5150 Philippines Subic Bay
Plans are sometimes overrated and not always work out accordingly, though as the saying goes "you don't plan to fail, you fail to plan." Going into this race I had not planned much at all, hence the little failure. I am normally pretty strategic in my planning and making sure I have everything ticked off before I set sail, but this was a whole new kettle of fish. It is the old adage of biting off more than I can chew. There is so much more I could go on with, but let's just say I've been too busy, and that's when stupid mistakes happen.
I finally make it to the Philippines and I try to put the bike together when I notice the rear derailleur had come off the bike and had put a crack in the frame. So, after a long detour and arriving a day late, I end up going into crisis mode, which for me is shutting down and just not really caring anymore.
A very big SALAMAT needs to go Ias, who not only houses me on all of my Philippine adventures, but for lending me his bike to use for this race. Without you here mate I would be lost, Thanks for everything you do for me. You have the most gorgeous family and it's always a comfort to know I'm in good hands when I'm here. Cheers. I owe you big time.
So the race after all of this was actually pretty cool calm and collected.
At check-in, and again the ladies behind the desk think that I'm Fredrik Croneborg. I guess we do look alike in some way, we are both devilishly handsome and all.... Right Freddy?
I finally make it to the Philippines and I try to put the bike together when I notice the rear derailleur had come off the bike and had put a crack in the frame. So, after a long detour and arriving a day late, I end up going into crisis mode, which for me is shutting down and just not really caring anymore.
A very big SALAMAT needs to go Ias, who not only houses me on all of my Philippine adventures, but for lending me his bike to use for this race. Without you here mate I would be lost, Thanks for everything you do for me. You have the most gorgeous family and it's always a comfort to know I'm in good hands when I'm here. Cheers. I owe you big time.
So the race after all of this was actually pretty cool calm and collected.
At check-in, and again the ladies behind the desk think that I'm Fredrik Croneborg. I guess we do look alike in some way, we are both devilishly handsome and all.... Right Freddy?
The swim,
Anyway, onto the race and there has been a little change to the course, I think to the better though. No more long walk to get to the swim start. The swim start sounds and off we go. I get a reasonable start and not too many arms and legs in the way, I do feel sorry for those at the back. I was able to sit on a couple toes for a while but they were going a little too fast for me and I thought I better drop off and go myself.
It felt like it went forever, and I was getting a little disappointed that it was taking so long. There wasn't all that much current so I cant blame it, but in the long run it wasn't all that slow at all. Plus I could only blame myself for going slow as I hadn't done the training.
Out of the swim and get to the bike when I hear my closest rival (Don) announced coming out of the water. He was set up right next to me and we had a bit of a chat before I get going.
Anyway, onto the race and there has been a little change to the course, I think to the better though. No more long walk to get to the swim start. The swim start sounds and off we go. I get a reasonable start and not too many arms and legs in the way, I do feel sorry for those at the back. I was able to sit on a couple toes for a while but they were going a little too fast for me and I thought I better drop off and go myself.
It felt like it went forever, and I was getting a little disappointed that it was taking so long. There wasn't all that much current so I cant blame it, but in the long run it wasn't all that slow at all. Plus I could only blame myself for going slow as I hadn't done the training.
Out of the swim and get to the bike when I hear my closest rival (Don) announced coming out of the water. He was set up right next to me and we had a bit of a chat before I get going.
The Bike,
I get off to a bit of a slow start. This year it was straight onto the Airfield and onto the runway. We do the first section pretty well and then turn around into a gailing sidewind and then it starts to bucket down. The runway was the only flat part of the bike until the last 5km, so it was going to call for a bit of caution.
I exit the airfield and Don has caught me by now. We both sit up and get some nutrition in have a chat going up the first little hill and then its game on again. Not knowing exactly how Ias's bike handle I was a little more cautious than normal but I knew I had to put some time into Don while in the hills. I was struggling a bit to start with and it wasn't until we got to the first loop through the gardens that I picked up some good speed and started to take a few few risks.
By this time it was still raining pretty heavy but it stopped just as I came out of the loop. I manage to keep the good feeling through to the next hill loop around Tarlac. I pass Justin Granger just before the hill and didn't look all that good. He goes onto tel me that he had crashed and was hurting pretty bad. We hit the hill together and he decides that he can't let me get the jump on him so he gives it a good crack up the hill and takes off on me. Thats what makes him a true pro, perseverance even in trying times. Hats off to you mate, a very big inspiration. Cant wait to catch up in Cebu for the 70.3.
I make it up Tarlac and about to go back down when I drop the chain, probably a rookie mistake in there somewhere but I am yet to figure out exactly how it happened. Not only does the chain come off, but it gets stuck in between the chainrings and the frame. So I watch the world go by while I try and dislodge the chain and get it working again.
I get back on the bike just as Don passed me, there goes all that work put into the first 30km of the bike. So now I have to make a decision, hope to run really well or take some big risks going down the mountain. Well I decided to do both, so I pushed down the mountain putting a good 45 seconds into Don, I was pretty sure I would get the bike down in one piece Ias :)
All that effort again gone to waist as Don flys past me on the lead into the final km's. I make my way through a couple of the final turns and a marshal whacks me in the head with her flag on a pole. She was trying to direct the runners and took her eyes off of the cyclists behind her. It stung for a little bit but no damage.
