Lanzarote, my second visit to this venue, this time a more unscheduled one.
Yes, indeed i am a lot better than the Melbourne days (that was mistake) so i was ready to put in another race in my resume...
The plan was simply do the most with the least possible and the rest days where a lot shorter than usual witch i think would benefit me...
Always beautiful this island, i wont need to comment on how the bike course simply destroys everyone with hills, wind bad surface wind wind wind, sun, humidity, heat. this clearly stands out of the rest of the course.
Everything went well before the race, i was feeling healthy and there was nothing to concern about race preparations, i couldn't ask more than this. Race morning i woke up latter and had a huge "wake up evolution" shake topped with a simple toast. this was something that i wanted to try before a race. Took my time to the race site, and spent the least time possible there, but i did pumped my tires with a mini pump, now that's a good warm-up to the swim. Down to the real thing. The swim had virtually no separation between AG and Pros. In fact AG had an advantage since they could really build some momentum with the short beach run. I felt it right from the beginning. I tried to go as fast as i can but i really can sprint on the water (or on the bike or run for that matter) so i was quickly flooded with hands and feet and guys pushing my ankles on purpose (this really pisses me of). First lap was hard for all those factors, i got out with almost 27min and the second lap was EASY, i just enjoyed the ride to T1, i was out in 54 ish minutes.
Long run to T1 and out i went on the island tour. i was riding with Esben and latter vabrousek that caught up on us. I sure didn't want to rush things up and rode with them in sight to go through the first section with a """"easy"""" feeling. The feeling i had was that in the fast parts my effort was a whole lot harder than going uphill, So in the Volcano climb i kept my rithm up and made a short gap on the rest that eventually was bridged. Then Alvaro caught up, and another long climb, same story but this time it was me and alvaro that went away. I was feeling very composed and in control, Mr Vabrousek caught up a few kms afterwards and it was time for the BIG hill to las nieves, this one i decided to save some energy even when there was guys coming from behind and passing. Special needs bag was mandatory for me so i took my time with around 75km to go to have it. Technical downhill was good for me as i got away from alvaro and caught vabro and Agz fro the climb to mirador del rio. Tough cookie this one seems never ending and steep. as soon as we got there the trio i enjoyed the Long and fast downhill, aways good to have some fun. Vabrosek lost my tail and Agz got back to me in the flats down the hill, still a lot to go and a bit of flat roads where a good booster to recovery. Alvaro got back in the mix Agz was trying to get away and i certainly didn't do much to keep him close i just wanted to stay within me, Vabro was always behind and i kinda worried about his race plan...
The last 40km that includes another hill didn't do much, i really didn't care who would try to go away but at the end the gaps where close, i got bonus point the the most artistic fall out of the bike for sure, ouch. I lost some time with it but it could be a lot worse.
Run time, Alvaro got away with my artistic job and my ankle was hurting a bit too much. I started conservative and got caught by Agz, it was a big out and back followed by another shorter 2 lap course. Going out with head wind. as soon as i got caught i clearly tried to keep his pace until the turn around, then we would see how the legs feel. As soon as i got there i pushed the pace to a very fast one. with no time i passed Alvaro with time for a short chat. and then was all about what the other could do, i thought a top6 would be a decent day but half way through i was already in 4th this was where i started having my own problems as all the calorie intake on the run wasn't being absorbed and i was clearly dehydrated, everything was in the stomach and i could really feel/ear it sloshing around. at the beginning of the last lap i was close to 3rd so i hoped i could keep everything inside me, i wasn't forcing calories in for quite a few kms since it would do nothing good to me but my stomach was getting bigger and bigger ;) i was already feeling a bit dizzy due to dehydration but caught a fading Bert just before the last turn around. After that i was a mix of feelings "Im toasted/Im relieved to be in 3rd" got the best of me and just was concerned to get to the line. I felt Very dizzy and am not sure if i was running straight but i got there... just too bed i could go under 9h ;)
I am of course happy with the day, back on the podium always tastes good right.
Quick not to Marcio that won his AG and his brother Valdo that had a nasty crash but still finished in 10:17
More next week....
