Long time between drinks errr. Blogs

It’s been a little while since I last blogged, I’m going to break these up a bit into a few blogs.

Noosa 2015

After having some issues on the run at the IM Sunshine Half I was looking for a better event at Noosa. Noosa is such a fun event I love it that’s why I keep going back. I flew in on the Wednesday and after getting to the hotel and unable to check into my room it was time to help one of my swim buddies get her bike unpacked and ready to ride. After finishing this little job I headed back to my hotel which my room was ready and I unpacked my bike and got it ready to roll. Next job on the list was a quick shopping trip for supplies for the next few days. That afternoon the crew meet up at the Noosa Lifesaving Club for dip, that year was the first time the swim was off the main beach not in the river. A few of us dedicated to swim in our wetsuits. It was bloody hot in the water with our wetties but well worth the experience. That night we regrouped for a fed at the Lifesaving Club. While we were eating and having a drink a huge thunderstorm rolled in, 2^nd round of drinks were called for until storm passed. We then headed for ice creams and then off to bed. The following morning we headed out for a ride on the course, as headed out we got rained. It was very wet from the photo you can see the dirt from the road, once I got back to the hotel I took my shoes and socks off carried the bike over to the balcony and took a shower. After changing, refueling out came the baby wipes to clean the bike, newspaper to dry the shoes and wash my bike kit. That afternoon we had a little run through the National Park, I love the view long the path over looking for the rocks and the surf beaches always makes me happy. Friday saw another ride on the cards for the group my plan was to ride with a mate Michael or the group. Once Michael showed up we rode up to the top of Garmin hill and back again for Coffee. Later that morning the squad did another swim, Pam and I took it easy as we were doing one of the multisport other events the open water swim 1k.

After lunch I headed down to the expo, Tri Rego and Open Water Swim Rego. After picking up my gear I headed back to the hotel, changed and headed down for the swim. As you all know I love my open water swims and mine was the last wave to start. The first 500m felt ok, as I came out of the water around the beach M I felt good, the 2^nd 500m my felt strong, as I came to the finish line headed up the beach to the finish line. As I reached the finish mat I felt a very strong pain from my ankle and it really hurt to walk on it. After getting my gear I headed back to the hotel via the 7/11 for a bag of ice. My ankle had blown up like a balloon, this was not good. Once I got back to the hotel I put some ice on the ankle, it was hurting like hell. After icing for a bit  I took a shower, put my foot up and used a compression calf guard around my ankle. The following morning my ankle was not much better, I knew the group would be doing their standard warm up. I ice the ankle again and did a little roll on the bike to see how the ankle was holding up, sadly not good. I knew my race weekend was done. I headed back to the hotel and called the local Physio and went and saw him, after he worked on the ankle, taped it, etc. He told me should be fine in the morning. I headed back to the hotel to continue icing, compressing and elevating. At 3pm I had to make a call if I was going to race or not the bike had to be in transition by 4pm after trying a short walk I knew I was on the side line supporting. Sunday morning around 12:30am the fire alarm for the hotel went off. It was in a different building I tried to go back to sleep listening to an alarm and evacuate sounding, after about 15mins the whole site got the same alarm and evacuate sounding. I dragged my ass out of bed, changed grabbed a few things then headed to the door, like most others just as I opened the door the alarm stopped back to bed. Around 2am again I was woken up by the NZ vs AUS supports for the rugby world cup. Again I tried to get back to sleep, before a 5am get up and head down to the Tri to support the team. I handed back my timing belt and headed for the team tent. I spent the day support and enjoying the event. On the Monday and Tuesday I took it easy before heading back to Melbourne on Wednesday. I make an appointment with my Physio who took one look and said good job you have torn all 3 ligaments. He told me will take about 4 weeks before I could start running again. Still ongoing issues today but I will explain more as I go. 

