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The Suncoast winter triathlon/duathlon series is well known for it’s flat and fast route. This weekend was no different. This was my first race of the season and I must add I was not quite race ready (in the weight department) my race shirt was bulging at the wrong places. But the bulk of my Endurance training had been done. And some tapering...
Back to the racing. I expected Darren Goddard (fellow TJSA athlete) to be there. But the first person I ran into was Bryce Viegas (2008 SA long distance Duathlon Champ 2009 Afriman Champion and 2nd at 2009 Power Man Malaysia) He’s a speedster!
We were off and the pace was hot. Taking glances at my Garmin Forerunner showed the pace at 3:03’s and 3:06 / km. I clung to Bryce’s heels (who was taking NO strain) and Darren on my shoulder. What concerned me was at that pace we still had feet behind us slapping the pavement. Just before the turnaround at Blue Lagoon John Nthuli (2008 KZN duathlon champ mad his move and came past pulled up to Bryce and it was Game ON. We turned into a steady South Westerly and the pace dropped quite a bit to the 3:30 mark some times slower.( the holiday fats catching up on me) Bryce was leaving us to fight out the minor placings. John had opened a gap on myself and Darren and Xolani was beginning to push us to T1.
Bryce went through T1 clocking 16:15 for the 5km run , John 16:45 Darren and I at 17:04. Transition are generally one of my strong points and I was out of T1 ahead of Darren and Xolani. I waited for Darren though knowing he will catch me soon and we can work together to reel in John. UBER biker Darren took off like a Rocket and my turns at the front just felt like I was slowing him down steaming ahead at 46 km/h.
It took us (Darren) 5km to catch John. As we passed we tried as best to not let him grab a wheel. But I was not able to keep the pace and was soon dropped first by Darren and then by John. It took me another 5km to catch John at my own tug a long pace to reel in John and we rode together for the last 10km’s. However at every turn to pull John tried to break away and I started to use this to my advantage. Taking a sip of drink or a energy gel at my turns in front. This made John eager to drop me even more and kept his rotations in front in Healthy double doses.
T2 came with me in fourth and bit fresher legs I assume than John. Darren was just 30 seconds ahead and Bryce had stormed out of T2 as I dismounted. John promptly dropped of the pace and I could see Darren was taking a bit of strain. I caught Darren at 750m into the second 2.5km run. He immediately matched my pace and together we tried to get as much air between us and John Nthuli. At the turn around Bryce was cruising and had a 100m lead on us. John was 50 behind. The wind was really making progress less pleasing as we were hurting ALL over. At 1 km to go it felt like Darren was surging and I just tucked behind he’s big frame taking stock of my reserves. I was not yet hurting as I have pushed myself during training and knew I could go. And I went. 750 metres to go and the gap stuck. It took some deep digging but worth it. Who likes to finish a race easy?
Bryce Viegas 1st, Bertus van Zyl 2nd, Darren Goddard 3rd, John Nthuli 4th etc.
I ALWAYS enjoy racing Suncoast. Damian and his team have the route dialed the detours have worked out well on the cycle route and the finish is superb.
By: Bertus van Zyl
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