For most of my life I've been an individual sport kind of guy. While loving the comraderie with other participants, sharing the trials and torments we each endure, it's always been the self-reliant aspect that has appealed to me. As they say, "if it is to be, it's up to me".
In following this stream of participation, the triathlon team relay opportunities that come along have been an enjoyable change and a great way to experience the highs and lows of your eventual result being dependent on your team-mates. It's hard to let go and put faith in others, but you have to, and in doing so your emotional investment in the competition increases hugely as your ride the fortunes of your team mates...not to mention your own contribution to the outcome. Pressure shared certainly does not mean pressure reduced!!!
Since "retiring" (that makes me feel old!!) from triathlons 2 summers ago, I've found it surprisingly easy to spectate at races without feeling the itch to be out there racing, also. OK, there has been a bit of envy for the heat of the competition, in middle with athletes I used to race against, but then I think about how consuming it was to be at that point, and smile with relief at not putting myself through the hours of triathlon training. Triathlons were something I did - and loved - but it's since been time to shift focus a little, and I've enjoyed the change.
In "just" being a runner these days I've found that doing a team run leg at some of the local triathlon races has been a great way to be actively involved in the event without being totally consumed. Last summer I combined with a couple of other guys for a few races, and had good fun - and good results. The team atmosphere was exciting as we waited in transition for hand over side-by-side with our rivals...each of us wondering what order the bike riders would finish in, and what would unfold during our run leg.
Before this summer started a cyclist friend, AndrewT, and I got chatting about entering a team in the Geelong 70.3 triathlon, which was on last Sunday. This is a half Ironman distance event (swim 1.9km, ride 90km, run 21.1km) and in being part of an international series attracts great competition, top spectator support and wide participation from the triathlon community. The teams event has gotten sharper each year, with some top class single sport athletes combining together for some formidable teams. But AndrewT and I thought we'd be very competitive, especially once we recruited a gun swimmer.
We each trained away as usual, but with an eye on the event and after a couple of switches confirmed our swimmer, Edo, who was the swimmer gun we hoped for. AndrewT and I joked that we each just hoped neither of us would be the weak link in the team...which was a good sign given we're both pretty decent athletes.
Race day rolled around, with really good conditions, and we finally all met together and "bonded" briefly pre-race!!! We each had an individual leg to complete, but were fully dependent on each other...and I had full confidence in Edo and AndrewT. Let's race this thing!!!
Edo did get us off to a great start, coming out 3rd from the swim behind 2 swimmers with international credentials - we were really well placed. AndrewT got on his bike and rode into the distance, with only the turn around at the completion of each lap (of 3) providing an update of his progress - he was riding strongly. The lead team cyclist is an A-grade star, and the 2nd cyclist is one of the top triathlon cyclists; AndrewT was more than holding his own and consolidating our position in 3rd.
Heading into my run leg, the lead team was about 8 mins ahead, but the 2nd team was only 3 mins up the road and I gave myself a good chance of making a catch. The runners behind (one particularly good runner) had about 3:30min gap to close to me...would the gap be wide enough to hold them off? Each of the 3 run laps included two out-and-back sections, and a chance to check the gap in front and behind. I was catching the team ahead...but being caught from behind. It was like a stretchy spring springing together and it was going to be close.
I made a pass into 2nd just before the end of the second lap, and still held a comfortable gap over the chaser...but was tiring a little. Each lap also brought us through the crowds and the benefit of some great support - it's nice being recognised. But cheers don't change the scale of task ahead.
The last lap of the run was tougher but the placings remained unchanged and our "Slick Moves" team crossed in 2nd place - a triumph of great teamwork and team contribution. There were no prizes, just the enjoyment and satisfaction from our shared effort, and of being part of a well functioning team. Thanks to Edo and AndrewT - the sum of the parts was a great outcome.
In following this stream of participation, the triathlon team relay opportunities that come along have been an enjoyable change and a great way to experience the highs and lows of your eventual result being dependent on your team-mates. It's hard to let go and put faith in others, but you have to, and in doing so your emotional investment in the competition increases hugely as your ride the fortunes of your team mates...not to mention your own contribution to the outcome. Pressure shared certainly does not mean pressure reduced!!!
Since "retiring" (that makes me feel old!!) from triathlons 2 summers ago, I've found it surprisingly easy to spectate at races without feeling the itch to be out there racing, also. OK, there has been a bit of envy for the heat of the competition, in middle with athletes I used to race against, but then I think about how consuming it was to be at that point, and smile with relief at not putting myself through the hours of triathlon training. Triathlons were something I did - and loved - but it's since been time to shift focus a little, and I've enjoyed the change.
In "just" being a runner these days I've found that doing a team run leg at some of the local triathlon races has been a great way to be actively involved in the event without being totally consumed. Last summer I combined with a couple of other guys for a few races, and had good fun - and good results. The team atmosphere was exciting as we waited in transition for hand over side-by-side with our rivals...each of us wondering what order the bike riders would finish in, and what would unfold during our run leg.
Before this summer started a cyclist friend, AndrewT, and I got chatting about entering a team in the Geelong 70.3 triathlon, which was on last Sunday. This is a half Ironman distance event (swim 1.9km, ride 90km, run 21.1km) and in being part of an international series attracts great competition, top spectator support and wide participation from the triathlon community. The teams event has gotten sharper each year, with some top class single sport athletes combining together for some formidable teams. But AndrewT and I thought we'd be very competitive, especially once we recruited a gun swimmer.
We each trained away as usual, but with an eye on the event and after a couple of switches confirmed our swimmer, Edo, who was the swimmer gun we hoped for. AndrewT and I joked that we each just hoped neither of us would be the weak link in the team...which was a good sign given we're both pretty decent athletes.
Race day rolled around, with really good conditions, and we finally all met together and "bonded" briefly pre-race!!! We each had an individual leg to complete, but were fully dependent on each other...and I had full confidence in Edo and AndrewT. Let's race this thing!!!
Edo did get us off to a great start, coming out 3rd from the swim behind 2 swimmers with international credentials - we were really well placed. AndrewT got on his bike and rode into the distance, with only the turn around at the completion of each lap (of 3) providing an update of his progress - he was riding strongly. The lead team cyclist is an A-grade star, and the 2nd cyclist is one of the top triathlon cyclists; AndrewT was more than holding his own and consolidating our position in 3rd.
Heading into my run leg, the lead team was about 8 mins ahead, but the 2nd team was only 3 mins up the road and I gave myself a good chance of making a catch. The runners behind (one particularly good runner) had about 3:30min gap to close to me...would the gap be wide enough to hold them off? Each of the 3 run laps included two out-and-back sections, and a chance to check the gap in front and behind. I was catching the team ahead...but being caught from behind. It was like a stretchy spring springing together and it was going to be close.
I made a pass into 2nd just before the end of the second lap, and still held a comfortable gap over the chaser...but was tiring a little. Each lap also brought us through the crowds and the benefit of some great support - it's nice being recognised. But cheers don't change the scale of task ahead.
The last lap of the run was tougher but the placings remained unchanged and our "Slick Moves" team crossed in 2nd place - a triumph of great teamwork and team contribution. There were no prizes, just the enjoyment and satisfaction from our shared effort, and of being part of a well functioning team. Thanks to Edo and AndrewT - the sum of the parts was a great outcome.
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