Geelong HIM, Challenging but extremely rewarding! Options

[cannastar]

I am pretty nervous about writing this report, firstly as a new member I am probably committing a big faux pas and secondly when you are spoiled with having Mank writing absolute GOLD my meagre efforts leave a lot to be desired. Well here goes, this will be long

Pre-Race

I was never meant to do this race, in actual fact I wasn’t even meant to be the in the country at this time of year, January/Feb is reserved for hardcore ski racing with fearless freaks from the US. But a shoulder injury and a highly inconvenient illness from my Grandmother cut that short.

Feeling like I needed a challenge (I am a master of setting myself ridiculous challenges) I suggested I might do the 70.3 to my dad, giving me this spiel about being careful and wait till I am ready I walked out of the room in what appeared to be complete agreement with him and promptly entered the race and paid for it with his credit card. After having a forced two week brake from training with my A/C tear I entered into some heavy training.

Now by heavy training I mean actually consitently training for each event, I probably clocked up 6 9 hours weeks (my longest bike was 1:40h so I had done quiet a lot of running and swimming). I knew I my training hadn't done the length of this race justice, but thats why I have naive self confidence. Anyways.... My running was coming along well (I have never been a natural runner) and my swimming went from sub-par to a respectable level where I was swimming the same times as I did in 2004 (I was only training with a friend twice a week then but for some reason I was a gun then). My bike suffered, the only times I rode my bike on the open road was during sprint Tri’s as I knew any crash on the left shoulder would mean operation, end of season and severly reduced partying for Uni O-Week (I haven’t had alcohol since Dec 9, so hopefully I don’t end up in hospital first night!). So I came to Geelong confident I could pull of a decent swim, push through the bike and survive the run.

I had no lofty goals about fast times it was simply: Finish, have nothing left at the finish and enjoy it enough I cant wait for my next race.

Geelong has a special place in my heart, I did my second tri ever there (back in 01 as a 10 year old), and no I haven’t gotten over how they made me do 1 extra lap of the bike than anyone else costing me the win!

The registration and all that jazz preceding was uneventful. TO’s saying usual stuff, Crowie must be so sick of being asked about Kona, I am almost sick of hearing him talking about what he “felt” at the finish of Kona, but I must say he is a great credit to our sport such a humble guy.

An early morning start (which my dad did not appreciate) and we arrived relativly early. For once I disregarded my ritual loitering in transition area (not being set up in age groups was the main reason, I like eying the competition). Before we knew it some poor girl was singing the national anthem (which no one really heard, nor pretended to pay attention) and then the elites were off.

Swim- 35.46

The gun went off so unexpectedly I really didn’t feel the usual pre race nerves, the first 300m were pretty hectic, not good if one was claustrophobic. I didnt have an issue with people swimming over me, I am normally an "assertive" swimmer, I be polite as long as you are and in actual fact I relish the perennial open water boxing match. I started midfield and pulled up to the top 150 or so, I was amazed how good I was feeling. In a good rythum and swimming stroke for stroke with a guy to my side the first 500m flew away in a Hackett like blitz. Then I saw it…

I now readily admit I have a phobia of Jellyfish, almost paralysing fear. I managed to avoid a few. Then suddenly this white blob hit me in the face at about 700m, it stung me right around the mouth. I let out an enormous howl much to the surprise of the swimmers, and then 10 seconds later got another one on my hand. I had a minor panic attack, I swam the next 700m head out of the water at a very slow rate seriously considering pulling out of the race. I sought of build myself into a frenzy. Rounding the second boy some calm prevailed and I got into a rhythm. I entered about MOP, 3 minutes ahead of my goal time. However in hindsight I could of easily gone 3 minutes faster without tiring myself. I was actually amazed how fast the whole thing went, most of my swims in Sprint races feel longer and I feel much more tired than I did (rather felt like I had gone for a splash with some freinds).

Bike- 2:58.12

POP! POP! POP! Within the first 100m I heard three tyres pop and saw another three people fixing punctured tyres as well. Poor buggers! Here was the leg I was worried about, I hadn’t trained long distance nor regained all my confidence on the bike, not a good combination. Hence the first lap I was passed by 300 people. Back where I was there wasn’t too much drafting, I was getting passed so much I really couldn’t get one if I wanted to. When I hit the hill at Leopold I saw some AG’ers absolutely flying in the opposite direction in a group of 40. My leg strength from skiing meant I propelled myself with relative ease past a decent chunk of people on the hill. The ride back to Geelong with a nice tailwind was fast and gave me a chance to rest my legs.

The aid stations were a highlight on the bike, having nice young girls shouting encouragement was a nice boost and there passing of bottles was flawless. I decided to skip using water, and would take a Gatorade at each aid station, fill my aero drink and then aim for about 500ml per aid station. To supplement this I had 4 gels mixed with water in 2 gel flasks, which I consumed gradually before every aid station, the turnaround and after the gardens.

The ride in the gardens both ways was treacherous and I took it extremely carefully! I was feeling fresh on the first lap, the next two were very similar, albeit boring. I was feeling fresh mentally and my quads were starting to hurt. I was passed by the Pro’s at the end of my second lap on the very tricky hill descent right at the end of the lap.

