Top Ten excuses for an average race…..

Top Ten excuses for an average race…..

10. The swim was choppy and the pack I was following couldn’t see the buoys

9.  I had to slow down for the camera man in the middle of the road, as I was afraid I’d kill him if I hit him at 50-55kph

8. It wasn’t hot enough

7. Rode too hard

6. over trained athlete syndrome

5. under trained athlete syndrome

4. Blue kinesiology tape doesn’t work as well as beige kinesiology tape

3. After teaching transitions on Saturday, I got a penalty for not dismounting before the line…bahaha

2. My beetroot juice was faulty

1. It was a B race

A bit of fun, but City of Perth wasn’t a bad race and it wasn’t a good race either. I just didn’t have the run legs yesterday. It was still fun competing with the state’s best again and it shows the depth in WA in that my run was a bit off and I finished outside the top ten.

Race Report

I was a bit nervous before this race after a good result at Champion Lakes, but also confident of having another good result. Most of January’s training has been shorter than normal with a focus on high intensity work. I’ve enjoyed the intensity!

The first half of the swim, we had the chop behind us and I felt good with a measured effort off the start line. The 2^nd pack weren’t swimming straight, so I went out on my own straight to the buoy about 10m to the left of the pack. Turning, the pack got on my feet, sighting into the chop and morning sun was difficult. I let a few come by, take the lead and struggle to sight. The last yellow buoy was missed and we all had to sharp turn back to the buoy which cost us some time. The back half was a weaker, but I was quite happy to sit in.

I was about 2 minutes back from the lead leaving T1 and set about going hard early. I usually need a little warm up, but I need to take advantage of the tail wind. Felt good and towards the end of the first lap Kenty came by and I settled into just staying in contact with him. Heading out onto the 3^rd lap I went back ahead and worked a bit harder. In hindsight keeping the consistent pace would have been better as I lost a few seconds on the last lap.

The little pace changes is something I’m working on. In the past I’ve come out of the water on my own and had to chase by myself, usually a nice consistent effort. But this season I’m coming out of the water with Kenty and Brynt who are also strong cyclist and getting used to working with them or just staying in contact is a little different.

Into T2 and I over shot the dismount line by 6 inches and got a penalty (I did well not to swear!). Last year’s race was wrecked by TO’s and this was just another case of over officiating.

Onto the run and I eased into it, maybe 200m behind Kent, Lajos and Johan. I was thinking I could run them down, but my legs just didn’t have it in them today. I had a couple run past me and tried to go with them, without success.

Finished in 2.01.16 and 11^th place. My knee (excuse number 11) gave me no dramas in the race and seems to have pulled up well, which is a positive :)

Well done to Paul Mackay and Flic for picking up the wins and good work Trievents for putting on a good event.

The next month is all about training. I’ll be spending a bit of time on the bike in the hills and continuing to build the run as January hasn’t included a lot of running. If it all goes well March’s races in Albany, Singapore and Karri Valley should go alright.

CYA

MG

January Races

I have got back into racing again this month with the State Aquathon Champs (not great) and Champion Lakes draft legal sprint (better). Expectations for these races weren't very high, I had the aim of being fast and fit again for Perth at the end of the month. So these were more about finding some speed.

The Aquathon held on a Friday night usually is a bit rough due to the sea breeze and this year was no exception. Swimming out to the first buoy to sight the second buoy during the warm up was tough, I just needed to remind myself that this is good training.

On the start line there were plenty of young fast kids and it didn't take them long to get away in the swim as I lost my goggles as I dived in! Got them back on and got on with it, but it wasn't fast. After the 500m swim I got onto the first 2.4k run and felt ok, well as best as you can managing high heart rates and keeping speed high.
The 2nd swim was pretty similar to the first. Highlights would have to be the stingers and managed a little body surf on a wave in. Onto the 2nd run and I was on my own, but pushed hard just to experience a bit hurt! Finished in a very average 13th.

A week later and I was lining up against the young fast kids again, as well as the usual suspects that race open. Pre race tactic was to work with Brynt and Kenty and ride our self back to the leaders.

The swim started ok, but lost the lead pack at around 300m. I stayed switched on and worked on limiting the damage. I lead the 2nd pack into T1 thought great no pressure to fly through transition. But a slight issue getting my blue seventy suit off and a few beat me out of T1.

Onto the bike and I was happy as I had people to work with and started hard. My heart rate was high, but it was meant to be. We started a roll through and by the time we got to the end of the straight I was struggling! Forgetting my diesel engine takes a little time to fire up. A gap opened and I couldn't close it.. F#%k!! Way to stuff this race up.

By the time the mini pack of Mark Luckin and another finished the first lap, I was feeling ready to go. Mark had done a half ironman the week before, so I knew I had to do most of the work and just got on with it. Having Mark there was bloody helpful as I was able to have a few breaks as we got around and we didn't lose too much time.

Into T2 and the run felt good. It was heating up so I built into the run. I was running well and starting to move through the field. I liked the out and back run course as you could see how much you were making up quite often.

I ended up in 4th, which is my best sprint distance result in open. I'm happy with the day and with my recovery from Ironman. I'm a little ahead of where I thought I'd be, even with the post race limp.

City of Perth next and then back to a bit of longer training in prep for Singapore.
MG