Xterra Shakespear 2019
19th May 2019https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3661695288
http://totalsport.racetiming.co.nz/competitions/1651
The Video
https://www.relive.cc/view/2378527810
The Day
We had a good turnout from the lads today -
Nev signed up the family for the series, and Will brought his crew out as well. Me and Brett were there, with Neil and Michal (and my mate Oscar) all there to enjoy a great day on the peninsula.
The early morning was threatening rain, but turned out very nice, with mostly cloudy skies and a breeze that at various times either helped or hindered progress.
Brett drove us early birds out (left St Heliers at 6:55, good timing) and we were all ready to go for 9:00am and Xterra 2019!
Last year I had overtaken Will and Neville on the post-rock hills, but that was never looking likely today :(
(I'm not feeling as quick as last year, and more to the point, Will and Neville are going strong lately...)
The Run
We all started strong, and smashed up the first hills and back down to the sea without issue. Nev, Will and I were in close contact. Michal was back a bit (prepping for Christchurch marathon in 2 weeks).
We hit the beach and then the tricky 5km of coastal rock hopping. Crikey...
The tide was still high (2 hours post a 3.4m high), and noticeably wetter than previous years. Will and Nev quickly slipped away from me, and disappeared into the distance.
I settled into a good rythym, and actually started to really enjoy the rock hopping. I gained confidence after a few kms, and worked pretty hard to keep my speed up.
Although the rocks were mostly wet, they were not slippery, and I got across safely.
Not surprisingly, Nev finished with blood on legs and arm for the third consecutive run...! (but this was actually due to the tight track hairpin on a downhill section, not the foreshore). Nev, Nev, Nev...!
For the second year running, the course cut off out of the beach before the worst of the deep water, so I only got wet up to knees.
By the end of the beach section, I could see Will about 1:40 ahead of me, and Nev another minute or more further on. I worked hard, but never made up much time on either of them, and that is roughly how it finished. I walked up the worst bits of the hills (mostly the climb after exiting near the event base at about the 13km mark, which is a wicked uphill), but generally felt better than expected and kept up a good pace. The downhills were fast and fun!
I competed to stay ahead of the first woman, but failed by just 22 seconds.
Nev. 1:43:02. Third in 40+
Will. 1:44:14. Fifth in 40+
Me. 1:45:24. First in 50+
Michal. 1:50:20
Brett. 1:54:55. Second in 60+. Just 3 minutes behind the first placer. Next time get him, Brett!
Oscar. 2:08:51. Good effort!
Neil. 2:08:51. A dead heat with Oscar!
Family Finishers
Post-run Thoughts
I ran ok today, but a full 9 minutes slower than last year. I can't think why, except that the extra deep water on the foreshore section slowed us down a bit. (and of course, I did have a super strong run last year). Happy with pace judgement today. I had the normal 3 gels.
Now, if I can just work out how to beat Will and Neville, my life will be complete :)
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