A GREAT start to my season!!

So, after a few days of reflection about the first race of my season, I thought that I would put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard and write a report of the entire weekend.


After enduring a few tough days with the weather pictured below.....Benny and I did do it hard!!! :-) One that did enjoy was the weather getting away from a Victorian winter and into 24deg + conditions. One race day the conditions were going to be similar, so was a joy to be there.We spent most of Friday setting up our gear and as by the photos below, Benny is clearly a more organised person with his gear.

So with the Bike setup and looking the part, unlike like what we looked liked when we arose Saturday morning, we had a final few little sessions to complete, which were, in the conditions quite tough to complete.My mess above and Benny's nicely organised setup below:

So, on race morning, we awoke to conditions on the left.....You can't see anything, cause the conditions were ideal for triathlons and also our first hit out for the season.

We packed our gear into the car and headed down to transition and both of us were relatively calm, excited all the same but calm.

Once our transition was setup we made the 1.8k journey down to the start line in which we were informed that we would be swimming with the current and times should be reasonably fast. This was something that was music to my ears as I new that I had been doing all the right things in the pool, not "smashing" myself or "red lining" it every training session. For me it was purely quality over quantity at this time of year.

My race plan was to back my swimming in and try to start with the leaders in my age group. I was familiar with one guy Brad Bullock, who ripped out a lazy 4hr 5min at Geelong 70.3 this year. He was definitely the man to watch in my age group. I positioned myself directly behind him at the swim start hoping to be able to follow him into the water and get a good start to my swim, even if I couldn't hang onto his feet.

So with the horn sounding for the start, I did just that. Got a great sit going into the first turning bouy and although I was unable to hold his feet for much longer, I managed to get in with the leaders in my age group. I was really happy with my early position and decided that if I sat on their toes for the swim, I would position myself nicely for an assault on the bike. So after the 1.9k swim, I exited in 4th place in my age in a time of 33min....Current assisted my ass. Post race when I found out the fastest swim for the day was 29min, I was very happy in reflection. However during the race, the time was irrelevant, it was the fact that I was up with the leaders in my age and with the bike to follow, I was sure, that without any hiccups I would be well placed going into the run.

So onto the bike, my instructions were to ride a 2hr 24min by my coach, slower than I wanted but also wanted to have a really good run. After going through the first 40k in just under 1 hour, I was in good shape and the legs were feeling great, but also saying this my instructions were to have a really good run and see where that is at. I decided to slow and at this point, I picked up a hitch-hiker in my right eye which stayed there until race end. So at the conclusion of the third lap, I could barely see out of my eye and had to ride at time with my eyes closed. (Very scary at 40kph!!) Once near the aid station, I was forced to stop to wash my eye out to regain vision. This worked for a short amount of time and I decided the best way to get vision back properly was to ride holding my eye lid off my eye and try and get off the bike as soon as possible.

So, with the eye issue and the stopping, this actually made my time look more like it should as per instructions. I lost under a minute on the bike and still managed a bike time of 2hr 19min, throw in transitions and recorded a 2hr 22min. Happy, not too hard, legs feeling fresh and still a good time. I had the 2nd fastest time in my age and was in 2nd off the bike.

So after racking my bike, grabbing some more water to try and flush my eye out, I headed out on the run to run a sub 90min. The legs felt great and found rhythm instantly. Brad Bullock caught me after 4k which put me into 3rd, with 17odd km to run. My goal from here was not to be passed by anyone, let alone anyone in my age. With the pre race plan of my coach, I was confident of being able to break 90min if not a fair bit lower than that.

With the legs still feeling good, I almost finished the first lap when my eye started to burn like someone had scratched it. This forced my to stop and once again try to flush it out. The officials came to my aid and asked if I wanted to pull out. I won't repeat my response but did thank them for their concern and went on my merry way. Little did I know that I blew that km out from 4.05 pace to 6.44. Lost some good time there. So after re-passing the people who over took me in my moment of pain, I once again found really good rhythm.