Wet Ride Look

How to Dry Shoes

Post OWS Race Noosa - Ankle Rolled and Hurting

Noosa Support Crew

New Bike

Mid November I heard Giant Bikes had announced their new Trinity Range I went in and saw the guys at Giant Hampton and ordered a new bike. Dave told me my new ride would be around the week before Xmas, as I went out and purchased bits like new pedals, cassettes, DI2 Ant+ Senor, seat, etc. Dave and I spoke about swapped the bar tape from white to black and swapping the bars from straight to Ski Jump Bars and Stages Power Meter. I dropped pasted to see if there was any news and when they wanted me to drop my bits off and Dave said the box had arrived and can I bring my current bike down so he could measure me and the bike up. Saturday morning after the group ride I dropped past with parts and my current ride. The following Tuesday was the first test fit with pickup on Friday. Dave called on pickup day and said they had a issue to the front end and he was waiting to hear back from the Giant basically the Tri bars were loose and unable to be tightened. Knowing the guys were getting smashed being Xmas I stopped passed the bottle shop and got then some beers and chips. The Girls and Guys eyes light up, Dave said, I didn’t need to do that but I did being Xmas and they really look after me and  then he showed me the problem. Xmas week hoping like hell I would see my new ride Dave called me and said it was all sort I headed down Tuesday and collected the new Black Machine, only thing missing the Power Meter. On Wednesday I took my new ride out with group for it’s first ride to Frankston and back, I was in love. The handle bar hoods where a good 1” lower than a road bike or my old TT bike, very aggressive feeling. On the way home Dave called and said the power meter was in so I dropped in and the bike was complete. All I had to was put on my race wheels. Over Xmas and New Year period I took the new bike for some get to know you rides. The more I road it the more I loved it. The plan was to race Challenge Melbourne and then sell off the old TT. I remove the race wheels off the old bike and remove the cassette to add the new 11 speed cassette, sadly the cassette would not fit either my race wheels or disc. Again after a chat with Dave and him looking at the hubs he said it would be quicker and easier to machine out the back of the cassettes. So I left when my wheels and cassettes.

About to Start the Fitting

View of the Cockpit

Bit Too Serious? Yes but feels good

With Race Wheels on

Picking up the ride all Completed

GTS St Kilda 2016

Sadly my wheels where not ready for my warm up race at GTS St Kilda. My ankle and running was still not 100% from Noosa, I knew the swim and the bike would be fine, but I made the call to do a run/walk or either do 1 lap or not run at all. I got a prerace  massage on the calf and ankle area. In the race the new bike felt great, but during the run I could feel my calf tighten. I made the call on the first lap not to do the 2^nd lap. Bigger picture time focus on Challenge

New Bike in Transition

New Bike in Transition

Challenge Melbourne 2016

My swimming and biking was in good shape doing into Challenge but my running not so great. I knew that there would be walking in this event. Unlike last year the weather was much better than the previous 2 years. I picked up my race kit on Saturday and helped put up the team tent. I must say I was pretty disappointed with the lack of goods from the Challenge crew. A water bottle that had mould in it and Tritop that I won’t use, no cap/tshirt or event draw string bag just a plastic bag, they did say Hoody and Event bag in an email. Oh well. I lined up and the horn sounded and off we went, swimming down towards Sandringham and bag again to green point. The swim was fairly flat did have a little role to it nothing too serious I could see that I had passed some of the slower swimmers in other waves, once I got back to T1 off with the wetsuit on with the helmet and out I headed for 3 laps. Tri Buddy of mine Izzy and I play leap frog on bike course I felt really good on the bike and quick. When I got back to Brighton the big test, the run. 21km on an Ankle that was not great. As I headed down towards Sandringham I knew the run would be not great. I found that beach trails where an issue but flat concrete areas not bad but not great. The first lap not magic not great but got found walk / run worked best. On the 2^nd lap coming through by Jetty Rd I came to Bayside Tri Club’s Aid Station and Jenny (follow Tech Official) said to me what can I get you. My answer was new set of legs. I finished the race not one of my better races but I finished.

