Sunday, 15th May 2011 saw the happening of the second race of the Hellfire Series, all in aid of Inspire, an NGO that helps people with disability. It consisted of an off-road duathlon in Kunċizzjoni, limits of Rabat , a wonderful area in the countryside! The first run consisted of an uphill start followed by a steep downhill on dry clay and boulders leading us to Fomm ir-Riħ Bay . After continuing to a plateau overlooking Gnejna Bay , we retraced our steps back to transition. It was meant to be a 3km run but it turned up to be double that! I was very well prepared for this race, after 4 long weeks of hard training by my coach, Dermot Galea. Yet, I always say ‘It all depends on race day’, so I never take anything for granted! I always face a race with a positive mindset, blocking out all the negatives! I also enjoy each and every second of it because I believe that it is all in the mind! So, in the first run, I tried to omit the pain that the built up lactic acid was causing in my legs! My stomach was also aching…a very common factor in my races! But I just ignored it and focused. I started with the first men and was 7th athlete in!
I had a fast transition too and off I rode for the 20k bike leg! This was all off-road and some sections were so tough and dangerous that I had to get off the bike and walk (as did almost everybody else)! After negotiating a heavily vegetated single track at Chadwick Lakes , we climbed an increasingly steep and lung-busting hill leading us to the race’s highest point! But it was all worthed and I had not only a fast bike leg, but I did my utmost to enjoy it.
After T2, we were left with a fairly flat and fast 9km run! However, this had a sting in its tail because we had to negotiate once again a steep and rough single track back to the finish line! It was a hot day and so the heat was taking its toll on everyone! But I kept on running, increasing the pace with each km and making my stride longer. I also kept a steady heart rate, thanks to the recent training of my coach, where I had to run at different heart rate zones in each run. Hence, my body adapted quickly to this new situation.
I was first female in and placed 11th out of the 27 participants. Since this was a new scenario in my racing, I did not have any finishing time in mind. Though, when practising the route, I had clocked over 3 hours! So, finishing the race in an excellent time of 2hrs 29mins was a boost for me. Am looking forward for the next and for more! With one race left in the Hellfire series, I find myself leading the female category after having won the first race held in January!
Marica Micallef
I had a fast transition too and off I rode for the 20k bike leg! This was all off-road and some sections were so tough and dangerous that I had to get off the bike and walk (as did almost everybody else)! After negotiating a heavily vegetated single track at Chadwick Lakes , we climbed an increasingly steep and lung-busting hill leading us to the race’s highest point! But it was all worthed and I had not only a fast bike leg, but I did my utmost to enjoy it.
After T2, we were left with a fairly flat and fast 9km run! However, this had a sting in its tail because we had to negotiate once again a steep and rough single track back to the finish line! It was a hot day and so the heat was taking its toll on everyone! But I kept on running, increasing the pace with each km and making my stride longer. I also kept a steady heart rate, thanks to the recent training of my coach, where I had to run at different heart rate zones in each run. Hence, my body adapted quickly to this new situation.
I was first female in and placed 11th out of the 27 participants. Since this was a new scenario in my racing, I did not have any finishing time in mind. Though, when practising the route, I had clocked over 3 hours! So, finishing the race in an excellent time of 2hrs 29mins was a boost for me. Am looking forward for the next and for more! With one race left in the Hellfire series, I find myself leading the female category after having won the first race held in January!
Marica Micallef
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