This lasted until 4km to go when I had to stop and flush my eye out once again. With such little time left to run, I was determined to finish the race and podium. I knew that I was in 2nd at the time and my thoughts were that I had come this far, what's another 4km of pain. Just run. Managed a 1hr 31min, which was satisfactory considering the stops the I had.

Once crossing the finish line in 4hr 27 min, I knew that I had still performed solidly and recorded a 7min pb on that course. Off to first aid I went to continue to get treatment on my eye. This resulted in a trip to town to seek further advice and with the guidance of my "handler" Benny, who did a great job looking after me, except the part where he let me walk into a sign which got me fair and square on the collar bone. A big burst of laughter followed, then with a concerned; "There's a sign there!!" But seriously Ol' mate did a great job helping after the race getting around and packing up.

So I finished 23rd overall (Best finish to date) and 2nd in my age group (First time in top 3). What I was most pleased about were the positions in each leg, 4th swim, 2nd bike and 3rd fastest run. I have never been more competitive and want to thank Andrew for giving me the program and confidence to be able to compete in all 3 legs not just the bike. Also, Paul for helping with my swimming which has improved leaps and bounds so soon.

I have also attached some photos of Benny in action. Unfortunately, Benny was victim to the road surface and lost his entire nutrition along with his rear cage, which was still attached in the below pic.

The pic on the left is the sunset from our balcony, great spot to kick back!!




Once again I have to thank Florian at Erox for looking after me with my wheels, as I have done a lot less riding in comparison the previous years and still rode the same time on a set of wheels that I can only describe as,"If they had wings, they would fly!!" So thanks again. I also have some more news in the pipeline once confirmed and am looking to enjoy more support from Erox!

For now...

X-Man

Ps. Only more positive results to follow this year.

The day before!!

So tomorrow brings my first challenge of the year, after I get over today.....Benny and myself decided to have our traditional "few" beers and watch the footy last night. Some would say that it may have got out of hand (as Benny tries to sleep some of them off now (9am). But for us this is "how we roll"!!! Nothing has changed in 4 years of racing and travelling together.

We find the lighter side of everything and ensure that we enjoy every race that we attend. I think that this gives us the balance and enjoyment that the sport brings. Don't get me wrong, we train hard, and we are as competitive as the next person, the only difference is, that we are here to enjoy the whole trip. From the plane flight (which we found some interesting reading in the in plane magazine) to the locals last night that were not impressed that we were the only 2 fit looking people in their establishment.

For those that know the quantity consumed last night, it doesn't need to be repeated and nor will it be raised again, well not in conversation, maybe after breakfast!!! he he he

So onto the actual reason that we are here, apparently we are doing a 1/2 Ironman tomorrow. The weather is magic and our gear has been set up and the training has just about been done. Registration at 1pm and then it all begins. From the lighter side of life to the serious side of racing. I have spoken to my coach in depth and we have decided a race plan that will be suitable for the conditions and also the condition that I am in. Unless a bizarre turn of events happen overnight, there is no reason why I will not create a new best time for me and improve on last years performance, both in time and placing.

I have taken a few photos which will be posted post race along with a full weekend's round up. For now breakfast is cooking, and the coffee is brewing, so I won't bore you any longer and will take myself onto the balcony to enjoy what mother nature is dishing up today.

For now...

X-Man

It's Taper Time!!!

As I sit here ready to get all my gear packed for Benny's and my 6am flight, depart from home at 4am (gotta love those red eye flights!!) I have discovered that taper week does nothing for me apart from making me have enough energy to rival a kid on red cordial!!

The training this week has eased right off, which some would think that is good, for me, it becomes harder to actually drag myself out the door. The thoughts of.... surely missing this session won't hurt, it is taper week......have appeared in my head this week as I know that I have done all the training leading into this week, but something, just something continually gets me to get to the front door and out to train.

My new found energy also annoys me as I become a frustrated little boy who does not what to do with himself. So trying to conserve energy and not driving myself crazy has been the biggest goal this week, along with getting out to train.

So with that in mind I am looking forward to getting out of this 5-10deg Celsius and head to 24deg Celsius, even if it is just for 4 days.

Benny & I are both looking forward to this hit out as it will give us an early indication of where we are at currently.

