The biggest disappointment ever!

0530 the bag pipes started and continued until we started the race. We had arrived late Saturday night to ensure we got a nights sleep so we would be as fresh as possible for the 167km ride.

0710 race brief for a 0730 start. We placed ourselves three quarters of the way up the field to ensure we got away clean (which we did) as we have about 4km on hard packed gravel then farmland started. Half way through the farmland (this was paddocks with a mowed strip cut into the grass) i was around 100th then on a small climb surrounded by trees 80% of the people in front missed a turn to the right, this resulted in them heading up a hill and fence line rather than right along the face of the hill, I saw this mistake and was one the first on the correct track, then about 300m along the correct track there was a tight bit of single where a massive bottle neck was about to be created for all that took the detour.

0915 arrived at transition 34km in and on target, quickly changed bottles and took in some food before feeding out,
This was to be a long hilly stage of 54km and also the temperature was starting to raise as we had clear skies and little wind. About 10km into this stage we jumped into some neat single track and this is where the elite 100kmers went through flying and they started 30mins behind us. Shortly after this the cramps started in the legs as i was pacing my water (3 bottles for 2-3hr of riding). At one point when I was having a drink in the next single track approx 20km in this stage on a corner and the leg ham string locked up so i ate the dirt a good tumble and drew blood from the left knee. By this stage my bike computer stopped working so i was riding blind so i did not know where i was until i caught another rider or as passed someone that i could ask. The half way tent was in sight and i discovered there was a water drop, but i did not need any of this at this stage as i had passed my water well

12.15 into transition (4hr 40min in 91kms down) Food and liquid in the off out again, generally i was feeling good and ready to keep going. For the next 2 hrs did not see a sole (so had plenty of time to think?) until i passed a big boy who was battling with the 100km distance. At this stage the single track was very packed down the smooth perfect for riding. I was just cruising as i thought i had plenty of time to make the 1530 cut off, but without a speedo i did not know how i was travelling and the volunteers did not know and the lack of distance markers left me in the dark, so it was down to memory and at this stage fatigue was starting to hit in,
Stopping quickly at the half way tent to top up water as i had finished 2+ bottles in 26km compared to 1 on the first lap due to the heat. At this stage I was still on target given this was truly half way? So pushed on and started to feed the body caffeine gels this picked me up even through they would be the worst tasting thing i had eaten all day but they worked. I just keep saying i had to get to outer limits (last identified section) up the hill along the flats and i was in.

Got to the top and started to pick up gears and counting the clock and pushing into the head wind i was teh only person on the road, i hit the 5km marker, then a turn and a guy said 11mins until cut off and you have 4.5km to go, so I grabbed the biggest gear and hammered it to transition (passing around 8 people in the process and none wanted to help)
1531.15 I missed the last cut off by 1m15s (142km 8hrs in), absolutely gutted helmet hit the ground hard and tears almost flowed, a friend (official) came over a gave me a hug and said i can not do anything, even through i know you would gone under 9 1/2 hr completion time.
Only 14 riders got through the 167km course. I am sure if my speedo had not stopped things may have been different as i would have known where i was, as i was just cruising when I should have been pushing, also the volunteers did not know either until it was to late,

I had it in my legs to go under time easy but was saving them for the last 26km home which i never got to. Since then i have worked out all the locations i could have saved a minute!

Redemption Next year!!!!!!

A new hurt box!

This was to be the longest ever kayak race I had attempt and I was going into this under done due to my wife having a baby 6 weeks earlier. Going in to the race we believed we could go around the 10hr as we had been told if you cut corners it was only be 99km not 111km, but I not do not believe this statement. This could have been achievable but I went into a hurt box like I had never experienced. The day unfolded like this

12noon depart springwood heading for Windsor for rego and safety checks, once this was complete we had a couple of hours to chill and eat for the journey ahead, when I was looking at other boats and personnel you could see some had done it many times with bladder systems and food lay outs.
We finalised our plan to push straight through to Wiseman Ferry 64km in and then bring it home, Once the Crew the solo hunk of a man arrived (this being sleep Train) he got a de brief on gear and food, and then he started to get excited about being involved in another endurance event, this made us nervous! As he could run off into the bush and never be seen again! And Mrs Sleep Train was also very pumped and flexed her guns a few times to intimidate others surrounding our boat.

1700 geared up and carried Cyril (the Kayak) to the river removed foot wear (This foot wear would never be seen again,) forgot something sleep train?


1715 in and ready to start and there was no turning back and everyone started to eye each other off. Then we were under way. Boats and blades went everywhere and we all tried to tuck in behind each other to ride wakes.
After 30min or so everything started to settle down and the pace came off a little and next time a checked the watch we were 2hrs and chewing through the km’s, we pulled out of the train of 6 doubles for food. Out the 6 boats we would have had the youngest average age, And the old boys were giving us a lesson how to paddle. There was still plenty of rubbing and bumping as we pushed each other around.

