Cuttin the mustard?: Ironman New Zealand

I had just recently clicked over to the 40-44age group. I felt a very very long way from the peak of my racing powers. I hadn’t finished an Ironman in 2years, and most of the guys that I coach only have a recent memory of me DNFíng in my last Ironman, which I was copping shit for.

My recent racing history had included an active feet baby tri at Port Arlington and a XOSize team event where I flatted with 10k to go…. This could be a disaster…

The Race

I took a walk by Lake Taupo the night before the race to attempt to settle the inner demons. My distinct lack of confidence belied the fact that this would be my 17^th finish if all went to plan. My state of mind seemed intrinsically linked to the short prep I had done, due to troubles with Osteitis Pubis for most of 2010.

I did know I had the ability to hurt like no one else, I had confidence in that, but the for how long it would take was the million dollar question

Race Day

The weather was average. It was windy and poured with rain, but for those that know me, that was what I was hoping for. ; )

I was banking on being as smart as I could for this race. My hope was I could put to good use some of the race tips that I regularly spewed out to the athletes I coached.

Swim

**Error one, going to the start line too early for the swim, and not doing my accels and keeping my shoulders warm… Not a good start!! OK, lets redeem yourself FOZ. Get a good start, then think about keeping the right arm over the barrel all the way, if I do that I usually swim ok.

Had a solid swim, was hoping for 53mins and came out in 52:33. No dramas after an initial rough start, and got out on the bike safe and sound after that long run to T1.

Bike

Ok, my creedo for the bike was to attack early, and attack hard. After that, hold a solid rhythm, stay away from packs, or be on the front of them, and keep my cadence up!

I hit the bike hard, dragging a group up the first hill out of town. Of course when I got to the top, a few accelerated hard off me.

I knew that I had to keep in touch with them, this was a crucial part of the ride!

I did, and once a few of them popped from the initial effort, I passed them and settled into my solid rhythm for the race.

I felt surprisingly good, and stuck mostly to my pace and maintained a good cadence. Shit, I even put a speedo on so I could keep an eye on my pacing. Yes don’t faint people, this is unusual for me!

I usually go by feel, but I was glad that I had the computer, and I was smiling as most of the time the speedo was well above 40km/hr

I had a surprisingly good bike, finishing with a split of 5hrs. I was hoping for anything sub 5:10, as I hadn’t felt good on the bike in the lead up. I ended up sitting on the front of a group of around 7riders for around 150k of the ride. With 45k to go I managed to get away, with only 2 coming with. I arrived in T2 leading my age group and top 3 age grouper.

Run

Onto the run, and once again it was a matter of take it out hard and hanging on. All that ran through my mind in the early stages was keep the nutrition and my stride cadence up and relax the shoulders. I had to find anyway to save energy, as I was a bit underdone, and I knew the run would bring this out.

As it happens I ran strongly to 25kms, averaging just over 4:30min k’s, and was in 2^nd spot in my age. The plan was working!!!

From there though, I lost a lot of condition in my quads and it felt like I was running on egg shells down the hills.

I was worried enough from 25k on that I told myself that I had to run 90strides hard, then 60 strides easy. I was scared I was slacking off!

I also resorted to counting calves all the way through the final lap when anyone ran past me, hoping they weren’t in my age group. Not until that point did the possibility of reaching my goal of racing Hawaii again come into my head.

Finally with about 10k to go I could switch from thinking I hope I make it to Hawaii, to hope I make it to the podium, maybe second was on the cards.

The Chute

Not knowing what time I was doing, it was like a ‘chicken surprise’ moment running down the finish chute. To my surprise the clock glowed 9:18, only 3mins slower than my goal time. A sense of relief washed over me, as I crossed the line. I had given all I could and I was shattered; the quads were like glass and I struggled to get to the massage tent.