Northern Crossing, 2012

Build up:

I've slowly been building up my training volume for this race, peaking with 2 10 hour weeks. The 3 months prior to this race has been by far the most consistent training that I've ever done. So all had been going well... Unfortunately, during a brick run on Monday in the week of the race, I felt an all too familiar sharp pain in my right calf. I had re injured myself just before the event. So I scaled back my taper to almost nothing (no runs at all) and hopped for the best come race day.

Pre-race routine:

For the first time, a beautiful day for a race!

Breakfast, of 2 pieces of toast, some muesli with yogurt and fruit at 5:30. Arrived in time for the briefing at 6:30, and then set up transition, before getting on the bus at 7:10 to head off to the starting area. Warmed up with a quick jog and a bit of a stretch and a pre race GU before being off on my way at 7:45.

Run 1 19/23 9.4km, 1:03:37 GPS here

Course:

The run started with a section through the rolling hills of a west coast farm, descending over the first 2km of the race down to sea level. Where, in a change from previous years, we had a section along the beach before re entering the farm and heading to the main road. Once the farm section was dealt with there is a steep climb up and over the hill, followed by an easy section along the road towards Opononi. There is a final 1km section along the beach before reaching transition. 

Not a bad spot for a run... 

Comments:

For the first 5 minutes or so of the run I felt the worrying pain in my calf, but after then if faded away and I felt fine running. I tried to run within myself to conserve my energy for latter in the day. The changes section along the beach made the run longer, and harder, resulting in a slower time than expected for  everyone. I walked up the hill, as was my plan. It's just too big, too steep and not worth destroying your legs over. The final section along the beach was particularly tough, the tide was quite in so the only sand there to run on was soft, which is never easy. And part of the beach there was no sand at all resulting in having to get around the rocks, without rolling an ankle. 

What would you do differently?:

I haven't run enough this year. I've said it many times before, but it still holds true. Seeing as I ended up injured the week of the race I wouldn't have run anymore, as I was obviously close to the line of what I can handle. But I would like to have been able to. And hopefully by the next time an 'A race' rolls around I will be able to.

End of run 1

T1

Comments:

Pretty smooth, had some water, changed shoes, helmet on and off on my bike.

What would you do differently?:

As always, more practice!

Bike: 17/23, 82km, 3:47:17, GPS here.

The fun part, coming down a hill.

Course:

The bike began with 3 decent climbs, of about 100m each in the first 23km. The course then turns into a long, relentless climb for about 40km, (and 350m gain in elevation) across the country. The ride finishes with a fast 20km, descending 270m to the 2nd transition. All this was done into a head wind which build as the day went on.

Comments:

The plan for the bike was pretty simple, when its easy (down hill/light wind) drop the hammer and try to make some good time, and when the going was tough (up hills, into strong head winds) keep it easy, keep the cadence high and try and spin my way to the finish. And that's pretty much how it played out. The first few hills sucked, as expected, but had some awesome rides on the way back down. At times I felt that I stayed in 'easy spinning' mode too long, and should have pushed harder, but looking at the data after the race I was shocked at how high my heart rate was... much higher than my training. So maybe I was pushing harder than I realised. 


Nutrition during the bike consisted of 2 bananas, 2 bumper bars (about 150 Cal ea), 2 snickers bars, 1 GU and a bottle of watered down powerade. 

Starting the long climb towards Kerikeri (yes, drafting was legal)

What would you do differently?:

Looking back I'm honestly not sure where I would have found more time, at the time I thought I cruised too much, but the heart rate data suggests otherwise. I would have taken in more electrolytes. I had some worrying signs of cramping starting to develop about 3 hours into the ride.

T2:

Comments:

Quick and easy, had some powerade, a banana and off on my way. Had planned on putting a GU in my pocket for the run, but didn't remember until 5 minutes into the run.

What would you do differently?:

Have a GU ready and waiting, harder to forget. And more practice!

Run 2: 14/23, 7km, 53:57, GPS here. 