5hr, 35min (64km)in we arrived a Wiseman ferry and the body was feeling good all things considered so sleep train met us and was bouncing off walls and he proceeded to tell us a few times we looked better than most other people through. This picked us spirits but then he went on to advise us he could not get the stew from the can and could not get the gas cooker working (this had an electric igniters?) questions were raised at this point about his bush skills, as I had been told he could start fire with wet sticks?? No problem I can cook our food!


6hr re fuelled and back in the boat and heading east, from this point is was the unknown. We started to pass boats for the hour or so as we keep good pace but then the hurt box began to open! Shoulder was stiff and the right wrist started to give out sharp pain. So out came the nurofen plus and this took the edge off, MH was also starting to have the same issues and chucked some nurofen down.

8 hrs the body continued to hurt and the rain started to fall this making the river very dark as we were not meant to use lights (also sleep train ripped ours off the front of our boat at wisemens?)


9hr 15km to go the nurofen was now not working and the wrist was like running on a broken ankle (I have done this also) Aka a knife being wedged into the moving bones, this meant I could not put power through my right wrist and was lucky to still hang on the blade. Lucky we were running with the tide home. Once finished we worked out that our rights wrist had rotated over 22000 times! No wonder!


10hr 20min We could now see the finish line we had the tide behind us but it was still so far away 3-4kms so we tried to wind it up a little, but nothing was left, then the leading K2’s went through flying, and we wished we had something to give, but then we realised they probably trained for this?


10hr 45min Complete, tried to stand but were wobbled around the boat ramp must have been a little fatigued!

3rd in open Long Rec 2 class, Thanks Sleep train for the support and enthusiasm (a couple of little thing to work on for next time)

So close but so far

Saturday morning 2am woken by a screaming baby (this has been pretty standard for the last 6weeks), then laid in bed trying to convince myself to go to sleep until the alarm at 4am, but no success.

0415 into car with my green tea and muffin heading to wyong for the AROC sport adventure race. bike drop at 0600 and started to eat as i will need all the energy i could muster to keep up with my other team members, then on the bus heading to start at 0730.

Start was 2km south of the entrance.
Leg 1 2km soft sand run, this proceeded to blow the chest and legs to bits and then a swim across the channel as we headed to the kayaks. I needed this swim to drop the body temp as i tried to stay with the leaders and my team members which were both 20kg lighter and alot fitter than me! Heart rate was up in mid to high 170's
Leg2 7km kayak across the lake heading NW to Wyong, conditions were perfect light southerly breeze and clear blue sky. But we were in bigger yellw bath tubs with shit paddles, tough going
Leg3 swim 120m across a brown jelly fish infested water, it was not pleasent as we did not know what we were hitting? and by the time I got half way it was starting to mess with my head and could not get out of there quick enough. Plus my pack and PFD was riding up making swimming tough.
Leg4 MTB 15km we headed west from Tacoma into Ominbah forest where we discovered groomed single track which was great fun. So we blasted through there with me hitting a small tree as i took in the scenery. I just wish i had my cleats on as my shoes were sliding around all over the place of the nylon flat peddles (or metal peddles)
Leg 5 2.5 Rogaine in the middle of the forest we jumped off the bikes and headed out on foot to collect 5 check points.
Leg 6 MTB 15km back in the saddle and finish the single track loop more fun to be had, and will have to go back. My first sign of cramp as on this leg which was no great surprise.
Finished Second and were sent back out on a bonus leg
Bonus 3km run around the Koringah Waters estate
Finished Second by 8mins 3hr.50mins- The winners are almost pro racers as they are about to go to New Caledonia for a 4 day race. So very happy after no real training for 6 weeks.

Off the Radar

For 2 weeks i have been off the training radar with the BMMC as work and the lack of sleep with the new son has pushed the body enough let alone any additional exercise.

Hopefully next week every starts to settle down and i can free up a few hours to go bush.

Last weeks conference at Coffs did see 4 mornings surfing, tough days

Loosing my wisdom but gaining a son

WHAT A WEEK!, Friday before last I got home feeling good after the morning ride and a day at the office, had dinner and the mouth started to feel weird, so a couple of panadol and off to bed, a few hours later the jaw started to swell more panadol and back to bed, and this went on until the morning panadol every 4hrs with very limited sleep. As the sun came up i started to ring all the dentists in the yellow pages and got in 1.45pm Saturday, walked in had an xray and in the chair around 2.30pm before he open my month he advised i had a chronic infection under a wisdom tooth and it was starting to go down my throat so 2 teeth had to come out. He did chuckle and said at least it is not acute only chronic otherwise I would be on a drip for the night. Instead strict instructions were given not to stress the body (less hours at work and no exercise) otherwise the inflection may grow and effect the bone.

