Avon Descent

Decided to do the Avon Descent a while ago, partly in an effort to become a true "West Australian" (still have the Rotto Swim to go before I get there apparently), and partly as a lead up to the Speights Coast To Coast, a Multi Sport event across the South Island of NZ. I have since put off the Coast To Coast for a while, but thought I'd have a crack at the Avon anyway. I managed a bit of ocean and river training. Even a "Valley" rapids and a "Tea Tree" run in the weeks leading into the race. despite this I still felt under-prepared and a bit scared. Mici had taken the opportunity to get the hell out'a town, but thankfully Matt Henderson had signed himself up to be my support crew.

Friday I headed up to Northam for scrutineering and rego. I dropped off my ski and was impressed with the amount of water over Northam weir. First obstacle only 200m from race start, brilliant! Race day and Matt and I had picked up Pete G and Pocket who were joining some other kids for a road ride from race start at Northam back to Perth.

Got a good start and was second of my wave of 8 boats. Successful navigation of the weir and managed a good pace. Kept telling myself to settle down, 2 long days ahead. First stop was at the top of Extracts weir for water and food 28km. Inexperience here. Where Matt and I met turned out to be where everyone was coming out that was "Portaging" (walking) their ski around the rapid. I wanted to have a crack at it, but I couldn't get back out so had to walk it.

Back into it heard some great support from the cyclists and Matt. Next stop Wetherall Reserve another 24km. Uneventful and kept a great pace. Met Matt for more water and food and was feeling it a bit. Hit the water again for the final 11km for day1 and finish at Cobblers Pool. This section was all Tea Trees, and for those who don't know they are chaos! They are hard enough on your own as the water flows through them and drags you into them. Now add 630 people and it is bedlam. I had actually managed to stay in my boat up to here but came out a few times in the mix. Nothing too bad but bent my rudder in the process. No left turn available, but only a couple of km from the finish so no drama.

Matt met me at the finish and I was super chuffed for my day1 result. Finished over an hour earlier than I estimated. We pulled the rudder blade off and I took it home to straighten it out. Home for more carbs and an early night. 7am start tomorrow and a 1.5hr drive meant a far too early rise.....

Day1 4hrs52min overall183/387 category76/182 gender177/369 best leg Toodyay to Wetherall 52/182 in category. 52km down, 72 to go.

Day 2 we arrived back at Cobblers before the sun and fixed the rudder. All looked good (looks can be deceiving!). Off we went again and today straight into the remaining trees and the carnage began. Boats everywhere blocking the passages and the water just kept brining you into them.....like Lemmings. I think I actually got through relatively quickly considering, but the worst was yet to come...............

about 5km in I noticed the boat was all over the place, and wasn't responding to rudder inputs like it should. after a spill I had a look and noticed the rudder mount had pulled a large chunk of the pastic hull out of the boat. This is not good! This section is called "The Valley". Most of the rapids for the race were in here and no support for 35km. The boat was handling like an out of shape marshmallow, every 4 or so strokes and I was heading for the bank or a tree. What I thought was going to take about 3hrs took 4.5hrs. The only positive was that the hole where the water was getting in filling up the boat with water, the water came back out really quickly when I stopped to empty it out. Tried to fix it with cable ties, no joy. So, hit all the rapids bar Bells with no rudder and got absolutely smashed! Smashed my bum on a couple of rocks while in the  water down rapids (this would be an issue later) and my Life Jacket worked well during a swim at Emu Falls. At this point I was mentally dealing with the possibility I might have to pull out. I had no choice but to push on until Wayalunga but if I couldn't work something out for a rudder there was no way I was going to get through the 37km from there.

I worked out the way to tell what the oncoming rapids were like was took take note of how many spectators there were. Syd's Rapids there were a lot of spectators and safety personell. This was going to be a ripper! I gave it a go and got smashed again, I swum out to where a safety guy was and mentioned I didn't have a rudder. He advised "You definatley should Portage". With that I walked around the rest of it and paddled as best I could.

