This post has been provided by Kristen Pimpini.
Waking up this morning, I wasn’t excited about the 100k Fling ahead of me, I had visions of me faltering on Broke Back Mountain or “Grass Ventuoux” as we call it, having to push my bike to the top and being passed by all my mates who joined me for this event.
This was my 3rd Marathon for the year, one I felt as a novice I did well at last year, though with a reasonable time versus your mates, which was a surprise at the time, comes the pressure of improving and staying in the lead. Well thats what they think anyway. Fortunately this year, I had recruited 7 of the crew from our regular bunch to have a crack at the Fling, or the Fling crack them….
There was over 800 participants in the 100k Fling, and with a cloudy start, fresh temperatures, we really had perfect weather. The organizing crew were great, running through the race briefing, with 100 milers at the front, followed by Full Flingers. With a count down start, we were off, I pushed myself immediately near the front and stuck with one of the lead bunches. It is not long before a few climbs and river crossings and little groups form. Pushing through the first section, I felt like I made some inroads on my fellow mates, not seeing them through the transition.
Out of transition, I hit the road and pushed on, through some single track and out into the open pine forest and I was wondering if I had gone too hard too early. Fueling up on some home made slice, bananas and GU, I started to get tired on any slight incline. This couldn’t be happening, 40km down and I am hurting! I find staying focused at this point difficult. I always think, when you start to hurt, if there was a sign to the right that said “2km to start line” would I take it?? I would have at Nowra’s 100ker this year.
Continuing on, I hit the single track and found my groove again. I enjoy some flowing turns and think that it got my mind off how I was feeling. I passed a few people, thinking that I was going well, only to loose any gains on the rise to the second feed station. Something wasn’t right. I wasn’t intending to stop at the second feed stop this year, though thought I would get some food and hope it helped. Back out for only a short period and we were climbing the KOM, ouch! Thankfully I got up and over and was on my way back to Wingello. Swapping turns with a couple of guys on the way in, and we entered transition feeling the best I had all day.
No messing around, I wasn’t sure if I had any of my buddies behind me, so food, water, out the gate and back on the road. This is a fit and fun section, if you take the time to look up and check the scenery….. This is where I came unstuck last year, I rode hard on the flat section, thinking that there was only 20km to go, not knowing that I had the Rollercoaster and “Grass Ventoux” to tackle. Fortunately I held myself together, just, and rode through the Boundary Ride and Rollercoaster with just some cramping. It was starting to warm up as I crossed the water before Grass Ventoux, thinking ‘should I stop for a dip’ or keep going. On I went, up and over, so glad to tick that off, however I started to tire on the single track at the top. The front five Elites passed me, they make it look so easy, which gave me the little kick I need to safely get through the single track and stop running off the track.
The Elite front group, passing Barry out on the course. Photo: www.cyclenation.com.au
Down the hill, through a flat section, I came up to the “your choice” turn off, after having to read it four times I decided to go the harder way which probably didn’t help me as I was cramping now with most pedal strokes. Fortunately I hit the road and could just tick the legs over, as there were no rocks to climb over the legs got me to the finish line 30minutes quicker than last year.
It was great seeing the other boys come in, Baz on his first Marathon attempt pulled a 5:17, Horn well improved on last years performance by nearly an hour and a half, 5.18, with The bandit 1 second behind him, that transition timing can play games with your timing and strategy. On first attempt, The Great Dane at 5.33 and Mr Fab at 6.01. Our Veteran Flinger making a huge improvement on last years time on his new steed, ARyan at 6.20.
Post race beers at the Briar's Highland Fling. Well earnt and well deserved.
Lot’s of banter after the race, the could haves and should haves, the what if’s, it’s a great day to get out and share with your mates.