Ironman Cairns 2013 - The Word from St Pete

Well it had been a big lead up to this day. 

On reflection it had taken the previous four races, lots of meals being cooked, lots of waking up a tired Irongirl from her power naps on the couch and, when necessary, kicking her out the door for another training session, either to the pool, the wind trainer in the garage, or for a run when it was wet, cold or just too hot.

The previous weekend I had taken a trip over the ditch to Christchurch and run a PB marathon, and on the Friday before irongirl's race I had paced our friend Mel (who was working at T2 on race day) over a 5k fun run. Although I don't think that it was much of a fun run for Mel as she had told me her target time was 32 minutes and we made it in 31:10.  In my typical running style I had set the ground rules of what is said on the run stays on the run, but I'm sure that over the last 2km Mel must have hated me.

Yes we smashed the target time and I smashed Mel along the way - I don't think that my attitude of being ready to go for another 5km impressed her, or the fact that after finishing Mel shared her breakfast with the grassed area just after the finish line!!!

But back to race day.

Sunday dawned fine, after a bit of overnight rain, after all it is the tropics, and Toni's biggest worry was that Black Beauty would be wet!!!

Now a seasoned pro at these ironman races, Toni was focused and after breakfast, put on her iPod and started to dance around the room for a few minutes. I frowned at this as it was unnecessary energy best reserved for the race.

At about 6am we headed over to transition to check the bike and add hydration to Black Beauty before soaking in the start area atmosphere. After I did a quick dash back to the hotel, which was all of 2 minutes away, to drop off the bike pump, I then walked Toni to the start area, before watching her head off down the pier to the start of the swim leg.

On heading back to the viewing area, I smiled to myself as other ironman athletes were rushing to the start area and, after hearing later reports that some were still entering the water as the gun had gone off, I wasn't surprised.

What is unique to Cairns is that they have the 70.3 on the same day as the full ironman. Some of these athletes therefore started more than 45 minutes ahead of the the full ironman start time and Transition 1 was soon a hive of activity, even before Irongirl actually started her race.

I positioned myself opposite the first drinks station of the day, just before the athletes enter transition.

At 7.55am Irongirl was underway and the waiting began.  I had signed up for the text alerts which were working well, so I knew when Toni had exited the water some 500 metres further up the course.  The split time was 1:33 so I knew someone would be happy and, less than a minute later, there she was, focused but I got the thumbs up, so I knew all was good.

A quick dash around the transition tent and I again saw Irongirl head across to the bike, then another 500 metre sprint to see her head out on the bike course.  A quick calculation and I knew what time Irongirl would have to be at T2 to make her aim of a sub 6 hour bike split.

As Cairns is an out and back bike course, with a good majority of the roads closed, my next opportunity to see Toni was going to be at T2 so it wasn't long before I was driving out to the transition area with Leigh who, with her husband Paul, was doing the 70.3 as a team.

It took over an hour to get to the transition area, but as Leigh was doing the 21.1km run leg of the 70.3 we were in plenty of time, and I was then busy getting the text bike splits and relaying them to Facebook as well as texting a group of people, on the events of the day.

I briefly caught up with Mel at T2 and then headed off to find a position to see the cyclists arrive.  From my previous trip to Cairns I knew where the best spots would be and I saw most of the pros arrive, and some of the age groupers.  Just after 3:30pm a black bike with a rider dressed in green came into view, the white bike shoes confirmed my suspicions, and I knew then that the main goal of a sub 6 hour bike split had been achieved.  Some 6 minutes later I saw Irongirl exit transition and, I didn't know it at the time, but Toni didn't know what her bike split was.  I again caught up with Mel and got Toni's bike bag from transition and met up with Leigh and Paul again as they had finished their team event and had driven back out.

We all then headed out on the run course and set up camp at a spot just after the 12km mark.  I got a text alert telling me that Irongirl had passed 10km in the marathon, so it wasn't too long before the green machine came into view.  I walked up the course and gave her a greeting, to which Toni asked if I knew what her bike split was.  I said 5:57 (officially it was 5:57:30) to which I got the response "really?" Having confirmed it again, I'm pretty sure I saw a little dance and both arms being raised in the air in celebration as Irongirl ran on. But that was quickly put in check as there was still the little matter of running another 30km.