Arriving at Wayalunga Matt wasn't where I expected him to be. This meant I was going to had to do Championship and Wayalunga rapids still without my rudder. I had been really keen to get something sorted and was beginning to get a bit scared of the rapids since I had copped more of a hiding than Mr Bean in the ring with Mike Tyson. Found a quite concerned Matt at the bottom of Wayalunga (had been waiting for ages) and we got to work. Tape cable ties and more tape, and it looked like the rudder just might work. I asked Matt to meet me at Upper Swan just in case.

Right then, lets try Bells and see what happens. Launched and immediately got stuck in a tree.....DOH! Approached Bells and there were people everywhere, then just to add to the fun they announced my name over the PA system. Now they know WHO it's going to be that gets smashed. You wouldn't read about it, I breezed it through. "That's what my day could have been like" I was thinking, then I remembered now comes 30km of flat water.....

Caught sight of Matt at Upper Swan and gave him the good news "See you at Middle Swan" were back in business. About here was where the  power boats started to go by.....Ahhh there's nothing like the sound of a 2 stroke at full throttle! The 22km from Wayalunga to Middle Swan dragged on and my bum where I had cracked the rocks was really hurting. At Middle Swan more water and Food and a couple of Nurofen (Nurofen did nothing!) 15km to go!

I had my best result of the race on the last leg to the finish. 44/182. I knew I was going ok as I was reeling quite a few people in, but I didn't realise I was going that good! Finish at Garrat Rd and I was very releived to not be sitting on my bum any more. That hurt more than any MTB race.

Chris and Matt were there at the finish. Great atmosphere. Great atmosphere everywhere. I still can't get over the number of spectators....there were thousands of them, everywhere, all clapping and cheering indiscriminately.

In summary. I can't thank Matt enough. Brilliant effort and great encouragement. I'm not sure I'll be rushing in to go solo again, but I'd be keen to go again in a team. I was lucky, great water level, great weather, and made it through. Loved it!

Garmin Day1;
Avon Descent Day1 by pjgoo2 at Garmin Connect - Details
Garmin Day2;
Avon Descent Day2 by pjgoo2 at Garmin Connect - Details

Espresso 24hr Adventure Race

A last minute withdrawal by our female recruit meant luckily for us our SOS was answered by a keen Matt Henderson. This meant we were now an all male team with the wealth of 1 member having done an Espresso before and very limited Navigation experience (read done a bit at school a looong time ago!). Team; Nige, Gregor, Matt and Pete "Assault Team Mudbutton".


Team meeting on licenced premesis on Wed we met Matt and immediately thought we had been very lucky to get him on board. Nige and Gregor headed down together and Matt and I got to know each other a bit better on the way down to Nannup on Fri after work. As we came into Bunbury we saw Matt's fiance Ruth on the road and ended up having dinner together. A bit more fancy pants than we were expecting due to only getting in to the 3rd place we tried due a cancellation. Stopped in with some fellow racers in Nannup and early to bed. Tour De France and early start at work I was toasted.


I'm sure Murray scheduled the race during the TDF to further the sleep deprivation.

Race day and we departed the quite god digs at the pub for the Town Hall.....then turned around as it was across the street. Got our maps and started to plan our routes. Paddle, MTB, Rogaine, MTB, Trek, MTB Time Trial, MTB. We got bogged down in the detail and ran out of time to plan the final Trek, MTB. We had to frantically plan what we put into our 3 transition tubs. One of these would be at each transition and the gear in these and what we carried would have to last us the race. "What do I need, and where and when do I need it" is the question.


Down to the start for 12:00 and feeling very nervous and underprepared. Start we elected Matt to do the sprint for the Control Card (used to record punches at each checkpoint as proof you were there). Once he was back and he was at the pointy end we picked our canoes installed the seats and gave them a final pump up. Then we were in the water I think about mid-pack. The water was flowing well and we had a few small rapids and lots of trees to negotiate. After a while Matt and I realized our L/H side had a leak, and that everyone else had taken a pump with them. Hmmm. The "Maids" were our saviours and lent us their pump and we were back on track. A false stop for the paddle bonus, but we found it the second time. I was following the river on the map in my lap when a branch caught the lanyard and they were gone. A nice team of girls retrieved them.....thankyou! The paddle finish was a one lane affair and the girls were really struggling to get their canoes up the hill. 20km and TA1. onto the MTB already cold.

