Wednesday, 21 May 2008

Feelin' hot, hot, hot


The Ford Ironman Florida 70.3 was certainly an experience. I was expecting tough weather but nothing could prepare me for what we actually got.
The day before the race we set up the bikes, five minutes down the road one of my inner tubes gave out, perished around the valve -- probably the heat. I changed it for one of my ( repaired) ones. The following day I did buy a new tube but didn't get around to changing it over for the race, I just put it in my emergency kit.
The race was very much old school with the bikes and the kit all laid out on a grassy area: Bike hooked onto a rack, kit laid out on a towel underneath. This meant most of the prep was on the race morning. A bit unexpected but pretty laid back. On the morning itself with 2,000 people all trying to get from the car park to the transition area there was little time for hanging around. It was then down to the lake for a rendition of the start spangled banner and the wave start swim.

Despite Florida being in the middle of a drought the morning was overcast and cloudy, still hot, very close and humid though.

I set off at an easy pace pace for the single loop, no-wetsuit swim and ran into my first problem. I had checked the fit of my Aqua Sphere goggles but on race morning, fearful of the hot weather, I had been a bit too liberal with sun cream around my eyes. From the off the goggles were slipping around and letting the water in. This sent me off course and meant I was constantly stopping to re adjust. At one point one of the marshals shouted at me and I looked up to see I was heading off at right angles to the rest of the field. About half way through the cream seemed to wear off and I got into my stride.

I had been apprehensive about a non-stop, not wetsuit swim but I needn't have worried. It was quite enjoyable even if there were alligators in the water.


T1 was painless, if a little too long and I was glad to get on the bike. The quality of bikes on show in Florida was astounding. Carbon disc wheels and extreme tribars were almost universal and many of the riders were wearing full-face aero helmets with the long pointy bit at the back. Once out on the course I could see why.

The roads were pancake flat and smooth as a baby's bum. There were some big gears being ground out and the riders were head down and going for it. I held my own pretty well and took on lots of fuel and water to ward off dehydration.

I took particular delight in overtaking some of the weaker techno-cyclists while riding no-handed peeling a banana or opening a gel, often to the cries of "Whoa, way da go man, old school" -- cheeky sods.

Shortly into the ride though it started to drizzle, as it increased I found it cooling and the going easier. At the first aid station I noticed my next error, I hadn't reset my cycle computer so I couldn't anticipate the aid stations or gauge my pace accurately, the rain had also stopped my Garmin from working so I was cycling 'blind to distance' completely. But next came my lucky break. It started to absolutely pour down with rain and the wind got up.

It was like someone had turned on the afterburners and from that point on I started to overtake bikes at a pretty steady rate. Not having studied the course meant I did ease off far too soon as we approached the Disney property transition and the approach in seemed to last forever.

As we approached T2 the cloud cleared and the sun came out. T2 proved a shock for lots of riders. A couple of inches of rain in your trainers and socks is not good.

From the moment the run started I knew I was in no ordinary race. The heat soared and mixed with the wet ground it was like running in a sauna. The heat immediately sapped my strength. In T2 I was feeling great but within a couple of kilometres I had changed my gameplan from a first lap at 5min/km, 2nd at 6 and third at 7 to just dig in and finish.

At the start of the three-lap run I spotted the Transitions Optical guys behind me and assumed I would quickly be overtaken but that didn't happen. By lap 2 I could see a lot of people were in trouble and I just grabbed the ice and water at the mainy aid points and dug in.

Another unexpected problem was nutrition. I normally have a cast iron constitution but found the Gatorade and powerbars on offer totally undigestible. I did take a couple which just made me feel sick so I decided I would just grab a half banana or two and stick to water.

By the middle of the second lap I seriously wondered if I would be able to finish the race. I was determined not to walk so kept my pace down at 5 minute Ks and kept a hat full of ice. The course was littered with dazzed looking competitors standing in the shade looking at the sky and others jogging at less than walking pace on very wobbly legs.

