Blog 7 - Aloha

Ready to Race?

Saturday, September 28

Cannot believe how quick the past 8 weeks have gone. Not caught up at work, nor done the training I had hoped and needed. Regardless, it was the last weekend in Perth, and only 2 weeks until race day. With the last two big training weekends being lost due to various circumstances I needed a big one now. But, as they say, things come in threes, and after avoiding all the colds and bugs going around for a couple years now, I could feel I was coming down with something. So many people around had been quite ill, I suppose it was only a matter of time.

Anyway, it wasn't bad enough, yet, to miss the Saturday morning JCC ride, and those boys always keep everyone honest. I would just keep an eye on my pulse, and when they do the inevitable 400+ watt surge up Gibbs Hill towards the end of the ride I would just let them go, and TT back to the coffee shop. Strangely, I actually felt really good this morning, and did more than my share of strong turns at the front, which, as those who ride with me will confirm, is not my typical behaviour.

Colnago Time Trial bike

It felt good on the Colnago Time Tial bike. I do not ride it very often. The aggressive time-trial position tends to flare up a neck issue, which, on occasions stops all activities. I do not feel the need to ride it too often before triathlons either. On the occasion when I did ride my TT bike most before an Ironman, never have I felt more uncomfortable in a race, and it was by far and away my slowest. On the contrary, when I did my first Ironman race after a break of a few years I did not even have a time-trial bike so Wade Kelly kindly lent me his. I did one ride on it to set up the position - actually, I did not adjust anything other than the saddle height. Yet, the following weekend I had my best ever bike leg, and then the best ever running legs out of T2.

At the Australian Athletes' Breakfast

So the JCC ride was a good sign. The new raised up position of the tri-bar supports, thanks to Matt Dec, took some of the pressure off my neck. But when I got home things were not quite right. Very achy, fatigued, sore throat coming on. I just wanted to sleep, but still had all those jobs to do: lawns, pool, spa, etc.

Sunday morning was worse. The planned ride to Freo then around the river was never going to happen. This was a serious case of man flu. The thought of spending 22 of the next 48 hours travelling was more than daunting. Hopefully, it would not last long, but even if it didn't it was one more so-called big weekend where practically bugger all was done.

So I eventually left on Monday lunchtime, feeling much better, but still shit, and arrived in Kona, Monday lunchtime. Aloha. At least I could expect a friendly islander welcome.

No chance. The legitimised thugs, who call themselves American Homeland Security, decided they would wreck my several hundred dollar bike box by breaking the locks, rather than use any 10c key which would open 95% of the world's suitcases. Upon opening the case they then proceeded to vandalise the contents, as they do not give a shit how they repack it. This is a tale that countless Kona Ironmen have experienced. Their attitude is disgraceful, and as ambassador's for their country they are shameful, but perhaps it would have been better to keep that opinion to myself in my discussions with them after seeing my wilfully damaged luggage.

Fortunately, since then, my spirits have risen due to the truly magnificent location, legendary hospitality and improving health.

Nera, Me, Russell and Nat

For the rest of the week I did a couple of runs along the iconic Ali'i Drive and linked up with my Perth training partners Russell Brooks, Natalie Laurendau, and the very impressive Nera Jareb.

Russell and I also got to ride up to Hawi, and experience the legendary winds. Sadly, just after turning onto the road to Hawi, Natalie punctured, and, to my amazement, Russell, who was not here to do the Ironman, ever chivalrous, was happy to continue the ride, whilst leaving poor Nat to hitch-hike her way back, from the middle of nowhere, to a bike shop.

Not long after abandoning Nat we linked up with Liz Blatchford and her partner Glen. Liz does seem to have flown under the radar somewhat, but has trained well, and has to be a serious contender. The very best of luck to her.

Team Exceed in the Undie Run

I was the next to puncture. There is a lot of crap on the shoulder where we have to ride, so this is a common occurrence. Dave Boyes, a neighbour in the apartments we are staying, predicted I would have a couple of punctures over the 10 days of riding here. He was right. Just hope I do not get my third tomorrow. Incidentally, Dave and Michelle Boyes were also out at Hawi that same day. It was a relief to hear them say that, they have done this many times - it is their seventh IM visit - and this was one of the tougher days. It was a bit weird really, we only did 95kms that day, it did not feel too bad at the time, yet felt like we had ridden much further and faster.

The next day was the Saturday before the race, and the official practice swim. There were several hundred participants and it was great to do the full swim, which was as amazing as everyone said it would be. Except it was a bit longer - it took me 1 hour 25 mins, and my Garmin clocked 4.35kms, though I did get a bit off course near the end.

Julie and Chrissie Wellington

The following day's Ali'i Drive 10k was also special, and Julie and I did this together. The humidity was a cause of concern though.

The week since then has been fantastic. The whole vibe around the place, nice rides, one even more amazing swim being surrounded by a massive pod of dolphins, and then the crazy IM traditional stuff such as the "Undie Run". Also we had the Australia Athletes Breakfast, in a particularly stunning setting, and then the Parade of Nations.

Getting to meet so many legends, such as Chris Boardman, Chrissie Wellington, Ryder Heysedjal, Pete Jacobs; riding with contenders such as Liz Blatchford, and Caroline Steffen, and getting to know West Australian age-group contender Nera Jareb have all been highlights.

Riding with Russell, Nat and Nera so often over this past week or so has been enjoyable, with Russell
frequently passing on his wisdom and cycling expertise.

Except of course, there was one very regrettable incident in the week, which resulted in some serious Facebook humiliation. Can't a guy sort out some serious agitation in the baggy Speedo department, without some Paparazi catching the moment. Thanks Russell. I should not complain too much though, because, amazingly, regardless of how bad this photo was, believe it or not, there was another that was much worse.

Today we got a visit from Mike and Ann Blatchford who are staying in the neighbouring complex. It was really nice to catch up with them both, and congratulate Ann on her tremendous achievement in getting a Bronze in the recent World Triathlon Championships in London.

Now it is the eve of the race, so hope this bloody triathlon tomorrow is not going to spoil everything. Not feeling particularly race fit, but my limbs seem to be working OK. The legacy of this man flu has settled on my lungs, but hopefully not too bad now, and pulse is where it should be, which is good.

My original aim of going under 11 hours is looking more than optimistic. I think I would be happy with 12. The reality is that this will probably be my only opportunity to do this race, so I don't want to spoil it chasing unrealistic goals, which, at the end of the day, don't really matter anyway - Dave Boyes won't be losing any sleep about a challenge from me in our age group, that is for sure.

Let's see how it goes, and hope I can spend most of the day smiling.

Thanks for everybody's well wishes and support.

Mahalo