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.

Villa and Hut Sandy Half Point Race Report

Last Sunday morning as I got up it was cold but not there was no wind prefect for 10km run. I had breakfast and shower  then started to think about what to wear. Long run top and running shorts was the go. Got my Spibelt with my race number on it and made my way down to event start at Green point. This is the second time I have raced this event and this year is a new course from Green point south towards Sandringham then back to Dendy St and back to Green point where the finish was.

 

So per normal I started way to fast but felt good, just past the start I saw some good friends Sue and Andrew from Couple on the Run. After passing the first water station I started to feel pain in my right foot near my heal. I knew it was Plantar Fasciitis and I knew the rest of the race would be painful. I pushed on putting up with the pain I felt it more on the up hills and less on the downsides.  I made it to the turn around and started to head back towards Brighton. After passing Hampton st I changed the way I ran to see if that would help with the pain but instead felt something tear. After spending time with google it seems that it’s not too bad but I do need to take it easy this week and spend time stretching, stretching and more stretching.

I managed to see Sue and Andrew on the way back towards Brighton then pushed up hill to Dendy St around the 2^nd turn around point then back towards to finish. Over the line without too much pain, but after stopping for a few mins I could feel the muscles contracting which caused some discomfort when walking.

Here are the official times

Time 54m 54s
Overall Place 533
Category Place 74


Here are some photo's from the event.



On the way towards Red Buff in pain but having fun

On the way back towards Brighton

At the finishing line



 My next event is Brooks Duathlon in October.

Run Melbourne 2011 Race Report

This is the 3rd year I have raced at Run Melbourne, the first time was a 5km in 2009 and then 10km in both 2010 and 2011.


It’s always been held in either June or July and that’s Winter time here in Australia. This year the wind was not blowing like it was last year, but you still could feel the chill in the air.

After a warm up and a stretching I lined up in the front of 50 – 55min area only to find everyone was lifting the tape and moving forward. With the event being so big I guess everyone wants to get it completed. So I joined them and lifted the tape and moving into the 45min to 50m group.

When I looked back away from the start line I saw just how many people where in the 10km event.

Here is a pic which shows you the people in the event.

Horn sounded and off we all went. As my training leading up to Run Melbourne was not great, a cold and then a back injury, etc. The plan was to finish and better last year’s time. Using my Garmin I could see my pace and keep on track. I felt strong and keep up with the 50min pace guides for the first 3 and half km’s but as we headed up towards Anderson Hill I started to slow down (note to self more hill work is needed) coming down Anderson hill I picked up speed again and by the half way mark was keep a good pace. After crossing the Yarra river and heading down to the Swan st bridge I start to cough and felt like I wanted to be sick. I slowed down a bit and kept on going as we passed Rod Laver Stadium but after cross the train line I pushed hard again but by the time we got up to Flinders St I felt sick again. Slowed down but pushed on to the finish.

I completed the 10kms in 55m 27s which is come 58 seconds quicker than last year. However time to put the head down and get on with 1. Ensuring my back is better and 2. get some training done – hills!!!

If there are any photos I will put them online.

Belated Ms Walk 2011 Race Report

Being the 2nd time that I have done the Ms Walk to support 2 friends with Ms. First is Lorrie who is a wife of my very good Friend Ian, and second Mark who died a few years ago who also had MS. Both are/were good friends and it sad for both of them to have MS but they both live/lived life to the fullest.

The morning was cold with a strong north wind but the sun was out. Which if you were out of the wind it was not too bad. After doing a warm up I lined up at the start line ready for my 10km, event two laps of Albert Park. The horn sounded and off we went, at the start I thought I was a little over dressed for the event but as I worked my way around the course the wind cooled me down quickly. The first 3km’s or so my nose was all blocked up but as I got running it cleared up. I suggest it was related to the cold weather followed by me getting warm as I run. As we all came around by the start / finish line it was time to suck it up and carry on for another lap a few had enough.

The course was not too bad dry and no really bad water or mud hazards anywhere. I came around for the second time crossed in the line. I was happy that I did not stop and addition didn’t need to use the water stations at all. My watch recorded a time of 54m 20s, but the official time was 54m 18s. As this was the warm up for Run Melbourne then the Sandy Half Point I was very happy with my efforts. Now it’s time to put some hard work in place and get ready for Run Melbourne.

Watch out for my mid-year report card

Sports Track for the Iphone - now available

Sports Tracker for the Iphone is now available and it's free!



Check it out @ Itunes

Let me know what you think

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