Braylakes Duoathlon
This Event was always going to be slightly loathed if I tell
the truth, iv never had much love of running and this event is not one I was
particularly looking forward too, however saying that I did have a great time
and am glad to went to it. Having the running element really opened up the
range of competitors joining the event especially allowing teams so that one
person could run and one could SUP. It was a long way to travel from the
deepest darkest parts of Devon up to Maidenhead but having been there before
certainly helped in knowing that I could pull over in front of the gates when I
arrived and get some kip ready for the big event. Rain and inflatable roof
racks however don’t make enjoyable driving or sleeping, 20 miles short of Bray
Lake the heavens opened up and shortly I was completely soaked, all part of the
fun of things though, tomorrows another day…..
The morning arrived soon enough and people turned up eager
for the event, some less so, also not looking forward to the running but there
none the less. Tents and boards of different makes went up and the area was
transformed and really looked the part for racing, the wind also went up and
managed to increase all day. The race itself was fairly tough paddling straight
away into the wind to the far corner of the lake, once round the far mark
though a fairly good down winder stretch to get a slight breather, through the
island round another mark and back towards the beach ready for the run,
shudder. I hit the beach about the same time as Charlie Jones and we ran along
at a similar pace for about 1/3 of the lake, granted he said he had a stitch so
that’s probably why but I just kept putting 1 foot in front of another and
plodded on round, it was frustrating seeing people run past you not out of
breathe and cruise off into the distance but I still tried to focus on my own race
and not worry too much about the others. When I made it back to the water I
really made it count, overtaking people that had cruised past me on the run a
few minutes ago, I knew that id have to create a fair size gap though so that
it couldn’t happen again. I dug deep and clawed my way into the wind figuring
that would be the section that would slow others down the most and therefore my
best chance to gain time. I created a fair size gap and pulled away from others
while closing in on the front couple of people. But again the run came around,
and the same faces passed me by in a flash. Some were in teams so although I
beat the person on the water the runner was fresh and ready to go and in most
cases actually good at running which helps a great deal….
I was chuffed with my
performance though and the fact it was over once the last SUP section was done.
It was a shame I could not have stayed for the Sunday and done the distance
race but work comes first. The day was still not done though after everyone had
finished and had a good breather it was time for the Sprints, everyone had to
use 12’6” boards, as I had not brought a 12’6 with me I borrowed one of Rik
Garratt, one of his Mistral board, it looked heavy and bulky but was
surprisingly light, it would have been nice to have a good play around on it
first to get used to the sweet spots and turns but we only had a small weather
window, As the ladies started their sprints the weather got worse and worse,
the men’s sprints were postponed until the sun had come out again….. The
sprints were a rolling knock out eliminator, once the first person crosses the
line a 3 minute timer started, the last 3 were instantly knocked out; this
continues until there are just 3 left. I made it through 3 rounds but knew my
time was about done trailing as the back of the pack and narrowly making it
through the previous round, still the competition was of very good calibre and
I know I’m not a sprinter so I was happy enough.
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