1st MTB was a welcome releif for Nige, Gregor and myself. 1st Nav attempt and bush bash straight up was a success gaining time on a few teams. But the next tracks we tried to follow showed that the night Nav was going to be tough as some of the tracks clearly sown on the map were so overgrown they were hard to follow in the daylight! We kept a steady pace and managed to get the 2 MTB bonus CP's. Had been dark for some time when we hit TA2 a little warmth at by the fire and into the Rogaine.

Matt said to me "Pete you'll never believe this" Matt had put his runners in the wrong box and had to do the 13km rogaine in his MTB shoes. We had some difficulty finding the first of 5 compulsory CP's. But we found it at the end of a log into the River. Nige was straight onto it, getting his feet wet in the process. After bush bashing for a while following a creek we walked the up's and jogged the flats and the downs and made reasonable time but had difficulty finding the last 2 CP's. This stage saw the race highlight for me with Gregor resorting to using a bandage from the 1st Aid Kit for an unorthadox use. We didn't bother trying to get any bonus CP's and overtook some teams into TA3 back where we left our bikes.

Back on the MTB it was truely cold now. I couldn't find my sleeves but donned my thermal top, it would have to do. only 3 CP's we had trouble following one of those overgrown tracks but along with another team we managed to find them. On the road we managed to take some more teams into TA4 back at the Town Hall.

This was a welcome chance to warm up and plan the Trek and final MTB we hadn't had a chance to do before race start. We lost some time but weren't too worried. Straight away we saw what they meant by "expect some elevation" and encountered the 1st of the many Blackberry's. 3rd CP there was a road that wasn't on the map that threw us. second attempt and a little help we found it and were off. Here was the lowpoint. I advised a Right when I should have said Left, and we climbed a massive hill before realising my mistake at the top. Fantastic view in the moonlight with the fog in the valleys, I thank the boys for taking it so well. Back tracking we regained our course and had a shocker trying to find the CP on the "Mossy Rock" already a bit down we were climbing rock faces in thick bush and the map wasn't lining up with the terrain. Saved by a team of girls we got it and headed off electing to take the long route on-road rather than more bush bashing. This paid off beating the girls to the next CP and beginning to overtake more teams as the sun began to rise. Our least favourite competitor on another team was stuggling at this point which put a bit of a smile back on our faces. With the sun and a couple of easier to find CP's our sense of humour returned. Thankfully the running was stopping us from completely freezing to death. Into TA5 we saw Jill who commented she had to defrost the windscreen on her car for 10min to get there.

Our bike were waiting and we were really pleased to be getting on our bikes and knowing there was no more running. The guys at TA weren't having nay trouble checking we had our mandatory thermals as if you weren't wearing them you would have been in a bit of bother! Due arriving after 7am we were disappointed not to be allowed to do the 3km MTB Time Trial, and we were told we were not to do 3 CP's. The Maid's left TA before us and a massive climb straight up on the bike poor Matt was struggling but we were all warmed up now. Off the powerlines again the map wasn't lining up and we gave up on our 1st CP for the race. Time was becoming an issue as we wanted to make sure we were in by the limit of 12 midday. Coming into Nannup with 2 CP's left Matt's rear wheel locked up. His bike had been a bit noisy for a while, turns out all the rear brake rotor bolts bar 1 were gone and the rotor cocked and bent in the caliper. Lucky boy! Last CP was supposed to be where we started the paddle and we stuffed around for ages looking for it. We were all a bit over it but kept looking and pulled the pin with 15min till the cutoff. Very frustrating!!!

Thanks to those that cheered us into the finish. 23hrs 47min 20km paddling, 90km MTB and 33km run/hike we couldn't find 2 CP's were short coursed for 3 CP's and got 3 bonus CP's. We finished 12th and were really chuffed.

Presentations and lunch were low key, the biggest challenge for the day was yet to come. The drive home. maybe we should call it a 27hr race.

Was 0degrees and we were cold all night, we seemed to flog around the bush for ages trying to find CP's but all in all I had a ball and I think given the chance I'll do another one. Matt's keen and I know Nige has declared-Never again.


Next challenge.......

