For those of you who were concerned after reading my tweet following Busselton 70.3 on Saturday – it’s all good… tits are still attached. Ego is bruised, back is still sore when I bend down and I’m feeling very disappointed about my result. I’ll keep this race report short and sweet.
Rough day today @im703busso froze my tits off and still suffering with a sore back. Onwards and upwards.
— Tim Van Berkel (@TimBerkel) May 2, 2015
A Frosty Start
We lined up for the start of the swim at Geographe Bay and the temperature registered 3 degrees. Apparent temp was actually closer to zero. That’s bloody cold! Having said that, I had a great swim. Back felt okay, I stayed in the front group, sticking right on Sticksy’s heels, and came out of the water in 24:53.
I hit T1 and as soon as I took my wetsuit off, I got really cold. Jumped on the bike and as I headed out onto the course I felt like I was riding like an old man. Wasn’t actually doing too badly, but by the 67km mark I was off the pace by 7 mins. Mentally and physically though it was a real battle. All the time I was telling myself, “It will get warmer… it’s got to get warmer…” And as the bike ride went on my back was getting tighter and tighter.
[insert][/insert]
Chilled to the bone
By the time I got to T2, the temperature was registering 14 degrees, but apparent temp was still only about 10 degrees. I got off the bike and started running. My back was really tight, my feet were literally numb and I was struggling to put it together.
I ran 5km and in the end I felt it was better for the long-term plan to pull the pin- something I never like having to do. Maybe I could have pushed through to the finish, but I was going so slow – just didn’t have my usual spring.
Pulling out the positives
Every outing is a learning experience – it’s always good to reflect, whether it’s been a good race or an ordinary one – on what you did well and where you need to improve.
On the plus side – I had a great swim and stuck with the front group, which is always my plan. I’m determined to get this back issue sorted- going to hit the gym a little harder and work on building more strength in my core, back, glutes and hamstrings. And as always, nothing like getting a swift kick in the backside to motivate you to work harder and get sorted. Cairns 70.3 is coming up next on June 14th.
If I’m honest, Busselton 70.3 was a bit of a dark day. It definitely hurt having to pull the pin. Let’s face it, no one likes to post a DNF. But Busselton has been a good hunting ground in the past and you can’t win them all. And thank goodness – I’ve still got the course record!
Congratulations to the fellas – Sam Appleton, Terenzo Bozzone and James Cunnama – you guys ran a great race. And as I said in my post-race tweet – onwards and upwards!
8 Comments
Alberto Urdaneta
Always great watching you race in WA, sorry about the back
My neck my back….
Phil Carr Bernie Streeter
May have been a disappointing day at the office for you but you still had time to stop for a photo this morning with my young bloke at the Ironkids event. It was his first ever triathlon and to cap it off with a photo with a pro champion definitely put a smile on his face! Cheers.
Get better soon Tim. It’ll be warmer in Cairns 🙂 You’ll do great!
Time to start training in Russia – like the evil guy from Rocky.
Didn’t realise it was that cold & tough. Eleanor Bradshaw