Will keep posted over the weekend.

For now...

X-Man

Yeppoon 1/2 is 2 weeks away.

The main reason for this post is to just update where things are at. With my first race in 2 weeks and things going along quite well, I don't really have much to post at this stage.

I am looking forward to this race and the "real" training (Ironman training) that commences afterwards.

I headed to Brisbane for a day earlier this week and one thing that I noticed was the difference in climate, and why wouldn't someone want to move there ;-). So with Melbourne being deeply embedded with winter and Brisbane still being only 20deg, I certainly noticed a big difference.

This year, ol' mate Benny and I decided to cut the trip down to 4 days instead of the previous 6. We are flying up 2 days before the race and returning only one day afterwards. A few factors behind this, that have relevance to my post, so no need to go into them!! My main question is, will having one less day before the race make much if any difference?? I wouldn't have thought so, but with the total difference in climate, maybe so.

With conditions and climate in the following photos, I cannot imagine a better place to start the season and spend a weekend away!!

This photo is a view of the beach before the carnage occurs.

With being a beach start, as you can see below is will be fast and frantic for the run into the water and to the first turning buoy. This year, with the focus on my swimming, I am hoping to position myself well heading out the first 200m before the long swim down the beach adjacent the beach.

The ride is quite a funny circuit being 5 laps of an 18k loop. What's funny about this?? The fact that in those 18k, you encounter a fast surface which you can make up a lot of time, however for the other half of the surface it is granulated and zaps a fair bit of energy out of the legs. It is a very deceiving ride. However with 2 previous races here, I am very familiar with what is required to set the bike up well and how to ride the course.

The bike usually sets up the run, 3 laps involving a road run and a trail run. And once you've completed this, the below photo is your reward!!!

Well not quite the ladies, but the cold beer that awaits post race....And of course the cold water recovery in the Resort pool, below.

So for now, I have 1 1/2 weeks of solid training, then a short taper and my 1st of the year (looking forward to it also), a 1/2 Ironman then into the real fun & games.

For Now...

X-Man

The Pass Mark

So, it is 4 weeks until my first race of the season and more importantly, 4 weeks to find out where I am at.

With the new coach, new focus, new direction, new training all well and truly in place by now, curiosity is starting to creep into my head about where I am at....

So, in 4 weeks I will know. Not expecting big things, just improvements. The new regime has already seen my weight get down to previous "Ironman Race weight" and at this time of year to be at that weight only suggests good things down the path.

Where is the pass mark?? What do I expect?? What will I be happy with??

I have thought about the above three questions and although my first race is 4 weeks away, this race may not be the best indicator.

The swim is very tidal, so you don't have the same conditions as previous years like other races.

The ride & run will be the same though.

The main factor is the weather, coming from a Victorian Winter into Queensland's beautiful one day, perfect the next is the biggest factor. These are not excuses, just reality!!!

So, onto the questions: A Pass mark for me will be an improvement on my swim regardless of conditions, I want to be somewhere near the front, not giving away 6-7 minutes. On the bike I expect to have lost a bit of time due to the focus on the other two disciplines, however, still within 2-3min of my PB. And on the run, I would expect to run no less than 5 min faster than last year, considering that I have run more in the last 10 weeks than what I did for the entire first half of last year, I think that this is not asking for miracles.

What do I expect?

I expect to go faster overall than the last two years and break into the Top 20 Overall(65th 2008, 35th 2009 both around 4hr 35min) and push for a Top 3 in my age group, 6th last year.

What will I be happy with?

Due to the fact that I will be 4-5 kgs lighter than the same time last year and barring no mechanical faults (bike only) breaking the 4hr 30min will be success or failure for me. The individual splits will be irrelevant if I can go 5-6min faster overall.

For now the body is in good shape, still a bit off where I want to be for the Ironman at the end of the year, but am very satisfied with the progression. Am Injury free and training the house down. Following the coach's instructions definitely goes a long way to maintaining the body injury free. Now I just have to go and harass a few mates and get my legs worked on, which is going to hurt the first few times, due to lack of massages of late. See you soon Jas!!

