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

Mission Accomplished Challenge Melbourne Race Report

 Challenge has been 12 months in the making. Standing around either watching or being a Technical Official with a broken toe I needed a long term goal. Challenge Melbourne was it, I registered and typically forgot about. After running Run Melbourne  and having some 4-5 weeks away from sports with cold and running a Half Marathon with it, maybe not the best idea. I then suffered some Professional and Personal Challenges. These took a total on my training and racing but I still went on. I raced Sri Chinmoy and went to do Sandy Half and fell sick the Thursday before the race. So I signed up for my 4^th Half the Mornington Half Marathon. While my race times where not great these were great build races. Something was not right, I loved the sports, but I couldn’t be stuffed.

After seeing a post on Facebook from a good Friend, Helen, I sent her an email and Helen followed it up phone call. We had a few long chats and got my mind and direction sorted. During this time our Club put a link about Sport and the Mental awareness hosted by Lakeside Sports Medicine. I went a long and it gave me a bit direction  and backed up what Helen and I worked on.

I was very disconnected from the squad doing my own thing. I would cross paths with some members of the squad, but I busy being a quite achiever and feeling good about me doing my thing.

I went down to Hazelwood and did the Sprint I got 3^rd in my Age Group, I went to Noosa took 6mins 30secs off last year. Things were looking good, after Noosa start the build for Challenge the work load is high, very high. I showed up for my first Long Course (LC) ride, one of the coaches said, short course is at Elwood today this is Long Course. My response yeap know that. A Team, Dave said to me, “Simon have you grown a set of balls”. Yes was my response and this draw a few comments of good stuff, etc.

I signed up for a few open water swims, and then there was Hell Week. I kept pace with the fast crew, but got dropped. My run speed finally came back, my swim was quick. I was feeling very happy with myself after racing Gatorade Tri in January I knew everything was on track.

Shit got real when the race pack arrived in the Post, but I was in taper town. Saturday morning before the event it was a little windy the group did a ride to Black Rock and back followed by a little run and ice the legs. I went home changed and came back to collect my Cap and T-Shirt and walk through transition to find my home.

Race Pack

Transition

My Rack Space

Saturday afternoon after preparing the bike I stayed at home, drank heaps of water and rested. I started to think should I swap my front race wheel for the factory wheel. I didn’t sleep much Saturday night, I woke up around 4am and checked out the iPad and before getting up and getting ready. When I got to the venue it was busy and windy. Normally I rack my bike by the seat, not today the wind was blowing bikes around everywhere. I setup my area and went to the team tent. I could feel the pre race nerves and I went for a walk to the Public Toilets, I knew the queues would be smaller than the Potaloos. I could see the bay was a washing machine the swim was not going to be easy. I went back to the team tent got started to get ready.

Race Bike Ready to Race

 When I got down to the swim start I went into the bay to test the conditions. It would be tough going out, on the 2 outward legs of the M shaped course, but the push back to the beach would be good. When I got out to listen to the race briefing the wind was not cold. Few teams came down to wish us luck.

When called up I made my way into the starters gate. The horn sounded and off we went, the waves where full on it seem to take forever to reach the first turning buoy and then coming in was very fast. I was passing other people in the waves who were not coping well in the swell. After coming back in I head to head out for the 2^nd half of the swim. Out at the deep water turning buoys I could feel it raining on back of my head. On well I’m in the water anyway was my thought. After turning and heading into the beach I used the waves as a bit of rest bite. I came out of the swim feeling beaten up, but relaxed, I run into transition got my wettie off and placed it over my shoes to keep the water out. I know it sounds strange a wet wetsuit over your shoes to keep it dry, but the wetsuit is inside out and it will keep them dryer if it rains. After the event we heard that Elwood Life Saving Club rescued some 68 or 92 from the water (reports differ on the number) and there were some 40+ who elected not swim, but had to wait for last person in the wave before they continued on.

Swim Start

 

After getting my helmet and sunglasses on I grabbed my bike and ran out to the mount line. I got on my bike peddled a bit and then sorted out my feet and shoes. I used the first half lap to work out where the wind was blowing and where I could push, where to be in aero and where not. About half way through the first 15kms the rain started. On my way back from Mordy was the quickest 15km segment over all. After the first 30kms it was sub 1hr. I thought to myself I can’t keep this pace up for the rest of the bike leg. After the 2^nd Lap I was sub 2 hours. The rain clear up and on my final 15km back from Mordy the sun came out. I was busting for a pee and stopped at a toilet. When I went to get back on my bike I couldn’t click in correctly. My cleats was full of mud. I had to stop and stamp my foot down a few times to clear the mud. I got going again I was clipped in correctly and I pushed home. I dismount and ran my bike back into Transition, rack it and took my helmet off. Took the wetsuit off my shoes on with socks and shoes and headed out.