Course:

The 2nd run began with another run through a farm, for a few km's before enetering the bush and running along the Kerikeri river. The course featured fences to be climbed and streams to be jumped, before reaching the trail along the river, at which point it became a trail run. 

Out of the bush, heading to the finish

Comments:

I started the run fast, running initially at a 5min/km pace, which would be fast for me at any stage, let alone after 4 hours of work. After the first 4-500m I got my pace under control and settled into a pace around 6:30/km. However, the tough off road nature of the course, and the fact I was hurting after so long on the move meant that I couldn't maintain that, dropping to around 8-8:30/km for most of the run. Towards the end of the course I allowed myself to walk up some hills, but the encouragement of an older guy I was running with got rid of the walking and I was able to finish relatively strongly.

What would you do differently?:

I would have taken a GU, and possible chocolate with me, the energy boost may have helped me keep the pace up. Other than that an increased running volume is the best thing I can do to improve my run at the moment.

Over all     19/23   5:48:33, 14 minutes faster than last year. 

Post Race:

What limited your ability to perform faster:

1. Weight, as with every race report so far this year, I'm to heavy to do well at this. And a particularly hilly bike course shows that up.
2. Running. I'm not running enough yet, and an injury in the build up really set me back. 
3. A lack of hill training. I should have been in the hills at least once a week in the months leading up to this. Much more than the 2 dedicated hill sessions I actually did.

Event comments:

I love this event. It's challenging, but achievable. And I'm able to see my progress from 7 hours 17 in 2010, t0 6:02 in 2011 and now 5:48... 
Its a well run event, heaps of marshals, and everything runs on time. 
My only complaint is there were a lot less individual duathlon competitors this year. Hopefully the good weather will encourage more to sign up next time. 

Kumara tri, Kai Iwi Lakes

Pre-race routine:

2 pieces of toast and a coffee for breakfast. On the road by 6:30. Arrived at the race site about 8am, before the road was closed. Watched the kids race, and the short course start before finally starting at 10am.

Swim 750m, 13:11

Course:

Knee deep wade, for about 100m, then swim out about 200m, 100m across the beach then back in. 

Comments:

Very good swim. Felt the best that I have to date. Started at the back as per usual, but got caught behind a group swimming slower than I was which held me up slightly. Had a bit of trouble navigating around, definitely swam further than I needed too. 

What would you do differently?:

Nothing. This was by far the best swim, and the most comfortable I have felt in the water to date. I don't think on the day I could have done any better.

T1

Comments:

Good transition. Had the wet suit half off before back to the beach due to the long wade in. That helped give me some extra time. 

What would you do differently?:

Practice! 

Bike: 21km, 58:44

Course:

Hilly course (770m climbing), out and back. Very windy, mainly headwinds on the way out, tail winds coming back. One hill with strong cross winds, had to slow down to stay in control

Comments:

I struggled with this bike. The hills and the winds sucked a lot out of me. Overtook a few people who were walking up hills, but lost far more places than I gained.  

What would you do differently?:

I don't know. But I need to figure it out because it didn't work. I was slow, and felt absolutely shattered by the end of the ride. I think that I beat myself mentally by worrying about the wind and hills.

T2:

Comments:

Good, clean transition

What would you do differently?:

Practice!

Run: 8.8km, 1:05:59

Course:

Very steep hill to start the run, then an off road trail run around the lake for about 5km. Finishes with a run along the road back to transition

Comments:

After 3 days of thinking about it, I have nothing positive to say about this run. It was the worst run I've done in a long, long time. Felt slow and tired as I left transition, and getting up the first hill sucked any energy I had left out of me. Had planned to keep to a run/walk schedule to protect my calf, which I did mostly, but the run part was more of a shuffle.

What would you do differently?:

As with the bike, I'm not sure. But I need to figure it out.

Over all

2hour, 17 minutes and 32 seconds.