I noticed that while I thrived on the grass covered sections, where my pace rose slightly, my feet suffered on the roads. On the grass other competitors were the opposite, picking their way through the tufts of grass, ruts and sand and looking out for snakes.

On the roads they speeded up. On one these road sections I passed a ex-serviceman adjusting his artificial leg and I could see his stump was bleeding. A size zero blonde ran by and shouted "Way to go man, you're an inspiration." I remember thinking at the time how cheesy it sounded but in restrospect it did prove an inspiration because it made re-assess the seriousness of a couple of sore toes and a feeling of being too hot. I decided that I would finish, if slower than planned.

I finally crossed the line in 5hr 56mins and 16secs beating the sub-six hour deadline I had set myself and much better than my 6 19 in the Monaco 70.3. I checked my other stats. The swim was a disappointing 42.57 the bike and equally disappointing 2.46.43 but the run a good (for me) 2.15.25. T1 was 7.14 and T2 3.59.

I had wanted to get under 6 hours so achieved my goal despite the conditions. But on finishing the race I felt pretty dejected and, to be honest, a bit of a failure. I can only put it down to the feeling of helplessness in the face of the heat on the second lap and the thought that I couldn't fo it and would have to bale. That feeling will stay with me for some time.
The after race pizza, water and sit down were bliss.
As I picked my bike up from the transition area my back inner tube spontaneously burst, presumably the heat again. I threw it away ( it had three ptahces in it) and put in the new one I had bought the day before.

I thought I knew a bit about ironman but I still took a lot for granted. I'm sure we will learn more at the UK Ironman 70.3 next month on Exmoor.
The biggest lesson I learnt was the mental one. Despite achieving my target of beating six hours the pain of the run made me feel like I had to give up and on finishing I felt I had failed. Looking back I realise I did what I wanted to do and in difficult conditions.

When I race at Wimbleball I will learn from my mistakes and, spend less time in transition....honest.

Monday, 12 May 2008

Leaving on a jet plane

I'm off tomorrow with the guys from Transitions to Florida. The first half of the trip is taken up with interviewing the Transitions' top brass and having a look around their faciltities in Florida. The second half is hot weather Ironmanning.
I have extended my stay so I can compete in the Floria Ironman 70.3 next weekend. The location is so warm westuits aren't allowed ( that menas water above 78 degrees). I managed a little bit of warm weather training this weekend, that's sunburn to you and me.
I must admit to being very apprehensive about this event. My game plan is drink lots, not to push too hard and drink lots more.

As ever I am sure I will keep the smile on my face. I may even wear my Monaco ironman 70.3 wristband for a little mental support and to remind myself that I have taken part in this madness before.

Thursday, 8 May 2008

Livin' the dream



I have been stung into action by the note about how quiet everyone has gone. Had a breakthrough ride on Sunday. Four hours of riding covering 80 miles, including some nasty hills, in the glorious early summer sunshine. The picture doesn't do it justice but it was great. The best bit of all was when I did get home I could have got back on the bike and done it all again. I had a good stretch, a protein drink and a bacon sarnie and then went off to the allotment to sort out my strawberry patch and do a bit of strimming. That's the life.

The weekend got even better. I changed my granny block and chain for the standard in preparation for Florida. I still have the compact on the front but this set up should give me a little more to push on the Florida flat. Soaked all the components in parafin, polished them up and gave them a good oiling. My faithful Pearson is now shining like a new pin.

I might even leave the higher gears on for Exmoor and now I have the tools I can even treat myself to a new bottom bracket for the commuter.

Slight bit of saddle rash on Monday but otherwise unscathed, I even managed a 10k jog in between yet more gardening.

Thursday, 1 May 2008

Just look at that


What an awesome sight...and I'm not just talking about Rob's toned torso!!
Just to say a big thank you to all of those who have donated to the Optician Ironman fund and a big reminder to make sure you tell everyone about the project. That £5,000 target is not too far away and offers of support are now coming in daily.

