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26th August 2006 Before the Big Race
Now who to do what? Straws were drawn and all we had to do was sign up, get fit in sports disciplines that we had not done for years, find a sponsor with deep pockets and find a swimmer. Of these, sponsorship was evidently the most important - the fitness could wait. On the day, EDC Systems stepped up to the plate with personalised team jerseys and a place to crash on Friday night on the Gold Coast. The swimming requirement was met after a few phone calls - enter Andrew Zillman and we had a team.
The race briefing was set in the Tugun Surf Club on the top floor. Chair were lined up in the room facing longingly toward the front of the room, where the winner's race podium stood empty, ready to hold aloft the race winners from tomorrow's race. The boys turned down the chance to sneak a staged photo on the sacred platform... little did they know that there could be a chance for the boys the next day, thanks to Steve and Karl's astute observation that we were actually old enough to be in the less competitive "veterans" category. Race Day
Swim Leg
The raising of the Anaconda flag signalled the start of the inaugural Anaconda Gold Coast Adventure race. Zil knew that this may be the closest that the team could be to Guy Andrews, so he gave it his all in the 1.9 km swim. [Aside: it was unanimously decided in the post-race debrief over a burger that the advertised distances were shorter than the actual distances. It was also agreed that the tide was against us for the swim and the paddle and that the cross-country portions of the run and bike added on considerable distance. Its our story and we're sticking to it.] The conditions were good - 2.3 m waves with minimal swell. The water was a cool 20° C and the 150+ compeditors surged for the T2 transition. Zil was out of the water in a staggering 42 min getting the veterans off to a great start and crushing over half the field. Kayak Leg
With such a great headstart on the field, Jim would have his work cut out for him. The transition was quick. Timing legstrap onto the left ankle and number bib over everything else. Jim was into the kayak that Karl had at the water's edge. Skirt on. Rudder down and he was off! Now was the time to see how the kayak would fare against the sleeker surf-skis. It wasn't long before it was discovered that the double skis paddled by two people could really get the speed up. Because the conditions weren't too rough in the open water there were only a few capsizings. It really doesn't matter how tired you are, you always have to have a little chuckle that it wasn't you! The ride into the mouth of the Tallebudgera Creek proved exciting. All that practice out in Caloundra on the waves seemed to pay off. The rest of the paddle was flat water through some very scenic Gold Coast hinterland countryside. The 25° C heat of the day started to take it toll in the still air. Mossy mangroves set inside the hilly backdrop provided some welcome distractions. The spectators along the route supplied some terrific encouragement as the creek wound down to the Paddle-Run Transition. Run Leg
Jim remembers what it was like to be an old man when he has to stretch his legs after and hour and forty minutes and run over the rocks and through the muddy ooze that linked the water to the transition zone. Steve executes a slick transition and charges off into the maze of trails that make up the running leg. The run starts off with the first of many wades through the Tallebudgera Creek. When not wading through water, the trails are almost undistinguishable amongst the trees, marked with only with pink ribbons set against a sea of green. The trails are really just worn down lantana acting as camouflage for rocks and roots. Steve - good decision to tape your ankles! Next comes the hills. Hills steep enough to turn a run into a walk, then into a crawl and finally into a wild leg-flailing sprint punctuate the route. The stillness of the air adds some difficulty to the run as the heat takes its toll. Bike Leg
When the Run-Bike transition finally appears there is only one more puddle to go through. Steve and Karl do a nice transition and soon Karl is on his bike and off into the hinterland over some very scenic and challenging terrain on the 17 km mountain bike ride. The terrain has a 700 ft vertical in areas where it is steep enough that you make better time carrying your bike than riding it. The downhills are exciting enough, especially when you get a flat like a few of the competitors did. Just before the finish, Karl is in a pack that misses an obscure trail marker and adds another 1.6 km and 11 minutes to his leg. It ends up affecting his personal placing, which is still very respectable, but has no adverse affect on the team's ranking at the end of the day. [17 km just wasn't enough for you at the end of the day eh!] Team Run
What do they throw at you when there's nothing left in the tank? A beach run combined with a treasure hunt and an obstacle course! The run starts with a questionnaire being passed to us. We are directed through the Currumbin Wildlife refuge in order to find out how long a cockatoo can live (100 years) and to find out the hours for the Koala photos (8:30 to 4:30). Needless to say, the GAFF (give a care factor) on any native fauna is pretty low for us as we pass in the sheet exiting the sanctuary. We are then directed into a tunnel under the road that requires a leopard crawl to get through. This is obviously exactly what we are after at this time. We finally end up on the beach for the final leg of the run. Final Results
There's a stiff sea breeze blowing and the sound of a crowd cheering and the Anaconda Orange banner is just ahead. It isn't a mirage! We're there! We pass as a team through the chute. After a hearty congratulations from the event organiser we weave our way to the fruit and drinks table awaiting the final results. After five and three quarter hours we're done. 94th overall in a field of 155 compeditors and a podium finish (2nd place) in the veterans category! |
It was time for a change. Kayak paddling is exciting, but how can you knock back a chance at an adventure race on the sunny Gold Coast? We were in!
