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Cabin
Ridden
Joined: Aug 14, 2003
Posts: 202
Location: Palmerston North, NZ
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 Posted: Thu 10th Apr 3:40pm Post subject: Cabin's Xterra Australia Race Report |
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8th was not the result I was looking for, but in the end it was a pretty solid start to my XTERRA season for 2008 when I crossed the line at Daylesford on Saturday at the XTERRA Australia Championship. 8th, but in an amazingly competitive field, a mere 70sec behind 3rd.
The race was won by current XTERRA world #4 Chris Legh of Australia. A 70.3 guru, and one of the fastest runners in the sport.
Going into the race my goal was to race strongly and get a good hit out for Rotorua this weekend. And all going well, achieve a top 5 finish as a bonus. Having promised myself not to dig to deeply, and risk compromising the Rotorua race, perhaps my mindset wasn’t where it should have been. Because in the final washup, I was capable of a top 3 on the day, but didn’t deliver.
For me the race was always going to be tough, as the bike course whilst physically tough, didn’t feature any technical riding (nor big climbs). It was a strongman’s course, so maybe I talked my way out of things a little? Anyway….
The swim was interesting. With a separate pro start I perhaps underestimated my ability. I immediately searched for feet to follow, and did so for the first 350-400m…. until realizing these guys were slower than I was capable of. So went off on my own, and proceeded to put 40-60sec on those guys before the end. I had wasted the first 400m following and lost valuable time I would rue later in the day.
The MTB went well. Despite my negativity towards the course, I managed to maintain focus throughout, and made great forward progress. Thus, I was a little dismayed to reach transition and see 6 bikes already there. With no idea of the time gaps I headed out on the run with more of a training mindset. Run solid, and steadily I told myself. I was told the leader was 4min ahead, and presumed the others were close to him.
By the 1/2way mark of the run I’d reached 6th, but with no sight (or time splits) on the leading 5 thought that was probably my lot for the day. Resolving to maintain my pace to the finish, be happy with that, and look forward to Rotorua.
Bad decision. Easing off slightly cost me two spots. And unbeknown to me at the time… I had been steadily closing done 3rd/4th/5th. In the final washup I had posted a top 5 run split against some of the faster runners in the sport. Which combined with a top 3 bike split (on a course that didn’t suit me) left me a mere 70sec from a top 3.
Could I have done better? Probably. Am I disappointed? In retrospect, a little (especially at the prizemoney I didn’t win!). Am I satisfied with where I’m at heading into Rotorua? Yes.
My swim has improved. My bike and running legs are stronger than before. The Rotorua MTB course is singletrack infested, with big climbs. The run suits me well. And importantly, I have the benefit of a solid race distance hit out in Australia under my belt.
Quite simply, I can’t wait for Saturday!
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Oli
Mangled
Joined: Aug 03, 2005
Posts: 29,557
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| Posted: Thu 10th Apr 6:42pm Post subject: |
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Nice one, Cabin! Best of luck on Saturday bro...
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musket
Wrecked
Joined: Sep 28, 2002
Posts: 7,926
Location: Transient
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| Posted: Thu 10th Apr 6:46pm Post subject: |
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Nice cabin.
Awesome to see Monique win her category and come in 4th overall!
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dented
Mangled
Joined: Oct 03, 2005
Posts: 8,997
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| Posted: Thu 10th Apr 6:47pm Post subject: |
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Yeah I hope you do well at Rotorua. Who's the main competition there? Is Jon Hume entered? Hamish Carter or Cam Brown?
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musket
Wrecked
Joined: Sep 28, 2002
Posts: 7,926
Location: Transient
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| Posted: Thu 10th Apr 6:49pm Post subject: |
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T Rex (Santa Cruz / Pearl Izumi / Roadworks). He defends as National Elite Champion.
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FeHT
Ridden
Joined: Feb 24, 2008
Posts: 168
Location: In the bush
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| Posted: Thu 10th Apr 7:47pm Post subject: |
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| Cabin wrote: |
Going into the race my goal was to race strongly and get a good hit out for Rotorua this weekend. |
You sure did that.
Give it heaps on Saturday
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wgtngrl
Full time athlete in 3...2...
Joined: May 31, 2004
Posts: 10,311
Location: Home sweet, cold home
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| Posted: Thu 10th Apr 9:18pm Post subject: |
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Full focus this weekend Cabin - you're not out for training this time 
Have a good one.
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Cabin
Ridden
Joined: Aug 14, 2003
Posts: 202
Location: Palmerston North, NZ
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| Posted: Mon 14th Apr 3:35pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the good wishes everyone. Turns out the straegy worked well. Gave it everything in Rotorua and had fantastic race. Was only bettered by Terenzo Bozzone and came up just 20sec short.
Will get a proper report up sometime soon. In meantime have a bit of junk food consumption to catch up on
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way_downsouth
Flogged
Joined: Apr 25, 2003
Posts: 3,350
Location: Trying to slim down in NZ!
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| Posted: Mon 14th Apr 3:37pm Post subject: |
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| Cabin wrote: | Thanks for the good wishes everyone. Turns out the straegy worked well. Gave it everything in Rotorua and had fantastic race. Was only bettered by Terenzo Bozzone and came up just 20sec short.
Will get a proper report up sometime soon. In meantime have a bit of junk food consumption to catch up on |
Wow. That is awesome. Congratulatuions
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