Challenge Melbourne 2018 Race Report

140 days since I last raced. After Busso I took some time off. My body was done; 3 Half Ironmans, Half Marathon’s, bunch of fun runs and all the training to complete 2017 Race Goals.  I did some open water swims and I left my wetsuit and home. I enjoyed riding my new Roadie, I slept in, I smelt the roses as they say.

In February Fat December and January was over time to get serious for Alcatraz. Brick Sessions where back I started to run again. I always had in the back of my mind to do another Tri before the Summer Race Session was over. Challenge Sprint was in my thoughts but I wanted to wait to see what the weather would be like. 3 weeks out was not looking good, 2 weeks better but still not great. 10 days out perfect, 7 days out a cracker. So I registered, this was going to be interesting. The day before the race I did little training session, road to Mordy and quick run off the bike. I jumped into the Bay at Half Moon and swam out to the yellow pole and back.  I charged the bike, and started finding all the Tri gear. It all got washed and put away. Race Belts, caps, Trisuit, etc.

Race morning I showed up and went to rack my bike and I had forgotten to put my wrist ID on which I fixed quickly. Rookie mistake but I hadn’t raced in a while. It was cool but no wind; those of us racing the sprint went down and watched the Half guys come out of the swim before we headed back change and got ourselves ready.

We went down to the swim started did a warm up and lined up. The Horn went off and way we went. I felt good and strong as I came out of the water I was right next to Michelle my EX. I said hello and got where the F did you come from (apparently 2 mins behind according to the wave start)

I ran into T1 got the wetsuit off, Helmet on grabbed the bike and run out of T1. After mounting my bike it was time to ride. The bike course was crazy, lots of drafting and very very fast. I came back to T2 felt good, now the run. The run while ok was not great. Reviewing the data was very happy with the bike my fastest average ever. For the record my next best was Busso.  

Happy to do a race, happy to complete it as a warm up.

Setup Ready Roll

TA Crew ready to race

Looking the goods

Almost home

Done, glad to race again

Supporting with the crew

Time    1:58:39

Swim     0:12:28

T1           0:02:40
Bike       0:55:17
T2           0:03:08
Run        1:58:39

Ride for Home Event Report

This is the second time I have done this event and this year saw me try and beat the time I set last year. This year I changed a few things, swapped from my road bike to the my TT bike, used my race wheels, got myself a Chronosuit and Aero Helmet. Yeap I was going to give this a serious hit out this year.

The weather was the only bit that was of some concern a storm was due, checking the weather when I got up rain had come through and second band would miss the course, great should be fine.

I arrived at the start line and we watched the rest of the teams take off, then it was our turn. I rolled up with some 60 other riders given then off we went, lots hit the gas earlier for a quick start, me I started off slow and built and built up speed. I started to pass people I was almost at the front, some 10-15 rides.

Me at the start line

The TT was quick, I felt good and I pushed, the Garmin data showed so the first half of the event was an average of 44.5km per hour with a top speed of 54km. You know you’re having a good day that when you’re in top gear and you’re out of gears and still have more in me to give.

Low level flying

At the half way point I checked the Garmin and I was 52mins in, yeap at this speed sub 2 hours was possible, but then the weather changed rain and cross winds. Nothing worse than riding a TT with an aero helmet with cross windows. Knowing what plans laid ahead for my summer season I backed the pace off. No need to have a big crash and kill off a race season. As wind let up and I would push, but the whole ride back was with cross winds but that’s life.

I finished the event I controlled what I could control and didn’t let what I couldn’t control (the weather) stress me out. I didn’t go sub 2 hours, but I finished without a trashed bike or a broken me.

Ride almost over

Belated Melbourne Marathon Report and Noosa thoughts

As I sit here in Noosa getting ready for the Triathlon this weekend I thought I would type a race report for the Melbourne Marathon.

The Melbourne Marathon was always going to be a B race and a good lead in to Noosa.

