Saturday, 30 June 2012
The day before
Just over 12 hours to go before I line up in my toughest and longest triathlon event since I started this great sport 3 years ago.
At the moment feeling pretty chilled, helped by the great venue and being around my Club buddies. Also need to say a big thank you to our support crew (Donna, Sue, Marilyn and don't forget Nigel, otherwise known as our 'Wags').
The temperature here is upper 30 degrees plus (I think it is forecast to be 35C / 95F tomorrow). Because of the heat and resulting water temperature we have been informed it is a non-wetsuit swim. I am not too phased with this announcement - I like the buoyancy of a wetsuit but am not that much quicker with it on. Of course I have never swam 3.8km without stopping and without a wetsuit, however I am confident I can do the distance (done it in training in the pool). At least the first transition will be quicker.
Another consequence of the heat will be loss of fluids making rehydration even more important - must make sure I drink plenty of water and electrolytes. The other problem is protection from the sun. My tri suit leaves my shoulders and neck quite exposed so I am going to have to cream up well. I will also wear a lightweight running hat. There will be ice available to put in your hat and cold sponges to run with - best to take 2 and run with them tucked in to the tri suit above the shoulders. The only thing to watch is a lot of water running down into your shoes, which is best avoided on the run.
We have just taken the bikes and numbered bike and run bags to register them. As part of the slick operation we also picked up our timing chips.
Now it is back to the hotel, dinner at 7pm (probably pasta) and bed ready for a 4am rise to eat breakfast and prepare drinks / food for bike and special needs bags.
At just after 5am it is back to the bikes, blow up tyres to correct pressure (we prefer not to leave them overnight fully inflated - not in this heat - danger of blow outs) and final food / drink preparation.
Thereafter only three things to do - 3.8km swim, 180km bike and run a marathon!
At the moment feeling pretty chilled, helped by the great venue and being around my Club buddies. Also need to say a big thank you to our support crew (Donna, Sue, Marilyn and don't forget Nigel, otherwise known as our 'Wags').
The temperature here is upper 30 degrees plus (I think it is forecast to be 35C / 95F tomorrow). Because of the heat and resulting water temperature we have been informed it is a non-wetsuit swim. I am not too phased with this announcement - I like the buoyancy of a wetsuit but am not that much quicker with it on. Of course I have never swam 3.8km without stopping and without a wetsuit, however I am confident I can do the distance (done it in training in the pool). At least the first transition will be quicker.
Another consequence of the heat will be loss of fluids making rehydration even more important - must make sure I drink plenty of water and electrolytes. The other problem is protection from the sun. My tri suit leaves my shoulders and neck quite exposed so I am going to have to cream up well. I will also wear a lightweight running hat. There will be ice available to put in your hat and cold sponges to run with - best to take 2 and run with them tucked in to the tri suit above the shoulders. The only thing to watch is a lot of water running down into your shoes, which is best avoided on the run.
We have just taken the bikes and numbered bike and run bags to register them. As part of the slick operation we also picked up our timing chips.
Now it is back to the hotel, dinner at 7pm (probably pasta) and bed ready for a 4am rise to eat breakfast and prepare drinks / food for bike and special needs bags.
At just after 5am it is back to the bikes, blow up tyres to correct pressure (we prefer not to leave them overnight fully inflated - not in this heat - danger of blow outs) and final food / drink preparation.
Thereafter only three things to do - 3.8km swim, 180km bike and run a marathon!
Friday, 29 June 2012
What a fantastic venue
Woke up to brilliant sunshine pouring through the curtains. When I opened them I was taken back by the beauty of the lake and the surrounding area.
A nice breakfast at the hotel was followed by registration at the Expo. event. Wonderful to see all the athletes gearing up for the event. Massive coverage here in Austria - the event gets televised and crowds flock to soak up the atmosphere.
Got a nice IM bag with my entry and hopefully the 'Finisher's T-shirt' and medal to follow (got to be within 17 hours for those goodies).
Still not entirely sure about completing the entire event in my tri-suit but asked a few experts their advice and for the time being I am sticking to the plan.
Picked all the guys up from the airport this afternoon and then managed a 20mins easy swim in the lake. It is absolutely stunning - crystal clear and good enough to drink!
This evening we decided to have a nice meal at the hotel although some of the guys stayed on at the Expo. for the pasta party.
They even have Ironman napkins here - see below (pictured with my apple strudel and ice-cream - naughty).
Just writing this blog, sitting on the balcony, watching the last swimmers in the lake (it is 9:40pm), listening to some live jazz music playing at the harbour club / hotel next door - simply magic.
Getting less nervous about the race - kind of looking forward to it - a battle against myself - bring it on!
A nice breakfast at the hotel was followed by registration at the Expo. event. Wonderful to see all the athletes gearing up for the event. Massive coverage here in Austria - the event gets televised and crowds flock to soak up the atmosphere.
Got a nice IM bag with my entry and hopefully the 'Finisher's T-shirt' and medal to follow (got to be within 17 hours for those goodies).
Still not entirely sure about completing the entire event in my tri-suit but asked a few experts their advice and for the time being I am sticking to the plan.
Picked all the guys up from the airport this afternoon and then managed a 20mins easy swim in the lake. It is absolutely stunning - crystal clear and good enough to drink!
This evening we decided to have a nice meal at the hotel although some of the guys stayed on at the Expo. for the pasta party.