 

Team Irongirl roadside.

Now let's remember people that this was irongirl's B race. The whole aim of the day was to smash the bike and, if necessary, walk the marathon.  Afterall Toni had taken about an hour off her previous best time at her A race in Taupo, finishing in 14:08. Although it should be noted that less than a week after Taupo, when I had analyzed the race data, I did mention that a sub 14 hour race was possible.  At the time I remember Irongirl screwing up her face at me, and may have called me a name or three!!!!

I saw Toni again about the 17km mark still on the highway, and again she was running.  Actually every time I saw her on the course she was running, maybe out of fear of the barreling I would have given her, as you would have read in Toni's blog there was a little bit of walking going on.

We then headed into town, getting regular run splits as the kms to go kept steadily coming down and I took up position along the esplanade, where Toni would pass five times on the out and back loops.

A lot of walkers passed me but lots of runners as well, one of them being Irongirl, and as Toni passed me going back out of town for the last time I did a quick calculation and worked out that a PB was indeed possible - even a sub 14 hour PB...

Surely I wasn't going to be right after getting a telling off in March.  However as time ticked down, and I got yet another text alert telling me Toni had less than 10km to go I posted on Facebook that a PB was possible and my Facebook followers erupted in positive energy.  That may have been something to do with me telling them all to make some noise...

It was time to move to a better vantage point as it was then just a quick dash to the finishing area and, sure enough, within a few minutes the green machine came into view, running and now smiling, taking the final bend before entering the finishing chute.

A quick dash and I was in a great position to see the finish line, and what a finish it was.  13:53, a PB, yes smashed by 15 minutes, and my prediction in March came true.  That means I'm right, umm I may have to dine out on that one for a little while to come.  :-)

So not a bad "B" race and, after analyzing all the data, IM6 in Taupo is looking like another history making event.  Let's just say Irongirl and I have had a discussion about a possible finishing time, and on this occasion Toni didn't screw up her face and call me a goose.

I think my support crew role may take a small hiatus but not for long, as soon I will be pushing Irongirl out the door, as training starts again soon.

Afterall St Pete is right.... 

A Reading from the Book of St Pete: Chapter 4 - Is Irongirl ready?

It’s about time I wrote another entry.  My last one was over a year ago, and it has been a busy year. It’s actually hard work being awesome, because I have to find new ways to become more awesome!!!

But I digress.

After Toni’s (aka Irongirl) adventure to Taupo last year, where we encountered the now famous weather bomb, and the refocus on Ironman Cairns (which isn’t a bad spot to be support crew - 26 degrees in the middle of winter, yes I can cope with that), we now find ourselves less than 20 days out from a return trip to Taupo, (no one mention the weather) and a new improved Irongirl - rebuilt fitter, stronger and faster than before. This may have something to do with the new 2013 Shiv ProDi2 tri bike that arrived just before Christmas and only in the last week has found a home in the garage (before that the bike had pride of place in the lounge). 

But part of the improvement is also the new mental toughness that Irongirl is displaying, be it doing bootcamp twice a week, mammoth 4 and 5 km swim sessions, or long 5 hour bike rides.  

But then again Irongirl does love the Shiv, aka Black Beauty (yes she is black), and may even panic a little at the thought of her getting wet.  It had better not rain in Taupo - or does that only apply to salt water? (lol)  

Or lastly the run sessions that we do.  It should be noted that on these sessions I mainly carry the heavier water pack, extra gels and things like keys etc, just to keep my awesomeness increasing (have I mentioned that I’m awesome?). The run sessions have been getting longer and faster all year, one result of this was the Sydney Marathon where Irongirl set a new PB, or for some it’s a PR :). But that was a few months ago now, and so last year.  This March, who knows what may happen...okay I have a fair idea, but you’ll have to follow me on Facebook on race day for updates.. 

