A Day in Kona!!

Well, after 11 hours travelling yesterday well into the evening I finally arrived in Kona. Was very happy to walk away from a plane knowing that I have 5 days without one.

I crashed heavily and missed the start of the undie run, which I still managed to take some good shots of (to be added at a later date). Just by being around the start/finish line area even made me nervous even though I am just spectating. The place is abuzz with excitement and anticipation.

The accommodation is right on the course so wont have to move far to get a piece of the action. Photos a plenty will be taken, starting from this evening at the carb loading party. Anyway a day of rest has been had and am very excited about the forthcoming days. Have been told that watching is always harder than racing for an athlete (if I can known as one), so hopefully this time next year I am on the preparation side of things opposed to spectator.

Once more photos are taken, they will be uploaded.

For now...

X-Man

Midway throu the travels.

Just a quick one to say that am in New Zealand, for another 3 hours before I fly onto Kona. Yep going to be here for a whole 10 hours!!!

The plane flight was good, with no hassles. During the flight I started to get excited about the fact that I am not only going to see Carla in action, also I am going to see the best of the best apply their trade in the sport I am involved in.

I will be trying to get ideas of how the pros and others leaders do what they do. Also a goal is to try and obtain photos with as many as these superhumans as I can!!

Anyway off for breakfast, then back to the airport for the next leg into Hawaii, then over to Kona. Hoping to be there at about 11pm tonight.

For now...

X-Man

Heading across to watch......this time!!

Tonite I make the journey across to Kona to watch Carla compete at Hawaii. Flying out tonite to New Zealand and then off to the "Big Dance" tomorrow. Carla has been over there for the the last week and is starting to prepare for her first crack at Kona. I know she will do well, but at this time, it becomes mental as all the fit looking people over there, some of which are not even competing.

The work has been done now for her, and it is just a matter of looking back at the work she has done. I am excited to see Carla finish and will be giving her plenty of encouragement along the way!!

Komo confirmed this last year and has given me some words of wisdom. This will give me more inspiration seeing someone so close to me going to where I want to get to.

I will keep updating my journey, starting with tonight in NZ if I can get PC access, and also will be using my trigger finger to take plenty of pics.

For now....

X-Man

Never meant to be easy!!

Last was different, no expectations, no idea!!

This year is harder. Goals have been set and expectations need to be fulfilled. Training has to be done no matter what, no excuses. I have to get up at 4am to get quality in, I have to do sessions in the evening instead of relaxing. Last year, I didn't have to, so I didn't. If I was sore at all, tired or couldn't be bothered, that's all the excuses I needed no to train

However, after my performance last year at WA I have personal expectations that I want to exceed, goals I want to achieve. I am currently tired and fatigue, this just makes me want to train harder at the moment. I am preparing for what I call two hour Tuesday. This is my 2nd long run for the week consisting of a minimum of 2 hours with intervals or hills in there somewhere. 2 hour Tuesday usually follows a 3-4 hour morning ride. Legs are toasted by the end.

My training as been going well with clocking up good consistent quality k's atm with December 5th continually driving me along the way. My weight has dropped under 92kgs and is heading in the right direction. I have been given some quality nutritional advice rather than just starving myself...WTF?!?!? Advice that makes a difference in what I eat, when I eat it and how it is prepared.

The time is currently 7.30pm and today I have been on the bike, pounding the pavement and splashing in the water. Another day in which I have made gains and enjoyed the outcome. Tomorrow is a different day, one in which I am looking for the conclusion before it starts.

I have been following another blog: http://caughtontherun.blogspot.com/ about another "larger" guy (93.5kgs) who has recently qualified for Kona and will have completed 3 Ironmans in 10 weeks. He is another that gives me motivation. If h can, so can I. Who said size matters??

For now...

X-Man

Training Program or Training Partner??

For me, training partners are way more important. Unless you are so motivated that it doesn't matter that you consistently do 12-14 sessions a week solo, but who can say that they can do this??

I know a balance between the both is probably the best results, however, when you have training partners that are flexible with the schedule and you can utilize each other or groups, the result is usually more productive. At times I know that without a training partner, no matter if there is a program in front of me or not, I would not be able to complete a session, let alone get some quality out of it.

So, I pose the question, how many people waste money on a program that they do not entirely follow for one reason or another?? During my short life at this sport, there are very few who can say that the program is the only training they will do and not budge from that.

I am lucky enough to have developed a good training network, that covers all three disciplines and enables me to be flexible to change sessions to get some really good quality training in. In saying this, a few solo sessions with podsy (Ipod) can be rather refreshing.

