BRAT Duathlon 63.25 for 4th place.

Wet, Windy and Wild, a great time to get the bike back out for the first time since the end of March and head down to Heffron for the Duathlon. Yep nice one Timmy super planning that.

Decided against the Sunday long run this week in preference for the BRAT Duathlon against some of the other Eastern Suburbs Tri Clubs that is a 5k run, 20 on the bike followed by a 2.5k run to finish with.

No Sign of any of the BRAT hotshots apart from sometime HuRT boy Kroney although there were some fine looking machines in the bike compound and with one or two of the Coogee Tri club members walking around in the suits with the name and AUS splashed across the @r$e I knew some of them would be fast.

The first 5k is a 3 loop run (boring) and despite going out pretty hard around 3.22 pace I was only in 5^th spot as the leading guy must have gone through in 3.07 at least. Caught the 4^th guy going out on the 2^nd loop and then went in search of Mikey’s mate C. Pager who was about 20m further ahead.

Held the pace but didn’t really close on him until the final 400m and actually came in transition together in about 18.19 for the 5.25k run that saw me averaging 3.32s on the watch.

Bike was always going to be an issue today , and with puddles and high winds I was struggling as early as the 4^th lap, Pager came past as did about 2-3 other lads. It was a battle as I tried to just count the laps down, surprised then on the 9^th lap I caught and went past Pager (albeit briefly ) before he put a stronger last lap to retain the lead.

Came into T2 slightly behind him as I clocked a 35.xx something on the watch but my hips and back were tight and I was dreading the final 2.5k run to end with. Even after 800m I knew there was no chance of catching him and with no one behind I took my foot off the pedal slightly as the pace drifted out to 3.38s to come in on 9.04 and finish with a 63.25 for the morning for 4^th (or was it 5^th place) overall?

Tough morning but happy with how I run and to be honest couldn’t expect any more on the bike leg.

First BRAT home although I’m not getting too excited about that as its really disappointing to see the top guys within the club not showing and without the likes of PLOD , Leech and Aaron Cook the clubs stocks are as low as I’ve seen for a good few years.

Had a great weekend following and watching the darts that’s in town,  had about 20 scoops with Taffy on Friday night for a superb evening’s entertainment. Even better to see the two Stoke boys reaching the final overnight with ‘The Power’ taking the title over ‘Jackpot’ Adrian Lewis. One of the best nights you can have so if you get the chance get along sometime.

Had a few bevies with Birchy to round the weekend off for my Sunday arvo, good to see him back even if he has put on about 15 kilos whilst drinking the English pints and eating the pies, all those that are training on Tuesday may need to bring the binoculars to the session to see where Birchy is around the 45 minute mark.

Rest day tomorrow , but will be back for the tempo set on Tuesday

Stoke boys Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis - maybe the worlds finest sportsman?  with the footy team on the up and Lindop finding form all is going well for the 'Clay Heads' of the Potteries.

Cheers