Once the teeth were out and he had milked out all the puss from the inflection (which took around 20mins) i was released to go home but only got to the front desk as i opted to lay on the floor for a while as i was light headed, after about 10min got in the car and drove to the pharmacy for the 4 bottles of drugs and then home to bed before the local wore off.

5 days of R&R drove me mad, So wifey through in so action late in the week has i was requested to take her to her last baby scan, where the doc advised she we be induced tomorrow so she could have him naturally as he is a big boy. After being at the hospital all thursday night, on Friday Archer Kingsley Price was born 1.50pm 3.44kg / 7lb9o.

Hopefully now life will settle down and training can wind up again.

Blown Away

This week was low key with the child becoming crook and therefore a lot of long nights and very little sleep. so the body was very fatigues but managed to drag myself out of bed Saturday after 4 hrs sleep to charge up and down the oaks with a quicker time, so happy.

More importantly the Kathmandu Blue Mountain race has been announced and with plenty of ban ta at the BMMC runs sleep train and bullant want their title back. But it will be tough as we do not want to let it go. Training has started with this title defence the main focus as this head to head battle will be second. You will hear sleep train talk about world champs but that is just a stepping stone to the big one on the 16th of January. Pride is everything! BMMC must hold on to it.

At the Sunday BMMC dinner the wings were spread and Mrs sleep train is in for the club multi sport (in stead of Duathlon) and it is set for 8am this Sunday, Panthers Tri club inaugural multi sport race.

Chasing the BMMC Boys

Now the body has starting to settle into the early starts and exercising. The big thing this week was increased sunshine in the mornings and spring warmth! Over the week I acquired some new equipment which seem to be firing on all cylinders especially the Road shoes and peddles for the bike. They are like standing on a milk create, more drive and my feet are very solid. You do not move around in the paddle half as much as the MTB SPD peddles. Ay up lights, brilliant just got the new V4 kit for training and racing, simply brilliant for the size as most of the BMMC have now seen. 2XU compression bike knicks another stab in the dark that seems to have paid off as they seem to keep my bun's very tight (plus a great fitting chamois) and they fit my new Stella Italia gel saddle well, the old girl was flexing enough that it would fit the top of the seat on a moderate bump in the road. It was always a good jolt through the arse end that i will not miss. Thanks Kevin for my tax return!

Tues Run 11km BMMC
Wed Rest day
Thurs Forced rest day due to child
Fri Ride 25km, Swim 1.5 (good morning session)
Sat 56km MTB up oaks
Sun 27km recovery ride, Run with TE 13km
Mon 35km chasing TE on the bike
Tues 11km BMMC

Easy to be lasy on cold mornings

Getting back into training is always tough (even harder with 8mth pregnant wife) so the only opportunity i have is in the morning so the alarm now religiously goes off a 5.40am. Therefore putting out of home by 5.45. i have been bouncing out of bed trying not to allow my mind to think about how warm comfortable i am. through on enough clothes to hopefully keep warm. Given latest weather conditions clear and cold it has been around 5-6 degrees.

Since starting back last monday i have not missed a day doing something and i am starting to see results. Now building to Oct/Nov

Mon27km Ride
Tues 11km Run
Wed 27 km Ride
Thurs 26km Mtb
Fri 2km swim
Sat 40km ride
Sun 26Mtb, 15km ride (towing trailer)
Mon 28 ride

Back in action

This week i fronted for the Tuesday session with the BMMC feeling like a fat little brown kiwi who could not fly and had just pulled it self from the confines of hibination. I had been visualing the crisp morning for weeks, but that did not help as the boys were focused on the M7. So I knew this was no rehab run.

I just crusied as i did not want to push the leg, or lungs for that matter but i knew the pace was going to lift at some stage, thank fully it held steady until the dash along the top, which i let them go, still happy to cruise through under the hour.

Since been out running and the leg is coming good! and was on the bike sunday and monday

Good luck boys for sunday!

Rehab centre paid dividends

The doors officially opened on Saturday down in the low lands nestled by the river. It seemed like a good resting place to curl up and die, crisp cold air, the silence as there was not a breath of wind, and no water movement to report as it seemed a like all participants had limited time before they were going to see the light, the addtion of calming influence of the hound to make the transition easier for all involved.

Then reality hit and all that could be heard is a truck 4 inchs from your head as we jogged over the railway bridge, and the dog pulled GPB arm from its socket. Bull ant surged as he had more to give but the rehad member put him back in line. and GPB was just happy to have friends!

