Ironman 70.3 Phuket 2010
Thursday 2nd December, Three days to go. After a big Tuesday with work and travelling to Singapore, I had a decent night at a mates place catching up and telling stories. Wednesday was another early start with the flight to Phuket which made for another long day. We got lost trying to get to the resort but that was nothing major.
I put the bike together and explored the resort. I’m staying about 5km away from the race site which is not a problem because the roads are great and the traffic minimal. Shuttles run every half hour as well so all is good.
I went for a ride to the race site for a quick sticky beak. Finally, the transition maps make sense. Going through these things prior to getting here is always a mental challenge but something I personally find a must.
Checked out the swim course and transition then headed for market shopping for food. I bumped into a few people who were nice enough to tell me about their experiences and where to/not to shop. Thanks guys, great help.
Riding back to the hotel was tricky with 2 big plastic bags full of veggies and chicken on each handlebar which is no easy task in traffic. Soup was on the menu for dinner, then off to bed for an early night. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.
Thursday started with an easy morning. Still on Darwin time, I got to the race expo 2hrs early. So, with time to kill I went in search of friends at the race hotel. Caught up with some others from Darwin and headed for a swim on the race course. It’s was an excellent clear, flat ocean loop and across a little lake.
Coach arrived today, met up for some laughs and lunch on the beach. Waterslide rides for the big kids (I think I can call myself a big kid). We then headed back to the expo for more shopping. It bucketed down for 10 minutes. Nearly thought we would have to put the training run on hold, but it let up in time.
Beautiful cool run, nice and flat. Adventure racing to start, then onto the roads and through the shopping village. Great run, feeling fit, fresh and ready to race. Days before the race Friday started with the 8am group familiarisation bike ride. There were about 50 or so cyclists who joined, which made it a nice big group. Sitting in the middle of the bunch ensured that it was a nice easy ride. We had a police escort most of the way and turned around at the 16km mark, which is at the foot bridge where we have to get off and walk. There were no hills during the ride but the winding roads still make it tough.
After the ride we proceeded to registration, which went nice and smoothly. Watch for No.67… that’s me!!! With all the administration stuff done, I headed back to the hotel for a nice easy afternoon by the pool. What a life!!
Saturday started early again, with a 7am swim around the course. I completed the first loop in a reasonable time and under race conditions think I could drop a couple of minutes off my time. It was then time for second breakfast, followed by bike and gear check-in.
With the race brief completed, we did our last minute shopping before spending the afternoon once again relaxing at the hotel. I sat by the pool chilling and reading messages from home and friends all over the world. Thank you all for your warm wishes and your encouragement will be my inspiration as the going get tough.
The Pasta Party was held at the Laguna Phuket Beach Resort. There was heaps of food and deserts, very nice. At the hotel again I packed the race morning bag and prepared for another early night.
Wish me luck. Next update will be with finisher's medal around neck and masseuse working on my legs. Las Vegas Here I Come What a challenging day!! I could just leave it at that and you would get the picture but I shall digress.
It started off as a beautiful morning. Got the shuttle into the race venue at 5am with the stars trying to shine through the clouds. Checked the bike was ok and set everything up. Put shoes on the bike, filled drink bottles, pumped the tyres to correct pressure…. So many things to do.
Caught up with the rest of the Darwin crew and made it across the lake to the start line on the beach. Had a good warm-up swim and a little jog to get the blood pumping.
Whilst waiting for the horn to go at the start line, I got quite cold and yet another competitor beside me was complaining how hot it was.
The horn sounded and there was a mad rush into the water. A couple of people jumped on top of me as I saw Tim speed off into the distance. It was a rough start with people on top of me and pulling me back for the first two hundred metres. I managed to break free, but I lost touch of the first group of swimmers, making me the leader of our group. At the 700m buoy we turned back toward the shore, when someone decided to help me out and took the lead. I was able to keep on his toes for a while before I started to slow down, for reasons unknown although I felt good.