Monday, 28 April 2008

Meet the course


Optician's Ironman team had a great training weekend down on Exmoor introducing themselves to the terrain. They all got the chance to meet up, scope out the course and check out the other team members.
Chris Fiona and Emma, stayed at the delightful Holworthy farmhouse B&B. Our host, Gillian Payne, made us feel right at home and had stacks of information on the course, organisation and everything else to do with the area and competing in the UK Ironman 70.3 event. The farmhouse has an idillic setting above the lake and between the cycling and running life was relaxed and enjoyable.
The trio at the framhouse were joined by Rob from Cornwall. The four reccied the bike course and then went for a short jog. Rob and his family headed back off to their hotel in Bampton and Chris, Emma and Fiona headed for the pub.
Sunday saw James and Lyndon join the group for another scope of the course and a slightly less successful look at the run route. The weather was not kind on Sunday and, after a slight hiccup over meeting up points, the team decided a single lap of the course was sufficient. Still a creditable 35 miles of hills and twists and around 2 hrs 15mins. We will have to improve.
Our quiet Cornishman Rob, an awesome athlete by anyone's standards, completed a second lap on his own.
The plan had always been to have a Brick session (running straight off the bike) and given the conditions and the toughness of the run that too proved a valuable experience. In restrospect a single lap of the two lap bike route was enough.

After a cup of tea, a pasty and a review we all decided it had been a useful meeting with no disasters and we should be pleased. Everyone left with respect for the course and no illusions over what exactly lies in store for the team come June.

Wednesday, 23 April 2008

Optisoft goody bag

I recieved the Optisoft nutrition pack today. I didn't realise there were so many gels, drinks, bars and mixes to choose from. My normal fare is a banana and a handful of raisins.
Many thanks to Optisoft.



Tuesday, 22 April 2008

Inspiration, ‘some’ statistics…………..and a reality check!



Inspiration from Liss running and Farnham Tri clubs, Statistics from my new GARMIN FORERUNNER and a reality check with my new age grouper GBR suit!

With only 6 weeks to go, the reality of the tasks that lie ahead have hit home. Not only for the Optician Ironman 70.3 team but also having been called up for the GBR age grouper Olympic distance world championships in Vancouver which is also in June!

The shorter Olympic distance:- 1500m swim/40km cycle with a 10k run and the longer Ironman 70.3:- 1900meters swim/90km cycle and 21km run.

Both distances, in theory, require completely different training but both oportunities are an irristable challenge! Amongst other things some training advice, motivation and my faithful transition specs continue.......

Farnham Tri Club have some great athletes whom have and are performing numerous full IM distances and even Ultraman contenders (4m swim, 175mbike and 36m run!). Their advice is to build on the base endurance by combining shorter sharper fartlek speed work for all disciplines.

Having taken the advice I joined in the running track session on Monday it went something like this:-

4 x 400 warm up, 400 sprint,400 recovery,400 sprint,400 recovery,800 sprint, 400 recovery,800 sprint,400 recovery,800 sprint,400 recovery,400 sprint,400 recovery,400 sprint, 400 recovery………………….


I was one of many to say ‘I felt sick’ – this is apparently normal! – give me a long plod any day! Unfortunately I missed pressing the start button on the Garmin and hence no stats – Doh!

A ‘new’ inspiration came from Liss running club when we cobbled together a team of 4 at the end of season dinner dance, for the next days orienteering event. Needing to get in some cycle training and build up some stats, i cycled to the event (16.05miles) , ran 5.21miles and cycled home post the event (23.32miles) – Stats courtesy of the Garman Forerunner – managed to press the start button and even toggled between the bike and running modes this time!

The best and the worst bit – Our orienteering team (Ann, Lucy, Bill and I ) won some chocolates for coming 2nd – Yummm. As for the Tri suit – need to loose a few pounds in 6 weeks!
Fiona

Remember to sponsor us and hence help Vision Aid Overseas. www.justgiving.com/opticianironman