On the bike in the wet

At the turn around in the wet

21km to go, I felt pretty good, but didn’t want to overdo it.  I need to pee again and at the first aid station was Hampton Life Saving Club with Public Toilets but both where in use and there was queue. I kept on going, as we moved from the beach to the tee tree a few male competitors where in the bush peeing. I joined them, problem solved. We headed along the beach path and down to the bottom of Jetty Road  and a little loop before heading back up Jetty Road to the bike path. Them some 2.5km back to finish area before doing another loop. The second loop was uneventful, but I could feel my felt hamstring and glute tightening up. On the final lap around 2km from home coach Greg passed me and asked what lap I was on. When I said 3 he said hang on my tail and don’t drop off. About 500m in Greg said  looks like we might collect another 2. As we passed Mark and Rowdy Greg said hang on! They did, Greg said right here is the last aid station we will stop quickly grab a drink and run home. I did what I was told, but Mark and Rowdy dropped off. Greg kept me going until about 500m when he said he was going to bolt home keep going and sprint up the little hill and into the finish line. I tried, but I didn’t have much left.  I crossed the line, stopped the Garmin, got my finishers medal and towel. I took off my race time belt and handed it in. Greg was there I shook his hand and thanked him. We waited for Rowdy and Mark and then headed into the finishing area for some food and fluids.

On the run, getting hit with the surf on the breakwater

At the finish line

 

Took me a little time to process what I just had done. My First Half Ironman Distance, something I thought I would never do in my life. I went back to the team tent feel pretty good, I bumped into Ollie who ask how I went and I told him I got the job done.  There was a fair crew in the team tent and we got chatting, Roofie made the comment it’s the only race he was done with a 86.6% chance of drowning on the Swim, Bike or the run.  He was right but still I got it done.

There was so many people who I know from the Club and from Triathlon in general  not only where the conditions bad for those that race, but for those supporting. I thank you all for your support not only on the journey but on the course as well.

Mission Accomplished

My final time was 5 Hours 48 Mins and 35 Secs

Swim                     34m 25s

T1                           4m 05s

Bike                       2hrs 55mins 40sec

15km Splits                         29m 09s

30km Split                           27m 46s

45km Split                           28m 26s

60km Split                           29m 06s

75km Split                           29m 24s

90km Split                           31m 47s

T2                           3min 11s

Run                        2hrs 11mins 11s

3.5km   Split                        20m 13s

7..0km  Split                        21m 53s

10.5km Split                        20m 55s

14.0km Split                        23m 24s

17.5km Split                        22m 03s

21.0km Split                        22m 42s

So far my recovery has been pretty good, post race massage and taking it easy, lot less volume. Will I do another Half, yeap you bet.

Back next year

Noosa 2014 Race Report

Not sure where to start with this one, it’s being a tough year. From broken toes to person and work challenges. This race had mixed emotions and started when I arrived at the airport, did my bag check in and sat at the gate waiting for the chariot to arrive. As other team mates arrived we got chatting and I started to feel relaxed. One of the coaches and I watched as the bikes (and bags) where loaded on the plane knowing a good feeling that at least our bikes had made the flight. As we started board they scanned my gate pass and said we have a problem with your seat. OMG my heart stopped, only to be told I had been moved to a Emergency Row Seat at no extra charge. Start breathing again. I found my seat and we pushed back once in the air I turned on my iPod and basically went to sleep. When I woke it the flight was almost over, we touched down and then started the crazy bit of collecting 2 bags and finding the shuttle bus for the trip to the Hotel.

The Chariot awaits

Just one or two bikes for the plane trip

 

After checking in and getting to my room job 1 was to unpack the bike and make sure it arrived ok with damage. Once the bike was sorted time to head down to the shops for some supplies and late lunch. By the time I completed this task it was time to change and head down for the first of 2 swim practices around the course. After about 500m I noticed that sea lice had eaten me and everyone else in our group. We pushed through the swim and after checking my Garmin at the end of swim I was happy with the pace, training with Anna over winter had paid off.  The following morning we meet up for the first of the rides. From Facebook a lot of bikes had not arrived. Basically it seemed you needed to check in 1 earlier and 2 Jetstar seemed to be the problem not Virgin.

Time to put the bike together

Afternoon Dip

Sunset in Noosa

The ride felt good to be on the bike back in the sun without 20 layers of winter clothing on. We headed out and up Garmin hill and out along the highway to the turnaround point then back into town and back to the Hotel followed by a little 5km run off the bike. The run was hot and hard. The rest of the day I just lazed the day away.