I exited the ocean with quite a gap between those in front and behind me. Felt like I was in limbo. I entered the lake with about 400 meters to swim and it felt like I slowed down even more!! Kinda like swimming through mud. I made it out in 30 minutes, although slower than I would have liked, I caught some of the pros making it a pretty decent swim.
Into the transition area, I grabbed my bike gear bag and raced into the change tent. My volunteer was in so much of a rush to get me out of the tent, I forgot to get my sunglasses. Have to remember these for the next race!!
The bike started out pretty good and I caught a couple of pro women and Tim around the first overpass crossing. During the “walk your bike across the overpass” Tim was jumping up and down like a lunatic trying to get water out of his ears from the swim. Some light entertainment during the race!!
The first 40km flew by in 1 hour 5 minutes. The bike leg was going to plan so far and my cycle training was paying off. At the 45km mark I hit the first set of hills. “This is what I came here for. Bring on the hills” I said to myself. Halfway up the first hill, I realised this was quite a challenge and commented to the guy cycling next to me “My coach is going to kill me for making him do this course.” Hills are not everyone’s favourite…
I finished the first hill set without much difficulty and headed back onto the flat road making our way to the overpass. At this stage we are going the opposite way to the rest of the field and have an opportunity to see the rest of the Darwin crew. Daryl, Robyn, Phil and a few other friends are all going well.
A big group caught me just after the overpass and I tried to sit with them for a few km before the last set of hills. With a little bit of glee that I enjoy riding up hills, Michelle Wu and I raced past the pack and surged up the hills. I made it up in no time at all and descended fast down the other side. On the descent I hit a reflector in the middle of the road, causing a serious speed wobble. I seriously thought that I had blown my tyre and coming into a sharp corner sitting at 50km/h+, I thought I was going to come off. I came around the corner ok and was able to check the tyre which was fine. Phew!!
The final 5km of the bike was the hardest. Felt like it went on for ever. My legs were sore and I didn’t get a chance to stretch them. I finished the bike in 2 hour 30 minutes. Very happy with that effort and quite chuffed that I was able to maintain that average speed with those hills.
I came out of transition with a couple of guys and sat nicely with them for the first couple of kilometres. My speed was ok for the first lap but wanted to pick it up the second lap. That unfortunately didn’t happen. I caught one of the guys in front of me and we played cat & mouse for a few kilometres.
About the 14km mark I died, ran out of energy and food. I was drinking cola at every aid station to try lifting the energy levels to keep going. At the 19km mark, I looked at my watch and noted that I had 9 minutes to get to the finish line before 4:40. I dug deep and pushed the whole way back. Into the finishers shoot and I crossed the line at 4:38:03. Not quite the time I was expecting but still very happy, especially considering the tough hills on this course!
I had a great massage and recovery food (pasta and rice), yummo. I came out and see Jamie walking towards the recovery tent having just finished. Great effort for his first half ironman. He tells me he finished third and mentioned that I won our age group.
WOW, I won, Asia-Pacific 70.3 M18-24 Champion, I was over the moon. I raced to the information tent to confirm this and collect my LAS VEGAS World Championships slot.
I hung around and see Tim finish. Caught up with Rob and Sue who both had a great race, and watched Daryl and Robyn come over the line. Great inspiration seeing Daryl finish, he was about 20 metres away and got massive cramps in the legs rendering him nearly to the ground. With the crowd cheering and Whit (the announcer) yelling at him, a couple of guys finishing behind grab his arms and drag him to the line. What a moment. Not many sports have this kind of camaraderie and dedication. Everyone around is cheering for each competitor and having fellow competitors helping you out. That is what this sport is all about.
I then headed home and got changed for the awards ceremony. I was exhausted and just about asleep at the dinner table. Whit got the crowd going with some Guns & Roses. Being announced as the Asia-Pacific age group Champion and receiving my trophy was amazing. All in all, I would have to say it was the best race I have done so far. Challenging but fair.
