30/11/12
After having missed out on racing the Highland Fling for the last couple of years, I made sure that I included the event in this year’s schedule. Due to the great organisation, beautiful location and renowned tough course, the Highland Fling marathon, pulls a huge crowd every year. This year’s elite field was one of the most competitive yet, with most of the top names making the journey to the Southern Highlands. Jenny Faye was in hot form after her convincing win at the Cape to Cape. However she was up against some talented riders such as current National marathon champ Peta Mullens, and the ever-consistent Jodie Willet. I was confident with my progressing form going into the event, but I also knew that my result would be more dependent on the type of course. I am not known for my power along less technical terrain and particularly when the terrain involves flatter sections. So I started the race with no real expectations.
I hated the first 20-30km, which sure felt like a road race! The mass start was a little hectic, with plenty of elbow-action, and then it was a matter of trying to stick on the wheel in front and do your upmost to gain from the draft of the faster riders. For the most part, I did ok, but finished off this section a few minutes back on the top 3 girls. The next section was a little hillier, but was still predominantly made up of fire-road. There were a few ‘sweet’ sections of single-track though that put a smile back on my face, through the well-known Wingello forest. The timed hill climb section was certainly a ‘leg burner’ and by this stage I wasn’t quite sure if I had taken enough fluids on board for the distance still to ride to the last transition. Luckily I had just enough and refilled for the last leg of the journey. I must confess that at this stage of the race I wasn’t really enjoying myself and was considering an early exit. However, I’m sure glad that I did go out for the last 20-30km section as this was my favourite, with some awesome flowing single track mixed in with some more technical sections…this was more like it! During this last section I managed to make my way past Jodie Willet and so finished the day in 3rd spot. Jenny Faye and Peta Mullens had a tight contest out in front. Jen managed to get the win and convincing take out the Marathon Series for 2012. She is one tough girl on the bike, however is also one of the nicest off the bike and I’m stoked to see her riding so well!
