Pre race checks - The bike arrived safely in and we got it back together in one piece. then a quick stroll to transition and get it all racked and my bags hung in the best places possible, last rack and at the end. Sadly things went a little wrong at this point as when we returned the following morning my rear wheel had fallen out. Not sure how this happened but i found it before I started the race so i thought all way set, big mistake.
Swim - Very happy with this, came out in 40min which put me bang on target. More importantly the swim was messy a classic washing machine of flailing arms and legs and whilst I didn't manage to free style it all the way but the bits I did I was faster than the people nearest to me, making up places until I got hit again.
T1 - Straight out of the water and up to T1 only a little crisis when the belt fell apart, then out on to the bike with no worries.
Bike - this is where is all goes wrong people. I started all excited and powered up the hill out of T1 and hit the flat. then people start passing me, fine I had done well in the swim so a strong biker would pass me. then more people pass me, this is odd and to be honest it felt hard to get the power out, I was pushing hard but not getting much reward. So i go through my checklist, am i eating? yes, am I drinking? Yes, is there a flat? no. So I keep peddling and I suffering. I continue to spill time and after i get passed by a lady on a mountain bike at 45km who must have started at least 20min after me I decide that there must be something more wrong than i first thought so make the choice to get off the bike and have a proper look. it take me about 30 seconds to realise that my rear break is rubbing on the rim of the wheel. I think what had happened is that when i put the wheel back in at transition it had banged in my haste and just moved the brakes 1mm one way or the other creating a nice permanent brake. So with this fixed I get back on the bike swearing like a trooper and head back up the hill, of course I had stopped 1/2 way up a hill to check this. my race changed at this point, well the bike did, I think the damage was done at this point. I start passing people and get into a good fight with a couple of other racers and knock about 3min/5miles off my time for the rest of the ride. I role into transition 2 about 25min behind target but i think if we average out my later 1/2 of the ride and since even when i had extra brakes i felt good i was on target for the 3 hours I was hoping for.
As a side point i think that i fed and watered well and have now got my fuelling strategy planned out for the full in oct.
T2 - No drama here, straight in and out and all is well for the start of the run. well fed and watered.
Run - the run was bloody, brutal and a sweatfest. I swear the weather was perfect until i hit the run and then it pops up 10c and gets all sunny. great for the crowds not so good for us.
As per normal i set off quick and then died but felt like i worked hard throughout. I ran my way up about 60 slots from the end of the bike to the finish and can claim that as a good result. I have learnt that I hate Red Bull, it's to sweet and just does not suit me. Coke is ok but i think for Maryland I will stick with water and electrolyte drink and then cubes (Mule bar) and bananas for the fuel.
Now for the important bit, the numbers:
- the results are ok, i am not happy with my placing in my age group, I am better than that but if you look at 20min higher on the official results i am much closer to mid field which i am happy with.
The other bit that i am pleased with is my swim, 120 out of 196 is pretty good especially since I can honestly say that a more aggressive swim is possible and with a bit better placing at the start I could avoid some of the fights and just get ahead of it.
If I make sure i put my bike together properly and work hard then i think i can manage the bike numbers better, thought the speed that some of the guys were doing, i'm not so sure. I'm not being negative, but those guys were flying, maybe a new bike would help.
The offical Ironman numbers tell a similar story to the Garmin.
Just so you can see that i did some training during the week before.
What I learnt.
- Fuelling well helps
- getting the details right mean i can ride quicker
- My times my not have been great but i think they show i'm in the right area for Maryland.
- training over the next 90 days will need to focus on distance mainly
- i must swim more
- the odd bit of speed work is needed.
Its been a great weekend, and now its time for a holiday.
see you in a month.