Enough long winded stories

A massive weekend! biggest in 5 weeks.
Rehad Run saturday 6km - leg on the mend
Kayak - 20km
Rehad ride - 5km - little stiff

Tuesday - 4km run - feeling good

BMMC comeback is set for next week

the fat is going back on!

At the mo post race depression is setting in as i am racing head to head with Scam to see who can do less training! and it look likes i will take the win.

i have a blown right calf from the bike in the race, towing up a hill for 45mins just straining the poor old legs to much, and today 3 weeks on i have given in and I am seeking medical advice. I could not go straight in as i am a guy, i had to put up with the pain for a few weeks.

But as the BMMC member, i tried to have come back last week and had to pull up sort, and also that did not help the recovery! should have rested it.

Been there done that!

Thursday morning it all started with the packing of tubs of gear into the car, kayaks on the van and bikes on the back as we were about to set sail for Forster. we arrived to discover we had the smallest cabin ever made. so all the furniture went out and mattresses spread out to allow for maximum rest and space for gear.

Friday started slow with plenty of food as we sat around in the sun, whilst continuing to sort gear. Bib presentation and competency testing started at 12noon with kayak paddle and swim, first aid and a prologue for start position a 5 legged race for up a hill and around a tree, we went well getting 11th team off the start. 3pm the course notes were handed out, and the map prep started. The support crew arrived around 7pm and started to absorb information.

We had finished planning our course around 10pm and by the time we got out start gear ready we got to bed around midnight.

Saturday 5am we are up and filling the gut ready for the 2hr drive to get to the start line high up in the Barrington Tops. We arrived just in time as we just got gear on the start brief commenced, and i discovered i had a flat tyre, what a way to start. A quick change and rolled up to the start.

We were 11th off the start with each team leaving 10seconds behind each other in an attempt to prevent a mass pile up on the first major down hill. 9.5km in a 5 team pile up with one guy breaking a collar bone, so much for that theory. This just proved mountain bike riders can not bunch ride safely. We dropped 1000m vertical over 42km to get to the first TA a rogaine (6-8km) which we shot through in the 4th fastest time and started to pull in the leaders, back on the bike for another 30km, the boys settled into the work of towing Super Sal up all hills and flats, at one stage we were drafting with the two boys leading out and i had Super sal in tow on the flats doing 32km/hr and were starting to see a team in front, when sal hit a bump, dropped the tow line and it retracted back into my rear cassette, luckily no damage to the derailleur so 10min later we were rolling again, clipped a check point (CP) where i broke a chain, and back rolling again. Hike a bike time, a 2km push up a rutted old track to the ridge, this is where we started to pass the half geo teams as they started on the rogaine missing the first part of the ride, Nearing the end of the ride we descended through a grassy paddock this is where Super Sal went over the bars and drew the first blood for the race.

At TA the clock started we had 3hrs to drop bikes off & drive back to HQ before we could leave in the kayak. So we quickly through our bikes in the river in an attempt to give them a clean and get all the farmers grass out of the gears. (at this stage in 9th overall)

Timbrell went will the bikes to give them a quick service and we went directly to HQ to prep boats, super sal to get warm and rest for what lies ahead.

2.50min had passed we are sitting in the kayak waiting for Marky to be released, he's here and we are off 24km with the tide behind us, we settle in with good pace, until mark realises a little nav off, so the chasing team passes us. But we do not let them get away the vulcans (kayaks) had great pace, and they stopped for food and we got them back to lead them up the river to the next TA.

Back on the bike for an adventure gain leg, 11 out of 14 CP needed to be collected on bike and foot, so 70kms of bike later and alot of towing we get to bulladelah, as our nav was on target. But Marky had crushed a nut on a down hill section and it was starting to worry him. At this stage my arse end had had enough of my bike seat and the legs were starting to become fatigued from all the towing.

From TA we went out on foot with a trek up the nearest mountain where Timbrell completed a rock climb (grade 13), and we were off again, Marky was loving the paracetamol nad walking like he had a rugby ball between his legs, every step you cold see the pain in his face. At this stage i could not see him finishing the race! even the next 10km of this trek. we dropped into a valley were we bumped into another team and got talking about where we were, thus wasting time and putting questions of doubt in my mind. After an hour of circles we are back on track and Marky is chasing more drugs. we climb up a ridge with day break meeting us on the top and a light shower of rain. Now for the long slow decent, 3 CP's and on to the raft.

Arriving at TA we met the crew with hot noodles and Milo which hit the spot while we climbed into wet suits and built the raft for a 5 km paddle across a lake with a portage. we quickly discovered our design we not a speed machine as we had to much drag with the tyres on 45 degrees, but we had no alternative, we did take the opportunity to walk it along the bank when we had the chance to save the arms as the raft was to be followed by a 26km kayak. 3hrs later we got off the raft which was the mentally toughest section of the race, and this is the point alot of teams pulled out.

