Ironman 70.3 Philippines 2009
Story thanks to Robyn Stanley
Friday 21 August 09
We made it! Darwin to Singapore, then Singapore to Manila all went well. Landed in Manila at 3:45 am ahead of schedule and the fun began. There are no shuttles running to the domestic terminal at that hour and no one seemed to know when they would begin. With a 6 am flight to catch we didn't have a lot of time to waste. Chatted up the event VIP spotters and it turned out they were waiting for Witt and one of the pros to arrive. They were over-nighting in Manila and flying to Naga the next day. Managed to convince them that they could take us and bikes to domestic and be back in time and it worked!
Once at the domestic terminal things worked like a charm, event volunteers tagged us and bikes with our hotel "colour", we then proceeded to the red carpet for check in.
Flight left on time, and arrived on time into Naga. Welcomed by band, dancers, signs, gifts and a whole lot of fanfare. Awesome!
Grant is staying out at the event site (CWC)* but we are in town at Villa Caceres. Have worked out the jeepney systems and other local transport and have also been on a tour this morning.
Out at CWC we had a swim (water good, warm) and a jog over some of the run course (lots of concrete, ahhhh ). Have just returned from a ride over parts of the bike course accompanied by lots of guys on motorbikes who "moved" all the traffic for us. Much of the bike course is also on cement which is quite bumpy, there has been a tailwind for the out section but corresponding headwind for the return 45 km. If the sun is out it is mega hot and heaps of sunscreen is required. Hoping the aid stations would be well stocked on race day.
Grant is jumping out of his skin, knows everyone by name, has had his photo taken a million times and can't wait for race day. Michelle is almost over her cold and is looking forward to race day. Daz is making sure we are keeping active (after recovering from the jetlag which set in on Wednesday). He and Michelle have made use of nearby spa for massage. Me, I've resorted to drugs today to clear a huge sinus headache (way too much air-conditioning together with smog really knocked me) and hoping to be tip top and ready to go by Sunday.
Stay tuned ... it's different, has all the signs of being an absolute blinder of a race providing the weather is kind.
Sunday 23 August
Wow, what a race! I can't believe I was privileged to compete at such a fantastic event. It was every bit as tough as predicted but to sound corny ... "the vibe" was awesome. The Filipinos know their triathlon, thanks largely to White Rock Tri at Subic, and add in the top class pros and international field it certainly made for some fierce competition.
The swim start had the pros out about 30 metres with a deep water start while the rest of the field were high and dry. The swim was in a rowing basin and then we transferred to the wakeboard pool for the last 600 metres. It was a tough swim in terms of being thumped and pushed around, especially in the early stages. The short run between swim basins also made it more interesting than usual.
Transition was extremely well set up and in no time we were out on the bike.
The crowds were huge out at Camsur but absolutely nothing prepared me for the crowds out on the bike course. They were three and four deep, all cheering "Ironman, Ironman, Ironman". Bands were playing, the dogs and chooks were all locked up, the marshals were great and the aid stations, every 15 km, were fantastic. The ride out had the wind behind us. As it was 45 km out and back it was a while before the pro men appeared. Macca, Bozzone and mates appeared, with a few more guys close to follow. Next I see Lisa Bentley then Grant, he is on fire. Michelle appears soon after and I'm excited they are doing so well. I don't see him but I hear Daryl yell (always reassuring when the headcount is complete) and as we drop down the hill to the port I just know payback is coming in the form of a headwind for the return 45 km and sure enough, bang, it is in your face as you turn to tackle the long incline back. With so much to see and so much support the ride back was easy to get through (isn't it the way when you can concentrate on something other than the pain of going uphill?).
Back into T2* I'm happy with my time, change shoes, grab a hat and get out there onto "that" run.
I see Macca (in 2nd) checking behind him for Cam Brown's progress and seeing them I know the run isn't going to be easy. Hot 'n humid and running on cement was never going to be anything other than a survival exercise. Surprisingly, again the locals in the villages we ran through were all out in force to cheer us on. I see Grant who is absolutely flying on the run and indicates all is well with him. Michelle is working hard too and next I see Daryl also putting in. The locals were brilliant and happily splashed water over you if you wanted. Aid stations were overworked dishing out drinks and sponges, about five different bands kept up a great beat so we had lots of things to take the mind off the job (i.e. running 21km).
Reaching the turnaround for the second time I've found my rhythm and picked up a couple of shadows who liked my pace. We chat and encourage each other through the final half of the run and pretty soon it's all over.
I'm not sure how Supercoach manages it, but I'm fine at the finish. The Long Course last week took more out of me I think. I get all the news while I'm cooling down ... Grant and Michelle have both placed highly overall - Fantastic. Finish medal round neck, towel over the shoulders and t-shirt gained I head for a very welcome finish line massage. Awesome!
