Totara Park is on farmland out at the back of Redoubt Rd in the South Auckland. I'm wasn't very fond of the place before this race as I had only been there about twice and each time it had been miserable - but today was going to change my perceptions.
The trail are all fine gravel through mostly open pasture. Because its a working farm so along the tracks there are cattle gates to stop the cows getting out which are very slippery when damp and they were definitely damp from the last few days of rain. Overall the course has a relatively even gradient with a few longer farm road climbs which means you actually gain quite a bit of elevation over a ride. The fast-flowing downhills corner can be quite a challenge because of the gravel. Sounds like fun!
Today the race start was set at the bottom of one of the gravel farm roads. This uphill would lead riders into the first downhill track fairly quickly. If I was to explain the course simply it is up, down, up, up, then flat for the rest of it - with limited places for overtaking so you had to get a good place at the start and hold it.
Before race start we had a quick helmet check with one of the elite riders which was a nice touch.
So per normal the under 20's went off first and then followed closely by us the under 17's.
They counted us down then told us to go. I stuck to my goal of not destroying myself on the start which allowed me to conserve my energy and hold the top 5 up the hill. As we got into the first downhill I was able to recover some energy. In fact I was feeling really relaxed.
The 2nd uphill was much shorter but had more quick pinch climbs. At this point I was still holding a good 4th place.
By the time we hit the 3rd hill I was beginning to hurt and the pack was splitting apart. Just before the top I had been over taken by a few people and was set back in 7th. I tried to keep up with them just until the top but then the first place rider just hit the gas and made a break for it and everyone else followed. I was with them for about 1min then got spat out. I must admit I was a bit freaked by this.
I was now riding by myself I had a good gap on 8th but was a way back from 6th. I kept reminding myself that it wasn't even half way and I could get myself back up into the top group.
As I headed into my second lap I could see a few riders (about 2) in front of me and remembered them from the top bunch so I gave it a good amount of gas to reach them. It wasn't long till I was passing them - one was the under 17's top female who she was doing very well. Now I was in 6th for the under 17's males and feeling faster.
Entering the last lap I was starting to pass some of the top under 20's racers but still no sign of my guys which meant they must be rolling at super speeds. The under 17's top girl was still riding with me and I knew she wasn't going to lose me yet.
We were both still together when we got to the final climb of the race and we were both feeling the pain. I was hoping she would be able to stick with me till the finish but she just burnt out.
As I reached the top and crossed the finish line I was still in 6th and this time I knew that there was no excuse - everybody had gotten so much quicker! Time to step up the training and work for it.
Little sister Paige again finished in 2nd so great job for her.
I can't wait to do the next race in a few weeks time in Whitford Forest I have to make podium this time!
Big thanks to R& R Sport for keeping me and my bike in top shape :)
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