Just chilling up here at Port Mac after the weekend. I thought I would put into words the emotions of the day and what I experienced out there. Rocking up this weekend I was fit. Mentally fatigued after 3 Ironman campaigns this season, but fit. I knew that I was significantly stronger on the bike and further down the track of progress in the swim. Seeing as 2 years or so ago, I couldnt swim 50 metres. This brought a sense of calm my way in the build up. As usual I avoid a lot of the hype with these events and prefer to just do my thing, buy quality food, hydrate, self massage, listen to music and try to get ready for the sting. On the morning of the event I was starting to get nervous, as any normal person would, I had my usual routine of doing a 10 min jog 1hr or so prior to go time, came back to the car and changed into the wetsuit. Now, this was my first Ironman with a rolling start. So, no mass start. As I am used to. This ended up going in my favour as I seeded myself in the 60 min to 1hr 7 min bracket for the swim, I let the sub 60 min guys go ahead. There is not a chance that I could swim that quick. I knew with my training that I was on target to get a 1hr 3-5 swim if I stayed present in the swim and focused on each stroke. More importantly I recently changed my breathing to every 2 strokes, so more oxygen flow = less fatigue. Dah! This enabled me to hold my form well in the swim. The morning was not really windy, but calm as was the swim. Out of the water in 1hr 4 mins.... away! Onto the bike the wind picked up big time. This and with the relatively hilly course that is Port Mac, combined with the Pot holes everywhere made for a difficult ride. BUT I LOVED IT. I trained for this in the Yarra Valley and Dandenongs, taking my TT bike up in the hills and out in the crappy roads around the Valley. The training paid off riding a 5hr 19 on a very tough course. Nowhere near the 4hr 54 min I did at Melbourne to quality for Kona. But Eastlink is flat and super fast. Onto the run.... I was cooked. The legs had nothing. I was disappointed as I knew that I had put out an awesome swim and ride..... I so wanted to run a 3hr to 3hr 10 min marathon that I know I am capable of doing. My training reflected that I had the speed, but clearly not the strength. So I came in with a 3hr 27 min marathon with winds blowing all over the place. All up 9hrs 57 mins on a very tough course. Happy with the overall effort. I was aiming for a 9hr 30 min to finish on a high.... but hey it is what it is. So for now, a chill. I need to focus on my family, work, relaxing and just getting away from structure for awhile. Trails and riding my bike in a relaxed way. Not smashing myself up and through the hills. Thanks for reading and for your amazing support! You all rock. Happy running Rosco
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 11:05:42 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015