Alterra Race1

The first in a 3 round Off Road Triathlon series, I was really looking forward to this one. I woke to feeling a little dodgy in the tummy. I put this down to the pressure of being labelled Race Favourite and wearing a very heavy number 1. Those race directors have a sense of humour don't they! Very windy and quite chilly out at Lake Leschinaulta, quite a good turnout. I think there were around 64 competitors. Bumped into a few familiar faces. Shame Jase and Wade weren't racing, injuries meant they were part of the IOE crew. A typical Leigh race breifing "You can't miss a turn on the MTB" sticks in my mind.

I started the 2 lap swim in the middle of the pack. Amazing how different it is swimming in fresh water for a change. Out the other side of the lake, around a tree back in and dive in only to realise the churned up mud made the water black.......mental note keep mouth closed, keep mouth closed. The water cleared up pretty quickly,  out at the other side I couldn't beleive I ran past 2dogs on the way back in. He was having a very ordinary swim. He's normally a fish.800m swim down. 31km to go.

Finished the swim and there were still quite a few bikes in the racks, can't have gone too badly. Onto the 2lap MTB I began winding it up. This was my chance to make up some time. It wasn't long before I remembered how slippery it is up here. The pea gravel on the hard ground makes cornering a gently, gently affair. Caught 2dogs agian at the first log, or 2 large branches over the trail. Didn't have time to have a good look but decided dismount was the quickest option. A couple of climbs and a little single track with a fairly easy logover I was passing a few. There were lots of eager riders missing turns ("you can't miss a turn on the MTB") and I seemed to be sneaking under them when they did so. I missed the turn into the best single track near the end of the lap, but had a bit of a gap on the next rider so no harm was done getting back on track. Second lap and I wanted to have a crack. I spotted Greg Mickle up ahead on one of the climbs and put in. Nice to see a smiling face.Almost finished I came across a girl asking which way. Follow me I said, she was very thankful at the finish. Turns out she was the Female winner., and no Nigel I finished in front of her. 24km+800m down, 7km to go.

Off the bike into the run, I heard Leigh over the PA saying the favourite has some time to make up. Truth was the favourite would be doing well if he could hold his position! First section of the run was an easy dirt road to get your rhythm. Then an uneven rocky section to sort em out. great bush loop through branches up and down embankments.....brilliant! Nothing boring about this stuff. Got passed by a couple but I was happy running my own pace and looking after the dodgy hammy. Ran with Owen for a while and we were pointing out the trail to each other as we ran past the signs. Thanks Owen, you could fit in on Crew1 "Teamwork makes the dreamwork"

Great race, 8th overall and 6th in category. Had a ball. Must have had a go because the legs fell quite heavy today. That may also have something to do with standing up drinking all day at the cricket afterwards but I won't go into that. Great atmosphere very friendly and lots of families, the "Little Indians" had a run around after the race, sausage sizzle on a nice big grassed area in front of the lake. Look foward to Round2 "The Enduro" hope to get a few more there next time.   

Karri Cup 2011

Last minute decision to do the Karri Cup made the Sunday before meant preparation was to be less than perfect. Neither Chris or I had had a go at this one before. Add to that an illness on Thur, quick trip to Geelong for a friends celebration on Fri night (Some say it was for the Avalon airshow but I guess you will never know), Western Force home game Sat night (we lost). Things were not adding up to a Personal Best performance. Time constraints and a lack of accomodation options meant Chris and I had to drive down to Northcliffe for a 8am race start. 02:15 the alarm made itself heard and I was a Chris's place and loaded for a 03:05 departure. Yes we were both pretty tired when we arrived at the start at about 07:10. The common comment from me was "this is gonna hurt!" Chris was giving all sorts of encouraging coments like "how bad could it be" and "it's no Otway". Caught up with Scott and Dave from SPR who reminded us about the chicken. I volunteered to carry it as I was predicting a poor performance, and we noticed a few other familiar faces at the start line. I was feeling remarkably relaxed, no expectations I think.

Stage1

Started mid pack, and we probably went out a little harder than we should have (that would be my fault and I would pay the price). But we had a great run through the Round-Tuit single track. Across some paddocks a couple of grass hidden holes made for a little excitement particularly with the rain making for challenging visibility. A couple of water crossings at speed, and some more nice single track at the state track.  Pushing on I made the mistake of leaving off eating until the 25km stop. Turns out the 25km stop was at 31km, and I was getting hungry. Caught up with Clarie at the stop who had decided to pull out and ride back, a little later on I would think that wouldn't have been a bad option.

