Race Prep

Several years ago I was sitting in the Alice Springs airport waiting for my plane which was going to return me back to Melbourne after a few days working, when a gentleman asked what I thought about the Otway Odyssey. I was quite confused until he pointed to the t-shirt I was wearing which was a t-shirt given out for doing the event. As it turned out the gentle I was talking to was the course setter for the Otway Odyssey.

He was in Alice Springs talking to the locals and checking out the tracks. He went on to explain how he was organising a five day stage race in Alice Springs. My immediate thought was 'I have to do it' as I have always had a love for outback Oz but unfortunately time and money didn't allow me to compete in it.

That was until 2009. I saw an opportunity when I realised some work needed to be done in Darwin and you guessed it, Alice Springs. The decision was made about a week and half ago and signed off by the boss two days later. Now I am in the very busy planning stages.

My planning started with how much money will I need followed by where am I going to stay. With both of these quickly out the way it was onto training. Training for a MTB race... I haven't been on the bike for over six weeks. Luckily I already had two races booked into the calendar which will work out to be a great lead up, I hope.

To add to the training work load and some 'race pace' work I have decided to compete once again in the FGP Westgate MTB crits. Tonight was my first night. Jo (the organiser) entered me in 'B' grade. I wasn't quite so keen and asked her to move me to 'C' grade, it was my first MTB race since two laps of a 12hr when I crashed out, back in September 2008.

It was good to know my body was back to normal prior to the start, I had the 'nervous wee' going on.

All the 'C' graders lined up. As normal I was the last one to line up. I had just unclipped when they called the start of the race. We were off. I managed to get a good start and was placed about 7th. I have a problem with pacing so I was happy to sit behind the others for a while but before I knew it I was in 4th. I stayed there for a lap, we had three to do, well that was my guess. By the second lap I had a feel for the course and was riding really well on the technical stuff, surprise, surprise... I decided to put the hammer down.

I could still see four riders in front of me but I was sure that I had to be higher up in the placings. I chased hard. I looked down at one point to see my heart rate was 194 bpm. I was slowly catching the others riders. I had fought hard to get past three of them and half way through the third lap I had one rider to chase down.

I almost caught this one last rider, then he decided it wasn't time for me to pass him. He was off. I was confident I could catch him on the last hill but he had a good lead, no chance. By the top of the hill I was on his wheel. Now I just needed to get around him.

The track comes off the hill onto a flat foot path before hitting another dirt up hill track just before the finish. I pushed hard on the foot path and easily got around him. He had ran out of legs with only about 200m to go. I rode to the finish line and checked how many laps I was supposed to do. I was done, after three laps.

In the end it turned out I had a healthy lead as I had overtaken the race leader, two riders back and I was chasing down the 'B' grade riders. I think I'll do another 'C' grade race before I step up to the 'B' graders.

My next race is this Sunday. A 50kms epic in Mt Wombat State forest. I'll keep you posted.



Author: Tim Harman

Run 4 Kids

Last Sunday morning saw 30,000 people run and walk around the streets of Melbourne for the kids. Money raised was donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Amongst the 30,000 people were some Kodak employees, Kylie Elphinstone, Renzo Di Ciocco and Tim Harman took part in the run. Tim and Renzo ran the 14km options while Kylie did well to finish the 5km option after suffering injuries leading up to the run.

The race was on between Tim and Renzo from the start. They were lined up together at the start. As the gun went they both took off. They entered the tunnel together, the pace was fast. They both came out of the tunnel a lot slower, with Renzo in the lead.

After coming out of the tunnel Tim stopped for a drink and a toilet stop at the 6km mark, just before climbing up the Bolti Bridge.

Both men were still feeling strong as they climbed up and over the Bolti Bridge and down the other side before running past the Docklands.

Renzo had a healthy lead as they ran along South Bank but Tim was starting to feel better and starting picking up the pace.

As it turned out Renzo's lead was enough for him to stay ahead of Tim. He finished just under 2 minutes ahead of Tim.

Both men are looking forward to the next “fun run” in October, which will be the half Melbourne Marathon. Renzo has already started training!