Now I am making my way back to Australia, three flights and a three hour car trip and onto Canberra for my next race.
Until then,
Keep-It-Together
I put the bike together and explored the resort. I’m staying about 5km away from the race site which is not a problem because the roads are great and the traffic minimal. Shuttles run every half hour as well so all is good.
I went for a ride to the race site for a quick sticky beak. Finally, the transition maps make sense. Going through these things prior to getting here is always a mental challenge but something I personally find a must.
Checked out the swim course and transition then headed for market shopping for food. I bumped into a few people who were nice enough to tell me about their experiences and where to/not to shop. Thanks guys, great help.
Riding back to the hotel was tricky with 2 big plastic bags full of veggies and chicken on each handlebar which is no easy task in traffic. Soup was on the menu for dinner, then off to bed for an early night. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.
Thursday started with an easy morning. Still on Darwin time, I got to the race expo 2hrs early. So, with time to kill I went in search of friends at the race hotel. Caught up with some others from Darwin and headed for a swim on the race course. It’s was an excellent clear, flat ocean loop and across a little lake.
Coach arrived today, met up for some laughs and lunch on the beach. Waterslide rides for the big kids (I think I can call myself a big kid). We then headed back to the expo for more shopping. It bucketed down for 10 minutes. Nearly thought we would have to put the training run on hold, but it let up in time.
Beautiful cool run, nice and flat. Adventure racing to start, then onto the roads and through the shopping village. Great run, feeling fit, fresh and ready to race. Days before the race Friday started with the 8am group familiarisation bike ride. There were about 50 or so cyclists who joined, which made it a nice big group. Sitting in the middle of the bunch ensured that it was a nice easy ride. We had a police escort most of the way and turned around at the 16km mark, which is at the foot bridge where we have to get off and walk. There were no hills during the ride but the winding roads still make it tough.
After the ride we proceeded to registration, which went nice and smoothly. Watch for No.67… that’s me!!! With all the administration stuff done, I headed back to the hotel for a nice easy afternoon by the pool. What a life!!
Saturday started early again, with a 7am swim around the course. I completed the first loop in a reasonable time and under race conditions think I could drop a couple of minutes off my time. It was then time for second breakfast, followed by bike and gear check-in.
With the race brief completed, we did our last minute shopping before spending the afternoon once again relaxing at the hotel. I sat by the pool chilling and reading messages from home and friends all over the world. Thank you all for your warm wishes and your encouragement will be my inspiration as the going get tough.
The Pasta Party was held at the Laguna Phuket Beach Resort. There was heaps of food and deserts, very nice. At the hotel again I packed the race morning bag and prepared for another early night.
Wish me luck. Next update will be with finisher's medal around neck and masseuse working on my legs. Las Vegas Here I Come What a challenging day!! I could just leave it at that and you would get the picture but I shall digress.
It started off as a beautiful morning. Got the shuttle into the race venue at 5am with the stars trying to shine through the clouds. Checked the bike was ok and set everything up. Put shoes on the bike, filled drink bottles, pumped the tyres to correct pressure…. So many things to do.
Caught up with the rest of the Darwin crew and made it across the lake to the start line on the beach. Had a good warm-up swim and a little jog to get the blood pumping.
Whilst waiting for the horn to go at the start line, I got quite cold and yet another competitor beside me was complaining how hot it was.
The horn sounded and there was a mad rush into the water. A couple of people jumped on top of me as I saw Tim speed off into the distance. It was a rough start with people on top of me and pulling me back for the first two hundred metres. I managed to break free, but I lost touch of the first group of swimmers, making me the leader of our group. At the 700m buoy we turned back toward the shore, when someone decided to help me out and took the lead. I was able to keep on his toes for a while before I started to slow down, for reasons unknown although I felt good.