Stage2
After 10min or so we headed out again, and it was cold! Didn't know we were supposed to cross the same timing mat on the way out to start the clock again. We had a chat to the timing guy at the finish who was nice enough to accept our Garmin info and deduct 10min for our stop. I was feeling it by now and was glad stage2 was a little easier going than Stage1. My quads were aching already and where I was setting the pace on Stage1 I was happily letting Chris do so on Stage2. Truth be known I think I was still setting the pace, but doing so by Chris waiting for me rather than keeping up. We had a Masters rider jump on the back for a while and we all had a bit of a giggle when I hit a fast corner a little quick, somehow managed to stay upright and ended up stopped 90degrees to the trail. When we neared the lunch break Chris picked up the pace a little to overtake a few riders ahead. As soon as I pushed on the pedals to go with him my left leg cramped up and straight away my right leg thought it would go out in sympathy. This was not good! Not even half way and cramps already......This is gonna hurt! Lunch stop was very welcome. The rain had abated and the catering was excellent. We saw John Greg and wondered how long he was stopped for lunch, maybe we weren't doing so badly......turns out he was stopped for an hour and Chris Fisher snuck out before him. about 25min or so and we were off before we got comfortable.

Stage3
The 50-75km section of a 100km race is always where I find it the toughest, and this one wasn't any different. We worked out the timing mat thing and  I very steep short hill to start the stage thankfully wasn't a sign of things to come. We pedalled on fairly conservatively and I was getting in as much electolyte as I could and eating when I could to try and bring my legs back to me. So far this wasn't happening, but I was still out there.....so far managing to keep the cramps at bay. Very pleased to see the 3rd stop. A couple of pain killers, more to eat and away again.

Stage4

Stage4 was basically the reverse of Stage1 without the Round-Tuit single track. Another steep little climb to start, and into a brilliant long slight descent/flat through the forest that seemed to go on for ages. The climb back up the paddocks was a little torturous, but by this stage I had ingested enough electrolyte and gel to bung up a small elephant and the cramps were behaving themselves. I was able to push on a little harder, and we managed to pass quite a few riders. A few 50km (aka cheats!) went past but I was pretty pleased with how I was going after how bad it was feeling earlier. The finish line snuck up on us this time and Chris and I crossed together with a couple of squeaks from the chicken. Made it, now just the drive home to Perth......another 4hrs in the car just for laughs.

Well, that was a lot tougher than I expected, haven't cramped up BEFORE halfway before and I was pretty pleased I managed to keep them under control. I bike wash from the friendly local firefigters aat the first stop and a bit of chain lube at each stop kept the bikes running well. A couple of chain sucks were the worst we had which spells a great day really. My bike in fact got quieter as the day went on much to everyone's relief....there were a few comments about the squeak each pedal revolution I wasn't able to eliminate pre-race. We packed up and got going. shame we couldn't hang around to see Scott and Dave finish, but as it was we didn't get home till 8pm.......a very long day, but an enjoyable one. Thanks to Chris for dragging my sorry arse around that race, I let him go through the 2nd and 3rd timing points first as he would have been way further up if I wasn't holding him back. I had fun and I think I'll be back.....but I won't be doing a day trip again.

5hrs 54min

Pete Open 38/117 total 102/292

Chris Veteran 40/108 total 100/292

Very pleased with the results considering. I stuffed my entry up and entered as an Open. Oh well no harm done.

Allterra Race2, Coastal Clash and Busso Half next big races, and haven't trained nearly enough. Love a challenge!

Dirt Crit 6-Final Round

worked dayshift before the race this week. Left home early to get in a sneaky warm-up lap before the race, only to realize on arrival at Garvey Park that I had forgotten my spare light for young Nick. Luckily only 10min from home so went home and grabbed them still in time for rego, but no warm-up. A few familiar faces. Tony and Lorraine doing their tireless volunteering, Chris, Nick, Scott. No Nigel for his A grade debut. Rich made an appearance as well. Saw a few people struggling to mount some borrowed lights before race start.

