One week after Xterra I was to race the Tagaman race in Saipan a 2km swim, 60km bike and 15km run. 
I needed to get hold of a bike as I only had my trusty MTB there. The lod=cals are very supportive of the athletes and do their best to try and find bikes for all who want to race. did have to do some research finding a bike, and my saviour was Daniel Lumar a local Doc in Saipan who kindly lent me have his steed for a few days prior to the race. It was a ‘Litespeed’ 10 years old. With the added bonus of some tri bars.
It was nice to be back on the road bike again I must say I feel more at home on it (especially on hills). I was looking forward to the race (post cold -tho most of the other athletes had just the same symptoms. Some say it was an allergy to the Island ( So Romeo the bike shop owner tells me) Whom incidentally was my hereo with his 24 hour bike shop and all night opening hours!! Thanks Romeo for everything!
The race again was an early start and we were at the race venue at the PIC at 5 am at the fabulous host hotel. There was competition too in the pro field as 49 Korean triathelets came down last minute to race.
So the swim was 2 laps of 1km, I was drafting a few Koreans and came out again just behind Renata Bucher(beginning to see a pattern here) And Shonny Vanlandigham drafting my feet. I was fast out of tranistion as finally I didnt do any faffing I guess it was having more experience with than with the MTB!
I saw Renata in front so decidid to catch her. Shonny and I were riding together to catch her and on the descent we caught Renata by surprise both us girls zooming passed her whilst she napped, she woke up and came ast afetr a few minutes she put the power on!! I stayed with them for a few miles and they slowly edged away from me , I came to the first big climb and I realised I must have had a 23 gear ratio, nice so had to grind my way up top. Which took it out of my legs, on the first out and back I saw Emma creeping up from behind just when my chain came off.. I stayed with her for about 5 miles or so. I missed my Cannondale Slice I visualised it sitting on my turbo back in London. had to snap out of that one!
In transition the bike was taken from us and we had a bag with our run kit inside as we had sit down on chairs to put them on…luxury!
The run was long and hot we were sweltering in the heat but the aid stations were numerous and ice cold sponges water and Gatrorade a plenty. All those cheerful volunteers really helped push you forward. I knew I was 6th or 7th by then and had a bit of a gap to catch up but the money was only top 6…
At the beginning of the run I was joined by a Korean girl who slid past I caught her up and asked if we could work together on the run as she had a good pace on her so I reckoned that she would push me a bit more. I asked her questions but her English wasn’t that great until she said ‘how old you?’ I said ’41′ and she replied’ooooooohhhhwww I asked her ‘how old u?’ ’22′ I replleid Ahhhhhhh then her coach went by on a scooter and shouted in Korena ‘Bangtsn$$$@@VVthj!!! or something. She then said ‘coach not happy I chat’. We went on for a mile and then she collapsed- think she got cramp. Maybe my running isn’t that bad after all?
I actually enjoyed the race even thought it was tough on the long run, but not as tough as any of the Xterra races.! I finally finished 7th, out of the money, but I’ll be back next year….