Into TA, hot creamed rice, dry clothes and into kayaks. As we geared up 2 teams pushed off in front of us. By the 3/4 mark across the first lake we had them both back but another team was gaining on us. Collected the CP and another short paddle to find an exit point to portage 800m to another lake for a 7km dash to finish, we past another team in the portage and pulled back the team who went past on the water. At the end of the paddle they had their spot back they were just to quick in the boats.

TA, we raced the sun as we had to tube/wade across approximately 1.5km wide inlet, and light would help us and be warmer. As we all stood nude on the opposite beach freezing trying to get clothes on for the 18km trek to the final kayak. I could not get my feet dry, we stabbed out tubes, packed our bags and started to walk off under moon light. Along sand and road nav was good until we went bush we got through a section alot of teams had problem but i had not drawn on a road on our maps which was a correction we were give before the start, so we did a couple of circles a wasted a couple of hours, and whilst this is going on Marky's nut sack is swelling super sal is starting to battle the sleep monsters as she is seeing things move that are not there. We get through to Blueys beach clip CP and head for Elizabeth beach up and over a hill and on to seven mile beach for the last part of our trek, by this stage my feet were falling to bits but i did not want to take shoes off so i just did up laces tighter and walked on.

Into TA, i sit down and try to change shoes to paddle shoes, and the remove of the running shoes was agony and blisters were tearing off my swollen feet. but i could not care a paddle to go. we came into TA with another team and i want to get out in front of them and race for home. Which we did Super Sal and I went out on the water first waiting for the boys but Timbrell forgot to clip so Marky ran over to get our release. We are off on a compass bearing to hit our CP which initially we stopped in the wrong bay but this was quickly corrected and then we clipped and pushed on. Next thing i knew Super sal is hard on the rudder yelling we are going to be hit by a boat, no just a river marker, go the sleep monsters. We quickly become tangled in oyster leases and they surround us so we have to go between them, so the goal was to put a 7m kayak down a gap less than a metre wide with a cross current otherwise the boat would get chewed up!

150m from the finish of the paddle another boat pops up and the race is on 43hrs in and it is going to be a foot race, we hit the shore first and dash to the nearest gate but it is locked, they are all over us as we ran with sore feet and tight legs through the gate, they beat us just as Marky could not stride out over the 60m dash due to the swollen nut.

Geoquest 2009 250+km 43.23hrs, 13th

Now the task of clean up and returning to home!

It is time to perform! Bring on Geoquest

After a good week last week i now sit here feeling better than yesterday, and yesterday was better than the day before, so who know what tomorrow will bring. I woke Sunday feeling like i had been hit with a hammer between the eyes, sinus all blocked, headache. Thus i gave the first ever club multi sport race a miss with the focus remaining on geoquest! this now being 3 sleeps away, as we head to teh location tomorrow.

The BMMC has me in good stead as i am running better than ever, especially when i can breath through my nose!.

Anyway no stopping me racing, so track us live all weekend on www.gar.com.au team name www.summitgear.com.au / panther cycles

12 days of training to go!

Firstly Congrats to the BMMC boys for taking control of the NorthFace 100! brillant, wish i could run like that! i will keep dreaming and one day it may almost happen.

The week that was

Monday - 9km run
Tuesday - 11km BMMC run - 30mins trainer
Wednesday - 10km Paddle
Thursday - 45min (up and down martins lookout steps) all BMMC members nowhere to be seen
Friday - Rode hawkesbury lookout, and evening MTB around euorka
Saturday - Paddle 15km, Mtb, 26km, Run 9km (block set high intensity)
Sunday - Paddle 20km, christening, and BMMC dinner!

Kayak; 44km
Run 36km
Road 27km
Mtb 42Km
Trainer 30mins

Count down begins

2 weeks of training to go, then i can hibernate under a log and get fat for winter!

Last week was 3 days of cream buns and bacon egg rolls as i had a flying visit of WA, i did discover a great little bakery at Margaret river, brilliant food and was owned by Aussies! Highly recommend their long donuts as race prep food.

Monday 4th - Cream Buns and Bacon and egg rolls
Tuesday 5th - Cream Buns and Bacon and egg rolls
Wednesday - Cream Buns and Bacon and egg rolls
Thursday - recover from Cream Buns and Bacon and egg rolls
Friday - realty check 5km run mtb 90mins
Saturday - 25km Paddle - 3km run
Sunday - mothers day - baby sitting all day got in 30km road ride at nap time

Panther Tri (multisport) Club

Just got the word, It's official there with be a multisport race on the 31st of may as part of the Club Duathlon, 5km paddle instead of the first run leg.

