Expecting the unexpected

Don’t you think that sounds like something Steve Gurney WOULD say… :)

My first Multisport race as an individual and what should I have expected?

1. Needing a nervous pee can sometimes actually be a sign you should ‘go’ before the start of the race and the sound of a rushing river forces a pit stop 10 minutes into the run

2. Whilst your number one rule in the kayak is never follow the person in front of you (pick your own lines), learning that having others (or their wet foot prints) to follow on a trail run is helpful…perhaps even vital… to avoid getting lost and losing precious time backtracking

3. Cycling along at 35km and suddenly having a knotted pain take hold of your calf muscle – so this is what cramp feels like!! – quelling the panic and trying to focus on the road ahead (and not wobbling off ones bike) getting it under control only to have the other calf follow suit – yikes this hurts!

Some may read this and think what a total mare of a race, but as Richard (my coach from Complete Performance) has taught me – you can learn from every experience and hence why we race!

So as I ponder in reflection of the day that was I remembered I managed to stay upright in my first ever attempt at multiple river crossings, I now appreciated there is no shame in power walking when running would blow yourself up on steep terrain and most importantlyI realised when the chips are down you just have to chillax and treat the experience as a training run (don’t tell Richard that)!

Next adventure – weather gods permitting, planets aligning and a stroke of good luck, we plan to get over Goats Pass this weekend!

Keep ya posted!