Friday 21 August 09
We made it! Darwin to Singapore, then Singapore to Manila all went well. Landed in Manila at 3:45 am ahead of schedule and the fun began. There are no shuttles running to the domestic terminal at that hour and no one seemed to know when they would begin. With a 6 am flight to catch we didn't have a lot of time to waste. Chatted up the event VIP spotters and it turned out they were waiting for Witt and one of the pros to arrive. They were over-nighting in Manila and flying to Naga the next day. Managed to convince them that they could take us and bikes to domestic and be back in time and it worked!
Once at the domestic terminal things worked like a charm, event volunteers tagged us and bikes with our hotel "colour", we then proceeded to the red carpet for check in.
Flight left on time, and arrived on time into Naga. Welcomed by band, dancers, signs, gifts and a whole lot of fanfare. Awesome!
Grant is staying out at the event site (CWC)* but we are in town at Villa Caceres. Have worked out the jeepney systems and other local transport and have also been on a tour this morning.
Out at CWC we had a swim (water good, warm) and a jog over some of the run course (lots of concrete, ahhhh ). Have just returned from a ride over parts of the bike course accompanied by lots of guys on motorbikes who "moved" all the traffic for us. Much of the bike course is also on cement which is quite bumpy, there has been a tailwind for the out section but corresponding headwind for the return 45 km. If the sun is out it is mega hot and heaps of sunscreen is required. Hoping the aid stations would be well stocked on race day.
Grant is jumping out of his skin, knows everyone by name, has had his photo taken a million times and can't wait for race day. Michelle is almost over her cold and is looking forward to race day. Daz is making sure we are keeping active (after recovering from the jetlag which set in on Wednesday). He and Michelle have made use of nearby spa for massage. Me, I've resorted to drugs today to clear a huge sinus headache (way too much air-conditioning together with smog really knocked me) and hoping to be tip top and ready to go by Sunday.
Stay tuned ... it's different, has all the signs of being an absolute blinder of a race providing the weather is kind.
Sunday 23 August
Wow, what a race! I can't believe I was privileged to compete at such a fantastic event. It was every bit as tough as predicted but to sound corny ... "the vibe" was awesome. The Filipinos know their triathlon, thanks largely to White Rock Tri at Subic, and add in the top class pros and international field it certainly made for some fierce competition.
The swim start had the pros out about 30 metres with a deep water start while the rest of the field were high and dry. The swim was in a rowing basin and then we transferred to the wakeboard pool for the last 600 metres. It was a tough swim in terms of being thumped and pushed around, especially in the early stages. The short run between swim basins also made it more interesting than usual.
Transition was extremely well set up and in no time we were out on the bike.
The crowds were huge out at Camsur but absolutely nothing prepared me for the crowds out on the bike course. They were three and four deep, all cheering "Ironman, Ironman, Ironman". Bands were playing, the dogs and chooks were all locked up, the marshals were great and the aid stations, every 15 km, were fantastic. The ride out had the wind behind us. As it was 45 km out and back it was a while before the pro men appeared. Macca, Bozzone and mates appeared, with a few more guys close to follow. Next I see Lisa Bentley then Grant, he is on fire. Michelle appears soon after and I'm excited they are doing so well. I don't see him but I hear Daryl yell (always reassuring when the headcount is complete) and as we drop down the hill to the port I just know payback is coming in the form of a headwind for the return 45 km and sure enough, bang, it is in your face as you turn to tackle the long incline back. With so much to see and so much support the ride back was easy to get through (isn't it the way when you can concentrate on something other than the pain of going uphill?).
Back into T2* I'm happy with my time, change shoes, grab a hat and get out there onto "that" run.
I see Macca (in 2nd) checking behind him for Cam Brown's progress and seeing them I know the run isn't going to be easy. Hot 'n humid and running on cement was never going to be anything other than a survival exercise. Surprisingly, again the locals in the villages we ran through were all out in force to cheer us on. I see Grant who is absolutely flying on the run and indicates all is well with him. Michelle is working hard too and next I see Daryl also putting in. The locals were brilliant and happily splashed water over you if you wanted. Aid stations were overworked dishing out drinks and sponges, about five different bands kept up a great beat so we had lots of things to take the mind off the job (i.e. running 21km).
Reaching the turnaround for the second time I've found my rhythm and picked up a couple of shadows who liked my pace. We chat and encourage each other through the final half of the run and pretty soon it's all over.
I'm not sure how Supercoach manages it, but I'm fine at the finish. The Long Course last week took more out of me I think. I get all the news while I'm cooling down ... Grant and Michelle have both placed highly overall - Fantastic. Finish medal round neck, towel over the shoulders and t-shirt gained I head for a very welcome finish line massage. Awesome!
