Mooloolaba Triathlon 2008.

Earlier this morning, I completed my very first olympic distance triathlon in Mooloolaba. I woke up feeling cold, crappy and miserable and was basically not very motivated to make it to the start line. To make matters worse, it was announced the afternoon before that it would be a non-wetsuit swim. All I had wanted to do was to curl back up in bed and go to sleep.

The one saving grace was at least, it was not raining and we were not going to be wet and miserable (as well).

While driving to the event venue, the temperature outdoors was 17 degrees – as I said, it was friggin’ cold. Too cold for a swim anyway. After having found a spot for our vehicle, we proceeded to the transition area to setup transition. I carefully arranged all my bike and run gear on the bright, green towel I had brought with me. Once satisfied with how it looked, I got out of the transition area and we made our way to the swim start, which was a kilometer away.

I had decided not to carry any bike spares on my bike for the bike leg, bar a can of “Pit Stop” taped to the downtube. If I had one flat, I would just use the “Pit Stop”. If I had two flats on the ride, I would then be dead. Of course, I prayed there would be no mishaps at all throughout the 40k ride. It was a gamble I took, considering both my tires were in fairly new condition.

The day was panning out to be quite a hot one as we joined the mass of people making their way to the swim start, walking along the beach. It almost looked like an exodus; only Moses was nowhere to be seen. Some people were already warming up in the water but I was reluctant. I was sure I would be freezing afterwards while waiting for my wave to start.

Nevertheless, I had to get into the water to prevent getting a panic attack later on. Reluctantly I toed the water and was surprised it was much warmer than expected. I started moving deeper and just then, a wave came up and splashed onto me. Oh what the heck, I am already wet so I dipped my head into the water.

I waited at the sides along with everyone else, shivering and teeth chattering, for our swim waves to start. Once called, we assembled and was briefed about the change in the swim course. Minutes later, the horn went and everyone raced into the water. As usual, I kept to the back as I am not a fast swimmer.

The last 100m or so of the swim towards the finish was hard work. There was a current that kept dragging us backwards and it was cruel since we were nearing the end. I struggled for abit and was glad when my feet could finally touch the sand. I got out of the water and started jogging the 70m or so into transition.

Got into transition, put sunnies on then helmet. Grabbed the small towel to towel myself alittle, then sat down to put shoes on and finally the bib. Grabbed my bike and jogged to the bike exit with care. Don’t want to slip and fall infront of the crowd. Mounted on the line and off I went. The bike was a one lap, out and back course.

First few kms were all about trying to bring the heartrate down to a steady level and settling down on the bike for the ride ahead. This was not so easy as the course quickly leads us up Buderim Road and up the first undulation. Found myself switching to the smallest gear and my heartrate skyrocketing. This was followed by afew more undulations before heading out onto the motorway.

After this, I managed to settle down on the bike with no further dramas. I saw packs of riders drafting off each other on what I had understood to be a non-drafting course. Funny that. I had one gel in the last 10k of the bike and rode back into transition to swap my cycling gear for running gear.

Again, the first few km of the run were about finding the right rhythm and pace. My heartrate was very erratic and I felt it. Slowed down to a more comfortable pace in a bid to allow my heart to catchup. After the first turnaround, I felt strong and picked up pace. Quite enjoyed the undulating run course and was still feeling strong at the second turnaround but I had a gel anyway.

At the last turnaround, I knew I was now heading for the finish with less than 5km to go. Pushed abit more and ran up the little undulation and down the other side, heading for the finish line. Passed afew people on this last stretch and finally crossed the finish. Had some refreshments and water-melons at the recovery area before heading to transition to collect my bike and all my other gear.

We left for home soon after, without participating in the rest of the fanfare.

Gone Swimming.

Swim session this evening. Arrived at the pool and it was quite crowded. Most of the lanes already had at least two people in it, so I picked the only lane left that had only one guy swimming.

Warmed up with breastroke as usual and then continued with my four sets of frontcrawl. The guy that I had been sharing the lane with finished his swim and got out not long after I started. I was left with the whole lane all to myself throughout the whole session afterwards. Yayyy!

Felt good and strong in the water today and finished all three sets just under 21 minutes.

For the fourth set, I put my fins on but did not bother to put the stopwatch on. Probably did about 400m with the fins and decided to call it quits as I urgently needed to pee. Sigh, bad timing really but thats just the way it is so I quickly got out of the pool, grabbed my stuff and went into the change room.

A nice, slow run awaits tomorrow and then it is taper time for Sunday’s event. Time to get my mind ready.

Oh last weekend, I have finally installed the aerobars back onto my bike. Geez, lazy bugger….it only took round about three months *rolls eyes*

Another Brick.

The trip down to the bike shop in the city yesterday, was pretty much a non-event. Spoke briefly with the guy in the shop and the short story was that the guy doing the bike-fit was taking the weekend off. Worse of all, he said they have not been receiving any bikes from Cervelo for the past month or so (due to overwhelming demand), and that the country (Aus) is currently running short of Ultegra parts. WTF!!!??

