Ok so I haven't posted for a while and my training program has suffered for it. With out the edge that it gives to justifing my days off its easier to say "I don't fell like it".
So whats been happening. The wadenhoe events are in full swing and I'm looking very competitive. The 1st event it was all a bit new. I got there and started setting up. On the first run I found the pace was fairly easy. A group of about 3 of us broke off and started outstripping the rest. The running course went round a field over a style and then down a set of downs before leaping a fence and then running alongside the river where it gets nice and muddy before finally heading up a hill and bck to the start line. By the style I was about tenth, by the fence I was up to third. My Father pointed out that those behind us had to wait a long time before getting over the style as everyone grouped up. Next race I'd go as fast as i could to make sure I made it over this style and stay in the runnning. 2nd place man was in a RAF tri suit and did a leap over the fence while the 1st place man climbed over it. This made up some serious time fro him so I had to follow suit. I kept with them to the start line then RAF man started slowing down on the second lap so I keyed up on the 1st place man and ran on his shoulder for the next lap. Transistion was a nighmare though. 1st place man didn't change shoes so was away as soon as he had his helmet on. My shoe change was poor and I'll have to practise this. Then to make matters worse, I hadn't got the bike course right and without anyone to follow I went all over the shop looking for the route. 1st place man got further away. RAF man was on the quad rather than the dualthon so was off to the kayak. The bike then started acting up. The gears kept jumping so I couldn't push as hard as I wanted. I made some poor laps trying to recover some steam. Then a man in a mountainbike team jersey went past. That was annoying and I resolved to catch him up.
That was when disaster hit. As I switched down on the big ring the chain got stuck between the frame and the outer gear. Looking at the jammed drive train it reminded me of when the same thing happed in the peak district and it took me serval minutes to carefully lever it out. I had no such time in the race so I grap a hold of it and pulled.
Hooray!
It had come free in one. I quick lookover and it looked fine. On I jumped and started up the hill again. As soon as I had to puch hard I felt the gear slip and then a sudden lack of opposition told me instantly what had happened.
The chain had broken!
I was disgusted. To do so well and be knocked out that way. 4th place man came by just as I through the bike down. "Chain" he asked. Yeah I said and waved him by. Then picked up my injured friend and hoofed it back up the hill with it over my shoulder.
I was gutted. The next day I got it into Bristows for a repair. The guys at Bristows thought it was a problem with the rear cassette as with a new chain it still had the jump that was killing it before. With a new one it was nice a smooth.
I didn't want to wreak its new perfect setup so it went in the garage and stayed there until the next race.
That day came on the 5th of December. Last ime I found the wait was almost perfect but the 2nd race seemed to come up on me by surprise. I took the bike on a quick warm up. I hadn't adjusted the seat and resolved to do so as soon as I got back. Disaster seemed to loom as the chain got stuck again as I dropped the big ring. It was not good. I had time and ran it back up the hill and started to get to work on it with my Father who'd come to watch. We managed to free it with an application of leverage on the pedals. The pre race briefing was called and I had to take off and then it was rush time to get everything in place bike shoes helemet then as I warmed up at the line I even realised I'd forgotten the paper number on my chest. I legged it back to the car to slap it on knowing the race would be called any second. I just got it on with help from my Father when the line up was called and sprinted it up to the front. The horn went and as per my plan I sprinted for the style.
I don't want to boast but as I went for it I heard a shout about half way to the style and couldn't hear anyone runnning with me. I kept going to just before the style. I thought the shout could have been aimed at me and the race was being restarted or something so I turned. The pack was lagging behind I had a good 50-70m lead already. I gathered myself and headed over the style. The cross country shoes paid off as I was able to take the gradients with far moe confidence then my competitors. I lept the fence again but made a poor landing. Still on my feet but needed a second to gather myself. Through the mud I thought I could feel the pack gaining so I gave it all I had up the hill and came back towards the start finish line. Looking at the pictures I was well in the lead only RAF man was still in touch and he was in the quad! Transition was still a nightmare trying to regain some breath while fighting to get my shoes on.
The 2nd place in the dualthlon caught up but I was still ahead. My glasses had steamed up so I couldn't see the course coupled with the effort I'd put in on the run and the iffyness of the gears I was slow on the bike and I knew it. I thought "Just get this lap out the way then go for broke". Thats when the chain broke again.
I was gutted annoyed and down right disgusted. I could have won it.
I trooped back and resigned my number.
The organiser laughingly said I could take the spare bike they had. Which on closer inspection was sporting slick road tryes. In the ice and slush I'd die. But it was a good idea...a backup bike....
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