Well....it was only a few months ago! Time has flown and I've been particularly slack on my Blogs due to plenty going on. Given that several people have asked why I haven't written about the race I'll put a quick retrospective report in here. Its brief and to the point.
My build up for this years race was solid. My training weeks were concise but I felt there was enough quality in there for a good race. I'd had some great company on the course with Dan Busch and Nathan Fa'avae recently and hadn't overcooked myself on any given week. Mentally I was pretty relaxed.
Race Day: The start line was more of a comedy festival than the start of a serious race. In the short space of 2 minutes Nath had taken the micky out of several contenders and we were all enjoying a bit of a laugh. Rich Ussher announced "2 minutes to go". Nath quickly corrected "No, there's actually more like 12 hours to go" and more laughter erupted.
Before long Juddy sounded the hooter and we were off. A slightly shorter run than usual saw us at the bikes in a lung bursting 7 minutes and enjoying the bliss of a transition under lights. Onto the bikes a 1st bunch quickly formed including Braden Currie, Sam Clark, Dan Busch, Hamish Flemming, Pete Smallfield and a few others making 11 altogether. No Nathan Fa'avae.......must still be cracking jokes I thought to myself. The ride went well for me but there was always the question of how much sting a cold headwind will take out of you.
Aitkens transition was again much improved and well organised. I was fast through TA and into my stride. I've never felt great on these first few kilometers with today being no exception. Ahead of me were Braden, Sam Clark and Sam Manson. Close behind was Flavio. Finding my Rhythm I quickly passed Sam Manson and started looking ahead to Sam Clark who was about 30seconds ahead. At the time I thought Sam & I were running the same speed and that with some effort I'd catch him as I've done before on this course. What ensued was the opposite. Sam gradually pulled away and after 30minutes I couldn't see him. I wasn't feeling on form and the head wind was eating away at me. By Doreen Creek I knew I wasn't having my usual run and felt wobbly and off form. Flavio was on my tail with Sam not far back. I stopped worrying about speed and focused more on eating, drinking and keeping smooth. Unfortunately I couldn't manage the latter and stumbled my way to Goat Pass. I had a long run down with Sam and Flavio getting ahead after the pass. They were on a mission....my legs missed the memo! Into Klondyke however fortunes changed yet again. Flavio was limping into TA and Sam had broken his chain getting on the bike.
Onto the bike I had no interest whatsoever in going fast and invested my time in eating solid food and drinking. Hamish Flemming passed me on a mission.
The run down to Mt White bridge was the first time I'd felt hot all day and I made a decision that I believe changed the course of my day. I stripped off my arm warmers opting to paddle in a short sleeve top. We had a great transition onto the water and I set off in 3rd spot. Sam and Braden were 15-20mins ahead with Hamish just behind. Within 10 minutes the Southerly cut deep and I cursed myself about ditching the arm warmers. My arms were cold. Still I paddled well to Gooseberry Stream and felt strong.
After Gooseberry Stream however I started getting cold. Not just the arms but the legs. I knew that if my legs were getting cold that my body temp in general was cooling off. With no one near behind or close in front I drifted into a state of plod. I was paddling at tempo but I certainly wasn't paddling like someone who wanted to tear the river to pieces. The worst thing about this state is that you rarely realise that you are in it...you just are. Valuable seconds dripped by and I didn't realise the paddling potential that I know I have. At the time however though I thought I was doing well......that was until Nath caught me up 25minutes from the end---and passed me. Shit Trev, you're paddling like a f@#king muppet I said to myself. Harden the f#@k up and paddle like a man. So I kind of woke up and padded with conviction for the remaining 25 minutes. Nath was just in front and I used him like a yardstick until at one braid junction we took different chutes. I lost sight of him and figured his chute was faster. Damn. So I paddled faster.
Two corners from the end he caught me again cursing in the process something about gravel rash on his bum. So we entered the Gorge Bridge TA together and ran to the bikes. I knew if I was to have any chance here I'd need to hit the bike first, and that's what I did opening a small gap of 40 seconds.
The final ride was a bit of a blur but the equation was simple. Ride 70km as quickly as possible and you can have a beer. I knew Nath was back there somewhere and was confident of holding my position until the last 10km where the real hurt began. I didn't have the confidence to look back. Like Luke Skywalker I didn't need to look. I could feel his presence. Bastard.
Anyway, cutting to the end I held on and only lost a few seconds in the final 20km. The mind can do cruel things to a tired body. I was stoked to have made the podium. Braden and Sam were miles ahead in a league of their own but given my body's lack of fire that day it was a more than satisfying outcome.
A big thanks to my Support crew: Pete (Dad), Mark, Patrick & Ian. We had a great day. Big thanks also to my loyal sponsors: Torpedo7, Thermatech, Legend Paddles and Rasdex.
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