I had been interested in the Cervelo P2C Ultegra. The bottom line was basically that they do not know when the bikes will arrive even if I do place an order. No one knows anything or has any further information and none is willing to commit. Well, fair enough I suppose. I left the shop after having left my name and number for the bike fit guy to give me a ring when he gets back sometime next week. I mentioned that my main concern was to be certain that the stand-over height of the bike would be appropriate for me, if not, I can then get on with my search for another bike.

So, that was just that.

This morning was the last brick session before next weekend’s race. Rode an hour of moderate intensity on the bike, followed by a 13k run. The weather was hot as hot can be, which was good in case next weekend’s weather would be anything like it. I had felt tired on the bike though, but was strong for the run afterwards.

Was overall quite satisfied with the workout.

Prep Time.

Lucky for us, we have just managed to secure a closer accommodation to the triathlon venue for next weekend. It was also at the right price and so we decided to book it and cancel the previous reservation we have made.

I have started looking for my swimming, cycling and running gear and put them aside. Have also taken my race wheels down from the garage (they were hanging) and pumped them up to see if they are ok. Quite a few other things to prepare yet before it will be done.

A good CTS session on the bike this evening. Perspired like a pig and the towel was thoroughly wet whilst my face felt as if it was burning. Quads were aching abit towards the end of the session. Lazy bugger, I still have not put the aerobars back on the bike.

I was very happy that this was my first pain-free day for the week. Geez, it feels good!

Tomorrow, we hope to go to the bike shop and check out the Cervelo bikes as part of my research enroute to my very first time-trial bike. Strangely, I am not as excited as I thought I would be, which is probably a good thing as it keeps me from making the wrong decisions. Well, we’ll see how it goes from there tomorrow.

Happy Easter.

Yayyyy!!! Its Easter long weekend! Thank God, and I meant that literally.

Went to the pool yesterday. The skies were dark and it was drizzling slightly but does not look like there was going to be any lightning, so I decided to give it a go. Paid my money and saw that the pool was empty!

Yippeeee!! Whole pool to myself!!!

Went into the change room, immediately the heavens decided to open up and it was raining cats and dogs! Argh! The downpour made a loud noise on the roof of the change room. I listened for thunder but there was none, so I thought it was not too bad since I was going to get wet anyway.

Came out and left my bag under the shelter. By now the rain had subsided and it was no longer as heavy. Got into the water and damn, it was friggin’ freezing. Off I went, started with my 200m of breast stroke for warmup, without hesitation. Brrrr. After that decided to do three sets of 800m frontcrawl, followed by the last set of 800m with fins.

Felt good and strong in the water, finished all three sets almost two minutes faster than usual. Put fins on for the last set. Did 400m and could feel some strain on the right ankle from the fins. Decided to wrap it up for the day so headed for the shower.

Had a massage later on in the evening. Geez, it hurts alot but then again it did make me feel a whole lot better too.

Before I forget, Happy Easter to all!

Slow Run.

A short run today of 11km at a slow pace. Felt better today than yesterday, not in as much pain but abit tired. Dragged my ass out for a run even though I arrived home later than usual because I didn’t do anything yesterday.

As expected, it was already dark by the time I finished my run. Quite hot and humid out there this evening.

Another early night tonight in a bid to keep the headaches at bay. Good night, world.

The sleep debt is definitely mounting. Coupled with the stuffed-up shoulders and back, it makes for a very potent combination of pain and agony. And yes, I am in pain but not the kind you get when the muscles on your body are tired or sore. But pain that seems to stem from the shoulders up.

Time to get the remedial massage in this week.

Today was supposed to be a run day but I just did not feel upto it at all due to the headaches I have been getting. Argh! Early night tonight.

Tired Legs.

Could feel legs were tired midway through the run yesterday. Must be from the bike work done the day before, where I pushed myself alittle then and could feel both quads were getting abit sore. It was a good workout though.

I haven’t been sleeping as well as I used to, which translates to another sleep-debt mounting. Not sure if it is due to my screwed-up upper back and shoulders. Really need to get another massage session in soon, to try and sort it out.

Easter long weekend this week. Yippeee!!

Need to start gathering my swim, bike and run gear together for Mooloolaba Tri. Only two weeks to go and I am feeling inadequately prepared.

Bike Work.

Yet another busy day at work. I’m truly glad the week is over.

Hopped on the bike and did an hour of bike work. My heart and lungs were bursting, my thighs were seering as I did my best to crank out the right cadence. Had to drop a gear after the second interval and I still struggled towards the end of the workout. Sigh.

Note to self: definitely more bike work required.

Less than three weeks to Mooloolaba Tri.

Busy Bee.

This has been a damn busy week at work.

Did my own swim session this evening. Got to the pool alittle late and only managed to do two sets of 800m, followed by a set of 600m. Estimated the total time taken to complete the three sets was approximately 57 minutes.

The last set was supposed to be 800m as well. But as they were already starting to cover up the pool, I felt bad and decided to shorten my swim so they could finish the job and go home too.

So they have started to cover the pool. This probably means the weather in the morning could be starting to get colder now that summer is over. And they’re doing this to retain heat in the water.

At the moment, cycling feels like it has been neglected. Must buck up and do more bike work.