Speights Coast to Coast
Elina’s Coast to Coast race 2009
Richard Ussher / 03.03.2009
The day looked like being quite cold so I had extra gear on from the start and although it was a bit warm in the initial run it made for a much more pleasant first ride in the chilly morning. Unfortunately after the first run off the beach where I was feeling really good I had trouble locating my bike due to many people not following the numbering system. Gordon Blythen also had a similar problem and so I was able to draft off him and occasionally help him out as we tried to make it up to a faster bunch.
We both settled into the 2nd bunch where most of the top women were although Jill and Emily had managed to get into the first one giving them a 3 minute advantage going into the run. For my part I managed to stay very fresh in the bunch and arriving at the run TA was feeling comfortable and not unduly stressed about not being in the first bunch. After all it is a long day.
Shortly after the start of the run my problems for the day began for real. On crossing the first river I went into spasms of cramp in my hamstrings and was lucky a guy was there to catch me or I would have had an unplanned swim. He also dished out some cramp stop and helped me stretch out until I could begin hobbling off up the run course.
By now I could no longer see the group of girls I’d been with as I lost plenty of time and throughout the run up to Goat’s pass I had to be very aware of the impending cramps that threatened to take hold every time I had to climb up something.
At the top I had caught Jill Westenra and some of the other girls plus a large contingent of Nelson competitors. It was a bit shattering to hear someone say we were 20 minutes behind Emily and Fleur Pawsey...They have been flying I thought but at the same time I was still trying to keep my mind positive.
SleepMonsters
