Bike Porn and Sports Tracker for the Iphone

Some 14 months ago I purchased by first Road Bike a Giant Defy 1. Lately I have been thinking about upgrading the bike, so I have I am the proud owner of a Giant TCR Advance, again the guys at Freedom Machine in Port Melbourne helped me out – Thanks Guys!


Specifications
Frame: T-700 Advanced Composite w/ TCR Geometry
Forks: T-700 Advanced Composite W/ OverDrive Alloy Steerer
Sizes: XS:43cm, S:46.5cm, M:50cm, M-L: 53.5cm, L:55.5cm, XL:58.5cm
Colour: Composite/White/Red
Front Derail: Shimano Ultegra 6700
Rear Derail: Shimano Ultegra 6700
Gear Levers: Shimano Ultegra 6700 STI Shifter 10spd
Brake Levers: Shimano Ultegra 6700 STI
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra 6700 Alloy Dual Pivot
Cranks: Shimano Ultegra 6700 39/53T Integrated
B/Bracket: Shimano BB-71 Press-Fit Cartridge
Hubs: Shimano WH-RS80 C24 16/20H Carbon/Alloy Wheelset
Rims: Shimano WH-RS80 C24 16/20H Carbon/Alloy Wheelset
Spokes: Shimano WH-RS80 C24 16/20H Carbon/Alloy Wheelset
Tyres: Michelin Pro Race III Light 700x23C
Free Wheel: Shimano Ultegra 6700 12-25T 10spd
Handlebars: Giant Contact Oversize Alloy Medium Drop
Stem: Giant Contact Oversize 4 Bolt
S/Pillar: Giant Vector Aero 3K Carbon Micro-Adjust
Saddle: Fi'zi:k Arione/ Manganese Rail
Pedals: n/a
Chain: Shimano Ultegra 6700

Here is the pic of my new toy.

I have also been selected as a Beta tester for Sports Tracker Software for the Iphone. As a user of Sports Tracker on the Nokia handsets it will be interesting to see the differences are and get the application up to speed for release. At the moment I have been sick with a head cold for the last few weeks. I'm hoping that it will clear in time for next weekends 10km Ms Walk event.

Belated Mother’s Day Classic Race Report

This is the second time I have done this event and it’s been my warm up event to 10km session of running. Late Thursday night week ago after dealing with a friend emergency I noticed my throat felt a little funny. No big deal but by Friday I have sore throat and a bit of head cold. So I took it easy Saturday pre race day, early to bed, etc.


Morning of we made our way down to race still feeling poor I made up my mind to just finish the race not over do it but just finish and see what time I got.

After watching the two waves of 4km event go I lined up along with the rest of the 8km first wave people. I managed to get approx ½ meter back from the start line so I was happy. We listened to the all the pre race stuff which I try to block out and get run to go. Then the horn sounded and off we went, as we raced up to Anderson street and then down the turnaround I got swamped with other runners, as per normal I started out fast, too fast but wanted to be up the front. After the turn around came the first of the hard work, Anderson Street hill. Any Melbourne runner knows it’s a pain in the butt, up I went and around the back of the tan then down past the Shrine of Remembrance then back down along the road next to the Tan down towards the Myer Music Bowl then moving onto the Tan track past the start line and back up towards Anderson Street for the 2nd time. Feeling ok I pushed on up Anderson Street for the 2nd and last time. Going down and around for the two time felt good, as we came back down towards the Myer Music Bowl for the second time we headed left towards St Kilda and the finishing line, over the line I went. Thinking to myself it would not be a great time. Well It was and with a Head Cold!

Here are the official times

Time 41m 09s
Overall Place 1067
Category Place 696

As compared to last year which was a time of 42m 18s I have taken 1m 09s off last year..

Race Photo's if any to come, next event is Ms Walk

Run for the Kids 2011 Race Report

This is the first time I have done Run for the Kids and I enjoyed it.

My alarm went off at 6:15am I was out of bed quick breakie and a shower. I drove in and managed to get through the roads that were closed and parked at my old favorite place Southgate. It was not too hot nor too cold or windy just a perfect day for running.

I made my way down to the start line looking for some friends (Alana and Georg) but no sign until after the races. There was just a mass of people everywhere. We moved up to the start line from the marshaling areas. The horn sounded and away we went. Due to the my position behind the start line made it hard to get going early. There was just people all over the place, people who think they are quick but aren’t. I must say this gets my goat at every event I do. The event organizers setup lines for those who know they can finish the event in X time but people just simply don’t follow the run times or they think they are better than they are. So I really spent the first km ducking traffic (people) before I could get my speed going. My first km was at 5:32 pace after that it was 5:05 – 5:08 and I managed to get in a 4:58 and managed to finish in a time of 26m 28s for 5.2km. Which I was really happy with the course was fairly flat – no big hills, etc. my biggest issue was not being able to get my speed up early basically held back by people traffic. Oh well need to get closer to the start line.