My training partners are still very supportive and the boys makes it so much more enjoyable being out with them, so will continue to thank you guys.

For now...

X-Man

Music to my ears...

So, another program down and off to see the coach to look at my next program. For the last few programs, I have known that I will be running and running and more running, a bit of swimming and not much riding!!

The tables had to turn, so I thought. Well maybe a half circle, maybe not even that much. The good news for me is that I can dust of the TT bike, because I am going to be riding that baby a whole lot more over the next few weeks with my lead up to Yeppoon. My running is still building and my swimming has had an extra "optional" session added. "Optional" my ass, it is a session to be completed.

With Yeppoon only 6 weeks away, I feel like I am in better shape compared to this time last year with the specific training that I have been undertaking unlike previous years where it was just general fitness. Didn't feel like it at the time, however knowing the direction that I am going, it definitely was just general fitness.

By doing a little bit of maintenance of previous weeks on the bike, I feel like I am ready to get back to where I was previously with my cycling. With saying that, I know that I am not going to lose any of the running or swimming that I have been developing.

Still have a goal of getting back on the roadie for a few races to fine tune my legs, however I am constantly reminded that patience is a virtue and WA is 6 months away. Exactly my point....not even in Ironman 16 weeks yet, let me free!!

Any way, just a small update, not much exciting news at the moment, just build, build and build. The base is growing ready to have foundations installed to have bricks spread all across it.

I am off to the pool to continue my drill sessions.

For now...

X-Man

You can't swim fast if you don't know how to swim!!

As I am finding out, swimming is not like cycling & running where fitness is the main player for performance. Swimming is not about power, not about fitness, although they do contribute.....Swimming is about technique and efficiency.



I decided to go back to basics and learn how to swim, yes swimming lessons (I have felt like I am 10 years old going to learn to swim). For those that know my back round, I did swim as a youngster, however let it slip by in my twenties. With having the back round that I have had in swimming in my early years, I didn't think that it would be long to get my technique back from the "early" days. Yeah right, the first realisation was how bad my technique is. Obviously, fitness was what got me my 57 min swim at Ironman, not technique!! After a few session, Coach Paul decided to give me an insight of what my stroke looked like and how to fix it. WOW!!! A long way to go.



So in saying this, Paul has totally pulled my stroke apart and started with the basics again to get me to get a "feel" for the water again. Following the black line during training is boring and hard enough, let alone doing sculling drills to try and help out (and I suck at drills). Another thing I have found with swimming is that you might be fit, but when you swim efficiently and effectively, the fitness you thought you had does not exist as the muscle group used was the wrong one to get maximum benefits!!



With 2 sessions per week, pumping out a massive 1.5k for each session, I am feeling the benefit of these sessions already with my technique improving and my times becoming some what faster. Even though the distance is short, my times are decreasing. The "new regime" has been very refreshing and I am reaping the benefits with both my swimming and running to date.



Gone are the days of just swimming along the black line slapping and splashing my way through the water, with the investment of a swim coach (who, mind you has national swimmers on his books) I am looking forward to shaving minutes of my swim times.



With drills & technique it is a long slow process, however the benefits at the end of it are far greater than your everyday swim squads/sessions that make you "red line" for most part. I am looking forward to the journey of improvements ever if I am no good at the drills for now.



My running is also seeing some improvements, which I expect that it should with a smart program to follow. Unlike last year where I ran when I felt and for how long that suited me, I am on a structure that has enabled me to build to over 70+k's per week and with the forecast being close enough to 100k's per week in the near future it is not daunting. Previous training has seen me tackle sessions that took me 2-3days to recover from, as I was unaware on how important a build was to get the body used to running consistently (especially important when you are 95kgs).



The time in the saddle is about to increase from the 4 hours per weeks currently to something that I have been more familiar with. I am hoping that the riding will no take away from my running, with the effect that one will compliment the other.



My first race for the season is a mere 8 weeks away, which has snuck up on me, however this race will just be a gauge on how everything is going. I have no expectations for Yeppoon except a solid performance that will be the stepping stone for bigger things to come.



For now...