Another big turnout for A and B grade, with Sean Oneal and some other legends returning for A Grade. B grade start and I lost pedal off the start line, and it seemed like it took longer then a refund at Medicare to get it back in! Had another racer comment "You gotta hate that!" as he rode past. Ended up mid to 2nd half of the pack.

Settled in to a rhythm and got back a couple of places including Chris before the end of the first lap. Took another 3 on the second lap and held on with no major eventfullness. Lost a place on the 4th lap and tried to put in to get some back. Major front end slide in a rutt on the back loop seemed to go on forever. I was eyeing off a landing spot for the impending departure, when SOMEHOW I managed to bring the front wheel back under me. Guy behind said "I can't believe you didn't come off" my reply "Me either!"

Last lap had Anthony Giancoppo fly by and some time after I had a couple more closing, Reece asked nicely so I let him and Sean Oneal by and pushed through to the finish in 11th from 20.

Sausage sizzle at the finish was a great way to finish the series which was a great success. Chatted with Gregor who didn't ride and the others. Reece couldn't hold out Sean once they got out of the single track for 3rd.

Thanks to Craig, Greg, Tony and Lorraine for all their hard work. Look forward to next time.

Anaconda Adventure Race-Augusta 2010

Headed down to Augusta Saturday for Sunday race. Dropped off the Ernie the dog and gave Nigel a call on the way, seemed Nigel was having a relaxed trip having lunch with Lorraine and Declan and their respective families at a winery in Margret River. Mici and I arrived at Registration mid-afternoon, and the crowds weren't too bad. Placed my ski and got a great spot for launching. Went to the bike transition and found a decent rack for my MTB as well. Back to the accommodation and we were pleasantly surprised at the standard of lodgings for the late booking and very fair price. Got my transition gear and food and drinks sorted (no mean feat for these events). Back for briefing, no surprises. During the afternoon bumped into Bill, Wade, Andy and eventually Nigel. Positioned Nigel's car for post race and back to the lodgings for carbs and early night, Nigel was very pleased to see "The Chicken" had made the trip.

Race Day
Beautiful morning, bit of cloud cover and mild temp. Positioned transition gear, and confirmed ski and bike still where I left them. Positioned car and Nigel realised he had left his car keys in the room. Happy if that's all that goes wrong for the day. On the bus out to race start, found Rich and Michaela. Everyone was nervously in good spirits and joking around. Chatted with Andy, Wade, Limey, Kerry at the lighthouse, and saw Jase on the start line. The usual pre-race nerves are heightened by the helicopter flying around at eye level (making it hard to hear pre-start instructions).

Started mid pack, and was surprised at how little congestion there was this year. Took the low road along the rocks and picked up a few places, saw Bill running strong as always. Hit the first dirt road and was chuffed to have Limey and Dave overtake me (nice to be in front of them even for a little bit!) Settled into a good pace, had a bit to eat, managed ok on the soft sand and was happy to come in 2min slower than last year with an extra 1km of rocks in the course making it 1hr 29min 14.4km.

T1 went well this year (remembered to put race bib on OUTSIDE of wetsuit this time). Race haircut meant swim cap went on easy. Into the water saw Matt one of the pro film crew for the event in the water. Said hi (might get on the tele!) Started the swim slow and tried to pick up for the second half, felt pretty good. Run up to the ski was different to last year and much easier on the feet. Really surprised to have knocked off 5min from last years swim 42min 1.9km .

T2 was great too. New strategy of camelback under PFD worked well and made getting bib on easier. Easy launch and spent the paddle up the river eating and drinking. Paddled the river mouth this year and had no excitement through the surf (thank the gods). Seemed to take forever to get to the paddle turnaround. Downwind on the way home, pretty happy to see heaps of boats still coming out heading into my stronger MTB leg. Very pleased to paddle 8min faster than 2009 for 1hr 29min 13km.