The morning was chilly but would warm up quickly so T-Shirt, Shorts and light arm warmers where called for. With over 30,000 people racing my running buddy Ellie and I headed in early and found a park around the Tan on Anderson Street hill. Approx 15mins walk to the start line. So we headed off on the way a quick bath room break along the Yarra, I always hate queuing for the Portaloo’s  let along the smell.

We got to the start line did a warm up and stretch and waited to go.  I looked at the course map the night before but I must say it didn’t give a good layout of the course just the start and the finish any with this in mind I became a sheep, just follow everyone else.

As we started it was the typical walk for a bit before you could get really running once I held a pace that I felt good about and let the rest “run off” I’ve always had a problem of running out too quickly then paying for it. Over the last few runs I’ve been better that fixing that mainly due to Mr Garmin.

We headed up from Rod Laver Arena towards Flinders Street and down to St Kilda Rd and around the Arts Centre back under St Kilda road up around the Tan back to St Kilda up to Fed Square and out the walk way to the MGC. Down and loop around and up along Bunton Avenue to the  turn around then back to the MGC and then on to do an almost lap of the MGC to the finish.  As I came around towards the finish I heard from the grand stands someone yell out “Go Simon”, later on I found it was Narelle one of the TA team mates waiting for Hubby to finish the full Marathon.

The race was solid not super fast, I was happy with my time of 56:48.

8km heading toward the MCG

On the MCG near the finish line

The next week saw me come down with a head cold so I took the week off and the following week did a little ride with the group on the TT with a run off the bike which was the not the greatest as I was still a bit sick. So kept it simple and didn’t over do it for the week. Last weekend saw the last full hit out. A few of us headed sound to Safety Beach for a Ride/Run/Swim training session, Ride was to Portsea and back followed by a run off the bike then a Open Water Swim. The session felt great the water was cold but once going was good to get an open water swim in.

Safety Beach Training Camp

Bike Turn around at Portsea Race Bike ready to go to Noosa

"The Players" post open water swim

TT was  packed up the bike into it’s case ready for the trip up north. So I passed bike packing 101.

So yesterday we got to the Airport bags checked in, bike checked in and the plane with 9 other TA crew for up to the Sunshine coast.  When we arrived and while waiting for the bags to come off the JetStar flight came in with another bunch of the TA crew. Our bus driver said that in the Virgin flight there were some 18 bikes and we know another 45 on the Jetstar flight. So it’s going to be a big weekend.

Once I arrived my first thing was to check out the bike I didn’t want any surprises. The bike had arrived in one bit no damage, so the bike was re-assembled. I had officially now passed Bike flight 101 and Bike re-assembly 101. Thanks to Coach Emma for some tips.

Bike back together in one bit

Coach Sarah had sent out a training program for us. Yesterday was swam the swim course (non-wettie) and it felt great water was not cold, but you could not see too much, but I felt good in the water.

Today’s plan is for a ride over the course and this afternoon a run. The ride was great the course is interesting but the ride felt good. I feeling good about the weekend I have only two goals for this weekend. 1 to finish and 2, to have a good time. So far the trip is a blast the place I’m staying in, The Outrigger Noosa, has been built right in the middle of the National Park with great views.

 

Bags Packed and waiting to head to the Airport

View from my room

Awhile between drinks

It’s been awhile since I last blogged but I have been very busy training, getting ready for my next competitive outings.

To keep it simple here is list of what I will cover in this entry

- My Foot Plantar Fasciitis which really onset from the Sandy Half Point
- Joining Tri Alliance
- Purchase of a TT bike
- Century Ride
- The Cycling Cerebellums
- Next events

My Foot - After running around 7km with Plantar Fasciitis I have not done a lot of running instead spending a lot of time on the bike and in the pool. This is not a bad thing, I needed to get my ass back into the pool anyway. After some 9 weeks away from the pool I have managed to get my swim times down to around 1:51min – 1:55min per 100m or around 22m per 1.2KM. These times have been tested in both 20m pool near where I work and 50m pool at MSAC (Melbourne Sports Aquatic Centre) in South Melb. Back to the foot, I have found that cycle is great for those with Plantar issues as it’s a good way to stretch out the calf muscle, I seem to have less pain after cycling. In addition I found some other products to help with Plantar problems 1. Strassburg sock and 2. Arch Supports. In additional with trips to the Myotherapist who has been working on my back also has included some treatment on my calf’s including dry needling in my lower back & calf’s, along with stretching/self massaging. I’ve been keeping the running to once a week at the moment while I try and get on top of the Plantar issues. So no running events in Septemeber / October.