Run- 1:53.30

Heading onto my last lap of the bike I knew my legs were getting saw and the lactic acid was building, this was affirmed with my first few steps of the bike. I let out a groan and thought wow I am in pain. I limbered into T2, deliberately taking my time (2:48). I unloaded cycling nutrition put on my race belt equipped with 4 gels and two caffeine tablets (I swear by the stuff, since I don’t drink coffee I notice a very big performance increase). Whilst most people I spoke to on the bike were fearful of the run I was looking forward to it, relieved what (for me) the worst was over.

My first 1km was a 4:35, I was feeling very good mentally and physically everything was in working order. My next few K’s were slightly below 5min pace (this what I have been aiming for pre-race) 15minutes in my left foot went numb which shook me a bit. However I was feeling strong. I managed to pace of a female for 10minutes before I dropped her (she caught me up on the last lap and dropped me with 500m to go).

From all that I have read I was expecting some big mental downs, none of which occurred. I felt calm and in control the whole way. Midway through my second lap my pace had started to fall to 5:15 then I found a woman who was running 4:50’s and 4km from finishing, I ran alongside her until we parted ways, me with one more lap her to finish. After here things started to fall apart. My H/R was very low (166, I normally average mid 170’s on a long run) it wasn’t my fitness which was holding me back rather my legs had started to feel dead (not cramping just very saw stiff and leaden). It was like I had big weights attatched to my shoes.

My last lap speed fell dramatically, not having someone to pace off didn’t help which meant I clocked up 6min/k’s. I walked the last two aid stations and the steep hill but besides that I didn’t walk (another mini goal of mine). Coming along the boardwalk I was happy to let a few people to pass me, I had no interest in a sprint (I wanted a decent finishing photo). I really tried to lap up all the atmosphere and savour the achievement (for triathletes a HIM is “Ho-hum,” yet for mere mortals we are freaks for even trying this distance). The finish was a slow jog with a big smile on my face, savouring every last second. The commentator was like here is young Will from Toorak (which probably got half the crowd offside with me). Hands in the air for the photograph and then some staggering, and almost falling over. All with a big smile on my face!

I would like to acknowledge how good the aid stations were, the teenage boys at the Yacht Club turnaround took delight in showering me with water and the girls 2km’s down the track were great too. I never felt dehydrated. I only had 1 gel on the run, in hindsight I probably should have had one after my first lap. But I was happy to avoid vomiting and all that other stuff associated with bad nutrition.



Finish 5:33.31

I was hoping for Sub 5:30 (Only a soft goal) yet I was very satisfied with this time. I was disappointed there was no finishers towel, fortunately I had bought last years there is something really about having a towel draped around you when you finish (its those little things which mean a lot).

Did I enjoy this race….Hell yeah! Although the jellyfish took a slight edge of it. I am doing the new race in Monaco (1km, 100km, 10.1km) in September. Hopefully I will do a few (2/3) more HIMs this year. I am joining a tri club as soon as I start Uni in Canbrra so it will be interesting to see how low I can get my times to (my training has been solo and whatever I feel like, no planning), I would love sub 5hrs in the not too distant future and I think getting into a triclb and some training groups will really help (and perhaps a Tribike for my Birthday).

For the record there were two other 18yo in the race, I beat one of them, the other was South Korean from some tri group filled with guns and he easily beat me.

Geelong Again? Maybe, the run course was awesome, I hated the jellyfish and the bike minus the Gardens was a good course. The drafting was a problem and that has been documented. All in all it was a great day thoug. If anyone has any suggestions for other HIMS (with NICE swims) please tell me.

Points Learned for next race

1. Don’t do any weights for two weeks before a big race (I STUPIDLY did some on Wednesday, I knew I shouldn’t but suffice to say my quads hurt to prod on Saturday and I was really quite worried.
2. Have a gel every 5-7km on the run
3. RUN HARDER! (take a risk, something which understanbly I didn’t do yesterday)
4. Take advantage of the post race massage
5. NEVER let my father be official family photographer (although he has 3 digital cams the concept of zoom let alone basic principles of good photography fail him), his jokes about “this wont hurt ME at all” at the start line were not appreciated either

[Mank]

I suggested I might do the 70.3 to my dad, giving me this spiel about being careful and wait till I am ready I walked out of the room in what appeared to be complete agreement with him and promptly entered the race and paid for it with his credit card.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) And here's you talking about "gold". You should book him a trip to Hawaii next year while he's not looking.

Hey on a serious note, there is no faux pas in anyone posting a race report, it's the best bit of the site.

I chucked my race reports on here thinking people would be irritated by me not taking their sport seriously enough... just goes to show you can't base your impressions on how people come across at Gatorade races. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Ayto27]

Great work young fella,

Nice job for the first time out and you are already thinking about improvements for your next race and that's what it's all about.

Top job

Cheers
Ayto

[Shooter]

Well done mate.

You beat me by a few minutes too ya bastard (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) . I'll be having a crack at GC in October this year and would love to go sub 5 as well. Let us know if your doing it and well make a race out of it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[cannastar]

Well done mate.

You beat me by a few minutes too ya bastard (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) . I'll be having a crack at GC in October this year and would love to go sub 5 as well. Let us know if your doing it and well make a race out of it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

Ill be there deafinatly, I have a new nemisis... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[dragonsjack]

Great effort. I too love to read the reports.