Our Zone3 Local Hero for 2016 is Andrew Diplock, updates us on his race at the ITU Age-Group World Championships 2016 in Mexico.
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” Arnold Schwarzenegger
Andrew approaching T1 at ITU Age-Group World Championships 2016 in Mexico
That quote would ultimately set the tone for my race report on a tough day in Cozumel, not just for me but also for everyone who battled through the heat and humidity on race day.
We took the short taxi ride to race start at 5am to do some final checks on bikes and get race ready. Although still in the darkness of night, the air temperature was high. The heat lingered with intent, waiting to be reborn as the sun appeared over the horizon.
The race start was at 6:55am; I made my way over to the pontoon ready for the wrestling match. The sea current was strong and the water temperature was 30c.
The water was beautifully clear, the ocean floor beamed back at you reflecting off the morning sun. I prepared myself for what would be a mixture of swimming and wrestling with water polo tactics. We set off at a blistering pace and I made sure I was at the front of the pack to try and avoid the impending onslaught round the first buoy.
Unfortunately my choice of line was far from ideal, and I found myself tucked up next to the first buoy. I put in a good fight to prevent being dunked under the water, but the surge in pace took a lot out of me and I dropped back from the lead group after that. I still exited the water in sub-20 minutes, which I was really happy with, and a new open water PB for me!
My game plan had always been to go for it on the bike, as it was a tactic which served me well at my last race, Monster Middle. I felt really strong, making decent headway on the leaders. The road was sublime, running parallel to white sandy beaches and unspoilt landscape.
Unfortunately I punctured at around the 15km mark. The sound of my tyre deflating was devastating as was the heat, which ultimately was the likely cause of my misfortune. I nursed my bike to the next marshalling point and they radioed for a mobile mechanic. As I waited, watching people go past with looks of pain on their faces, I felt envious. How could I feel envious of people inflicting such pain on themselves?!
After some reflection, I think I was envious I had been denied the right to inflict pain on myself. I mean nobody really wants to go through that agony!
The mechanic arrived 45 minutes later. I knew the race was over by this point. As I rode back to transition, I thought about pulling out of the race. I was in last place by now and the heat was starting to set in. I felt pretty low on that ride back.
I decided to finish the race, I hadn’t travelled all the way to Cozumel to merely spectate! So I set out on the run at a fast pace to experience the heat like everyone else. At around the 3km mark my heart rate shot up to 190bpm, this was not good! I knew I would not last another 7km with that pace and heart rate, so I slowed down to a comfortable pace. As I was no longer in the race, I could afford the luxury of slowing right down and pouring water over my head at every aid station. No matter how much I slowed, or water I poured, my heart rate never did decrease from 190bpm until after the race. It just shows what overheating can really do to your body and I was slightly relieved I did not have to run at max effort!
The result was not what I had hoped for in Cozumel, but the experience was well worth the trip and it can only get better from here.
Thank you to Advance Performance and Zone3 for supporting me throughout the year with running and swimming related products and advice, I’ve seen huge improvements in both areas this year!
I would also like to thank BKL for the support they have provided while I’ve been training and competing. The financial backing has been so helpful in helping me to achieve this goal, but it’s the personal support and encouragement that has really meant the most.
Well done Andrew we’ve has a great year with you as our Zone3 Local Hero, it’s such a shame about the puncture.
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