The final countdown

My last weekend of training

I arrived back from fours days in Sydney on Friday afternoon. Training in Sydney was short, but fun all the same. I did three runs along the waterfront and around the Botanical Gardens. Sydney is very busy! I ran one evening and realised it was probably a bad idea to run at commuter home time. Plus everyone in all the restaurants made me fell hungry and envious of the waterfront lifestyle of wining and dining! I also ran one morning, much better although hot. I swam in the 25m pool at the hotel- a 2km time trial in just under 35 mins. It was good to have a change of scenery, but I didn’t like being on my own.

So Saturday morning I had a 30 min swim, 60 min bike and 30 min run planned, all at IM pace (steady). Well the weather had other plans. A weather bomb hit Auckland and the sea was horrendous, the worst weather I had seen in my few months in Auckland. So I canned the open water swim, and did a wind trainer session, followed by a 30 min run in the rain. I only saw one other guy out running. It was very blustery, but I was spurred on by the thought that I wouldn’t let the weather gods spoil all my training fun, and at least one discipline would be done outside today whatever!

Bede and I then caught a plan to Napier for Bede’s Aunty’s 75th Birthday party. We had a beautiful meal at The Church at Meeanee. Although it was short and sweet, we enjoyed the break and it was good to catch up with Bede's family.

Back to Auckland, and I ventured out on a 2hr ride around the back of Howick and Bucklands Beach and the waterfront. The rain and wind had almost all cleared up and it was good to get my last long ride under my belt (although 2hrs seems like a breeze now!)

Monday

Back at work, and I had heaps to sort out, so I was kept busy. I kind of wished people would stop asking how the training was going, am I nervous etc., but it’s great to know people are interested and care.

It is funny how Ironman begins to “define” you. Once your friends or work colleagues know you are doing Ironman, they all want to know how you are doing, and always ask. There’s more to me than my training! Anyhow, I take it as a positive comment. Admiration, respect, I don’t know but something motivates them to ask. As it takes up most of your time outside work hours, you do actually struggle to find other subjects to talk about.

I went for a 45 min run at lunch which included 4 x 2 min mod-hard. This is intended to “sharpen” you up, and top up your peak fitness, not to get used to the speed you will go on race day! I had a good run around the waterfront out to Westhaven Marina, Herne Bay and Ponsonby.

After work I had a 30 min swim at the Parnell baths. My last swim on my swim card, great timing! I did 2km, including 5 x 240m strong.


Monday night I had a think about my race plan and started putting the pieces together. I had concerns about going too hard on the bike. My coach advised me to hang back on the bike, and use the run to catch up. This was going to require a lot of discipline!

I had faith in my bike endurance- K2 was a great achievement for me and a highlight of my Ironman training. I think though that I went too hard on some of the long rides, as I often didn’t have enough in the tank for a run. Proper pacing and nutrition though would hopefully sort this one out.


Tuesday

Today was bike pimping day! Race wheels on and a tune up. I took the beast for a 60 min session on the flat which included some IM pace pick ups. I felt ready. The bike felt really fast over the smooth tarseal of Tamaki Drive- Taupo’s roads are chip seal- a really horrible bumpy bone shaking experience which can stuff your legs if you’re not careful.

I made a list of the uncontrollables/concerns for my race plan, for the swim, bike and run, and how I would counter each situation with a positive move. You can see these on my race plan, which I have included to give you an idea of the thought processes you can go through to prepare for (almost!) every eventuality.

Wednesday

Tuesday night I had a minor crisis, as I couldn’t find my spare tubes and gas gun attachment. I was sure I had put them in my race wheels bag, but they weren’t there. I checked all over the house to no avail. So I rang the bike shop on Wednesday morning and guess what, they were all sitting on the counter!!!! I was relieved but peeved as I’d spent time stressing unnecessarily.

I had a 40 min run scheduled, which I got out of the way early. I felt good and the legs fresh.

I headed down to Taupo with a work colleague of Bede’s. It was good to have a good chat, although with someone I had just met, about tri-geeky stuff and our preparations for the big day.

One of my major concerns was the swim, being my weakest of all three. I had a bad swim last time in Taupo, so I wanted to get down early to get in a decent swim. This time I swam from the far end of the lake, 20 mins towards the Yacht Club and 20 mins back. All the buoys were out and it was such a relief to see how easy it would be to navigate around the course. Phew! I was much calmer and confident after a really good solid swim.

In the evening we settled into our apartment and I finalised my race plan.


Thursday

Today was my TOTAL rest day! I normally have my rest day on the penultimate day before a race. I used the day to register and get my race pack, then spent some time reading over everything and sorting through the goodies! A great rucksack, Bonita banana t-shirt and a few other items.

I had a snooze whilst Bede and my Dad played golf and Mum went shopping. I woke up 2 and a half hours later! I think I needed it. I met up with the Alpe crew later. It was great to see them and see how they were going. Sure we were all nervous, but excited too.

We then headed off to the Carbo loading party. After filling our plates with some delicious pasta, potato and salad (I was happy it all looked so healthy), we sat down and all enjoyed a nice meal, and chatted about the big day to come. We were then entertained by a maori cultural group, which was really great. Then a number of speakers talked about the event and Mike Reilly the “You are an Ironman!” commentator spoke. If there was one thing I took away from his speech and the video clip of Ironman was that you must enjoy it, have fun and most of all be the best you can be.

Just looking at all the footage, listening to the pros made my heart race. I was getting really excited now! It was heartwarming to hear Cameron Brown say how he still gets nervous, and if you didn’t well, why are you doing it! And also to treat the race as a two lap swim, 4 sections on the bike and a two lap run. Simple, yeah right!

I had a good think about the race when I got home. I know that I have come a long way since France, and have completed numerous great, and not so great, training sessions to get to Taupo. It’s all about remembering the good ones, and pushing through the sessions where you feel less than your best. I’ve realised over the last year that you can’t always perform to your maximum. Learning to make the easy sessions easy and the hard sessions hard is one of the many keys to success.

Friday

I woke at 6.30 and headed to the lake, across the road from our apartment for a 20 min swim. It was a cool, but still morning, and there were heaps of other athletes out there doing the same thing. I then headed back, jumped on my bike and headed off for a 30 min bike along the lake front and up the Napier-Taupo hill, Kiddle Drive and back to town. I then ran for 20 mins, 10 mins along the waterfront and 10 mins back. Overall it felt good, and got me in the mood for Saturday.

Following my quick “warm-up” tri, we had the compulsory briefing at 9am. This is where it all gets so “real”. It all seems like a lot of rules, but all well organised and in the spirit of good sportsmanship all along. This is where the nerves do start to tingle and the butterflies start fluttering.

Following the briefing, I rechecked over my gear bags and headed off to registration to hand them in and go through final checks for the big day.

Following lunch and a quick nap, I checked my emails then we headed to the mini-golf for a round to take my mind off over analysing the race! I had a terrible round (58, compared to Bede’s 39…) but I did have two holes in one! It was great fun.

In the evening, we relaxed at the apartment, and I had steak and pasta for tea. I went over my race plan and visualised the day ahead. I’m as ready as I can be, just a good night’s sleep and we’re off.

I was really looking forward to the race and the off time afterwards. I found out today that the next Long Distance Worlds for 2009 would be in Perth. Excellent, a half- Ironman goal for me to set my sights on.