T3 good again. Camelbak strategy meant just whip off PFD and good to go. Saw Reece Tucknott waiting for his team in Transition.....thought he's gonna come past......FAST. More food as I hit the climbing. As usual getting passed by plenty of teams (or as I call them CHEATS). Hit the sandy hill and didn't bother trying to ride it. Off the top at 11ish km was thinking that there was a long way to go, but I had forgotten the rest was pretty easy riding, had fun hitting the sandy bits as fast as possible sailing through while others were bogging in and walking their bikes. Rode most of the second 10km with a guy who seemed to know me (No46) we had a good chat about Busso and MTB's. Final 10km I decided to have a go, I pushed on and managed to drop Mr46, had a little bit of energy to do some very small jumps through the BMX track. before I knew it I was at transition. I was looking over my shoulder the whole leg waiting for Nigel and Reece to catch me. Wasn't expecting to do as well as last year on the bike, but blow me down with a Pale Ale if I didn't crack 6min off last years time for 1hr 34min 32km .

T4 had another cracker. Realised a little into the run I had forgotten to take my helmet off, but just left it on.
Got passed by Mr46 and passed a few teams. Felt good and managed to pick up the pace for the last km or so. Hi5'ed a heap of kids in the finish chute, and finished feeling the best I have in a big race for ages. 17min for 2.5km run.

5hr 34min 174th/607 overall and 38th/118 18-39Male was17min faster than last year with an extra 1km rock run. Really really really happy with the result. Princess Mici was there to give me hugs and kisses, Lorraine keeping her company. Nigel crossed 5hrs 56min in a Yo Gabba Gabba suit and having to have a compulsory toilet stop after the run did well and beat me by 1min on the bike (less than I expected). Saw most of the guys at the finish with everyone seeming to have a good race. Even managed to retrieve all my gear from the transitions (thanks to the person that tied my goggles to my wetsuit). Found Rich's Michaela in the bar re-hydrating and decided to hang around and give Rich some support as he finished. After about 7.5hrs Michaela was a bit upset when the timers didn't have Rich off the MTB yet. We left her to go get our gear and came across a very weary Rich running along the final straight. I ran in with him trying to cover my race number, but was called by the commentator finishing the race......again. Nigel is campaigning to have my second time count!

BBQ was a laugh all the IOAR kids having a ball at the expense of the some over zealous neighbours and I made ingesting as much protein (beer has protein) as humanly possible my priority!

Big thanks to Mici, Nigel, Lorraine, Tony & Reece Tucknott, Declan, Gregor and The all IOAR crew and their families for the great support. I feel a bit lost now my Adventure Racing season is over.....Look forward to getting to more events next year......and paddling faster.

Dirt Crit 5

Yes I missed 2 weeks with night shift and the Melbourne cup, but I made a return for Rd5 and I was feeling.......SORE! Anaconda Augusta on Sunday was brilliant, but I was very sore and tired for the Tue Crit, but I thought after 0430 start at work I'd have a roll around anyway.

Familiar faces on arrival, Chris, Gregor (happy birthday), Lorraine, Nick, Tony, Greg. A slow lap with Chris was very handy as this was my first time in reverse and there were a few changes with a few large rocks in choice places. Turns out there was a massive field for both A and B grade this week.

Off the line I saw Chris doing well near the front. I on the other hand was finding that the soreness in my legs was inversely proportional to the strength in them. Where I had been in the top5 in previous weeks I was dead last this week, and struggling to get back onto the last wheel. "Quite dusty back here" I thought.

Midway through the second lap I was catching someone. To my surprise it was Chris. I asked if he had fallen off! We rode together for a while and I was doing my best. Each time through the Start line Tony and Lorraine were teasing me about how much it hurts. Managed to find something from somewhere and I pulled away from Chris and took another. Gave it everything of the very little I had to try and stay away.

Passed young Nick on my 4th lap, nice short cut Nick! Yes I did notice he wasn't the only one who was chosing to take a short cut rather than dismount and push up over the mounds. It wasn't THAT hard.

A few A grader's lapped me on the my last lap, noticed one of them was Sean O'Neil. Didn't see him at Augusta!

With a great deal of deadness in the legs and swaet running off me everywhere, I finished my 5 laps 16th out of 20. Gregor rode well top 10 finish in more normal cycling gear although he did have the name of some country where they speak funny on his kit. Great fun yet again. Next week last round of the Dirt Crit's and a BBQ to celebrate.