I exited the ocean with quite a gap between those in front and behind me. Felt like I was in limbo. I entered the lake with about 400 meters to swim and it felt like I slowed down even more!! Kinda like swimming through mud. I made it out in 30 minutes, although slower than I would have liked, I caught some of the pros making it a pretty decent swim.
Into the transition area, I grabbed my bike gear bag and raced into the change tent. My volunteer was in so much of a rush to get me out of the tent, I forgot to get my sunglasses. Have to remember these for the next race!!
The bike started out pretty good and I caught a couple of pro women and Tim around the first overpass crossing. During the “walk your bike across the overpass” Tim was jumping up and down like a lunatic trying to get water out of his ears from the swim. Some light entertainment during the race!!
The first 40km flew by in 1 hour 5 minutes. The bike leg was going to plan so far and my cycle training was paying off. At the 45km mark I hit the first set of hills. “This is what I came here for. Bring on the hills” I said to myself. Halfway up the first hill, I realised this was quite a challenge and commented to the guy cycling next to me “My coach is going to kill me for making him do this course.” Hills are not everyone’s favourite…
I finished the first hill set without much difficulty and headed back onto the flat road making our way to the overpass. At this stage we are going the opposite way to the rest of the field and have an opportunity to see the rest of the Darwin crew. Daryl, Robyn, Phil and a few other friends are all going well.
A big group caught me just after the overpass and I tried to sit with them for a few km before the last set of hills. With a little bit of glee that I enjoy riding up hills, Michelle Wu and I raced past the pack and surged up the hills. I made it up in no time at all and descended fast down the other side. On the descent I hit a reflector in the middle of the road, causing a serious speed wobble. I seriously thought that I had blown my tyre and coming into a sharp corner sitting at 50km/h+, I thought I was going to come off. I came around the corner ok and was able to check the tyre which was fine. Phew!!
The final 5km of the bike was the hardest. Felt like it went on for ever. My legs were sore and I didn’t get a chance to stretch them. I finished the bike in 2 hour 30 minutes. Very happy with that effort and quite chuffed that I was able to maintain that average speed with those hills.
I came out of transition with a couple of guys and sat nicely with them for the first couple of kilometres. My speed was ok for the first lap but wanted to pick it up the second lap. That unfortunately didn’t happen. I caught one of the guys in front of me and we played cat & mouse for a few kilometres.
About the 14km mark I died, ran out of energy and food. I was drinking cola at every aid station to try lifting the energy levels to keep going. At the 19km mark, I looked at my watch and noted that I had 9 minutes to get to the finish line before 4:40. I dug deep and pushed the whole way back. Into the finishers shoot and I crossed the line at 4:38:03. Not quite the time I was expecting but still very happy, especially considering the tough hills on this course!
I had a great massage and recovery food (pasta and rice), yummo. I came out and see Jamie walking towards the recovery tent having just finished. Great effort for his first half ironman. He tells me he finished third and mentioned that I won our age group.
WOW, I won, Asia-Pacific 70.3 M18-24 Champion, I was over the moon. I raced to the information tent to confirm this and collect my LAS VEGAS World Championships slot.
I hung around and see Tim finish. Caught up with Rob and Sue who both had a great race, and watched Daryl and Robyn come over the line. Great inspiration seeing Daryl finish, he was about 20 metres away and got massive cramps in the legs rendering him nearly to the ground. With the crowd cheering and Whit (the announcer) yelling at him, a couple of guys finishing behind grab his arms and drag him to the line. What a moment. Not many sports have this kind of camaraderie and dedication. Everyone around is cheering for each competitor and having fellow competitors helping you out. That is what this sport is all about.
I then headed home and got changed for the awards ceremony. I was exhausted and just about asleep at the dinner table. Whit got the crowd going with some Guns & Roses. Being announced as the Asia-Pacific age group Champion and receiving my trophy was amazing. All in all, I would have to say it was the best race I have done so far. Challenging but fair.
Now I am making my way back to Australia, three flights and a three hour car trip and onto Canberra for my next race.
Until then,
Keep-It-Together