X-Man

Role Reversal

So, I am a week later posting than what I would have liked, however, as they say better late than never!!

Even though I am happy writing this blog, this particular topic is one where I would thought I would never write about.

A few weeks back a mate of mine, Jason (uber mtb'er) suggested that we do a team offroad duathlon. Now if you read between the lines here, you know where I am going.....if you can't here it is:

Offroad = Mountain Bike

Jason = Uber Mtb'er

This leaves me, having to do the run!!! I don't know if he was desperate to race and needed someone to partake in the running or he actually thought that we would be a chance of being competitive with me running for him?!?!?!

So after agreeing to race with him, and knowing that I had been doing a little bit of run training as this is my focus right now, we discussed the race with another couple of mates who also agreed to team up and have a crack at it.

With entries done, the banter started. Random emails and text flying back and forth and round abouts between the four of us. Race tactics were discussed and sledges were discovered. (And yes we were just taking the piss as it was only ever designed to have a fun day with some mates, and not racing for sheep stations)

That was until race morning. The abuse and sledging started as soon as we formed our convoy down to race HQ. Mind you the weather was a refreshing 1 degree Celsius when we arrived at our destination, Lyseterfield. Jas and Stormy (the mtb'ers) didn't understand the whole idea of transition and both complained that they would get cold waiting for Benny & I to drag our sorry arses around the run course....pfffftt, they were dreaming!!

Check in done and bikes into T1. I was under strict instructions to ease into the run and then wind up in the later stages. Obviously coach didn't know what we were racing for....bragging rights between mates, this being way more important than the final placings!!! A few weeks earlier Jason & I were also reminded that there would be others in the race. From memory our response was; doesn't matter where we finish as long as we beat Ben & Stormy!!

So, trying to keep with coaches orders, but not let Benny have to much lead after the first run, I started mid pack. Of course I ran hard from the get go, which I almost missed due to nature calling way to close to the start of the race. Had a good warm up getting back before the horn sounded. So, my mid pack start, in my mind meant I wasn't going as hard as I would if I was up the front. Yeah right, I looked down, only to see sub 3.30min k pace to start. This is going to hurt. I managed to lead Benny to the half way mark but once we turned, the old fox surged on me and I couldn't go with him. (He still didn't look like he was trying).

The first 3.5k done in 13 and 1/2 minutes with and ave HR of 188 and max of 195. I blame Benny on that, trying not to give Stormy too much start at the beginning of the bike. I entered t1 and handed the reigns over to Jas in about 13th position.

The bike was 20km and was more like a sprint for the seasoned riders. Little did Benny and I know that Stormy decided that enough was enough and decided to have a little rest mid race (Yes he crashed). Now depends on who you talk to depends on how major or minor the fall was. Now, I won't let the truth get in the way of a good story and say that he was lucky not break bones at the speed he was travelling!!!

Waiting for the guys to return from the ride was different, as we had no idea the order or the time it would take for them to return. The first 2 riders returned, and unlike the typical bunches that enter t2 in triathlon, there was a good 3 minutes between 1st and 2nd. Then to my shock (only because it meant I had to run like I stole something) Jason returned in 3rd place outright and 1st team. The 2nd team was only 30sec behind which meant I was a monty to lose my place and cope a spray from Jason for letting the team down.

Now, under strict instructions to take the first 2km easy then to "open up" (from coach) was quickly the further est thing from my mind due to pride taking over and the win only a tad over 6k's away. All I had to do was run my arse off!!!

Once again the heart almost pounded straight out of the front of my chest with the 3.30 first k. My mindset was to run the first 2 really hard and then try and settle into some kind of rhythm to hang on. The only thing I could think about was the tongue lashing I would cope if I let the win run by.

I did hold on with a sub 23min 6k with some undulations (once again, depends who you talk to - I thought it was a mountain pass) and held on for 3rd outright and 1st team.

The highlight for Jas & I was receiving the winners cheque, yep one of those fake ones you get. (see photo below).

This race was a really positive as my run focus is now showing some signs of ability albeit a tiny bit. No speed work has been entered into yet and if I can maintain focus and restrict injury, I am very confident of becoming some sort of runner. (I WILL NEVER LOSE MY BIKING THOUGH!!)