Tell one and all!

Yippee

I am a 80's child

Born 1978 and lived much of life loving the 80's, and since then i have always been exceeding it as the 90's i was in the 90's and 00's pushing the 100's but now back to disco fever!

Tuesday evening i jump on the scales 88.5, and got off, got on, some thing must be wrong,

last night it become official 89Kgs and 80's child is born again.

Body starting to come online

Last week was a positive week for me after having troubles with my gut (acid imbalance they claim). It was a solid base week to gauge where the body is up to but strained my calf slightly last Tuesday morning so i backed off a little to allow repair.

Saturday completed the usual hit out mtb up (1hr24) /down (1hr) oaks with a reduction in times then dismounted and trotted around red haves caves track sub 1hr. The body felt great at the lifted intensity. Then had the bubs all arvo as wifey headed out so played hard until he had no more to give.

Sunday caught up with a paddling coach to refine technique which was great and offered much needed guidance

Numbers
Kayak 25km + 90min technical session
Swim 2km (missed Sunday due to repairing kayak hull had gel coat everywhere- gutted)
Mtb 82km
Run 24km

Weight 90kgs (crazy never thought i would get to here)

The weekend cut short!

Saturday was cut short a little but still got in a intense 4hr ride run, Mtb up / down oaks and run around red hand caves. Then ducked off to see the Waratah get a touch by the Force yippee!

Sunday started slow after the late night with the rugby in the city, and i got the "can you put the Ikea furniture together" by wifey, so to keep in the good books i did and lost the morning. Got to the Kayak mid arvo for a 1.5hr dash up river then straight to the pool for a relaxed swim with Sleep train.

Week Totals
Road 70km
Run 20 km
Mtb 82 km
Paddle 15km
Swim 3.5km

Monday rested in morning as we (the geo team) were heading to the boats for a session, 6pm on the water for 25km paddle. should held together until the 20km mark then started to feel the effects of Sunday.

Tuesday - missed BMMC session as i was fatigued from the paddle, but will have to make up for it tonight

Back on track

With the dramas of last weekend behind me i am back on track. But the gut is still not perfect?

Monday committed to bed
Tuesday Nothing very fatigued (40min walk with dog but that does not count)
Wednesday 70km Road ride
Thursday 1hr10min BMMC session (off road run), missed a evening session as the wife sent me to Ikea!
Friday 2km Swim, and will be on the bike trainer tonight,

Tomorrow Bike run paddle session (5+hrs)
Sunday Ride, Paddle (4+hrs) low key swim

All things going to plan i should put a good ding in myself, whilst giving me a gauge on where i am at with 6 weeks of training before Geo.

Planning Wasted

Easter weekend 4 days of training! I wish, Friday started on the trainer in the garage watch crap TV then the drive to Greenwell point (near Nowra). This was to be the base for training, Saturday started 20km paddle up tempo. Got back relaxed, ate, cleaned up and planned the next outing a night Mtb ride, but that never evaluated for me as around 5pm my guts turned upside down, (yes again). After emptying my stomach at both ends, i got tucked into bed to rest while MH went riding.

Sunday the body was no better so we packed up to head home, slept in the car most of the way up, 13hrs that night. and rested all monday and slowly improved. Therefore missed the Club Tri on monday.

It can only get better from here!

Close but no cigar

Firstly last weekend I tried to do as much as possible but with pregnant wife and hormones peaking i could not sneak out of the house, but got in a 30road ride sat and 10km run, and Sunday a recovery MTB.

This week start well with light jog monday as the leg were weary after Saturday effort to run mt portal, and the evening got back into the boat with an intense 10km sub 1 hr, which was a surprise after not being in the boat for a while.

Tuesday came alarm went i was up ready and ran around the house trying to find my phone (which was located in the back of the shirt i had on!!) thus delaying departure and in turn missing Scam and BMCC kick off at 6am sharp, it was a matter of moments, so i punished my self with a dash into euroka.

Wednesday rode to work to give me a 70km day,

And today, running late for BMCC as i left the laptop at home making me back track, could not get the time back so called Scam to wait as i was 5min away, plus i followed Dr Phil down the hill to glenbrook. then we were off down into the gorge and into the park.

This week so far: (big weekend of paddling is planned to wear off choc from easter)
Run 20km
Ride 70km
Kayak 10km

weight 92kg

Visualisation is the key!

I sat focused, I will win, I will win, visualising walking up to collect my prize, ‘126’ was called it was me!!! Spot prize yes! second to last draw but you must have faith. Well that was how the day ended. Stoked as that was all I was here for the rest is minor details.

