Most of the group arrived Wednesday or Thursday before the race. This included the Clarkys (Pete and Caroline), Marky Mark Leavy, Clayton, Scott, the Backshall's, the other Mark and coach Brian!
The preceding days before the event were spent getting rid of the nerves with various trips to bike shops, shopping centers and numerous eateries before registering on Friday and attending the race briefing Friday night.
Nerves were high on Saturday as everyone headed down to drop the bikes off, the last we would see of them until Sunday morning, the weather was looking fine and hot, it was going to be a tough day Sunday!
Finally Sunday morning rolled around and we were all packed on the 21 seat bus on our way to transition, only a 5 minute drive away! From here everyone went about their own business setting up their bikes, runners etc ready for a long day ahead. Luckily the group all managed to meet up before our respective wave starts and get a series of good lucks etc in before we were off, the nerves were high!!
BOOM! and the horn sounded! The first off were Caroline and Lauryn in the ladies wave, unfortunately they were also first to discover the horrible current going against them along the back stretch! However they soldiered on and came out of the water in both very respectable times and places. Next off was Mark and Scotty, with Mark coming out of the water third and Scotty just a minute behind in fifth.
Now it was Marky Mark's, Pete's, Clayton's and Mick's turn to fight through the carnage of the slower swimmers and work their way around the course. All Team Endurance members turned out good times putting them in a good position going onto the bike!
Onto the bike and the boys and girls were off. Mark was trying hard to chase down the two boys in front of him with Scotty working with a couple behind to catch Mark. Lauryn was out in front with the women and Caroline was chasing hard. Pete was as usual in his element on the bike and was dragging groups along. Marky Mark after a stella (usual) swim was working hard to maintain his good placing. Clayton was happy to be out of the water and on his first (or maybe second) love, his beloved Felt.
Unfortunately Mick was riding a bike with a frame size too small as his bike had been damaged in transit. He put up a good ride, but you can only ride so far with your knees hitting the bars with every pedal stroke, he pulled out towards the end of the bike. Unfortunately the bad luck didn't stop there!! The course was extremely crowded and the drafting going on by a number of competitors was ridiculous! Caroline was unlucky enough to be involved in a nasty crash while leading/trying to drop a large group. The result, many cuts and bruises and being run over by about 4 or 5 bikes. However true to her spirit she got up and continued on - very impressive. RESPECT!
Before everyone knew it the bike was over! It was hot, humid, crowded and fast. Mark was off the bike first with Scotty in tow. Unfortunetly Scotty suffered with cramps and dehydration soon after getting off the bike and these ended his day early. Luckily after a drip or two he was feeling fine afterwards, after a bit of a close call! Pete, Mark and Caroline followed. The fellas were looking good and somehow Caroline was still soldiering on with some NASTY cuts and bruses. Lauryn was next in however, her damaged hammy set an early end to her day as well. Clayton rounded out the Endurace crew and although he was dissapointed to be leaving the Felt, he was looking forward to giving the run course a good crack.
Speaking of cracks....this course and the conditions were made to expose everyones. Mark was looking good up untill about 13k where the heat humidity and pace finally got to him. After running around in the "pain cave" for 7k he managed to get home for a 3rd in his age group. Pete didn't quite have the run he was looking for but soldiered on and ran hard securing a solid time on a hot and deathly day. Marky Mark ran solid all day, picked off competitors and finished very strong, so strong he was walking around fine like he hadn't raced afterwards - impressive. Caroline was next along the line. Despite all her cuts, bruises and internal injuries (rumor has it she actually lost a kidney but continued to run..) she finished strong and still managed to take names on the run course.
Clayton was the final Endurance team member across the line finishing strong, happy and feeling good about his race.
After the various sharing of stories afterwards, congratulations were given and everyone made their way back to the hotel, after a fantastic cold rain shower. A big thank you must go out to all the support given by all family and friends out there on race day, without it, it would have been a whole lot harder for all. A special thanks goes out to coach Brian who made the trip over to support his athletes and did a great job, obviously judging by the photo below he was very pleased..
As the saying goes what happens on Endurance Fitness Race trips, stays on Endurance Fitness race trips, however i guess a few photos can be released for everyones viewing pleasure. Enjoy..
