This year was also the year that I stepped up my training. It began in March with 700km and 1400km for April.
So today, I was to find out what all the kilometres in the leg bank have done for me.
Stage 1
Woke up this morning to discover it was only 5°C. Lovely shock to the system. I didn't bother packing any cold gear and hoped it wouldn't be an issue by race start.
The start was fairly rapid and by the time I was on the Stuart Hwy I had Joe Wall on my wheel and bit of a bunch behind, so I upped the pace to close the gap to the group in front. "You idiot, why are you smashing yourself for everyone else?" Turn off the hwy and settle to a speed that I want to do and pull off the front. I notice the sand isn't as deep or wheel hungry as last year.
Up the hill, climb the fence and onto the first bit of single track for the day. Forgot how rocky the trails could be and got caught out. I was behind a rider who was getting used to the conditions and fell in front of me. She dragged a rock out and I was going to slow to get over it. so I landed on her. There we were both clipped into the bikes with me on top pinging her under hers.
Another incident happened soon after when I tried to negotiate an exit up a river bank and introduced my lolly bag to my stem. Breathe.
The rest of the stage was relatively uneventful. My descending skills through the tight switchbacks was crap to the extent I was wishing for more climbs as I was stronger than the riders around me and made up time and passed a few. Swapping out my bladder at the water point was costly.
Being fitter I found that I couldn't find time to get food and gels down. I used to use the climbs to do it. Now that I am riding those same hills and the single track needing full attention, there were limited opportunities.
Came in at 2.58, which was 40 minutes quicker at 3km/h faster than last year. 65th Outright
Stage 2
Today's stage began with a rolling start through the streets of Alice Springs behind a Police car. Sirens sound and we are off along the Old Stuart Hwy. The leading ladies are still in sight, so I know I am doing well. Onto sand, bugger, it is deep. Bum out the back and spin.
Double bugger. Now I have done it. I am still on the bike at the top of the 25% gradient, railway cutting climb. No more walking up it for me.
Now the riding becomes tougher. Onto tight twisty single track and I am losing a stack of time. Classic rubber band riding. Vaughan is in front of me and gets away, but every climb I pull him back in. Just wish the climbs were longer so I can grind him down. At one point I pass him on a climb but he gets me on the other side. I am feeling good. I just can't get 'round corners.
I lose site of him until I cross the railway line for the final time and come upon the climb that has become known as Blair's Stairs. How did I forget about this? We went up it last year. I couldn't see how it could be ridden. Andrew Blair proved everyone else wrong.
Over the top and into the velodrome. Yesterday wasn't a fluke. Averaged 3km/h today as well. 68th Outright
Stage 3
The 300m hill climb sprint. In the large chain ring. 5,4,3,2,1 and punch it. Out of the saddle and stay in the big dog as long as possible. Over the last 10-12 metres I took it too easy. I didn't go back through the gears. My time is announced at 1.03. Even though I had beat my PB by 12 seconds I was hoping to crack the 60 second barrier. I think I have found my ideal distance. Finished in 35th.
Stage 4.
After the first couple of twisty stages I realised my best chance to move in the standings was the longer 77km stage. I started looking forward to it knowing I was going to hurt. Also knew so would everyone else.
Same plan as everyday. Position myself near the leading women and stick to them as long as possible. My other plan was stay in the pedals.
The stage started with a climb and then a blast through some back streets before hitting some flowing single track.
Come to a punchy climb, near the water tanks and am so focused to stay in the pedals that I yell out to a rider walking that I was coming through. As I pass I realise I have asked the female yellow jersey wearer to move aside. I lose focus and need to unclip.
When I get to the top I wait for Anna to come back through so she can attack the single track. Wise move, cause after a few turns I don't see her. Into a area of climbing and I am closing gaps.
The 20km water point comes and goes. I am carrying a camelbak and plan to stop only at the 50km water point.
Onto the bike path now and can use the legs to punch out some speed. Spend 5km on my own and catch I glimpse of a 3 person group behind me, so I take a gel and drink and wait. Vaughan is in the group.
Sit in behind for a few minutes before I take now turn on the front. All four of us are pulling our wait and work well together. I am feeling good and spent a fair bit of time driving the pace. Soon we pick up a couple of riders. Adam was on a single speed and was thankful cause now he wasn't cooking myself on his own trying to maintain some speed.
Off the bike track and onto the road section. The pace picks up again and I notice the last person to join the bunch is only pulling minimal turns on the front. Found out later he was racing me in the vets class. I get him before the end.