As per Irongirl’s upcoming blog entries, she is now a lean mean racing machine, which is also part of her focus to be lighter on race day than ever before.  Another target that has been met and this has meant a new aqua race kit, which is now complete with cycle vest and running cap.  So all the parts are falling into place.  We only have to get some new tyres for the race wheels and it will be all on like donkey kong.

We depart for Taupo on the Wednesday before the race and, as it will be the third time Irongirl has raced there, it will be an easy trip.  Yes this will be ironman number 4 and, once completed, a third of the way to the ultimate aim of a starting spot at Kona.  And yes, I am already budgeting for the Black Beauty replacement for that event!

So Irongirl is as ready as she can be and I’m ready to step out of the kitchen for the 17 day block once we get back home (refer to Toni’s previous blog entry).  This year I plan to let Toni wild in the kitchen for a whole two weeks. I’m sure she is more excited about this than actually finishing the race!!

For those of you who are going to be in Taupo on race day and not competing, don’t worry. I have the day planned for you.   Support Bootcamp will be in effect from 30 minutes before race start until Irongirl finishes.  Have a few coffees and a good meal beforehand because the next break you will get will be once Irongirl has finished.  I already know who is going to be in Taupo (you know who you are) and, yes, I will find you - especially if you think you will sneak away for a coffee or 4... (no names need to be mentioned – aye coach :) ) 

But whatever happens on race day Irongirl will be ready.

Why?

Because St Pete said so.  :)

Ironman Cairns - The Off Season

So, Ironman Cairns is done and dusted, what now?  

Now is time to give back to my greatest supporter and fan club leader.  St Pete.  He spent 17 hours manning the phone last Sunday, providing Facebook updates for all my fb friends and it was the most amazing experience to have him read out everyone's messages of support while I was struggling at the 34km mark.  

But that wasn't the end of it.  

All year St Pete has cooked for me, cleaned and run with me.  And he's also put up with my tired, cranky times, when the last thing I've wanted to do is head out yet again for another training session, or when I've come back from a session that hasn't gone to plan.

Ironman is an imposing mistress in your home life and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that anyone who tries to take this on is going to fail miserably if they don't have the wholehearted support of their family.

And the support hasn't stopped there. At a time when we were supposed to be celebrating the end of the season at IM New Zealand, Pete was the one giving me the go-ahead to sign up for my make up race in Cairns, thereby extending my season and his support role for another three months.

So now it's his time.  For the next few weekends there will be no alarm clocks.  Activities will be his choice and we will enjoy some "us" time, fun time.

And we'll make the most of it as well.  

Because soon enough Coach Dave will be tapping the Skype button and suggesting that I might like to start training again.  Ironman #4 in Taupo is not that far away, and I have new goals to reach for!

Add Another Layer...

Image via Wikipedia

Triathlon is a summer sport - and that goes for ironman as well.  Nothing makes a triathlete happier than heading out for a swim, bike or run on a gorgeous summer's day.  Training for ironman, however, is more than a summer season project.  Most athletes will start training for ironman seriously 8 or 9 months out and many of us (me included) will be training consistently for almost a year.

And that means only one thing.  There is no getting away from training in winter.

Don't get me wrong.  We're not having to wade through snow and ice like some fellow athletes in the northern hemisphere.  A frost and occasional bad patch of weather in Christchurch is generally the worst that needs to be contended with.  But even so, winter brings its own challenges, and challenges for the team management in particular...

Tonight I was tasked with a 60 minute spin on the wind trainer and then a 20 minute run off the bike.  Spending an hour on the wind trainer is great in the winter...for me...  I don't have to contend with the dark, cold, wind, rain or ice.  There's no concerns about punctures, drivers running me off the road or animals running onto the road.  Instead I get to spin while watching the news or whatever else might be on TV at that particular time.

For St Pete, though, it means freezing his bits off.  You see, with the wind trainer in the lounge there's no way I want to be going hard out in a room with the heater on.  No, I'm looking for as much cool air as possible and so Pete walks around and opens all the windows and doors so there is something approaching an equilibrium between the 4 degrees outside and 14 degrees inside.  Then he goes and adds another layer or five until such time as I stop and he can turn the heating on.

The sacrifices he makes for my comfort...what more could you ask for in your team manager and chief cheerleader?