Faces old and new set up their bikes alongside one another, sharing track pumps, handshakes and hugs. All classy, all supportive and all ready to get it all going.
Terenzo turned up dressed for the artic, TJ worked on his bike for 30 minutes and Bevan arrived last and fast. No matter what race it is people are the same.
I warmed up with teasing from Tim and Dibs just like the old days and tried to actively avoid James and allow him to concentrate (I tend to be more excitable than him before a race). I think I went to the portaloo 5 times. There was a calm vibe, a supportive one and I felt very at home here. Siri kept away but appeared at essential moments to spray on Pam and to keep me grounded and on task.
I got in the water 30 mins prior to the start it was icy cold and I took it steady -peeing in my wetsuit on shore as I watched 30 others do the same. Communal peeing should never be underestimated - look what the Romans achieved ;) We were slow to move in…..the calm before the storm.
The men set off five minutes ahead of the pro women and so we had at least four minutes of inching forward from the floating start line. It is a curious time in a race, the slower swimmers marking the faster ones hoping to catch some draft whilst we make all attempts to keep space around us and blend into the black rubber and pink headed crowd.
Mary Beth sabotaged our efforts by calling Julie’s sneaking inside position on the line.
‘Hey Julie Dibens on the left hand side, don’t be sneaking up on us out there.... on the LEFT’
All is fair in love and war ;)
Once the gun went Julie’s feet, thanks to MBE were easy to find and super-fast for the first 100m from where I took over. We know each other very well and we race like we do, when Julie is impressed by my performance I know I should be happy. Not because she is hard on me…she is an insider on my standards.
Other moments in the swim? Not many. The gentle clash of a Kessler/Swallow arm, a tap on the feet from Dibs. In general we were the faster pod and we cruised together to gap the field and run into T1 together.
Dibs and I grew up together in ITU racing where transitions are quick and more essentially in a straight line. We can’t cope with double lines and narrow corridors. At least one of can’t- as our bikes crashed on top of one another….now comes the sign. Today I was up for it…..
‘Pick it up’ after which I turned and ran. I don’t speak to Julie in this way. I knew it was going to be a good one.
‘Sabotage’ Julie shrieked to Siri on the side-lined as she recovered her chain and composure. Julie – such a drama queen ;)
Key moments on the bike evolved as the group of four spaced and asserted their chosen order. It usually takes 30 minutes for the hierarchy to be asserted. I felt comfortable with the development within about ten. I’m not sure why I felt so calm on Saturday but I think it was a result of having faith in my preparation and knowing that we have been doing most everything we can to progress in training….and having Siri there – everywhere in fact, she is my confidence.
'Go, go, go, you girls are rocking it' Siri beamed at Mary Beth and I at the top of a climb into town
'I'm watching you' Julie shouted back
'Do you love it?' was the reply ;)
The ride was hilly but steady, and concentration was needed permanently to maintain the correct 12m drafting distance as downhills merged quickly into uphills. We were accompanied by refs and cameras the whole way. At about 50km I knew my legs were coming good – something that hasn’t happened to me in a 70.3 before. Ironman has been good for my bike legs. I sensed a change in atmosphere going into Snow Canyon’s hectic 6 mile climb. The mountain is a spectacular ascent of red rock mounds and turquoise sky that increases in gradient nearer the summit and I felt comfortable pushing my big ring in my usual 'out of the saddle' style. I took to the front to push the pace and test the others. Meredith was working hard and probably concentrating on the battle more than the technicalities of non-drafting. She repassed me within about ten seconds and the next thing I saw was her being flashed a yellow card – a stop/go penalty for not dropping back once being passed.
‘Sorry, okay’ was all she puffed to the referee and then on my repass ‘I’m so sorry’.
Meredith is a classy girl, far more gracious than I but she did an important thing – she concentrated on her response to the issue and on the bigger picture – the process of winning the race. It is here Mary was gapped -I think as a direct result of my aggression and Meredith’s commitment to honest, hard racing.
Meredith served her stand down penalty at the bottom of diagonal hill, slamming on her brakes at full speed and probably losing as much as a minute with all the hassle. I dismounted smashed through transition and set out the 3 mile hill out of T2 feeling bouncy and confident, knowing I would be seeing Meredith in the not too distant future and getting mentally ready for that.
Meredith joined me at the top of the 13% climb. We said no words to each other. She apologised when I shouted ‘Don’t cut in I’m on your left’ ‘Sorry’ and when I clipped HER heels again...‘Sorry’. Running with Meredith was a pleasure and whilst I have other motives to wish it could have last for longer (namely a 30 second, 2nd place;)) I really enjoyed the company. I can honestly say she deserved every moment of her victory.