HOW WAS IT FOR YOU? XTERRA MATTERLEY
MEET THE WRITER
Ben is a long-time bike rider, firsttime multisport racer. Thirty-five years old and a father of one, he balances family life, ‘ training’ and a job in media sales.
Just one run lap to go. I’ve sectioned it out in my head – up the start climb and down into the trees for an interminable series of twists and off-camber turns, before a windswept gravel track. Then, mercifully, down to the finish.
My feet are screaming and I feel like I’m going backwards. Runners power past me, mud spattered, appearing infinitely more animated than I imagine myself to be. This is the third time I’ve seen these people’s backs and, to be frank, I’ve seen enough.
FAR FROM IDEAL
I’ve raced plenty of bike events: road, MTB, cyclocross, time trials. I’ve had a few good races, thrown my hands in the air very occasionally and generally been at the sharper end of proceedings. But as I leave my early 30s behind and enter dad life, I drift further from the podium steps yet still feel competitive on the bike.
In contrast, the last time I put