After the event had finished I ran into Alana and we managed to bump into few people who we sort of know through Fitness First plus Daniella who I know from previous 2xu / Start to Finish Run Group for the Sandy Half Point while we waited for Georg (Alana’s other half) to finish the 14.38km course. I'm thinking about doing the 14.38km next year.

Next Race – Mother’s Day Classic in early May

Race Photo's to come

Tri Season in review/grade card

•  Swim - B ~ While my pool swimming is good my open water swimming has been poor. Part of the problem was how bad Port Phillip bay has been over summer. It been the worse I have seen for many years. Hence my open water swim training has suffered and it shows in my Tri’s. This is still without a doubt my weakest event, but I am already a better swimmer now than I was at the end of last season, so I am happy with that and I will work on to improve for next season. However this being said and done I loved the swim down at Mt Martha on Australia Day.

• Bike – A ~ I haven't missed a workout outside any weekend except for when it was really wet, then I did a spin class instead. It shows in the results I’m quick and strong. From time to time I realize I have backed off and not riding hard as I could. Bit more focus on this instead of checking out the views around while riding. Time for some Tri bars too.

• Run - B- ~ Like with the bike, I haven't missed a workout. That is really good and I am happy with that, considering where I was in September last year. At the end of Tri season I’m getting off the bike either not hurt or hurting and managing to put in runs without stopping or need fluids. It’s shaping up to be a great run season over winter. Already have a few races lined up.

• Social/Family/Balance - C ~ I think this is really important because the pull of family and friends often is in conflict with training. To my family and friends I’m sorry. Long days and training does take a toll on me but it’s really rewarding when I cross that line. I will take the time to smell the roses and spend more time with you over the winter months.

• Rest/Recovery - A- ~ I am a pretty good at taking days off as part of my schedule. A problem I have is that work often forces me to have a very non-restful day. It seems that I am on call 24/7 to work and family for this I do need to change to have a little more me time. Yes I know it’s selfish.

• Favorite Race - They are all fun but it would have to be St Kilda and Elwood (Elwood I have had a love hate relationship with. I have had good races and bad races there.

• Hated Race – Elwood and Sandringham, Elwood I was a coupld ov poor swims one with the water so bad you could not see past your hand. Sandringham, that bloody run from the beach to the transition area.

Someone has suggested Adventure Racing, starting to look into this. Might just give it a go.

Xosize Race 5 2011 - Brighton - Race Photos



Coming out of swim not looking happy about either



Time for a Sunday morning ride

Let's finish the morning off with a run too

XoSize Race 5 Race Report - Final Tri for the Season

The final race of the season of Xosize/Start to Finish was my final race for the season.


Yesterday and was blowing around 25km/35km from the South-west and during my race collection / checking out the transition area the bay did not look like fun.

This morning the wind had dropped right away I found my spot and set my gear ready to race. Then the mad dash to the toilet before the queues got too long. I headed down the beach, with a race start of 7:30am + 8mins for my group so I tested the waters and it felt cold.

The horn sounded and off we went. I let the pack go and waded my way in and started towards the back of the pack. The problem about starting at the back of the pack is you run over the top of everyone. I got around the 2 buoys and headed towards the beach. Once I hit the beach the run to transition got to my bike wetsuit off, socks, shoes on, helmet and sunglasses on grabbed my bike and off out to the road.

Got to the mount line got on and road towards Dendy St . Around at the cones and back down towards transition then along Beach Rd towards Black Rock. Turned around then headed back towards Green Point. I ran back in re-racked my bike off with the bikes shoes on with the runners grabbed my visor and off I ran.

The legs felt ok the run felt slow and it showed.

Overall I finished the race the last one for the season it was not my best race but I have been battling a head cold off/on for the last few weeks.

So this completed the month of Tri’s and my first full season of Triathlons now I move to running events from here on in.

Here are the official times

Overall time 47m 05s
Overall Place 171

Swim 08:17.4
Bike 22:35.9
Run 11:41.2

Placing M40+ 20
Gender Place 122

Pictures to follow as soon as I have them and look out for the Tri season in review.

Active Feet FunTri Race 6 St Kilda Pictures

Coming out of the Water - swim all done with

Bike completed run almost done.