I went back to my Physio and saw a Podiatrist between us all we  worked out due to my Zoot runners I had end up with Achilles Tendonitis, changed the runners and stretched things are coming good, but slowly very slowly. The Zoot which I love have no heal raise and cause my Achilles to over work due the lack of ligaments in my ankle.  So after change shoes and lots and lots of stretching things are coming good. Still not as fast as I was but getting there.

Overall time 6 Hrs 27mins 15secs

Heading South on the Bike

On the Run

Done and Dusted

Surf Coast Half Marathon 2016

Next Michelle (Girl Friend) and I signed up for a Half Marathon Trail Run, called the Surf Coast Half Marathon few weeks out of the event Michelle tweaked her back and she had to with draw, but considering had a good base I kept the training up and completed the event one of the Hardest Half Marathon’s ever.

The Time?

2Hrs 43mins 37s

The racing briefing was one of the funniest I have ever heard, it went something like this, “that is the ocean keep it left at all times, run that way (pointing down the beach) and look after each other and have fun” Short simple and to the point. Michelle followed me down the course and meet me at places. Something different and I enjoyed the different challenge. Certainly the hardest Half Marathon I have ever done, the scenery was awesome must go again event.

Running along the cliff top

Running along the Beach

Next Michelle raced Noosa per first Olympic Distance and I did swim for team, but Noosa put our relationship to the test and sadly after coming home we went our separate ways.

Over the summer I did the following Open Water Swims

Mentone 2.5km

Point Leo 2.5km
Pier to Pub
Cerberus 2.5km and 1.4km
St Kilda Mile Swim (2 mile)

Long with our Mentone Woodducks swims

GTS St Kilda 2017

Next came St Kilda Olympic which was the day after Pier to Pub, man it was a hot night and hot few days. The race was a test to see how I would go, sadly my run let me down but was like 36c with strong Northerly Winds, but 20 minutes after the event the wind turned Southerly and temperate dropped. Over all I felt good in the swim and on the bike the run just cooked me.

Swim Exit

Out on the bike

Lets do this run in the heat

Almost Home, just a few meters to go

The Times?

Swim 36 mins 55 secs
T1 3 mins 43 secs
Bike 3 hrs 11 mins 07 secs
T2 4 mins 15 secs
Run 2 hrs 35 mins 04 secs
Overall 3 Hrs 5  mins 25 secs

Open Water Swims; St Kilda Mile Swim; Mentone 2.5KM and Point Leo

Sorry guys, I owe you a few races reports for St Kilda Mile Swim; Mentone 2.5KM and Point Leo.

Day 1 St Kilda Mile Swim.

Just a little warm up swim. The plan was quick ride and then a swim. Well let me say the first 50km on the bike was great then we hit the North winds on the way home. The second 50km was hard work. After the ride I grab my new Blueseventy Helex wetsuit and headed up to St Kilda. I caught up with Amy, Leanne, Sharyon, Mary, Sharon, Suzie and Chris.

Pre Race Pic

 

After picking up our rego kits we changed dropped our bags off and headed down the beach to the swim start. The day was warm I couldn’t wait to get into the water to cool off.

After a warm up swim the 2 waves lined up and off we went. The washing machine of bodies, arms and legs as we headed out to the first turn buoy and then up towards the St Kilda pier. Along this leg there were a heap of Jelly Fish along with head wind/swell, during the leg I managed to pass many other competitors. At the final buoy I turned for home and swam into shore, as I found the sand I did a few dolphin dives and pulled myself out of the water and run up the beach and over the line.