5am the alarm went, time to eat and start hydrating, and the drive to Wisemans ferry (1hr30min). Body was feeling good, nerves starting and think they won on the day as I kept drinking and eating too close to the race resulting in uncomfortable racing.

Off in the in the swim, with the new goggles, brilliant, I could see without fog! settled in and slowly pulled through the bunch to come out 4th in main wave, 7.33mins, as i came out I realised Dr Phil was leaning on me the whole swim, rubbing arms as he battled to keep straight, whilst someone else keep grabbing my feet.

Transition was poor as I opted for lace up riding shoes (as I figured we would be pushing bikes) and had to pull on a shirt so all in tri suits and velcro shoes streamed passed.

The ride started well along the flats and started heading up the big hill which we were about to climb 3 times on the course. Up the first section my gut turned and almost lost breakfast. So this slowed me until the top, and by this stage I was pushing the bike and the loose rocks on the climb made it hard to ride. Over the top and the brakes came off and flew down pass all that went past on the climb as triathletes tried to cope with mountain biking, but when to pass one and pulled to the right where a big water rut was, the bike stood on end as I just caught myself. Then away on some great single track as you danced each side of the stream but each time I was held up a I caught up other riders. A short blatt on the flats to finish the first of 3 loops. At the end of the second loop I was starting to settle into my work and wanted another and I was starting to wind people in and gut calmed down.

Transition again was slow but smooth, and felt comfortable from the start along the banks of the river and up the steps, therefore began to open the stride. I pushed on with a very happy result after 2 laps.

Swim 500m 7.33mins
Ride 17km 1.04.54
Run 6km 27.51
16th overall, 7 in category

Taper was forced on!

Last weekend the plan was to bash myself but social events hampered it a bit, but with an early start on sat I got in 58km on the road bike, then an arvo of lawn bowl trying not to strain a muscle.

Sunday started at 530am with a run around red hand cave track, and it was very dark as there was complete cloud cover, i felt very alone as i headed up a gorge, just me and my light.
Then on to the bike (MTB) for a ride up and down the oaks with geo team mates, I was late from my run so the team mates had 5-6min head start up the track so the chase was on once I got changed and fuelled up, the body felt good after the 1hr10min run. so a charged long catching them just through a gate, then cruised with them and towed on team mate up most hills. And got I a hill repeat coming out of the gorge.

The ride was made more interesting as my bike was serviced late last week, this being the first ride back on it, and it did not miss a beat for the first 2hrs, then the cable started to slip through on my rear derailleur resulting in me losing my bottom 3 gears, not ideal for towing. But it pushed the legs more!

Monday started poorly after some dodgy food, got to the pool, started to circulate and tryed to keep dinner down. Gastro hit hard and really rocked my cage for 3 days of this week, i was sleeping 11hrs each night, with now (Friday) i am just starting to feel normal again. So rest tomorrow and then race Sunday.

Week totals:
Run 13
Road 58
Mtb 53
Swim 2

One week out!

Last week was disturbed with work pushing me around the country so missed 3 days of training,

Monday night i linked up with Dr Phil on his MTB for a blat around bees nest / blue gum, he rode it like a BMX, i was funny to watch, but was a good hit out under the cover of darkness.

The middle if the week went walkabout.

The weekend came with high intentions but!.....missed sessions due to social commitments. Sat: road the agnes banks loop, which felt good, Sun: with a 530 start ran Red hands cave loop and was joined by other geo teammates to go up and down the oaks, so finished feeling worn (after pushing another rider up most hills) but happy so bring on the trex.

Now the weight is down a little i am running and riding better than ever, so it is all coming together at the right time.

Weight 93.5kg (lightest i have been since i was 13)

Totals for last week
Road 58
Kayak 25
Run 18
Mtb 26
Swim 2.5

16 days to go to Tre-x

Wow, how time fly's when you should be training, not a good week for me in regards to distance as every morning would start well at 6am, but each evening i was required to take care of the child as morning sickness (which goes all day) took its toll on wifey. So i add some lounge room exercise, palates and stretching.

The swim this morning was very good, the best i have felt to date with 10x100m on 1.45 (plus warm up /down and paddle work), must have been all the stretching.

Last weekend I successfully blew myself to bits on the club tri. Sunday we met up with our potential team mate for Geoquest so a relaxed ride through the oaks, and paddle up the nepean, was needed to have a chat.

Big week needed this week to lift the power.

Week Totals
Road Bike: 47km
Mtb: 28km
Run: 19km
Kaddle: 12km
Swim: 5.45

Win or Bust?

Bust! did the club tri Saturday night (a great little race, and surprised with the number of entrants). I think I was the fattest person there and the only one without a tri suit or even tri Knicks, and I had laces in my shoes. i was about to do a race in old school style!

