The highs and lows of sport

When I look back at my days of playing Aussie Rules with Collegians AFC, the time that sticks out as most enjoyable was 2002. The grade team won the flag; I was an average football player lucky enough to spend majority of the year in the side. I was dropped on the morning of the prelim final, every player’s worst nightmare! But it was for the best player in the team, it was clearly the right decision. It was a special year for the club and I thoroughly enjoyed the pressure of being in over my head in the deep water.

I look at where I am now in triathlon as similar. Racing against the best in the state every few weeks and then getting to test myself in the deeper waters of 70.3’s and Ironman. I’m absolutely loving it and one mishap in Singapore isn’t going to change that

Singapore race report

This hasn’t been my best build up for a 70.3, but compared to my build ups in the last 3 years it was good. Throw on top of that a win and a PB in my last race, I was super confident and relaxed about having a good race. Sub 4hrs was definitely on my radar.

I settled well into the humid environment of Singapore and was on top of staying hydrated early on. I had booked my taxi to pick me up at 5.15am and set 3 alarms on my phone. Figured that should be enough! But I didn’t hear them…. My phone changed time by 6 hours the day before by itself, so figured it stuffed up again. I woke up at 5.15am in a panic!

I grabbed my drinks from the fridge, through on my kit and grabbed my race bag and prayed the taxi was still there. Thankfully yes

Breaky was a few protein bars samples as I tried to calm myself, but still needed a good whinge to some of the West Aussie up there when I got the transition. There was plenty of time and although I was on edge a bit, I got set up. My rear tube wasn’t registering a psi on my pump, but I felt it and was just a little firmer than the front (120psi) and figured it would be alright.

My swim build up was inhibited the week before the race as I had to let a bit of shoulder impingement settle down. I was concerned about my feel for the water, but still confident of a good swim. Early on I was struggling to hold onto the pack. I fought to hang on, but at the end of the first lap I was 20m down on the 2^nd pack.

The 2^nd lap was a struggle and I lost time. I was focusing on getting onto the bike and making it up. T1 was ok, not fast as the boards were slippery. Once on the bike I found my rhythm quickly and set about catching the people in front. At the far turn around, I got my first time gaps. The first 3 were gone (5min), but the 2^nd group was 90sec – 2min ahead and I was locked in to reeling them in by the 90k mark.

The pace was good heading back to the end of lap 1, only slowing for a few tight turns. I average 40.6kph and was confident on building that as long as I got my nutrition right. I was sweating a lot and got through my first bottle at the end of lap 1.

Early on lap 2 I had settled into yelling “keep left” for the next 60k. As I approached the aid station, one of the age grouper went for a bottle 2k’s into he’s race. I’m thinking what are you doing as I put down some power to accelerate past to get a bidon. Snatched one at 35kph and then saw 10m in front of me was a 90 degree turn!!

I put the bidon in my mouth and went for the brakes. Straight into a rear wheel lock up, closely followed by BANG!!

Came to a stop and the bidon disappeared into the distance! My race was done; the tyre had been torn apart in three places. That pressure was probably a bit higher than I thought.

I called it a day and walked back to transition. On a positive note, I got to spend a bit of time catching up with Judi Clemie while watching the run.

Well done to everyone who raced, the race organizers and TO's - cleanest Singapore 70.3 race ever

Waves, hills and a snake! My kind of tri

I was quite excited about racing this week, apart from the natural beauty of the Great Southern it had been a month since the Perth Tri and I was itching to see where I was at. Training in the last 4 weeks had been good and although I had an injury concern with my knee, I had been able to get in some consistent running. A big thanks goes out to Ben and Subi Sports Medicine for keeping me on the track.

Brynt McSwain and Michael Kent were the two competitors I was most worried about pre race. I’d have to be running well or would have to get a lead into T2 for my best chances of winning. On the bike it would be very hard to get away, so I’d have to get away in the swim.

On the beach we were greeted by waves...yay! I’d been waiting 8 years for a triathlon with waves and after a pre race bodysurf, I was pretty relaxed.

From the beach start I dolphin dived through the first few waves, noticed someone on my left moving ahead (Ben Elliot) before having to dive under the waves. It made a nice change from a flat out start. At the first buoy I was in 2^nd and Ben was away. I had someone on my toes, I didn’t want to drag them around and I was determined to catch the leader, so I lifted the pace.

I kept Ben in sight until we started to lap the age groupers, I was feeling good so I continued to push in the hope I was opening a gap on the others. Into shore I caught a little wave most of the way in and set about getting through T1. I couldn’t see Ben; he opened up a lead of a minute and I wasn’t looking back.

Onto the Bike I wasn’t setting the world on fire. I had to calm myself as I was riding into a breeze and soon I had sight of Ben. The gap didn’t close as quickly as I’d like, but it was closing. At the far turn around I got to see how much lead I had on Brynt and Mike. It was a good gap, so focused back on chasing.

I caught Ben just after half way, but two things were worrying me.

1.       The gap to Mike seem to be closing

2.       I suddenly remembered that Ben ran a sub 35min 10k on this course last year.

I needed more time and worked hard on the way out over the hills, I still wasn’t feeling like I was riding well. The one thing that was firing me up was the roundabout. Near misses at 50kph will always make me angry!!

The gap at the far turn around to Ben was minimal, but I thought I’d have better success getting away on the way back to Middleton beach. The gap to Mike was 2minutes which should be enough.

Into T2, I had a good transition and was gone as Ben entered. Off running and its away a case of how is the hamstring? Hmmm it’s been a lot worse, so get on with it.

Onto the path and as I rounded a bend SNAKE! Seen a few in my time and was just hoping it would move. Slowly it started to move as I got closer, not quick enough. Had to be brave and just go over it! Aimed for the non-bitey end and jumped. In mid air I kept an eye on the snake watching me. We had a moment, of either mutual respect (my guns were on show) or Shitscared…

Hopefully a few good memories for the over 30's

I’ve had a bit of history with Tiger Snakes in Albany region. On an adventure race in 2008 I almost stepped on one while walking backwards looking for markers which aren’t there. Heard a noise (wasn’t a hiss) and looked down to see a tiger snake in the strike position 6 inches from my exposed leg! Not the nicest feeling having the 4^th deadliest snake in the world about to latch onto your leg…..yes, I may have screamed like a little girl. So this latest encounter was much nicer.

Like on the bike, I wasn’t feeling that great. But I don’t think I ever do on this course. Maybe it’s due to the many flat races in WA and I’m not used to racing on the hills, but this run always feels like the last 10ks of a half ironman to me. I checked my garmin, 3.35 pace with a gap of 40sec to Ben.

To the half way point and the gap was similar. It was starting to hurt, but if I could maintain my pace I should win. The mind started to wander at points, what would it be like to win this? Are they catching you? I just kept repeating to myself to stay in the moment, work every uphill, every downhill.

Thankfully the gap was still 40seconds at the 7.5k mark and with a bit of encouragement from friends on the course I pushed hard to keep my pace around the 3.35 per km. I came across the line in 1:56:44 which is a 1min 46sec PB. My first since breaking my pelvis 3 years ago, it’s been a long time coming and a lot of patience.

Looking forward to Singapore!

Mikey