like Forrest Gump in pursuit of Deanna. Although closing in, the finish line arrived just after spotting Deanna, finishing a minute in arrears. Depleted well beyond what I had planned for it was now time to try and get my bike repaired for the second day of racing less than 24 hours away.Jim from Great Lakes Cycles came to the rescue, resurrecting my bike and even lending me his own rear derailer for the following day of racing, a very generous offer and one I appreciated immensely. With stress levels reduced dramatically it was off to our apartment to rest up and recover for the afternoon.
Sunday morning involved waking up stiff, sore and tired. The pain I was about to put my body through was far too much to comprehend just now, and my race head wasn't really feeling up to the task ahead. Arriving at Seal Rocks the dramatic weather change from Saturday had stirred up the seas, making the swim look quite daunting to say the least. Race plan: Survive the swim, run hard, bike harder, and see what was left for the paddle and final 3km run to the finish.
I had accurately predicted the swim conditions, swallowing enough sea water to fill a large fish tank and having a very close call swimming around the rock exposed reef, having difficulty spotting the buoys due to the rough conditions. Stepping onto dry land was a relief I can't really describe, with this transition my longest all weekend while I recollected my stomache and settled my nerves. OK, lets start racing!
Taking off up the first hill it took a km or so to get my running legs, and then I pushed forward in chase of Wendy and Deanna, both about 4 minutes ahead. Finding a good rhythm, I didn't feel that crash hot but as with yesterday my body just kept on giving and by 2/3 of the run course, the dreaded sand hills, I had caught and passed Wendy. Confidence up I pushed on, arriving into the bike transition 3 - 4 minutes down on Deanna.
With the bike being my favourite leg I was excited, focussed . . . and oh so very tired! Once on my bike I immediately noticed my lack of power . . . this was going to be a long, slippery, muddy 30km MTB. Keeping my bike in one piece certainly helped today, and it was a case of get as much energy in as possible while pushing forward in pursuit of Deanna. I enjoyed the tough conditions, careering almost out of control around slippery turns and riding through thigh deep creeks! Nearing the end of the bike there had been no sign of my rival and I was starting to doubt my chances, although upon entering transition I was informed Deanna was just taking off on the paddle leg. With renewed hope fighting off extreme fatigue, I fought with my race bib to get my life jacket on underneath before taking off on my Epic V10L Ultra. I caught Deanna within 2km, had a quick exchange of good lucks and paddled on to try and put enough space between us to try and secure a victory. My mind was wandering off into dreamland, my body exhausted, a maze of sand banks to dodge and not enough left emotionally to deal with everything going on, the finish couldn't appear soon enough. Finally, the transition came into sight, with a kind paddler behind directing me through the best deep water channel to arrive on the banks of Tuncurry. Out of the ski, onto dry land yet again, and everyone yelling and cheering, it was all too much to process as I changed into shoes and tried to drink the fluids forced into my hand. Thanks to everyone for reminding me I had to run!
3km to go, running on empty, the only thing pushing me to that finish line was the hunger to win. Never before had I wanted a victory so much, and I wasn't about to give it away, so I willed my legs through the final km's. Finally arriving onto the beach, finish line in sight, looking over my shoulder, running in fear of losing a victory after such a tough battle all weekend, I could hear the screams of my friends and family telling me to "run, and stop looking behind" . . . it was all a blur as I scrambled up the sand bank created by the erosion of recent high seas, nearing the final finish chute, only hearing the crucial words "you need every second" . . . with no time for victory salutes I dashed across the finish line, overcome with emotion and relief! I had finished a race I never expected to complete, and I had won. The minutes deficit from Saturday passed, and Deanna crossed the line only a minute later. One minute separating us after 10.5 hours of racing, what a battle!
Tears flowed freely, decorating my mud stained face, as my closest friends and family shared in a moment I won't be forgetting any time soon. To win after having been on an emotional roller coaster this past month . . . no words can do justice.
I owe my victory this weekend to a few people in particular, and so my most sincere thanks to Simon Manson, who gave up time in his own race so that I could achieve this goal. If Simon hadn't given me his bike when he did, this moment would never have been (just a quick mention that Simon still managed to win the Vet's class!). To Jim from Great Lakes Cycles, who kindly resurrected my bike for Sundays race, giving up his own time and parts off his own bike. To my family Mum, Dad and Mike, for supporting me all weekend, putting up with my frustration and despair on more than one occasion, and not letting me slow down during the toughest moments, and to all of my friends and supporters who cheered me on over the weekend and for sharing in my victory. A huge thanks also to my sponsors who have stood by me during these recent hard times, Epic Kayaks for my V10L Ultra, City Bike Depot for my Pink Yeti MTB (sorry about the damage!), The North Face, AYUP Lights and Jaggad.
Although the best part of the weekend was not the victory, but the confidence gained from my ability to step up and perform despite a disrupted race lead up. I am looking forward to the rest of the season, and am eager to get back into some solid training over the coming months.
Train smart, step outside, and see you all at the next event.
Christie x
