Friday, March 29, 2013

Ironman Melbourne Race Report

Well race day has come and gone. Just like most people mine was full of up and downs with mine ending in the ultimate down of sitting on the side of the road waiting for the Sag Wagon. This was thanks to me popping my 5th lumbar out in my back and my Tensor Fascia Lata tightening up. Not the way I had planned for it to go but thats racing.
Happy to be on land.

Was fairly excited on hearing news that the swim had been shortened. I had a shocker in the water just couldn't get going. I have done plenty of training in those conditions but when you add 2200 others with a lot not experienced in them it makes for one hell of a swim when your towards the back. had people swimming over the top of me all the way out to the turn buoy. The turn buoy it self was a shocker 180 degree u bolt around a single buoy mixed with all those athletes meant you were stopped and dealing with head on swimmers. A large number of athletes just turned around early. there were a couple of different options race organizers could of done to help stop this issue around the turn buoy but it is what it is and you deal with what your giving on race day.
Before things went pear shaped.

Got out of the water and made up a bit of time duck diving and running on the beach. Got though transition and on to the bike and felt good straight away. I have had a few (BIG) issues with pacing before so was pleased I was able to keep it under control in the head wind on the way out. Had about 30 people drafting me at one stage in the head wind. The tail wind section was great just cruising back down the freeway was fun, a few people tried to hang on but they didn't last long. Went though the first lap in 2;25 which was right on target and watts on target too. Got to around the 110km mark and started to have some issues with my lower back and hip on the left side of my body then a few KM later had the pains started to shoot down my leg, stopped a few times trying to stretch it out with no luck. tried to limp my way back to T2 but body wasn't going to let me and had to get a TO to help me off my bike. spent a fair bit of time crying on the side of the road while I waited 2.5hrs to get picked up by the sage wagon.

Here is a link to my SRM file on training peaks for anyone interested
http://www.trainingpeaks.com/av/2AKVJZYCFML2E35G6H42R3253Y

I would like to give a big thanks to my Mum and Dad for being there on race day, my GF Dani for putting up with me through all the training and all the support from random supporters out on course. To all the volunteers and race officials thank you because with out you there is simply no race.

It was a shit way to finish the day was really looking to finish and get another long race in my legs before PM Zofingen this year. About the only positive to come from it is that I didn't go deep at all so will be starting my prep a lot fresher and sooner. This is not the first time I've had hip issues on the bike so may need to go back to the drawing board there. Time to move on and except what happened. Plenty of work to be done before Zofingen included starting to shift my strength to make me a more rounded athlete.

Until next time
Hopper

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Time To Go Race!!!

Well the Ironman circus has hit the town. Its now 3 sleeps till race day and that means one thing, I’ve got more energy than I know what to do with thanks to taping for the last 10 or so days. The body is starting to come good and I’m as ready as I can be to step into the unknown for me.

Since Geelong Ive been able to string together a fairly solid block of training. Things haven’t always gone to plan or been the greatest block but its been honest. I’ve blown up on many occasions for a number of different reasons but every time its happened I’ve looked at why/how it happened and made changes to try stop it happen again. I have to give a big thanks Xavier Coppock, Ben Hughes, Ben Robinson, Kane Roach, Adam McCarthy, Adrian Brunato, Clayton Stairmand, Damo Harris, Jerome Peyton, Tom and anyone else who I have been able to train with in the lead up to this race. I have to give an even bigger thanks to Xavier for helping me keep on track and passing on some of his endless knowledge.

I have had a few different goals I have wanted to get through this experience. Some I will not know if I have achieved till after I cross the finish line but there are a few I have already achieved. The big one is that I’ve continued to learn and gain more experience in how I need to train and prepare for Long distance multi sport races. the first one is that I’ve been able to maintain some type of fitness and focus in my training so I’m in a good position to start my prep for Powerman Zofingen. 

Moving forward after Ironman Melbourne, theres a few different things that I’m starting to work on and plan which I’ll explain more after the dust has settled from Melbourne and things are finalized.

Finally Good luck to all the athletes racing IM Melbourne.

Until after race day
Hopper