I get off the bike at the same time as Don, not all that happy with the ride, only about 10min slower than i would have liked, but again thats what no training does. I rack my bike and again Don is right next to me. I get a good transition and head out first.
I get off to a bit of a slow start. This year it was straight onto the Airfield and onto the runway. We do the first section pretty well and then turn around into a gailing sidewind and then it starts to bucket down. The runway was the only flat part of the bike until the last 5km, so it was going to call for a bit of caution.
I exit the airfield and Don has caught me by now. We both sit up and get some nutrition in have a chat going up the first little hill and then its game on again. Not knowing exactly how Ias's bike handle I was a little more cautious than normal but I knew I had to put some time into Don while in the hills. I was struggling a bit to start with and it wasn't until we got to the first loop through the gardens that I picked up some good speed and started to take a few few risks.
By this time it was still raining pretty heavy but it stopped just as I came out of the loop. I manage to keep the good feeling through to the next hill loop around Tarlac. I pass Justin Granger just before the hill and didn't look all that good. He goes onto tel me that he had crashed and was hurting pretty bad. We hit the hill together and he decides that he can't let me get the jump on him so he gives it a good crack up the hill and takes off on me. Thats what makes him a true pro, perseverance even in trying times. Hats off to you mate, a very big inspiration. Cant wait to catch up in Cebu for the 70.3.
I make it up Tarlac and about to go back down when I drop the chain, probably a rookie mistake in there somewhere but I am yet to figure out exactly how it happened. Not only does the chain come off, but it gets stuck in between the chainrings and the frame. So I watch the world go by while I try and dislodge the chain and get it working again.
I get back on the bike just as Don passed me, there goes all that work put into the first 30km of the bike. So now I have to make a decision, hope to run really well or take some big risks going down the mountain. Well I decided to do both, so I pushed down the mountain putting a good 45 seconds into Don, I was pretty sure I would get the bike down in one piece Ias :)
All that effort again gone to waist as Don flys past me on the lead into the final km's. I make my way through a couple of the final turns and a marshal whacks me in the head with her flag on a pole. She was trying to direct the runners and took her eyes off of the cyclists behind her. It stung for a little bit but no damage.
I get off the bike at the same time as Don, not all that happy with the ride, only about 10min slower than i would have liked, but again thats what no training does. I rack my bike and again Don is right next to me. I get a good transition and head out first.
The Run,
I wasn't feeling too bad but I had no speed and the legs felt pretty heavy. Not long out of T2 Don passes me and I had absolutely nothing to be able to stay with him. by this stage the sun had come out and it was getting pretty hot and humid. I was quite happy just sitting at the pace I was and trying to make it to the finish without stopping.
I don't normally have to use sponges on the run but I thank God they were there this time. Going from not finishing IM Cairns last week because of hypothermia to being so hot in this race. I am starting to struggle as we get to the golf course about 5km in. I was able to sit with Jenny from TBB for a while as we encourage each other. I start to come good again and try to push on home, but it was just too hot for me to make any drastic speed change.
I come into the final 2 km's and Ric from Timex-Gold's Gym TMM comes up alongside me through the aid station. I was really starting to overheat at this stage and had trouble moving forward. I grab as much water as possible and the marshals have a hose they squirted me with, and off we go again.
I was able to stay with Ric for a little longer but he just had the final legs that I didn't. To finish was a blessing and I was able to do it with a smile and with a great supportive team of Timex-Gold's Gym TMM.
2:40:09 was the official time and 5th in my age group. I was hoping to get back into the top three but when you can’t, you can’t.
Thank you very much to Roy for housing us in Subic, was a blast again, like it always is. Thank you also to the team and our sponsors Timex, Gold's Gym, Gatorade and TheBrick Multisports store.
I will see you all in Cebu for the Ironman 70.3 Philippines in a months’ time.
I wasn't feeling too bad but I had no speed and the legs felt pretty heavy. Not long out of T2 Don passes me and I had absolutely nothing to be able to stay with him. by this stage the sun had come out and it was getting pretty hot and humid. I was quite happy just sitting at the pace I was and trying to make it to the finish without stopping.
I don't normally have to use sponges on the run but I thank God they were there this time. Going from not finishing IM Cairns last week because of hypothermia to being so hot in this race. I am starting to struggle as we get to the golf course about 5km in. I was able to sit with Jenny from TBB for a while as we encourage each other. I start to come good again and try to push on home, but it was just too hot for me to make any drastic speed change.
I come into the final 2 km's and Ric from Timex-Gold's Gym TMM comes up alongside me through the aid station. I was really starting to overheat at this stage and had trouble moving forward. I grab as much water as possible and the marshals have a hose they squirted me with, and off we go again.
I was able to stay with Ric for a little longer but he just had the final legs that I didn't. To finish was a blessing and I was able to do it with a smile and with a great supportive team of Timex-Gold's Gym TMM.
2:40:09 was the official time and 5th in my age group. I was hoping to get back into the top three but when you can’t, you can’t.
Thank you very much to Roy for housing us in Subic, was a blast again, like it always is. Thank you also to the team and our sponsors Timex, Gold's Gym, Gatorade and TheBrick Multisports store.
I will see you all in Cebu for the Ironman 70.3 Philippines in a months’ time.