Spending a lot of time on the front, pushing, but staying within myself.
Five kilometres down the road and through Honeymoon gap and it happened. IBS induced stomach cramps. Two things now go through my mind. How long can on I go off and can I hang on to the bunch? My turns on the front are now short stints before sitting in the bunch.
Into the drink stop and I call out for toilet paper. The volunteers do an exceptional job. Someone is tucking it into my jersey before I get my replacement camelbak on. It is also the end of our little bunch. It blows up here. Everyone is on a different strategies.
I am still suffering and back off. I can longer hang on to Adam's wheel and the others and drop speed. Try to keep the fluids up, but I also avoid food.
See Mike in the ridge line cross over and glad he didn't say how far I have to go. At the start of the ridge line climb, my cramping has stopped. Awesome. I take in as much food as I dare and things turn around quickly as I am riding well up and down the rocky 4x4 track.
One last road section and drag a couple of juniors along with me into the BMX track. The BMX track hurt. I am done. 61st Outright
Stage 5
My favourite day and I am looking forward to the time trial.
Out of the blocks and catch Adam fairly quickly. He allows me by on the flowing track and build a small gap. He is awesome. Being a local he is calling out obstacles for me. The trail tightens up and he is all over me. Give him room and try to stick to his wheel. As if it ever was an option, but on the flow he can't get away from me on his single speed. We give each other room and swap positions a couple of times to allow each of us to ride to our strengths. I finally lose him when I got a corner so wrong that I had to unload the bike and straight line the corner through a bush. The only thing lost was time and branches for the bush.
Ah crap, into the technical part of the course and my corning is horrible. Hills are attacked and push as hard as I can when the course allows it.
Up over the lat rise and let the bike run, while moving through the gears. Close now, drive the legs. One last obstacle and back onto the golf course. One more effort. Come in at 1.12.09. I don't know if that is quick for me or not. The TT has changed from previous years so there is no direct comparison. It did feel more technical. 68th Outright
Stage 6
Thunderstruck is playing and have a quick look around to see if I am where I should be.
We are off, and there is dust everywhere and I am only around the 50 mark. I have no idea how the riders at the back are coping.
Race plan for tonight is too smash myself 'til the "pipeline". It becomes a major bottle neck and can lose you a fistful of time. Point two is to try and ride the climb into the pipeline underpass. Didn't happen tonight. Not enough room and once there were a few people unclipped there was no other option. I was not hindered getting under the pipe. No time lost.
Fast section of track over and up into the first single track climb. Loving it.
Not so much now as I descend into the switchbacks. I hear a voice, so I yell out "Is that you Adam?" It was so at the first chance I move over. He is gone. Still descending and I hear the loudest rock strike against my bike that I have ever been exposed to.
Ignore it and focus trying to get through the corners.
The trail opens up and I stamp on the pedals. What? The bike lurches once, the bike lurches twice and then finally the rear wheel locks up.
Audible swearing can be heard, not loud though.
Off the bike and access the damage. The bottom of my derailleur is cracked at the jockey wheel and the lower guards on both sides are missing. My race is over but I keep working on the bike for a few minutes to try and see if I can get it rolling.
So, 5.2km into a night stage, with my rear wheel locked there is only one thing to do. Throw the bike over the shoulders and walk back to the start/finish line. Claire gently reminds me to dip my lights. I also come across John Jacoby clearing the track of markers.
The walk back would take just over an hour and I cross back into the path of the finishes. I am seen by Jess and recommends running to the finish line. Yeah, that won't be happening. I am still a kilometre away and have now been carrying the bike for over 4km. The shoulders are sore and now have blisters on my big toes. My focus is just getting back to the finish line.
There is a lot of support and encouragement, from other riders, volunteers and spectators for me to keep going and it is appreciated. I Love my sport and the people associated with it.
5,4,3,2 and done.
Stage 7
As I was out of the race I decided to go to the finish and see the leaders come in.
What ended up happening though was I helped set up the finish line and then volunteered to collect the timing bands from the competitors once they crossed the finish line.
Easy enough, if you were on the ball. I dropped my guard and ran, I mean, RAN into a low lining branch of a gum tree that knocked me stupid and on my back.
Turned into a decent headache and graze. This was the only injury from the whole week and my bike was over 5km away in pieces.
What did I take from the Enduro this year? I was 3km/h faster or roughly 18% faster. I will be back and I know there is still some improvement left in me. It was also the first year I have raced. No shoulder, neck or arm pain. Legs felt good even after day 4. Every other year has been about survival.