Tri Alliance – I joined these guys after checking out Tri Club’s in the Bayside area of Melbourne. I must say after doing a few training rides and runs along with team meeting it feels like the right choice – friendly, sportive, fun and great team morale. My main goal this year is to improve my open water swimming, hence the coaching. Thanks to Sarah who showed me how to mount/dismount the bike while leaving the shoes on the bike.

TT Bike – I got this baby cheap, a Fuji Aloha 2.0 ’09 TT bike. When I say cheap brand new at quarter of the full price. Might not be the top of line such as a Cervelo but the price was right and runs the same gear set as my Giant. I have taken it out for a little spin and needs a little more setup but I’m happy with it.

Specification

• Sizes 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm
• Color(s) White/Aqua Blue
• Main frame Fuji Altair 2 alloy custom butted and aero shaped, Integrated Head Tube, Double water bottle mounts
• Rear triangle Fuji Altair 2 alloy butted aero seat stays with shaped ride tuned chainstay, Fuji forged road dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger
• Fork FC-770 Fuji Bonded Aero Carbon w/1 1/8" Al Steerer
• Crankset FSA Gossamer MegaExo w/ Integrated Spindle, 34/50T Chainring
• Bottom bracket FSA MegaExo exterior bearing system
• Pedals Nil
• Front derailleur Shimano Tiagra, Braze-on
• Rear derailleur Shimano 105
• Shifters Shimano SL-BS77, 18-speed Thumb shifter
• Cassette Sunrace CSR94-9AQ, 11-25T 9-speed
• Chain KMC HG-73, 9-Speed
• Front hub Formula Alloy Road, 32H
• Rear hub Formula Alloy Cassette Road, 9-speed, 32H
• Spokes 14G Stainless Steel
• Rims Jalco DRX-3000 DS 30mm Double Wall Al, 700c clincher
• Tires Continental UltraSport, 700 x 23
• Tubes CST presta
• Brake set Tektro R-520 Dual Pivot w/Cartridge pads
• Brake levers Tektro RX4.1 Tri
• Headset Tange IS-24, 1 1/8" Integrated Road, with convex hollow alloy 25mm spacer
• Handlebar Profile Design T2 base
• Aero Bar Profile Design T2 Alloy Clip On
• Stem Fuji ProLite Forged Road, 1 1/8" threadless, +/-6 Degree
• Tape/grip Fuji custom cork wrap
• Saddle Fuji Custom Comfort TRI
• Seat post Fuji Superlite Carbon Micro Adjust,300mm
• Seat clamp Allen nut
• Other 7075 alloy water bottle bolts
• Weight, lb./kg. 21.41 / 9.73

 Century Ride – Yesterday saw me complete my first century ride. With a group ride with Tri Alliance from North Road Brighton to Two Bay’s Road Frankston and back with addition from home to North Road and return saw a day of first. First century ride and first time to Two Bays Rd. Few in our group had never done this route before. I have previously ridden up Olivers Hill but not up Humphries Road.

The Cycling Cerebellums – A good friend from Sydney Barbara and her Friend Elissa, plus friends will cycle from Penrith to Melbourne in 2012 to raise money for The Children's Hospital at Westmead, "Commercial Travellers Ward”. I will be joining this ride for a great cause as they come into Melbourne.

  

Next Events – Next weekend see me do my first duathlon which I have never done before and really looking forward to. Should be a good warm up for Tri season. Then 2 weeks later it’s ride around the bay – another century ride then in November Hanover down Eastlink freeway followed by the first of seven races! Yes it's Tri of the season! So busy times ahead.

Next week I’ll post race report for the Duathlon.