Blog 9: Mandurah 70.3

November 10, 2013

Mandurah Half Ironman

Was actually looking forward to this race. It is now 4 weeks after Kona, and I seem to have eventually recovered from the worst case of man flu in recorded history. Since being back, have done some decent rides, but have needed lots of rest to recover from them.

The first weekend of November was the first weekend since 4 weeks before Kona that I managed to complete what was in the diary, without illness, problem, or life, getting in the way. On Saturday, November 2, I rode 170km, setting off north, with the JCC boys, then linking up with Billy's Ironman group. My logic here is that no matter how hard I go in a race, it will never be as hard as the first hour with JCC, and hence have the psychological advantage of knowing no matter how uncomfortable I am I won't; blow up - and, more importantly, be able to get off the bike and do a decent run. In a headwind they average over 40kph along Yanchep Old Road, with a tailwind they typically average mid to high 40s kph. When the JCC group turn south on Wanneroo Road at Yanchep National Park, I turn north so that I can do the extra kilometres, and meet Bill's group 10km or so up the road. With an easy 10km recovery after the early morning excesses, I can then do the intervals at a decent level with Gilly, Nino, et al. Following this ride, I complained incessantly about feeling knackered, fatigued, tired, stiff, etc; then, somehow, the following day forced myself to get out of bed on a windy, horrible morning, and turn up to do the ATTA Champion Lakes time trial. Somehow, I managed a 40kph+ PB.

Upon arriving at this Champion Lakes time trial, the first person to talk to me was Matt Illingworth, who had just completed his ride, and offered the following inspirational words: "Put your bike back in the car and go home, it's f'-in' 'orible out there;  dangerous too, blowin' a gale". Incidentally, though not as quick as his previous ride there, he had just put down the winning time, by a considerable margin, averaging over 47kph!

So perhaps I could manage the Mandurah 70.3 after all. Up until this point, a week out from the race, I was not sure whether I should do it. Doing Kona, and being ill had really knocked me about and thought that, ideally, perhaps I needed a bit more rest. However, joining up with Billy's Ironman rides, and feeling OK, then being able to produce some decent watts for a TT, suddenly I started to feel better.

After failing in all my other goals this year, I might eventually get the opportunity to achieve a target time , albeit a modest one of sub-5 hours. The downhill swim may have had something to do with that though. On the bike, it was a real privilege, first, to be lapped by the leading pros who set off much earlier, and being able to sit 12m off the back of them and keep up for the 25km or so of the remainder of the lap back into town. Several months later, on a flight back to Perth from Auckland, it was a bit weird seeing myself on the in-flight entertainment, as the Asia Pacific 70.3 was one of the options. From the aerial shots of the bike leg, the commentator was puzzled as to who the ninth rider at the back eight-man leading group might be.

Coming out of T2 was a struggle, with sore back and tight legs, but slowly I loosened up to do a modest, but steady run. More importantly, it was with great relief, that apart from the odd twinge my back was OK. Though the run was slow, it is always nice to do a negative split.

Funny old world though! Following Kona, I have had to listen to numerous ignoramuses telling me how "easy" this year's Hawaiian IM was. OK the crosswinds weren't blowing as usual at Hawi, and it wasn't as hot as it can be. However, the average temperature on the bike was still 32.9C, with a high of 36, and 90% humidity! Not to mention a block headwind that came in at 135km and had me pedalling over 200W downhill!

Consequently, it was with some bemusement, as I listened to the same people who were insistent in letting me know how "easy" Kona was, now telling me how terrible the conditions were at this year's Mandurah Half. Compared to Kona and Zurich, it was actually very pleasant!

Above all,  what this race again re-enforced, was what a fantastic environment WA is blessed with, for hosting large scale triathlons. Truly magnificent!

Though I do not agree with Hawaii IM spots being given out 70.3 races (I have to admit that I would be the first one to grab a spot if I could), it was really good to see so many friends and training partners picking up Kona spots and 70.3 World Champion Spots in Quebec, next year, following some very impressive performances.

For the record, this was the first race of the year I managed to beat my modest target time.