DPHS MUDMAN 2011

RESULT: 1st Overall

It was a rough lead up to the DPHS MudMan for me, I had done 2 mountain bike races over the last 2 weeks and not felt great in either, then to top it off I came down with a stomach bug the week of the MudMan so not much training was done. It took a lot of work from everyone around me to keep me positive but Im so thankful they did.

It was going to be a very wet and cold race but that was exactly what I had hoped for to make sure bike skills came into play on the fairly fast bike course. All the top guys were there as well as the addition of some German triathletes who are out in SA training.

The water was freezing so I was very happy I had packed my wetsuit. The start was frantic and it took a while to find some space. After pushing hard I found the feet of one of the German athletes and felt comfortable at his pace throughout the swim. I came out the water in 4th after having my best swim of the series.

I got onto the bike in 2nd along with a German athlete and Ryan Redman who was doing the first 2 of the 3 disciplines, great to see him healing up after his injury. I pushed hard early on the bike and I was elated to see that my legs were responding and feeling great. I quickly caught and passed the leader and set about building as big a gap as possible. The 1st lap was pretty slippery with all the mud but the 2nd lap after hundreds of bikes had been through was a different story, the lappers were keeping me highly entertained while many of them lay sprawled out in the mud laughing. Was great to see everyone having such fun in those conditions.

Exiting onto the run I had over 5mins on 2nd place and could enjoy myself out on the final leg. It was like running on ice in some sections so I was quite careful not to cause any unnecessary injury. The 2nd lap I could push harder chasing Brad Schuit and Justin Porteous who were on their 1st lap, its always fun having someone to chase. Unfortunately there was some confusion at the finish of the run and I was sent on the wrong route by the marshals but I still managed to get to the finish 1st with 3mins over Daniel Carleton and Justin Porteous a further 2min30 back in 3rd.

This result meant I won the series with Daniel and Justin tieing for 2nd. It was another awesome MudMan series and Im sad its over. I can’t wait for next year.

Just need to say a huge thanks to Coach Russ, Karen Keyter (chiropractor) and Angelique (massage therapist) they turned me round from feeling absolutely broken the week before the race to having probably my best race of the year.