lisa morgan

Things are getting pretty hectic and crazy as my departure date draws closer - closing things out at work, trying to catch up with everyone amongst a myriad of busy schedules, getting the bikes prepared for a lot of racing in the next few months, and of course keeping the pressure on the pedals in training.  Afternoon naps are out the window this weekend!

Amongst all of that I managed to fit in a race before I head off - my 2nd year in a row doing the mtb leg of the Crazyman duathlon, yesterday.  Robyn had no excuses this year so had to get up bright and early to get to the beach for her favourite part of the run - the start - a couple of hundred metres along the beach.  Words just can't express how much she loves that part!  I offered her a lot of smack talk support and encouragement while she taped her ankles so her feet couldn't detatch from her legs on the drive to the start.  Craig was with us too as our dedicated support crew for the day.

We cheered the runners off the start and drove a few minutes down the road to heckle cheer some more and then headed over the hill so I could get ready for the bike.  We had reasonable conditions for the day but it did rain a bit including while warming up - fortunately I had the wind trainer so avoided getting a wet bum before even getting started as I warmed up in the 'hard core corner' with a couple of the guys who were also on wind trainers.

Robyn produced a sterling run timeof &:*# (sorry, not sure what happened to my keyboard there) which enabled me to get going on the bike as the sun came out and I had plenty of people ahead of me at fairly regular intervals through the course to target and chase.  There were some significant changes to the course for the first time, including making use of the superb singletrack in the newly developed Wainui MTB Park, and an alternative track to the old descent in to Moores Valley and Everest climb back out.  Still plenty of climbing, and seemed a bit rougher in more places.

I totally enjoyed the singletrack and people were gracious in pulling over to let me pass when I called up to let them know I was there.  One of the interesting things in a race like this is that you get all levels of ability out on the course at the same time - someone with a fast runner might be a slower rider and vice versa, so there are all types out there.  I was as friendly as I could be but I really had my game face on after a couple of great weeks of training which I wanted to back up with a good result on the day.

When I got to the culvert at Silverstream where we turn and head back south to the finish Craig and Robyn were waiting with a fresh bottle and encouragement 'hammer it home!' - instructions from the coach - 'Robyn says' - better do it then!  The whole way back is mostly flat, mostly straight, but unlike last year we had a headwind.  Not a super strong one, but it made a difference after the tailwind of last year.  Fortunately I'm stronger now so I was able to just find the most aerodynamic position I could on the bike and stick my head down and let my legs do the work..

It rained most of this section of the race but all in all wasn't too bad.  I caught up to Charlotte at Pomare bridge (Tim was her runner and had given her about 10mins on me at transition).  She saw the opportunity to jump on my wheel and took it, and no matter what I did over the next 20 minutes or so I could NOT drop her.  I tried going over the highest part of judder bars, powering away at (very) small inclines and even rode through a series of pot holes!  But on her 29'er she could see everything that was coming and even with me getting as low as possible she was still benefiting from the draft.  For a long time I wondered if she would sit there and take me on the line, and the same thought was going through her head.    I did my best to crowd the finishing chute but it got too wide and she came around me and took sprint ace honours for the day.  It'll be a while before I let her forget that, but I'm also incredibly proud that she put everything else out of her mind and rode aggressively as it's something we've talked about in the past.  As for me not being able to shake her off my wheel - I can only blame myself for creating such a monster!

I was all smiles at the finish where Robyn, Craig and Tim were waiting for us and we headed off to get cleaned up and fed and watered.  I hung around for prize giving this year with a good feeling that I had the fastest mtb time so was happy to not only get my trophy back but also collect the prize for 1st place in the womens' duathlon (I guess all that smack support and encouragement paid off!).

I spent the evening in the fine company of many of my closest friends and favourite people sharing a few wines and a LOT of laughs and tales as a final catch up before I take off - I just wish I could take them all with me!

Today was all about the bikes again with a few hours on the road before getting everything cleaned up so Ricky could do his magic and get the Felt perfect for the coming race season and give the roadie a few tweaks to keep my valuable training tool in good shape.  You have to love a mechanic who goes in to work on his day off like that.  You also have to show that love in the form of bourbon.  Ricky's been looking after the Felt since day one, so it was only fitting that he be the one to get it ready for it's biggest workout yet.

The Moonride is next weekend - I'm not racing this year (I'll be a bit busy packing!) but Jude will be racing the 24 solo with a stand in support crew (who I will drive nuts with texts for updates all day and night!), and Charlotte is also competing.  It's her first 24 solo and is her prep event for the World Champs in Canberra later in the year.  She's been working long and hard for this and I'm excited to see how things go - her support crew can also expect a lot of contact from me!