Bela Bela 5150

It was time after a long spell of no racing to get back into things at the first 5150 on South-African soil. The conditions was hot, because we only started at 12 noon. The race was held in Bela Bela (formerly Warmbaths) and I always liked hot conditions. I was feeling very positive about the race, because it was a non-drafting race and normally, I am pretty good at it.

Breakfast

I did my normal pre-race warm-up and was ready to go. We were quite a small group – only the pro’s and elite age group athletes - so the swim wouldn’t be such a huge fight. We started and immediately Jeff went out in front and no one could follow him. In the 2nd bunch it was Erhard, Wian, Lucie, and I - we kept a good pace and I was feeling good. At that stage I thought it was going to be a good race. After the swim we rushed to transition on the bikes and out of the Forever Resort we went.

On the way to T1

It was a 2 lap cycle and after the first lap I was still feeling very good. But then the 2^nd lap started and my legs decided to go on holiday and abandon me on the race. I was suffering on the bike and everyone came flying past me.

Then, I knew the run was going to be a fight for survival. On the run I was struggling a lot, my legs didn’t want to move and my lungs was on fire. I shuffled the 10km to the finish. 

The suffering

After the race I was quite disappointed but then I looked back on it and saw I had a really good swim and a first lap cycle. It is still a privilege to be in good health and be able to race. It was a very fun race and I will be back next year. That evening we were spoiled by the Sullwald’s with a wonderful braai.