They even have Ironman napkins here - see below (pictured with my apple strudel and ice-cream - naughty).
Just writing this blog, sitting on the balcony, watching the last swimmers in the lake (it is 9:40pm), listening to some live jazz music playing at the harbour club / hotel next door - simply magic.
Getting less nervous about the race - kind of looking forward to it - a battle against myself - bring it on!
Thursday, 28 June 2012
An epic journey
This is no reference to my journey over the last year. This post is about my epic journey over the last 36 hours.
From picking the van up on Wednesday afternoon to finally getting to Klagenfurt in Austria at 1am on Friday we have travelled just shy of 1,000 miles.
The first leg to Belgium was no problem and my Sister and family did a fantastic job of looking after us and packing us off in the morning with loads of food and drink for the journey.
The problems started with an hour delay getting around Brussels and then simply underestimating the time with the much needed stops to cover the distance in full. Chris has really been suffering - he picked up a cold a few days ago and today's journey took its toll. In addition to his sore throat, cough and sneezing his right eye is weaping and not looking good. I am hoping a good night's sleep and some Anadin Extra will do the trick.
Otherwise credit to him because despite feeling ill he still shared a lot of the driving.
The hotel looks nice and is in a great location. I have a double room with balcony and am keen to see the view tomorrow morning. It is very basic though, not what I would call 'luxury' but I am sure it will do fine.
All the rest of the party arrive tomorrow. Then it's off to registration and check out the Expo.
Time for sleep!
From picking the van up on Wednesday afternoon to finally getting to Klagenfurt in Austria at 1am on Friday we have travelled just shy of 1,000 miles.
The first leg to Belgium was no problem and my Sister and family did a fantastic job of looking after us and packing us off in the morning with loads of food and drink for the journey.
The problems started with an hour delay getting around Brussels and then simply underestimating the time with the much needed stops to cover the distance in full. Chris has really been suffering - he picked up a cold a few days ago and today's journey took its toll. In addition to his sore throat, cough and sneezing his right eye is weaping and not looking good. I am hoping a good night's sleep and some Anadin Extra will do the trick.
Otherwise credit to him because despite feeling ill he still shared a lot of the driving.
The hotel looks nice and is in a great location. I have a double room with balcony and am keen to see the view tomorrow morning. It is very basic though, not what I would call 'luxury' but I am sure it will do fine.
All the rest of the party arrive tomorrow. Then it's off to registration and check out the Expo.
Time for sleep!
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
All packed up and ready to go
15 mins to go before Chris and I head off on the first leg of the journey - Ashington, West Sussex to Aalter in Belgium.
I am pretty organised and just checking off my equipment list. The van is packed neatly with the 10 bikes and bags (probably £50K of kit).
I also get the opportunity of seeing my beautiful daughter before she heads off to her prom later tonight - lovely.
Next post - hopefully we will be in Austria!
I am pretty organised and just checking off my equipment list. The van is packed neatly with the 10 bikes and bags (probably £50K of kit).
I also get the opportunity of seeing my beautiful daughter before she heads off to her prom later tonight - lovely.
Next post - hopefully we will be in Austria!
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Sorting out my 'Out of Office' message at work
So finally reached my last day in the office before my Ironman challenge - just tidying the desk, e-mails and setting my 'out of office' message. Although with my office BlackBerry and personal iPhone I always seem to have one eye on what is going on back at base, even when I am on holiday.
But my focus will change to getting to Austria, the final R&R and training balance, registration and race preparation. I am hoping to track down Wi-Fi access points so I can easily update the blog to keep you updated on my progress.
A bigs thanks for all the support and best wishes I have had to date.
Only thing left to do... is to become an Ironman!
But my focus will change to getting to Austria, the final R&R and training balance, registration and race preparation. I am hoping to track down Wi-Fi access points so I can easily update the blog to keep you updated on my progress.
A bigs thanks for all the support and best wishes I have had to date.
Only thing left to do... is to become an Ironman!
A friendly sport. Getting ready.
Still taking it relatively easy. After my River Arun swim on Saturday I simply did a recovery run on Sunday morning - all below Z2. Yesterday (Monday) I got out the tri bike for the last time before Austria and commuted to work - mostly below Z2 again. On my return journey I was overtaken by a cyclist who seemed very friendly and asked where I was cycling to. We chatted briefly between a set of traffic lights and the subject of triathlon came up in conversation. When my new friend found out I was doing an Ironman in less than a week he insisted I draft behind him to save my legs - there are not many sports, when you would expect such friendly behaviour.
So after my commute yesterday the Tri Bike got a bit of a clean and put away until it goes in the van for the trip across the water on Wednesday.
This morning (Tuesday) was an easy 40 mins run along the seafront (to Brighton Marina and back to the office). The Coach has put in a small number of 30 min bike / swim / run sessions this week - all at relatively low intensity with very short bursts of speed - just to keep my body ticking over. However, there will be plenty of rest and time to get my mind totally in the zone before Sunday.
So after my commute yesterday the Tri Bike got a bit of a clean and put away until it goes in the van for the trip across the water on Wednesday.
This morning (Tuesday) was an easy 40 mins run along the seafront (to Brighton Marina and back to the office). The Coach has put in a small number of 30 min bike / swim / run sessions this week - all at relatively low intensity with very short bursts of speed - just to keep my body ticking over. However, there will be plenty of rest and time to get my mind totally in the zone before Sunday.
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