Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 115, February 2019 | Page 47

Obviously, the accident also left psychological wounds, both for Matt and
Nicole. “I think it definitely makes me more safety-conscious when out there.
One thing I have changed is that I always ride with high-visibility clothing and
a light on the back of my bike, but I also do more indoor rides on the Turbo
Trainer, because we have a bigger garage now, so I can make it work. I also do
a lot of my running on the treadmill, as it’s a softer surface with less impact on
my spine. When I do go out on the bike on weekends, my wife drives behind
me for the long rides. She definitely gets more nervous than me about going
out on the road, so if she is available to drive with me, she goes with to keep
me safe.”
Looking ahead, Matt says Kona is the big goal for this year, but he doesn’t
want to put all his eggs in one proverbial basket. “I’m going to race in London
and do the Ironman in PE, then see how I’m going. Nicole is pregnant a
second time and our son is due in June, so I will stay home for the June to
August period, which will also play a factor in which races I do in that time.”
Making the Most of It
Typical of a guy with such a keen can-do spirit, Matt says he is looking forward
to the next few years of his tri career, even though he doesn’t know what
to expect. “The back injury has definitely taken some years off my career,
especially for running, so it’s hard to say how many years I can keep going at
the top level – sometimes I think can do this into my early 40s, other times I
think just one more season is all I can handle, and it’s all about managing my
body. The accident has just made me appreciate the physical freedom that I
have now, and has helped put other smaller setbacks into perspective.”
PJ’S PIECE
By PJ Moses
War of the hills
I
’ve been thinking back to when the multisport bug bit me. I thought it would be
an easy transition from runner to duathlete, but it proved a lot harder. I trained
better than I have for a while, but not intensely enough to prepare for what lay
ahead in my second duathlon at the Freshpak Fitness Festival in Clanwilliam.
“Of course, things could have been worse, and I realise how lucky I was
to come away as lightly as I did from such a collision, so getting out of the
house and just walking has never felt so good! I also want to say thank you
to everybody that has been there for me over the last two years. My friends,
family and loyal sponsors have been instrumental in the whole recovery
process, and the huge support from the triathlon community has really helped
me stay positive. As painful and frustrating as it was, it takes an accident like
this to truly appreciate the support that you have around you.”
It was almost like the gods of multisport wanted me to quit, so they threw hills at
me, turned up the heat with temperatures that could fry an egg on the pavement,
and even ‘klapped’ me with a midday start. But I am too stupid to quit, so they
shouldn’t have bothered!
That first run was a tough little cross country 5km that never seemed to end
in the hot sun. I finished a little behind the time I had set as my goal, but I was
confident that I could regain some momentum during the cycle. Big mistake! I ran
out of transition, straight onto one of the steepest hills I‘ve ever encountered, so I
decided not to get on my bike at the bottom and rather run up the hill. I thought I
was being clever, until I realised that the first hill was not the last… or the worst.
The hills wouldn’t have been an issue if the gears on my new bike worked
properly, but mechanical problems sank any thoughts I had about racing for a
place. Every hill felt like a mountain, and my legs were on fire. Downhills I put the
hammer down, but going up – and even on some of the level road surfaces – I
was suffering.
“you don’t win Ironman events
without a strong fighting spirit”
With two legs done and only a 2.5km run to go, I thought I could finally push the
pace, but my legs were laughing at my lofty goals. I was just trying to get to the
finish line without collapsing, and if not for Barry Goliath and his wife cheering
me on, I would probably have started walking. I managed to at least finish with a
smile, thanks to a hearty welcome over the mic from the Ed, and I improved on my
previous duathlon time, but I knew that there was much work ahead. Clanwilliam
1, Peej 0. Later this year I intend to even the score!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: PJ is a former Cape Flats gangster who took up
running, and writing about it, when he turned his back on that dangerous
lifestyle in order to set a better example for his two young sons.
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