The stroll to the start of the swim was daunting as there were a lot of fitter looking people surrounding me. Jumped in for a few strokes and I was ready to go. Got away well and settled in but just before the start I cleared my goggles, and by now 2 mins in I could not see more than a 3m in front of me due to the fog. So I slid over towards the bank until I found a row of buoys, the plan was for this to guide me down the course with my limited vision, and it work and started passing people. Coming to the end of the swim I found it hard to see the large buoys we needed to circumnavigate before coming into the ramp, so had to divert back around the first buoy loosing time which was disappointing.

On to the bike, slid down on to the bars and started to work, the legs felt strong (surprisingly) so I pushed on, picking up traffic. Then my cleat pulled off the of my right shoe, so I seemed to lose half a leg as my shoe slipped around everywhere. So pushed on for the last two laps (10km).

Off the bike, shoes on once I stopped to do my laces up) and away on the run, legs felt alright and set into a rhythm, then before I turned at the mark (1.2km) my stomach turn upside down. I think all the liquid from on the bike dropped into my stomach in one hit and the knots started as it had not been hunched over on aero bars for a long time, let alone at this intensity, I did not know if I was going to spew or fart, so the pace on the run came right off as a prodded a poked around in my stomach as I tried to get it to move without success. so a very disappointing run.

A good lesson learned, with so much to improve for next time.

Finished 1hr 14min, (14min swim, 34 min ride, 26min run)

King of the mountian!

Breaking news! a new king of the mountain is crowned. I yes I the fat kiwi trumped sleep train up sun valley hill, we ran stride for stride, eye balling each other, who could push more, then suddenly he broke, keeled over and pulled down his pants, I saw the light and went for it pulling away 30metres to go over the mountain in front! And that is how i saw it, his story may be a little different? Sleep train may go on about sore legs and the need pee making him stop, but that not the way i saw it, he was a broken man!

This was a very positive week for me as I gained greater control running and swimming as the strength and balance comes back. This will allow me to push harder this week. Still need a lot more power work on the legs especially for the bike.

Run 32km
Road Ride 78km
Mtb 45.5km
Swim 9.7km

But no paddle this week as i focus on the club tri this Saturday arvo, and tre-x on the 29th

Weight: 96kg after big dinner and rehydration post ride

The fat kiwi will soon fly

Had a good weekend,

Saturday - hard 25km road ride, with 5km run, a good block with a body feeling good throughout and ran free, so happy, late arvo swim and tried to pace with sleep train but after the morning session the legs had nothing to back the arms up so i slowed to 200m @ 3.30 pace and left him to it. One day i will get there!

Sunday - body was jaded, but peeled myself from bed to join MH for a MTB through the oaks and back up to springwood (45km) the legs felt like rubbish for the first 25km then they started to come good with a good climb out of the gorge to the ranger station. Then the push home up the road. Missed the recovery swim with the crew due to babysitting duties as wifey headed out.

This morning had a very bad run, leg were tight from Sundays ride, 90secs slower over 5km, not happy.

Weight this morning 95.5kgs

The start of it all, the come back is on

Back in the groove, 2 weeks back and have been getting the body back in the groove of training, first week dropped 1.5kg of the kiwi kai, which was needed.

Up coming races Trex 29/3/09 Geoquest 5/6/09

First Week, 100kg started running 5km each night with a 15min indoor bike training straight after, with swim on Sunday, paddle Friday a lazy 6km.

This week, 98.5kg Body is starting to settle into running each night so joined sleep train and bull ant on a easy run (so I could keep up) on Tuesday morning I hung on until the sun valley climb, they just cruised away out of the mist of the valley. So 45min of the 65min I was happy. The call up came through for Thursday morning the blue mountain marathon clinic, but the body was shot and needed R&R so slept in. After Tuesday's run my knee was doing weird things dam rugby injuries! floating cartilage on the move, but settled down 24hrs later, maybe a reminder to ease back into.
Swim Wed, and Fri this now coming along well, just need to refine the technique now the strength is coming back,
MTB Thurs night through blue gum, bob the builder spanked me up the hills so need more power work for the bike (no real surprise there). First real ride back so I know what lance Armstrong was going through when I first got back on his bike for the comeback.

So my comeback is on.

The Fat is Back

Christmas was good for the fat kiwi, good kia in nz helped the waist line expand, had a 2 week crash course in getting fit before the Kathmandu Blue Mountian Sprint, which we won 2.42hr due to sleep train and bull ant not racing, otherwise it would have been a push.

When more vino and kai at the home land, good for a waist line again, (+3kgs) over the two weeks, to many crackers and cheese.

Returned 12th feb with the trex off road tri in mind, now 6 weeks out and have to learn to swim run and ride, i think i have the ta's sorted, but not quite ready.

100kgs, 186cm,