Whangamata race 3/1/2012
This was the 2nd race of the Contact Tri Series and a chance for me to test my legs after a solid block of training over the xmas period. Having missed the first race in Rotorua due to an exam I was determined to do well after some solid performances in China, and Auckland.
As everyone would know the weather over the New Year was terrible. This spoiled many people’s training and celebrations, however I was glad because this meant that I could take it easy and chill in Taupo with Sarah building up to this race. I braved the wind and rain when people were tucked up inside and I think this was key to doing well in this race because come race day the weather was again terrible. Wind and rain coupled together to make the event a true test of both physical and mental toughness.... but I was ready.
The swim was luckily uneventful for me, I managed to navigate well enough over waves and come out around 6th place. Having not done too much surf swimming I was pleased that this was sufficient to keep me in touch with the leaders who were about a minute or two ahead.
Onto the bike I attacked from the get go. I wanted to chase down the leaders so rode with aggression, with the knowledge that most would easy up due to the poor conditions. This worked well and I came off the bike in 2nd place only behind Stephen Sheldrake whom must have had the same idea as me and smoked the bike in under an hour!!
Now the run was going to be a challenge not only because of the weather but the course we covered ran over the beach for half of each lap (of 3). I went out hard again trying to consistently lower the gap between me and the leader. After 2 laps I still had to gain 40 seconds of the initial 1.50 lead. I kept on pushing myself to keep up the pace. I eventually caught my mate Will O’Connor who spurred me on. I could just make out Sheldrake with about one kilometre to go. I put the throttle down again, I was catching him with every stride but I knew it would be so close with less than 200metres he still had about 50m on me. I sprinted with all my effort for that last stretch. It came down to 10metres from the line when for the first time in the race I was leading!!!!
I won by metres, this was the best finish I had ever had and what a day to have it. My first win of the contact series, what a way to start 2012.
Thanks to my girlfriend Sarah Good who braved the weather and supported me all week. Thanks for my primary sponsor for this race Aaron Smylie from Greytown Plumbing. Thanks CrankIt Cycles and Specialized for keeping me riding strong. Thanks R-Line for keeping me hydrated. Thanks Blue Seventy for providing the wettie to keep me afloat and tackling the waves.
Cheers
Hamish
Check out the video on demand for coverage of the event. At about 13.20 you'll see the sprint finish