I can see the benefit from having a coach for advice etc, but it is really a coach that you need, or just a mentor?? Someone to write you a program or someone you can call when things are not quite right or for re-assurance? A GOOD coach will be able to do both of these, and should be able to also. I have found that many coaches these days are going to quantity of athletes trying to develop a large group to line their pockets $$$$. I know this is a job for many, but a coach is someone who is more than a boss, it should be a partnership to achieve the goals you want.

So this brings me back to my topic, what is more important?? A Program or Partner? For me, I'll take training partners every day.

With this, my training this year to date has been more productive and consistent than the previous two years as I can call on a variety of people with a variety of levels to achieve what I want. I have also been able to have minimal time off the track due to injuries as I have not been involved in EGO training in which training becomes too competitive regulary and the chance of injuries rises and enjoyment lowers.

So for now, I have no reason to change and will follow this theory until my performance tells me otherwise. With 10 weeks to go until Ironman Western Australia, my focus is on what I can do and not I can't due to poor training scheduling. Anyway, off to finish the weekend with another solid afternoon.

For now...

X-Man

Smashed by a Storm!!

The heading is the summary of my 2 out of 3 recent rides. One Rod Stormonth has handed it to me on a platter. First was Saturday morning and then this morning. The lad is riding really well at the moment and it has been a pleasure trying to hang onto his wheel.

Now, onto the latest and greatest news: ROD STORMONTH has decided to make a comeback to Ironman Triathlons, declaring that Western Australia 2010 is his comeback race. This excites me also, due to the fact that there will be 4 of us in the same area all training for Ironman racing. What more would you want out of training partners, i ask?? We both know that it will a long journey for Rod as it is all of us, but the fact that I/We will be able to draw enthusiasm from each other like I do with my other training partners should also make training even more enjoyable, if possible.

So where am I at? Well, training is going well and I have surrounded myself with purely positive people. As the saying goes, being positive breeds positive and likewise for the reverse. So for now I have positive people around me who are getting great results and is giving me more excitement/ inspiration every day.

Jason, myotherapist and training partner finished 3rd in his category on the weekend in the Australian Marathon Championships held in Bendigo over 105km. This was on his trusty stead, the MTB. Great effort that!!

Carla, another training partner and G/F, is currently in Cairns on her final training/acclimatisation before she heads across to the BIG DANCE at Kona.

If you cannot draw anything positive from achievements like these, you never will.

And for me, just trying to do the hard k's now to hopefully make it easier come race day.

Consistent training has been my motto so far and everything has been coming along well, with ups and downs along the way. The 4.30am starts have been good, haven't got me just yet, however in saying that, am looking forward to a sleep in, when ever that might be. I have re-equated myself with the ocean for cold water recovery sessions, and that is just what they are - COLD!!! However the legs do love it.

Anyway, will blog more regular in the coming weeks.

For now...

X-Man

The Journey Starts Now....12 weeks out!!

THE JOURNEY STARTS HERE!!

12 weeks til IRONMAN WA.

• Time to put the head down and leave all the excuses at the front door each day.
• Time to focus on what is ahead and not what is in the passed, too many people hang their hat on previous performances and not worry about the next one.
• Time to capitalize on the winter training that I have done (and some that I haven't) and take the next step to be in IRONMAN condition.
• Time to pull all resources out for training.
• Time to get serious.

Enough of the small talk, I often hear people talk it up and not do anything about it. For me, the 12 week mark has hit and the focus has taken over.

My first Ironman Journey was really exciting last year and I hope to follow the same path to get the same result this year.

For those out there who give me support through training, recovery and morally, the time has come to step up and do it all again. I look forward to the same journey again this year.

Now a small recap on the previous few weeks:

Well, after competing at Yeppoon and being happy with my result, the following weekend I cruised down to Hazlewood pondage to compete in a 1.5k swim, 36k ride and 8k run. Cutting to the chase I was happy with that race also backing up 1 week after Yeppoon.

THE SWIM - About time I had a decent swim, still a long way off getting the best out of my open water swimming, however, I had a little bit of advice from a friend about just think that it is me out there and forget about the others. So I swam solo the whole time, probably cost me a little bit of time, however got through in a good time.

16min 59 sec

THE RIDE - Was another solid ride for me, legs started to get heavy towards to end, positive was that no one passed me on the bike and motored passed a lot.

56min 17 sec 6th overall

THE RUN - Once again happy here, due to the 1km hill climb each of the 2 laps, which drained my legs in the second lap. Legs starting to get stronger on the run, don't get me wrong, still a long way off the pace, but improving all the same.

