11global Cape Town Race Report

Just like the last picture taken before a swim start, I seem to look like I was praying. Not the case– just pure dread.  The water was a little choppy and I had just ripped my wetsuit trying to get it juuuuusssstttt right. Everything aquatic just frustrates me.

 Just kidding. It wasn’t so bad.  I actually think I had a decent swim (for me), but I stopped my watch accidentally so I don’t know my swim time.  

No shark sightings, thank god.  Everyone assured me that they prefer the warmer waters on the other side of the Cape.   I didn’t entirely buy it, but at least Jaws didn’t make any appearances. 

I was 2:15 behind the first place female (Rianna de Lange) getting out of the water, which extended to 2:45 by the time I rocked it out with what I’m sure was one of the slowest transitions ever. (T2 is on that list, too.)  The 11global race has a ton of media — cameras and news guys on motorcycles throughout the race.  Sounds cool, except when a big fat tv camera is 4 inches from my face as I struggled to get the wetsuit off— as if it was my first time doing it.  Totally embarassing.

I got on my bike and finally felt like I was somewhere familiar! Now I was ready to race.  The bike course was 3 straight out-and-back loops. The monster winds we had all week miraculously took a day off, which was awesome.  

The sport is given a lot of coverage here, and it was definitely a new experience to have the cameras around the whole time.  At least new to have them next to me!

There were some bumps and rough patches, but I was focused on catching up with every loop– didn’t even notice them.  The loops were fun in the sense that I was able to check my time against Rianna’s with every loop.  I was catching up but couldn’t help but think that this distance doesn’t give me enough time on the bike! She’s a solid cyclist and I worked my ass off to catch up–  my heart rate  was almost 10 beats higher than where I would’ve expected, but I was really pushing.  I was really happy with my time (1:03 for the 40k) and rolled into transition literally 2 seconds behind her.

Her transitions were lightening fast, though, and she was gone. I made an executive decision to screw the socks and just threw on my shoes to save time.  DUMB.  (Normally if I plan for this, I will put vaseline inside my shoes and I don’t have problems, but I had planned to wear socks.)  The rubbing got my attention after about 2 miles, and I knew my feet would look like raw chicken by the end.  Pretty much the case.  Anyway you just deal with it.  I was 20sec behind Rianna until I passed her at about mile 2.5.  My run, in a word, was wretched.  I was running 70.3 pace and at my limit. It was good enough to hold on for the win, though, and I finished in 2:12, happy as a clam.  I’ll take it!

The ice cold water was a perfect ice bath after the race, and I finally got a shot with the semi-pro photog, perfectly positioned with Table Mountain in the distance. Notice his VIP status. He was big-time today.

Afterthoughts on my race . . . Matt reminded me that I was not peaked for this race and that we can only eat what we’ve killed (how appropriate as we head out on a safari!), meaning I can’t expect to ride that hard for an hr and then hold tempo off the bike if I haven’t trained it sufficiently.  I’m not there yet, but it’s still early and this is all part of the process. 

This race was phenomenal in every way. The organization was better than some of the 70.3 races I’ve done, and I really hope that the 11global series continues successfully. Ryan Landy has put his heart into this venture, and it was first-class all the way around.  A small race here in Cape Town, but hopefully the start of something big.  If you’re looking for an awesome adventure, 11global’s next race is Nov.1st in the resort town of Sun City, South Africa, just a couple hours from Johannesburg. 

It was such an honor to be here, and I really loved all the South Africans I met. Everyone has been so cool.  As if the race director (Ryan) didn’t have enough to do, he even gave me a birthday cake after awards, and they sang Happy Birthday to me!  Where does that ever happen?!!

Koenraad and Michael, the two guys we’re staying with, made a traditional South African Braai (bbq) for Alun (British pro), Danny, and I.  We couldn’t have landed in a better homestay. These guys are the coolest and we have been laughing and having a blast with them since we arrived.

Then Ryan, Mike (his right-hand man), Danny, Alun, and I all hit Camps Bay for an awesome seafood dinner and to celebrate a successful day for 11global. 

We don’t fly out until Saturday night, so we’ve got plenty of time to explore.  I’ll keep the trip reports flowin’, but don’t expect any up-close pictures of lions on the game drive.  I don’t plan to make the same mistake that the tourist who ended up on YouTube made!