Burn Baby Burn _ Cardiff Series
- Juliet Sidney
- Oct 23, 2011
- 4 min read
Cardiff Burn - Test of our friendship day!
Sarah picked me up just after 10am and we loaded our bikes into the back of Sarah's car. We seemed to have so much kit you'd have thought we were planning an expedition to the North Pole. We were both excited and its fair to say a bit nervous too.
When we arrived we were struck by how fit everyone looked and our nerves seemed to move up a notch or 3. We found a space in transition and set out our kit. Trying to work out what we would need for the day ahead.
Following an event brief and exercise warm up we were off for the first part which was a 8K run around the bay. The route was well signposted and quite nice taking us across the barrage. We knew we wouldn't be able to keep up with the fastest teams, and when I say we I mean I me as I hadn't done as much running training as I should have!
About a quarter of the way round I realised I had something stuck in the sole of my shoe and continued round with the most annoying tapping sound. I sounded like a troop of tap dancers! The last part of the running route was a little tougher having the odd muddy bank and steps to contend with but we made it back to transition in around 45 mins which as better than expected, Sarah grabbing our first of 7 bands.
No time to stop we rush into transition grab a waterproof jacket and its off for a leisurely kayak not! Once we got out into the open water it was clear that wind and lack of technique would be a big factor. We had aimed for 30 mins in the water but turns out we were in for more like 40! Definitely an area to improve upon for next time :)
The kayak was 3K in total and we had to kayak from one side of the bay and back again. On the way out we try to sing, we manage a rendition of "row row row your boat". We just about managed to collect our 2nd band. On the way back we hear some welcome cheers from family and friends spurring us on. We clamber out of the kayak and start running back to the event hub.
It is at this point that Sarah and I have to spilt up. Sarah has agreed to do the orienteering around the bay over a 2K course to locate 3 more bands. I agree to go to the punishment box for a beasting. This did seem to make sense at the time, Sarah being a far better runner than me and better with the map.
Just as I am beginning to flag Sarah turns up with the 3 extra bands and I am released. I am so pleased to see her it is untrue and its high 5s all round :) No time to dwell we run back into transition and we are off on the bikes, following a quick change of jackets.
As we head up the Taff trail its not long before I realise that my legs are spent! I don't have enough strength to be in a high enough gear to keep pace with Sarah but we push on and head up to Castle Coch. She does her best to motivate me with words of encouragement and by dangling food out in front of me. Normally a sure fire thing but I am pooped!
At Castle Coch the course changes to mountain biking terrain. Not my favourite at the best of times. The course is well marked out, if a bit hilly and I start to realise why its called the Cardiff burn! It seems to take ages before we claim our last but one band, just one more to get. This stage seems to have taken ages, too long really, another area to practice for next year.
We finally locate our final band and its mostly downhill and back to the taff trail for our final push. We decide on the way back to head via the Coopers field route and Sarah aware that another female pair are hot on our heels decides to take a short cut across some grass - all legite but my poors legs find it difficult to follow her. We manage to stay ahead for so long but are eventually passed in the last K by 2 ladies who whiz past us and finish almost 2 mins ahead of us in the end. The traffic lights at James Street scupper our chances to pull back.
We keep pushing on, cycle back to the transition area where most people are packing up to go home and run across the line in a time of 3 hrs 57 mins and 20 secs. We come 4th out of 6 female pairs and 38th out of 45 competitors. Not brilliant but not disgraced either.
Once over the line we both comment how much we have enjoyed the day and start thinking about next year... Yes we are mad and still the very best of friends!
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