Post Race:

What limited your ability to perform faster:

This is the big one. I think that there were several factors:

1. The course and conditions. This was definitely a hillier/windier course than I've been doing. So no doubt that made things harder for me than the previous races. 

2. I beat myself mentally. I let the course and conditions get to me, I made them worse than they were, or needed to be.

3. Fatigue. I've been tired for weeks, and was exhausted when I woke up on race morning. I think that I may be paying the price for too much work, and not enough sleep. I need to address this over the next few weeks. 

4. Of course I'm to heavy, and I need to train more... Both of those I'm working on, but take time.

Event comments:

Hard course, but nice relaxed atmosphere which I do enjoy. 

March, Training Log

Peoples Tri Series, Maraetai

Pre-race routine:

Not a too early start for this one, was out the door by 6:30am, and arrived at the start at 7:15, about 2 hours till race time. Claimed a spot in transition, then sorted registration. Had a pre race technical stop and watched the olympic distance race start.

Swim 500m, 8:13, 9/15 AG

Course:

Out about 150m straight off the beach, 90 degree turn into 200m across the the beach ans then 150m straight back into transition. No current to speak of, but a reasonable amount of chop.

Comments:

Used the standard plan, started at the back to avoid getting swum over by faster athletes, but found myself right in the middle of the pack the whole way around. Was very close quarters and even got a few kicks. Swallowed a few mouthfuls of water due to the chop, but otherwise ok. Felt that I got into the swing of things much faster than previously. 

What would you do differently?:

Warm up... Same as the last one.

T1

Comments:

Much shorter run from the swim exit to the bike than I've done before. And had a bit of trouble finding the wetsuits zip. As a result the wetsuit was still on when I arrived at the bike, so  I was a bit slower than I should have been.

What would you do differently?:

Practice! Mangawhai's good transition probably lured me into a false sense of security, found it a bit tougher this time.

Bike: 20km, 43:43, 12/15 AG

Course:

Along the coast for 4km, then head inland for 6km over rolling hills to the turn around point. 

Comments:

Nice bike along the coast. Pushed pretty hard the whole way, but never felt that I was giving it 100%. There were a few drafting packs around, which annoyed me a bit. Other than that was happy with my ride. Felt I could have kept going for a long time at that pace, which is what I'll need to do at the northern crossing.

What would you do differently?:

Probably should have pushed harder than I did. Also, if I wanted to do well in the race I should have hooked into one of the drafting packs. I know it's against the rules, but everyone was doing it, and it does give the other guys a big advantage...

T2:

Comments:

Much smoother than T1. Arrived at the dismount just after 2 other athletes, so had a bit of of delay getting into transition. Once in ran to the bike rack, swapped shoes in moments and off on my way. Running the whole time.

What would you do differently?:

Practice!

Run: 5km, 25:50, 14/15 AG

Course:

2 laps of a 2.5km long out and back. Mostly on the flat but over 1 short hill about half way. Was a water station about 200m before the turn around, so got 4 chances for a drink.

Comments:

Felt slow and awkward at the start of the run, as you do after a ride. That feeling never went away. I did the 9:1 run:walk program I've been doing in training and it seemed to work well. I ran within myself, and liked the bike felt that yes I was pushing, but had more to give if I wanted too.

What would you do differently?:

Push harder. To do well in these sprint tris I have to give everything. BUT, the main goal of the first part of the year is the northern crossing, which is much longer, so pacing myself for now will hopefully pay off in the long run.

Over all

1hour, 19 minuted and 51 seconds.

13/15 AG, 92/130 Male and 117/189 Over all

Post Race:

Warm down:

Bit of a walk around, and some post race nutrition (They gave us danish pastry's! How good is that)

What limited your ability to perform faster:

1. Weight, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I"m too heavy to do well at this. At the end of the year, when I'm under 90 kg I might stop saying its a problem
2. lack of run training. Getting better, but still months away from being happy
3. Myself. I held back, I was pushing, but was close to my long course pacing... If this had been a goal race I could have been faster.

