Anaconda Forster Day 2

It was an absolute bonus going into day 2 with a 10min lead but anything can happen in adventure racing and there was no way I was going to get complacent. After collecting all our gear from transitions on day 1, Lisa  booked Karl and I in for a massage and started carbo loading for day 2. I was feeling 99% better than I did after the New Zealand event thanks mainly to the flatter terrain and my body now being use to the punishment. While day 1 covered approx 50kms over the 4 stages, day 2 was a big one covering over 65kms with 20kms of that being running. The added complexity was the fact that it was going to be sunny and 27 degrees meaning nutrition and hydration were going to be key factors.

Day 2 started with a 2.5km swim in another spectacular location famous for its surf breaks and rolling swell and today didn’t disappoint. I made it out through the first set of breakers and slowly established a rhythm sitting behind “Maxi”, one of the Bondi Surf Lifesavers. The swim was broken up mid-way with a quick run around some flags on the beach and back through the pounding surf for round two. I clambered out of the water in about 10^th position overall and first out of the individual competitors.

On to the run leg which started with a fairly nasty ascent before some beach running and finally hitting some flatter 4wd tracks for the majority. About halfway through the run I had worked my way into 4^th position overall and was feeling pretty good. I knew the dreaded paddle leg was last and wanted to make sure I had the biggest lead possible before everyone started chasing me down in the dying stages. Then the worst possible thing happened and I was left panicking and wondering if I would even finish the race. The run leg had ascended up onto a ridge line and the track was now almost invisible, the only way to pick the right path was following small bits of white tape marked on trees about 30m apart and hoping the next piece was just ahead.

The tape ran out and I was left by myself on the top of a heavily wooded ridge with no idea where to go. Firstly I listened for footsteps hoping someone was close that I could follow but no luck. The only thing I could hear was birds and the low droning sound of cars going down a nearby highway. That was my only hope so I descended down off the ridge heading for the sounds of cars and bush bashing my way through thick scrub. After what seemed like eternity I emerged out on a small gravel track and found other runners going past in their Anaconda bibs. Phew, I had made it back on track but how much time had I lost and was I still in the lead.

 Not long after I ran into transition where Lisa and Kelly where waiting and cheering. They quickly briefed me on my position before I departed but I had lost almost 8mins and 2^nd place was now right on my tail. I rode hard trying to make up lost ground but it was a long stage and I didn’t want to fade early and before long I found myself riding with 2^nd place individual Rob Preston from Victoria. We traded the lead on numerous occasions and it was good to have someone else within sight to keep me focused on the task and working hard. The mountain bike covered 30km’s of mostly undulating terrain with nothing too technical or steep and I was thankful to step off the bike in a relatively good position.

Onto the paddle leg with comprised 13.5kms of shallow lakes that were dotted with small islands and streams going nowhere. At one point early in the paddle we could see our destination but were forced to paddle in the opposite direction so as to make the paddle that little bit longer. I started out quite strong and quickly established a lead over 2^nd place but I had no idea where I was going and often thought about waiting so that I could follow someone who did know the way. I plodded on and fumbled my way around the lakes taking the odd wrong turn or two before realizing the stream went nowhere and I turned around to get back on track. After what seemed like eternity I reached the Forster Bridge which I thought had to be the finish line.

My arse was now killing me and all I could think about was getting out of the boat but there were no flags or markers anywhere. I paddled under the bridge and started heading towards the marina before a group of team runners started yelling at me from shore telling me I had gone the wrong way and the finish was back on the other side of the bridge. Now really annoyed, I turned around to look for the finish line which was still 3kms away. Thankfully no one had caught me yet but I could see a group of 3 boats chasing me down and there was no way I was going to settle for 2^nd place on day 2. I finally made it to the end of the paddle with my legs now completely numb after sitting down for almost 1.5hrs.

The final leg was a 3km run to the finish where I struggled all the way but managed to hold off some fast finishing individuals to cross the line just 30sec ahead of second place. Grant Suckling had a tough day at the office and while he crossed the line in 5^th place he managed to hang onto his 2^nd place overall for the weekend. The win on day 2 meant I had established an 18min lead and was now the most comfortable win of the series. We all enjoyed the Forster hospitality after the race and once again it was a pleasure visiting this spectacular part of our country.

For me, I am now on a 6 month break from all training and racing as Lisa and I head overseas for a round the world trip. We will be traveling without our bikes for a change and experiencing culture, food and amazing experiences as we make our way through the U.S, Canada, Europe and Dubai. Thanks to everyone who has read the blog over the past year and I look forward to continuing on our return in October. Although I think there will be a little less winning and a lot more getting fit.

Seano

Filed under: Sean's Diary

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