BSG Triseries - Hartebeespoort dam

Race number 3 was up for the BSG series this past weekend. I was feeling good after my 2^nd place the previous week and I hoped that I can do well again. The same athletes form last week were racing, so we knew what to expect from each one.

Everyone did what they were supposed to do; Jeff came out the water first with Erhard, Pieter and I  chasing him down.

I thought this was going to be a replay of last week’s race. It was, until half way on the bike when Erhard made a gap and we didn’t put much effort in to chase him down. We were playing cat and mouse and handed the race on a silver platter to Erhard. It was a one man effort to try and chase him down. After a while I realized that Michael Davidson is chasing us and he can run like a demon. I tried to warn my group but they didn’t want to listen, so I decided to work and try to keep a gap so that Davidson can’t catch me.

I ran like a mad man trying to keep in front of Michael, which I did. I felt quite good on the run so I was happy that my legs were feeling good. In the end I was 2^nd again, I am happy with the result but the race didn’t go according to plan. Michael in the end finished 3^rd .

Its now time for a short break from racing triathlon and time to focus on the Continental Run2Stop charity Challenge over the next 9 days.  Looking very much forward to this.

Until then

Cheers

Rudolf

BSG Triseries - Abrahamsrust

After a 2 week break from racing the first race it was time for the 2^nd event of the series. This will be a much smaller elite field due to the fact that a many of the athletes will be in Auckland for World Champs. The main contenders for the elite race is Erhard, Pieter, Jeff, Chris, Michael and I.

The swim was unusually fast because we were such a small group of athletes that started. Jeff was out in front as normal with myself following him about 6 seconds back. Pieter, Chris, Erhard and I were with me in the swim pack. The four of us formed the main pack chasing down Jeff so that we would become the main pack.

Once we caught Jeff we cycled well together with only a few hiccups along the way. Chris somehow managed to drop off the pace and it was a four way race for top honours.

Jeff, Pieter, Rudolf, Erhard on the way to T2

 I had a fast transition and was out first but that only lasted for about 200m when Erhard and Pieter came flying past me. I thought to myself then well third place it is for me today. But after 1km on the run I saw I was slowly starting to catch Pieter. this gave me hope and I went for it on the run. I managed to catch him at 2km. I put in a small surge just to get a gap and then settle back into my rhythm. Erhard was too far ahead to try and catch; he had the victory wrapped up and in the bag.

On my way to the finish

 In the end I came 2^nd, I was very happy with that result as it was the best position I have ever achieved in the BSG series. So things are eventually starting to look a bit brighter for me this year.

Next weekend the race will be at Hartebeespoort Dam.

Until then

Cheers

Rudolf

BSG Tri Series - Buffelspoort

The local BSG triathlon series started  last weekend at a new race venue at Buffelspoort in the North West Province. We started the day at 4am driving to the venue. Once we arrived, we headed straight out to registration and transition. After that was done we could relax a bit and catch up with all the athletes and friends that we haven’t seen in a while.

 Warm up was as usual with a few friends and jokes in-between, and soon we were ready to race. I was confident that I will have a good swim as I have been working hard in swimming training the last few weeks. This paid off as my swim went great and I felt good all the way in the water. I exited the swim with Wian and Jeff, Henri was in front again as usual. I had a quick transition and quickly off on the bike leg. Wian was close on my heels and we worked well together. But just before we caught Henri my legs just decided to give up on me for a few minutes and I was dropped from the group. I couldn’t believe that, cycling is normally my strongest discipline. I cycled on my own for about 2km until Wikus caught me and then we worked well together until the end of the bike.

Swim exit

 I had another fast transition from cycling to running and felt good again on the start of the run. I knew I just had to keep trying as hard as can to stick with Wikus. I started well keeping Wikus just ahead of me for about 2km then he started to open up a gap. But when I hit 3km my legs just decided to give up on me again, but I knew this will happen since I haven’t been doing running speed work.

Wikus, Rudolf

I finished 5^th and I am happy with that result. Huge congratulations to my friend Wian for winning the first race.  Good luck to the athletes racing World Champs in Auckland in two weeks’ time.

I will be racing the next event of the BSG series in a weeks’ time.

Until then…

Cheers

Rudolf