Event comments:

Much more serious tri than what I've done before. But still heaps of fun. Weather wasn't great, but didn't ruin the day. Over all I was very happy with how things went.

February Training Logs

Once again pretty good consistency. Only 3 days off for the whole month! That's not bad. I did slightly less biking than last month, but ran almost twice as much, which was the plan. Swimming was about the same, I would have liked to do a bit more, but not too worried.

Next month, I want to keep swimming about the same again, and up the running and biking a bit.

Mangawhai Tri, 2012

Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 5:15am, loaded the bike onto the ute and on the road by 5:45. Had a coffee and BLT sandwich for breakfast on the drive. Arrived at the venue about an hour before start. Pre registered so set up transition, and just hung around and tried to relax until race time.

Transition, Pre Race

Swim 500m, 9:22

Ready Set Go!

Course:

Short swim out into the channel, then about 400m with the strong tide down the beach, and a final 100m into the beach across the tide. A long (1 min or so) run from the end of the swim back to transition, so actual swim time probably around 8:30

Comments:

Started at the back to avoid being swum over. Once around the first buoy was able to overtake many other athletes. Took about half the swim to feel comfortable. But once there things went well. I do think that I swim much smother in the pool, more OWS practice is needed.

Somewhere in the spray....

What would you do differently?:

1. Go for a pre race swim. OWS always seems to take a few minutes for me to feel comfortable. A warm up should help me feel good right from the start I hope.
2. More OWS Practice. I had wanted to have done 1-2 OWS already this year. his was my first

T1

Comments:

Top half of the wetsuit was off before getting to transition. The bottom half came off easily, sun glasses then helmet on. Socks and bike shoes on. I lost a little time on the shoes, tried to do it standing up and got a little unbalanced. Un rack bike and jog it to the start of the ride.

What would you do differently?:

Practice. I hadn't practiced at all, so am pleasantly surprised with how well it went. With practice I'm sure I can drop more time tho.

Bike: 17km, 37:00

Course:

Up a hill straight out of transition, nice decent down the other side and then climbing for the next 5-6km. Quite a fast decent down to sea level followed by a flat section. 2 short sharp climbs to finish and a netural (No overtaking) zone back down the hill to transition

Comments:

I know that I'm running slow at the moment, so my plan going in was to go hard on the bike and I did (and then survive the run). Possibly too hard up the hill out of transition. But kept pushing hard the whole way and finished 2 minutes faster than last years effort.

What would you do differently?:

Take the first few minutes a bit easier. I think that the big hill to start with took a lot out of me, and I would have been better to save that energy.

T2:

Comments:

Kept the bike shoes on until racking the bike. Slight difficulty getting the helmet straps tangled with my sunglasses. Other than that all good. But like T1 very pleased with how it went.

What would you do differently?:

Practice!

Run: 5km, 27:26

Up the hill (it felt much steeper than it looks here!)

Course:

Up and down the same hill as the start of the bike. Then a flat out and back before going over the hill again on the way to the finish.

Comments:

Slow. Felt awful. But I was expecting that. Over took a few people, and got overtaken by some. Think I pretty much stayed in the same position overall. Walked through the drink station at half way.

Was surprised at the pace I finished with, I think it's actually shorter than 5km but I was only 1 minute slower than last year so happy with that.

What would you do differently?:

I'm still easing back into running post calf injury. As I get my mileage back up the run will improve.

Sprint finish, beat him by 3 seconds.

Over all

1 hour, 16 minutes, 28 seconds.

72/111 finishers, 52/70 male finishers and 22/28 in age group

3 minutes faster than last year... 

Post Race:

Warm down:

Short walk after finishing and a banana.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

1. Weight, I'm well above fighting weight, and 4kg heavier than last year. I need to drop if I want to do well in this sport.
2. Lack of run training, Past experience tells me that I need at least 30-35km/week before I start running well. Still a few months away from that.

Event comments:

Beautiful part of the world, great scenery and a really enjoyable friendly/relaxed atmosphere about the whole thing.