Monday, December 28, 2015

The Gift of the Magi





The year is almost at an end and for many 2015 is best forgotten .It is a time to be reflective but to start planning for 2016.

From a personal perspective , my Parents celebrated their 60th wedding Anniversary and it puts in perspective the life we lead in context of all around us and what is truly important. whilst my Blog is about training and Triathlons it is also about my lifestyle and what it means .

The year from a training perspective can be seen in many ways. I finished my first ultra-marathon , the North face 100 in Katomba and got a buckle. I learnt a lotin that race and whilst finishing the race realized that  I had to put in a bigger effort in terms of mileage and possibly diet to really achieve an optimum result and that equally was the same for the Ironman . I finished 2 minutes ahead of last years result and an hour behind 2013 result and nearly 2 hours behind my 2010 result. but there is the balance between work , training and family . There was the mental motivation as well.

At Christmas it is always great to reflect, Ironman and training can be very selfish pursuits and lonely ones as well and my Ironman time possibly reflects a maturing of the mind and the balancing of all that is important or just the lack of the mental strength to chase a better time. Hence the title of the Blog,  the Gift of the Magi written by O Henry otherwise known as Sydney Poitier and is one of his many short stories that reminds us of the importance of what is truly important. This was recounted at the Thanksgiving service of my parents 60th Wedding Anniversary . (The_Gift_of_the_Magi )  

Whilst pursuing a dream and being the best I can is important it has a finite limit to and connection to everything else in my life .In the end I look back at a year filled with lots of personal milestones and great memories but in the end I am thankful for each day and my health and family and friends. They more than anything make the year . Facebook like Ironman are really commercial vehicles to make money and entice us but if we choose to use them and not be consumed by them then they are great tools for life. I started the journey 10 years ago just wanting to finish a Triathlon and then a sprint event , an olympic  tri and a half and then a full Ironman . Then chasing a better time but the magic now is in in the joy of training and not missing out on everything else life has to offer. No longer chasing the consuming target of a PB .The sport has brought with it a family of triathletes around the world who share the passion , a whole world of friends who have a common interest and with the technology today it has been easy to share that love and joy.

The year has had its share of calamities , and in this age of the internet , news spreads instantaneously so it may all seem overwhelming but it possibly should makes us appreciate everything we have now as life can change in a second.

Ironman WA 2015 Race Report





Highlights


Before the race Pic Jade Armstrong



Pics by Ninja Photography




Pic by Jade Armstrong


Ironman Busselton number 9 and IM 14 overall. A mix bag of results. I finished in 13:19 , 2 minutes faster than last year in slightly tougher conditions.Slowest swim in 1.41 hr and slow bike time of 6.21 hr but it is the sum total of mixed training  in that I probably did not apply or push myself as hard but did a sufficient amount of training to get through comfortably without hurting too much. Oddly , my time 2 years ago was an hour quicker and probably on about the same amount of training. But I was happy to finish and it sets up a busy 2016 year .

Looking at the positives I did not hurt on the bike or run I was just slow. I had a really good recovery and strangely this year no cramping issues. I do have to look at the nutrition as I found it hard to take in any more than 5 gels on the run when I had plans to take in 12 -15 gels. Wasn't happening but I had never taken in that many gels and even in my fastest run in 2010 I had less gels.

The cold conditions this year and the swell on the swim made for an interesting experience in a usually hot race . 

Friday, December 4, 2015

Week 16 Ironman Busselton 2015



Last week and just relaxing . Did some easy rides and short runs and will swim at Busso just to get the arms moving .

I am sure there will be a  bit of nervous tension about . I tend to see it as a long training day and have done so for a few years . The weather forecast looks good and  just getting to the start line with no injuries is a good start.

The gear is packed and training done. Just need to execute the Plan and pace the race. Whilst not really Triathlon relevant the article on Dylan Bowman an ultra runner does resonate when doing any ultra event:


Dylan Bowman Ultra running Secrets
Dylan Bowman
Nutrition Plan For IM

AM : Breakfast Toast jam coffee
          Bidon Tailwind 200calories/ 50gms carbohydrates with caffeine
          Before swim one gel shotz/ water sip throughout before the start


           Water as going thru transition
           Start nutrition regime on bike
           Bidon of concentrated tailwind 3 scoops per hour for 6 or 18 scoops = 75gms   
           carbohydrates  per hour or 300 calories per hour  Add every hour to Aero bottle and dilute 
           down with water from aid station .One bidon every aid station
           Salt 300mg per scoop so 900mg per hr should be about right . In case it is warmer have added
           salt tablets available May add 600mg to make it 1000mg per hr
           Also take on some dates and bananas for something different on the bike.


            Off Bike/Run
           Carry 2 flask of gels .About 2-3 gels per hour plus water and electrolyte on the run alternate
           aid stations  to make up about 200-300 calories per hour plus food on the aid stations to make
           up another 100 calories or 3 gels per hour. Coke at 20km point if can hold out till then .