Juanita's Race Report
“Want to go to Tassie to race?”
“Yeah, why not? Could be fun”
FUN! Fun, did I say?
With the challenge series cancelled, but flights already paid for, 6 vision club members headed off to Tassie to compete in, and watch, the Kentish Hell in the Hills. From my point of view, a race aptly named.
The weather was turned on for us sunshine state locals with rain the majority of the time we were there. None the less, we headed out to Lake Barrington race day eve to test the water (and for Michael and Juanita to christen their wetsuits!). The water was surprisingly warm and it was a pleasure to swim in fresh water. With bikes re-assembled but the rain persisting, we drove over the bike course. “Not too bad” I think to myself, “I can do this”. Luckily for me I didn’t attempt a practice ride or I may not have done it on the day.
Setting up run gear at T2 on race day you suddenly realized how small the field actually was. A total of 83 individuals completed the race (I was number 83 so I can vouch for this). We arrived at the lake and T1 proves to look even smaller with just 2 rows of bike racks. One swim wave for all competitors was also something new for me.
Well the race was tough. Bloody tough! And I will admit that the thought of pulling out entered my head on more than one occasion. But I stuck it out and a couple of weeks on have recovered enough to now feel proud that I gave it a go and finished. I think I am almost ready to say that I might even do it again next year!
In all seriousness I would recommend that everyone give it a go. It is great fun and a good bonding experience to travel with your team mates. And if you can finish the Kentish Hell in the Hills you can do anything!
Jen's Spectator Report
Lake Barrington was the setting for T1 and the start of the Olympic Distance race on 14th February. Valentine’s Day for some, just race day for others. Oh well sorry girls. The drive to the lake was rainy, misty and a bit on the chilly side. The water was like a sheet of glass not a breath of wind. The transition area was bustling with energy, wetsuits everywhere. Michael looks flustered, oh his forgotten his race belt and number! With the helping hand of a few triathletes, that crisis was averted. The athletes make their way to a deep water start. The horn is sounded and its game on. The swimmers are off and the spectators are jostling for the driest spot they can find. It’s teeming down! Helen, Mel and Jen move to get a better vantage point to see the V athletes come in. Here comes James in 23.01 minutes and closely followed by Michael 25.52minutes. Here comes Juanita 29.22
Once the last swimmer is out, we are allowed to drive back to the second transition point back in town. It’s raining, really cold and the roads are treacherous. We are hoping there will be no causalities for Vision. Though there were some that did come down, our athletes arrive safely at T2. Unfortunately we missed the boys coming in as we were at the Coffee shop. Oops! But James finished the bike in 1.21.49 and Michael in 1.26.23. We were there to see them finish the undulating course of 4 laps of 2.5ks. At least the rains stopped. James comes in at 46.06 minutes and Michael 45.03 minutes.
It’s been some time and we are still waiting for Juanita to arrive from her ride. We are all a little nervous as it was strongly rumoured that the ride was very challenging and a few people came to grief. We knew she’d be fine, but still she’s a V family member, so you worry. Oh, here she comes, she looks tired, off the bike at 1.57.52 and she still has her 10k run to go. Most of the other athletes are in, actually only a few runners remain, and they are starting the Tristars (kids) duathlon, and starting to clear up, but Juanita sets off on her way. With a little help from her running companion (that’s Helen on the footpath) and the encouragement from the sidelines (that’s the rest of the team) , her determination and guts get her over the line in 1.09.01
The final results were James 2.30.56, Michael 2.37.18, and Juanita 3.36.15. I say more power to you all. It was a challenge that even the hardest professionals said was difficult so I say goes Vision!
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