For now...

X-Man

Head is a runner, body is a Clydesdale!!

A quick update following on from my previous blog, Ryan Barnett, was pipped on the line in his age group to finish a phenomenal 2nd in his age, only 0.05 sec behind the winner and was very high up on the overall standings. Well done BIG guy.

Why do I care??? Because the guy is a monster who can move....FAST...and is also above the 200pound mark. This gives me hope.

Well, my training has been going really well and the running has been becoming my primary focus, followed very closely by the swim and then the bike. Hang on, that doesn't right for me....and is starting to slowly sink in that this sports in about the run....call me slow, but has taken me a good 3 years to fully get my head around it. Previously, my thoughts were to swim a little, ride a lot and run a little. This did work for me as I feel as if I have had 2 great Ironman Races with this theory, however to get to where I want to go, I HAD to change.

So with gradual builds, my running now is up over 50k's per week and I am having no trouble achieving this. "Back in the day" 50k's was a massive week for me in the legs, or if I accomplished more, I would suffer the following week/s.

A 60min run is "a walk in the park" at the moment and I am actually looking forward to running more. Another thing that has changed with my mindset is that I am actually looking at running calendars instead of riding calendars. For example, I am doing the run leg in a duathlon this upcoming weekend with Great Mate Jason, and we are teaming up against Benny & Stormy in a Teams race for local bragging rights!!! Bring on the Champagne and Podiums ladies!!!

On a serious note, with this mindset change, I no longer can predict my times coming up to a race and Yeppoon 1/2 Ironman in August will be a real eye opener to see where I am at. Another unprecedented occurrences in Australian races this year is that they are all selling out at a rapid race and I am finding that my planning has really had to come into force a lot earlier this year, with all races fully planned and almost booked.

Why have I turned a full circle?? Confidence in a good coach and a realisation of my weaknesses, which mind you, may never become my strength. However if I can become more competitive once the bike is back in the rack during a race, it should enable me to find that elusive podium finish.

Will pen this even thought I am not 100% in doing this. Gold Coast 1/2 Ironman as a Clydesdale??? My coach reckons he can get me under 90kgs, however I am unsure that I will be by the time GCHIM comes around, hoping to by WA, but not too sure earlier. My main concern is that if I enter early which looks inevitable, will I have egg on my face if I slip under the weight. Or is it "cheating" by competing in this category, even though I am eligible, or should I just suck it up and race age group....feel free to throw thoughts my way..

Anyway, has been a while since my last blog and things are ticking along just fine and dandy, with nothing major to report. Although I should have some positive news moving forward about my training which is exciting however not confirmed to date.

For Now...

X-Man

Everything is new...

As I sit here and follow fellow blogger (and clydesdale) Ryan Barnett at Ironman St. George, who at the time of writing this blog is in the lead of the 35-39 age group. I realise that Ironman WA 2010 is still 7 months away. Why is this strange??? Because the race has already sold out and I am in no physical shape to race. I am one who usually leaves my entry until late so that I know if I am in good enough shape or not.

With the trust that I have with me new coach and the direction we are headed I am very confident that he will get me in the shape I need to be in in 7 months time. I am loving the new direction, things didn't quite make sense for me at the the start, but he explained them to me so that I understood what I was doing.

All facets of my training are going along well with all easy sessions at this time, with no distance or speed associated to them. Occasionally a "hard" session in the pool is on the program or some small efforts on the bike, however none of them are daunting at this stage and I am already seeing improvements in my swim times in the 3 weeks that I have been under the new tutor ledge.

The quantity of sessions is a lot higher than I would have thought so early in the preparation, however they are very manageable and for the first time in 3 years in this sport I can say that I have been able to complete every single session as required. My training partners are the ones who are suffering as I having a "no flexibility" approach in this lead up. This is a BIG plus for me as I haved loved the first three weeks and look forward to my next program which I am due to receive next week.

Any way, just a small update, and am off to watch "White Hot" finish his race.

For now...

X-Man