Jim McConnel (that's with one 'l' ...), last reported on his pre XTERRA Maui event, the XTERRA USA Champs in Nevada. He's now back from his travels in sunny (?) and certainly cold England. This past weekend he raced at the Merrell Mudman Duathlon, and while he secured an third position in a quality field, it certainly wasn't without incident, as he reports here.

OK, who knows about the 5 P's...??

Hmmm well here goes: Preparation prevents pretty poor performance. [Ed. there is another version, but this is a family website!]

It certainly pays to remember that when racing triathlon.

My race report from the Human Race Merrell Mudman starts with me arriving a little late with no race pack or numbers. Thanks to Paul Davies for guiding me in by phone. I hurriedly prepared my kit before the off - bike looked OK, got a bottle, taped a gel on, bike shoes, helmet. All good. I set the bike in transition and walked away without clocking where I'd left it.

After a quick warm up the race started. I used the first run as an opportunity to settle and stretch out a little. David Vaughan and several others were in close attendance as we took on the five killer hills of the infamous Mudman course. Although to me the roller-coaster ride was all new as I hadn't been there before or had a course map to look at beforehand. Coming into T1 with Vaughan I was glad to see that Cedric Lassonde was nowhere in sight as he was on my danger list.

However, I was causing myself stress on this day. I simply couldn't remember where I'd put my bike... and lost over 30 seconds to David finding it and getting out onto the bike course.

Then, chasing hard with Colin Dixon we missed a turn, and lost more ground to the leader. At the end of lap one I'd fought my way back to the front but had to stop fully in transition having picked up a slow puncture on the course. Slightly deliriously I ran to the car to collect a spare tube and pump, because of course I wasn't carrying any spares for this race!. Still smiling - the day was bright and cold, I fixed the flat, thanked the marshalls and rejoined the race mid pack. Mixed up with all racers now I had no idea on position - so relaxed a little, put the hammer down and just enjoyed the effort and the course.

On the 2nd run I could see a few people to catch and had a fair dig - eventually amazed to cross the line to a round of applause and a very surprising third place. Finishing around two minutes down on Colin Dixon after all my self induced grief the Merrell Mudman is on my hit list for another day - as is the £100 for a 28:30 on the run... which I think is totally possible - watch out John!

A great venue and a hard race, for me an important lesson in what not to do.

Thanks to everyone for putting up with my incompetence (I'm usually a lot better!) and the marshalls and spectators for their support during the race.

Jim.
www.trijim.co.uk