38min 24sec

OVERALL - Another solid performance, placing 4th in my age after starting the run is 1st place. Was a good field with a lot of the athletes fine tuning for the World Champs this month.

Since this race I have been a little slack just doing enough to maintain fitness and nothing more, so nothing to really report here.

The story all starts again.

For Now...

X-Man

Time to head back to reality..

Well, the holiday has come to an end.

After heading out for dinner last night and cleaning up $250 on the pokies, Big Boy, Carla & myself enjoyed a few beverages to celebrate a great week away.

Reality has just kicked in due to seeing and hearing about the weather in Melbourne being absolutely horrid and today being the pick of all the days here in Yeppoon (always the way!!)

The ocean is like a mill pond and wind is non existent. Never mind, I would have to say that the 3 others that I have spent the week with have made it so enjoyable and one that we have already discussed repeating again next year. Yeppoon is a great location for a Half Ironman Triathlon or just a week away in perfect conditions.

My stuff is packed and just about to cook up a storm with the left over food before we head to the Airport, back to COLD COLD Victoria.

There is one person that I have failed to thank on many occasions as he does a magnificent job getting me prepared for my races......As much as I hate him at the time for putting me through the pain, is Jason, my great mate and myotherapist. The pain of the treatment and the following day is something that I am getting used to, although my pain tolerance is minimal!!! So thanks Jas, as once again you have prepared me a treat for this race as you have for all previous races.

I will endeavour to find a picture of his ugly mug to post here, however if treatment is needed, he is someone that I recommend.

For now...

X-Man

The Race Report....

I will do this report is two parts.....The first will be before I saw the overall results and the second after I saw the results.

The short bit:

Swim: 36.07 - poor, into a strong current, hoping to still go 32ish after I heard the leading "open" swam 27.

Bike: 2hr 21min 41 sec, wanted to break 2hr 20min, so was reasonably happy with this time.

Run: 1hr 38min 50sec, legs were tired, so was happy as I felt like I held form for the entire run and didn't feel like I tired towards the end.

Overall: 4hr 36min 39sec. Wasn't what I wanted, however only 1 minute slower than last year with a 7 minute slower swim.

The long bit:

You all know the jargon, so won't bore you with it, only the bits that stick to mind.

Standing at the start, the announcer informed us that the first swimmer was out of the water in 27min, 3-4 minutes slower than expected. Was going to be a tough swim for me. They tried to tell us that it was current assisted....NO chance.

So another panic attack for me 400m into the swim and had to stop to gather myself....why does this continue to happen?? An answer that I am going to have to search for.

Getting through the swim was my goal after this, standing to see my watch 35min and still the run up to the transition meant a slow day for me.

Mounting my bike, legs felt good, did the usual hard first hour than settled back into a comfortable rhythm. Catching a lot of the swimmers as per usual saw myself towing a pack of riders as normal around the course. My nutrition plan was not perfect but still was happy with the bike.

At the start of the run, pulling out actually crossed my mind, for the first time!!! Was in a world of hurt, and was unsure how long I would be able to run for. Just get through one lap and see how I feel. So after 1 lap, legs felt alright and I continued on my merry way. The one thing different this race compared to others was that not many people ran passed me, still the pure runners did, however after the first lap, they were few and far between. I actually thought that I was having a good day on the run, even though my legs started telling me different stories.

Maybe the two snakes I saw soaking up the rays on the path persuaded me to get a wriggle on (pardon the pun!!) and avoid the fangs.

Crossing the line, I was happy with my time and considering the tough conditions, thought that I might have just broken into the top 50, but was unsure. Straight into the pool to wait for the others.

Now, report after the results shown:

Swim, still poor 23rd in age, 125th overall

Ride, fantastic, 1st in age, 9th overall!!!

Run, great 10th in age, 79th overall

Overall, 6th in age, 35th overall.

It is funny to reflect on your race once you see the comparative results of the others. Instead of losing 15-17 min on the run, I only lost 8 min to the age group winner. So my running is progressing and my bike has stabilised, just need to work on my swim starts in open water. Maybe some expert advice is needed to overcome this fear.

Anyway, a few beers with Big Boy (4th in his age) made the afternoon very enjoyable. Justin in his first half for a number of years finished 21st in his age and Carla finished 2nd in her age. A great results had by all.

A small swim and a few more beers this afternoon will cap off a great time away in the sun.

Then back to serious training for Ironman WA.

For now...

X-Man