My final time was 25 Min 56  Secs

Off we go

Me at the finish line

Post Race Pic

Day 2 Mentone Swim Classic

After racing yesterday I grabbed my other wetsuit and headed down to Mentone for the first of the Great Victorian Swim Series. First off I picked up Great Vic Swim Pack followed by my Race Kit. After picking up my Race Kit and caught up with Nicole (aka Aqua Girl) and Pete who runs Swimwell Open Water Swims. Due to the long rego lines the swim start was pushed back. During this time the wind started to move from North East to Southerly and the swell started to pickup, it didn’t worry me too much. During the standing around  at the start line I caught up with Pete, Sally, Paul and Megan from the Mentone Swim Squad which I swim with and Nicole from various Swims and Tri as well as Pete from Swellwell who was running the bag drop. We wish each other good luck and off we wonder out to deep water as this race was a deep water start.  We all lined up and the horn sound and off we went. Up the bay we swam, I swam over a few peeps and found clear water and got into a stroke rhythm. I remember seeing the Life Saving Club on my left which was approx 1/3 way through the race. As we got further up the bay I saw a purple buoy I thought this was my turn can, but in truth there was some another 500m to go before the turn buoys.  As turn around these buoys to head towards the final buoy before hitting the beach. At this point I had passed another swimmer but she sat right on my hip, but as the swell had really picked up she got pushed on top of me. I increased my stroke rate to gain a few meters on her. At this point the usually quite Mentone Beach turned into surf beach. Everyone still swimming was getting dumped in the waves that where breaking. However I felt comfortable in these conditions made it to the final buoy body surfed in and run over the line.

It was one of the toughest swim long distance swims in my life but I had fun.

My Final time was 51 Min 44 Secs

View from Mentone Life Saving Club

Surf Beach anyone?

Point Leo Swim – Boxing Day

I have never done this swim, but thought it would be something different and in addition it was true open water not what like in the bay but in the ocean and at a true surf beach. This event is a 1.2KM swim smaller than the other two, but still none less different. Box Day in Melbourne was not a warm sunny day by any means. It was windy from the South and cooler than the previous few days. It was halfway point for our Tri Clubs Hell Week. There was no way I could get a ride/run/swim done before having to be at Point Leo for 1pm start, so I did put in a short run from home first. On the way down to Point Leo it start to rain and I mean rain. The car reported the t temperature to be 12c and I would feel the wind pushing on the car on the trip down. Once I got off the freeway and on the back roads to Point Leo, the sun came out the wind seem to drop away a bit and the temperature to 16c.  When I got to Point Leo I parked and headed down to the registration area picked up my race kit and checked out the scene, The Swell was up there it was going to be some fun times in the water. I watched one of the Nipper Races and then went back to the car to drop off the free T-Shirt, etc and grab my Wetsuit, goggles, etc. I still had time to kill so I found a nice quite spot on the grass in front of the café and had a little kip. Before heading back down to the Life Saving Club to change and head down to the water.

View of Point Leo - where is my surf board?

When I got down to the beach zipped up my wetsuit and I jumped straight in for a warm up swim. The first thing I noticed was the swell, it reminded me of Mentone, but this was going was fun. You had to dive under the breaking swell/waves so not to get dump back towards the beach. I got some 200m without too much effort and then swam back in and body surfed into the shore. They, the Life Saving Club, ask us all to come to the race briefing due to the conditions. I could feel my heads getting cold from the wind and them being wet. Thank god I had my full sleeve wetsuit on. It made all the difference.

The first wave went off and I went in again for another warm up swim. When I came out I saw Nicole and said hi and good luck. We where both in the same wave, we lined up and waited for the gun (shotgun) to go off and out we headed. I swallowed some of the ocean and found it really hard out to the first two buoys, but once turned  to head up the beach I felt a push. I swam up the buoy at the top of the beach turned again and headed back to the final turn buoy. Everyone basically turned into the beach and had to run approx 250m along the beach to the finish line.  I felt the waves pulling me back as they were about to break so I backed off then push/surfed as they broke into the beach followed by a sprint up the beach to the finish line.

My Final time was 22 Min 32 Secs and I had a blast.