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Erlebnisbericht: “My first time in the
challenge, all for charity”
31.05.07 - by Paul Carvill
"Its 4:30am and I am wide awake, why? I have no
idea! My bed is still warm and darkness still covers the house.
So why am I wide awake? The reason is my nerves have started to
kick in for the race that I am going to do today.
It all started back in February when I met a
fellow cyclist Paul Armstrong who suggested entering The North
Lincs’ Adventure Challenge. “I can’t run or kayak” was my reply;
however the seed had been sown. So later that month I started to
do some running, which having come from a cycling background
really made my legs wonder what had hit them. I also met a guy
called Ken Collier (now a good friend) who taught me the basics
of how to paddle a kayak and introduced me to swimming in the
Ancholme River early February, which believe me shocks the body
to the core and shrinks things to scary proportions. I
persevered with the Kayaking and have now progressed to a racing
K1, which I still fall out of regularly. My running has improved
however only marginally.
So now the day has arrived and my nerves are not
the best. I also had the pressure of having to complete the
event to honour the over £1,200 I had raised in sponsorship for
Children Today. Children Today raise funds to provide special
equipment for children and young people with disabilities
throughout the UK.
Arriving at the Ancholme Leisure Centre I
unloaded my Kayak and placed it with all the others along the
bank ready for the transition to the water. The weather was
starting to turn cold and the rain was getting heavier. I placed
my paddle, life jacket and running shoes in the transition area
and then got my bike ready. It was nearly time so I went for a
small warm up in the car park and waited for my number to be
called. “Number 45” shouted the holding marshall and now my
adrenaline started to pump. I rode down to the start and waited
for the starter to say “go”. When he did, I wasted no time and
stood hard on the pedals and started the big gear rolling. I
took it steady until I was at least a mile into the bike ride
and then started to try and push harder without overdoing it. I
could feel the water splashing on my legs and the wind blowing
me about on the bike.
Heading back into Brigg was hard due to a strong
head wind, so I just kept my head down and pedalled hard. The
crowd on the bridge really lifted my spirits as I headed down to
the final turn. Then it was into the Leisure centre for the
transition, the pain was like nothing else when you jump of your
bike and try and run. I collected my paddle and life jacket and
headed off for my Kayak. I put my kayak in the river and
carefully got in. I set off very steady as I did not want to
fall in, especially with such a big crowd on the bridge. My arms
felt heavy as all the blood was still in my legs and it took
until the first turn before my arms would work properly. The
wind was making the water very choppy and was a little
unsettling, I just kept focused and kept paddling. I went under
the bridge and the crowd once again gave you a lift as they
shouted words of encouragement. I could clearly hear my 2 year
old daughter Faith shouting “come on Daddy”, but I didn't dare
look as I would have fallen in.
Steve Price came past me on my 2nd lap, he was
flying, his technique was very good and made me realise just how
much mine needed to improve. I finally rounded the last turn and
headed down the straight to the transition, the straight seemed
so long and took forever to get there. I jumped out of my Kayak
and headed for my running shoes, my back was aching from the
Kayak and I seemed to be running with straight legs. I checked
my time on my watch and knew I needed to hold it together for
the run as this was my weakest discipline. I headed down the
canal path and could hear myself gasping for breath, “just keep
going” my inner voice was telling me. The grass was wet as I
headed towards Broughton Bridge, the ground uneven, Keith
Longney ran past me as if I was standing still, Keith went on to
win the event in record time. I finally got to Broughton Bridge
and crossed over slipping on the wet wooden boards. Now it was
down the lane to the turn and drink station. I turned and
started my journey homewards. Giles Byworth was coming the other
way grinning as he always does and shouted a few words of
encouragement, I passed Giles on the bike, but now he was going
to catch me again and pass me. His pace was phenomenal and I
could only watch as he disappeared out of view. “nearly there”
my inner voice was telling me and then Andy Coultas passed me, I
tried to hang on to him for a while, however he was just too
fast and I settled back to my somewhat steady pace. I could hear
Ken Collier (Race Director) on his megaphone introducing people
as they approached the finish, I looked at my watch and knew if
I pushed I would do a sub 2 hours 50. I entered Brigg Market
place and heard my family shouting encouragement, I tried to
sprint a little but could feel the pain biting me. The feeling
was excellent as I crossed the line and clocked a 2 hours 48
minutes and 58 seconds. I can’t wait until next year. I would
also like to thank my wife Sarah for putting up with me while I
have been training and everyone who has sponsored me."
Paul Carvill
Veranstalterwebseite:
www.briggchallenge.co.uk
Verwandte Artikel:
Harenberg und Longney siegen bei Falcon
Adventure Challenge
(31.05.07)
Keith
Longney siegt bei North Lincs Challenge (05.06.06)
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