 

Course Ride

Friday morning was another ride up to top of Garmin hill and back into town lots of fast pace and swim in the afternoon. During the day I helped out putting up the tent and did the whole expo bit and picked up my race pack from rego. The swim in the afternoon felt good and the sea lice did not make an appearance and was a chance for me to try out the Trisuit before Sundays race.

Tent Building

Race day home

Expo

Swim number 2

 Saturday we did our standard warm up, team pic, ride over the run course little run off the bike followed by a swim. The run surprised me a little I did a 4:45 1km effort – fast for me. It was warm so a dip was needed. Ollie then gave his race day prep talk and do and don’ts of Noosa Tri. Mid afternoon I took my bike down to transition racked it, dropped the air out of the tyres and head back to the Hotel to arrange my race gear and early night.

Team Pic

 

Dude where's my bike?

Ahhh theres my bike

I didn’t really sleep well the night before not sure why, just didn’t. I got up had some breakfast rechecked all my gear and started the walk down to transition. The queue to get in was a mile long. Not only did you need you helmet on but your timing chip. New for this year. After a good 20min waiting in line got in to transition with some 15mins left before closing time. I checked everything I could, tyres pumped up food and drink on board, shoes clipped in, helmet, run shoes, race belt all on the towel ready to go. The exit out of transition was worse than getting in. The Officials made a call to let us out of the entrance into transition which I took and headed straight to the team tent.

With a close of transition at 6:00am and my wave start 6:48am I was not coming back to the Hotel. I made it to the tent dropped my bag off and headed straight to the bath room. I did what was needed and headed back to the tent and applied sun cream and got ready. Around 6:30 headed over to swim start with a few others. On the way we saw the Pro Men headed out on the bike, they were fast, very fast. As soon as I got to the swim start I dived straight in for my warm up swim then lined up waiting for my wave start. You could feel the current pulling along the start line, but around the back and up to the half way mark would be a push.

The horn sound go time, I swam, I pushed hard, swimmers over the top of me, me over the top of others felt good, felt fun, I was having a ball. I found clear water and started to push. At the final turn your could feel the current change from a push to a pull. We headed for home and passing slower swimmers from previous waves.  I ran out of the water feeling good and relaxed. I ran through transition to my row grabbed my bike and ran out, I mounted my bike and started to ride out of town.

 

Exiting the Swim

I heard the raw from TA Crew on the way through. At this point I had the feet in the shoes, but my strapped up, I spent the new few hundred meters getting my shoes strapped up, tucked into aero and powered on. Through the various roundabouts and speed/crossings until we got out on the highway. I started to prep myself for the climb up Garmin hill, taking other fluids and food on board then started the climb, 14 turns. I’m not a hill climber never have been but I felt ok. Once back on the highway back into aero and speed time. I was feeling speedy all the way out to the turn around and back to the top the hill. I have improved my down hill speeds, but still not wanted to come off I still gave respect to the hill so I sat up and controlled my speed until it leveledout then back into aero and heading back into town. As I came back around the final roundabout I unstrapped my shoes in readiness to get my feet out for the dismount.  This year the dismount line was before the final roundabout after a nice quick clean dismount I ran back into transition re-raked my bike and put on my socks and runners and run out.

Heading out of town

Out on the Highway

I was not feeling the best in the tummy department, I felt my I may want to throw up. I ran out past the team tent again and head out through the first aid station after a bit of water both on board and a hose down I felt ok and pushed on. At the second aid station I needed to pee, badly, thank god for portaloos. I felt lighter and faster afterwards I kept working my may through aid stations with a sip or two of water  and a couple of cups over my head. Once we entered the keys there was residents where out with hoses to keep us cool and keep us going. At the final turn about 1.5km from the finish line it was time to be strong and run home, making sure that the Trisuit was zipped out so that our beloved Coach Greg (aka Zoolander) didn’t have new martial for the awards night. I heard cheers as I passed the tent on the way home to the finish line.

Race Done - Party time.

 

I run over the line feeling pretty good. At first I didn’t look at my watch for the final time. I went through the showers and into the athletes recovery area got something to eat and drink or two before heading back to the team tent. When I got back I put on a t-shirt and topped up the sun cream and  grabbed a beer and support other team mates home. During this time I look at my watch and noticed at least a 2min PB.

It was not until later that after that afternoon back in the hotel the swim coach, Anna, txt’d me to see how I went. I started to break down the times of the race vs previous years. That’s when I found out I had scored a 6min 34sec PB from last years race. To say I was over the moon was an understatement. My final time was 2hrs 52mins 04secs  Later that night we had a team after party complete with a Tri Cake.

Beer well earned

Tri Cake Anyone?