Next Race Peak: Busselton Ironman

Racing and Training blog - http://mikeygeepro.blogspot.com/

10/5/2011 Busselton 70.3 Race Report

I guess this race started in the gravel on Toodyay road two and a half years ago. It has been alot of hard work to get to this race, which has been my focus since the accident. I said to a friend in the days leading up to the race "I win when the race starts", she didn't believe me............ She knows me well!

The lead up to the race had been pretty tense due nerves, excitement and the pressure that I had put on myself. Taper started 5 days earlier than planned due to a virus, but once I was over that I was feeling pretty confident. It was just a case of keeping the nerves in check. Physically I was ready, my swimming and cycling have never been better and I was aiming to catch the leaders by the end off the bike. Since Karri Valley I have had an Achilles injury which had prevented any decent run training. I was expecting the last few km to hurt.

Pre Race

I was up early, got to the start and set up my transition area. Had a few issues with the valve on my disc wheel and not having any light in transition wasn't helping. But was happy with it and went for a little jog to warm myself up. Wettie on and down to the start for a warm up swim.

The swim

Started behind and relaxed into a good rhythm. The front group got away towards the first turning buoy, which was always going to happen. I settle into the second group and swam comfortably for a PB of 27.05.

The bike

I came through transition ok and settled in to around 40kph, as I didn't want to push too hard too early. On Layman road a few went past me and a group of around 15 formed ahead of me. I was happy to chill here and pick it up once past the marina. As we went past the marina my rear disc bounced on a bump on the road, I looked down and it didn't look flat so pushed on. Moved up with only Luke Goard ahead of me from this group, I took a bit of effort and I was wondering where my power was. Lajos came by on Tuart drive a said I was flat.......Crap

I did surprise myself with how calm I was in the next few minutes, even though my race was effectively over. Checked the tyre and nothing obvious (it was in good nick before the race), then the valve and felt air leaking. Relief as I could fix it, so I got the gas bottle out and attached it to the dispenser and I couldn't fit it to the valve as the space it the disc was too small. Race over.............. Matt Illingworth flew by as I emptied the gas canister to see if I could squeeze the dispenser on by itself. Success and I got air into the tyre. Getting the dispenser out without snapping the valve head was my next challenge. Bent it to nearly 90 degrees, but it held and I tighten it as best I could. It wasn't 100% but would have to do.

Next 22.5k we averaged 43.2 kph. I wasn't racing angry, just focused and I wasn't ready to give up on the race yet. Didn't know how long I was on the side of the road for, but I set a new goal of getting under 4.10. Road well for the rest of the bike.

The run

Felt ok early running at 3.50 pace for the first 3.5k and then really found my running legs and ended the return journey of the first lap below 3.40 pace. 2nd lap was spent trying to hold my pace and fighting off cramps. By the time I ran back past transition and the crowds I was really struggling and pace slipped out to just above 4min per km and couldn't even acknowledge a half naked Corin Leckie. As I turned for home on the last lap I felt better and finished it off well. Ran a 1.23.09 half marathon which I'm stoked with. The run is the only discipline which I haven't fully recovered my form in and this run gives me alot of confidence. Think it just needs some more time.

Finished with a wave to Leila May and crossed the line in 4.12.42. Was a bit emotional at the end and just sat in the corner, once I had fought of all the catchers I was able to soak it all in. It has been a very long two and half years and am happy with my performance on the day, I got the most out of my body I think I could have.

A few days on......... Happy, but unsatisfied.

Big thanks to my sponsors in Sportsfever and Skins. Thanks for having faith in me.

22/4/2011

The season so far..

Start of the season had big bike focus as I was off to ride around Tasmania with a few mates in December. The first race was Bunbury OD and took the opportunity to ride down with Ironman Pro Scott Neyedli. It was a fast trip down, just under 5 hours for the 180km and remember turning off my HR monitor as it was way too high for way too long!

The race went well for the swim and the bike with pb's in both, but the ride to bunbury had smashed my legs on the run. Finished up with a 2.01 and 8th, Stoked

Next up was a week riding around the Tassie wilderness with Clint and Frank. Was a hell of a trip, day 1 was 180k uphill and into a 30knot headwind. The day ended with me hypothermic and Frankie looking at bus timetables. Day 2 was into Strahan, a shorter day of 120k so I took the opportunity to run 21k out to the king river mouth. Not a soul insight and a storm firing up over head, was amazing. Day 3 was back into the highlands and up to Cradle Mtn. Day 4 was a little 6 hour run on the overland track, a little research for an ultra I'm hoping to do in a few years. Day 5 began in a white out and ended with Clint pulling out due to illness. Day 6 was an awesome day of riding with good weather too. Quadricep tendonitis started to appear, but pushed through with a few beers. The next day I managed 50k before pulling the pin and cheered Frankie back to Hobart. Great trip with great mates!

The knee injury gave me a bit of grief on return to Perth, but came good just before the draft legal race at Champion Lakes. Swam ok, but missed the group and ended in 7th. City of Perth was next, but turned into disappointing day. Swam well, but was DQ' d in the first minute of the bike. Continued on riding....poorly and focused on running well. Ran well in hot conditions and the DQ was over turned and was given 9th.

Had hoped to peak for the Albany race, after being injured in January, but February was interrupted by injury again. Had been really happy how my body had held up to my training, but running intervals were just a little too hard on the body. Swam another PB and was looking forward for a fast bike, but a mechanical stop and then a crash in slippery conditions ruined that. Was happy to be off the bike and running. Ended up 8th in 2.02 and due for some luck!

Headed down to Busso for week of training with Mick Priest on the 12th. Was a good solid week of training with plenty of sleep and relaxation. Was good to see how the pro's live.

Karri Valley was up next and it had been extended into a long course race and I was expecting a tough day. The swim started well and stayed with the group for most of the first lap before Scott Neyedli surged. Headed out onto the bike in 6th place with 60km and 900m of climbing ahead. There was some changes early on the first lap, but found my groove and moved into 5th at the end of lap 1. Matt Illingworth and Brynt Mc Swain came by, but continued to make ground on the leaders and caught Sean O'Neill and Paul Mackay coming into T2. Set off and settle quickly into 4min k pace which was enough to move me into 3rd. Sean moved back into 1st and Brynt look strong in 2nd but I was able to chase him down on the last lap for 2nd.

Only Busso to go and my first race as a Professional for two and a half years. Training has been the usual up down, as I have had a few minor injuries. But looking at my training, I'm happy with where I'm at and it's the first time since Singapore 70.3 in 2007 I can say I have trained harder than ever before. It should be a interesting race.