Run-Bike-Run, February 21st by Shannigan Paula

Good moring fellow Sorsaka bikers, its Monday and I'm writing a race report, so that can only mean one thing. I had and incredible fun weekend of PAIN!!

This story has it's beginnings last week Friday with a friendly call from my good friend and follow Sorsaka biker Lucien better known by his nickname Cheng, to remind me of the New Sorsaka uniform fitting session at the residence of Tom and Thea. I confirmed with him that I would be there. On Saturday I was running errands and had forgotten all about the fitting session. So again being the good friend, Cheng called me and reminded me of it. I promptly appeared at Tom and Thea's and did the fitting and everything. Afterwards we were socializing and Tom was saying that he was going to do the Run Bike Run that was taking place on Sunday. To tell you the truth I thought he was joking, so I said to him after being handed my second beer by Niels, "you know what if you going to signup for it I will too" and his answer was quick and direct" I already did". So there you go, I committed myself to doing something I haven't done since I had my ankle fracture 2 years ago, running!

I got home and told my dushi Annette hey I'm doing the Run Bike Run tomorrow. She gave me that look. You guy's that know Annette know what I'm talking about. She reminded me that I had lined up a variety of things for Sunday one of which was the yard work. So I said you take care of a couple of things and I will be back by 10am to take care of the rest. I prepared my self for the oncoming event. I made pasta, drank a lot of water etc.etc. The last time I ran and event was my last Triathlon, which was more than 2 years ago, so I had a little idea what I was in for. Sunday morning the big day, I got out of bed did my pre-race routine again lot's of fluids, ate some fruit and I was off. At the start I met all my Sorsaka friends: I was surprised how many were doing this either in relay or solo. I was going at it solo. I kind of felt special. Yea right! At the start I was at the back of the pack pacing myself and mentally readying myself for what was to come. At least 2 hours of hard work, sufferning, anger, doubt and at the end happiness if I was lucky. I was surprised at my performance during that first lap, at the second lap I hit the wall: my right ankle was complaining but I made it to T-1 with the whole crowd cheering me on. I had some raisins and I was off on the bike. (BTW I didn't even know the route and how many laps I had to do). It felt good riding the bike during the first couple laps; the volunteers were dousing a me with cold water and cheering me on, on every lap. Man did that help!!!

Than it started, I felt a cramp coming on in my left calf so I thought to my self " you aren't drinking enough" and the truth was I wasn't. I was concentrating on going fast or trying to go fast and not listening to my body, big mistake. At lap 3 I had my energy gel according to my plan, by the way it was the raspberry flavor it tasted ok, by the last lap I had cramps in both calves so I was pedaling with one leg when that one got a cramp switching over to the other one. I was thinking about giving in to the RUN BIKE RUN GODS and then these words came to me " You can quit, no one will care, but you will always KNOW"! I got to T-2 with cramps and not feeling to good but there they were the Sorsaka bikers cheering me on in T-2 getting ready for the run. I had same more raisins and what really got me going was an energy multiplier Banana from Ruben. Thanks dude your secret is safe with me ;-) and I was off but first a bit of water from the volunteers.

The final run was a combination of running and walking. I did this by setting realistic goals and reaching them. On the final stretch I was joined by the crowd for the final sprint to the finish. Wow that felt good.

I want to thank all my fellow BI-ATHLETES for their support and specially to the Sorsaka Bikers and Crew. The Sorsaka bikers had a successful weekend with multiple podium finishes.

Great job!!

By the way I did do the Yard work that I promised Annette ;-)

Thanks

Shannigan

Click here for pictures of the 2010 Run-Bike-Run

Click here for the results of the 2010 Run-Bike Run

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