Sunshine Coast Half Ironman Race Report.
Few years ago I raced here at Mooloolaba and I loved the race and thought why not have another go. Looking for something post Alcatraz to do to keep me fit.
I arrived on the Thursday to Sun, surf and warm weather. Once I arrived at the hotel checked in and got to my room. I unpacked the bike and went food shopping followed by a dip in the ocean. The following morning I headed out on the bike for bike check followed by a little run off the bike.
The rest of the day I registered did the expo tent chilled out and finished a book I had been reading. Saturday morning I went out for a little run down to the breakwater and back. Prepared my bike and checked it in. Rest of the day again chilled out.
Sunday morning race day, rain, lots of it. I made my way down to transition where there was basically a river running right through the middle of the carpark. I setup my area and kept the tyre pressures to 105 PSI instead of 120 PSI.
The Swim was fairly flat but still had a little roll to it, nothing major. As I came out of the water I heard Peter Murry call out my name and give me a high 5 on the way into transition. I got my wetsuit off, helmet on grabbed the bike and left transition. I got my self sorted out, shoes strapped on, down in aero and out on the highway we went, 2 laps in the wet, it was still warm and there was a little wind. My plan was to keep the black stuff down (tyres) the 2 lap course was uneventful but everything was wet. I re-racked my bike on with the shoes and socks (both wet) helmet off and out for the run we go. The rain had gone away and the sun made an appearance this dried us out. The sad part is the run is a 2 x 10km course you come back and you see the finish line only to do another 10km.
I finished the run crossed the line, collected my medal and towel got a finish photo taken and the right on queue the rain came down in buckets, I grab my gear back from the bag area (also wet). Got my bike, etc and made my way back to the hotel. As I was walking back I took off my runners which this was their last race and through them into the first bin and walked back in just my socks.
After a long hot shower and got the washing machine going, (lots to wash and dry as I was flying home the next day). Few beers, TV pack the bike before dinner.
On a side note, the saddle on my bike was still wet when I got home the next day.
Time 6:33:28
Swim 39:58
T1 4:14
Bike 2:59:01
T2 5:30
Run 2:44:42
