1 Month to Go!

1 Month today, I would have hopefully finished by now. That would make the finish time for me a sub 11hr race! The way the training has come together and continues to do so makes me more confident in the race each day I train. Whilst I am not going to be doing anything spectacular out there, the fact that I will finish will be sensational! I think the only reasons I would not would be technical issue or some sort of injury. I was up util yesterday really concerned about my nutrition, but whilst down in Huskisson last weekend, I found a product from called Perpeteum. Jeff said he had used it during the race (just over 2hrs on the bike) and it was good, so I got some and tested it yuesterday. It was excellent. I consumed that for the 5hrs of riding (160km) with 2 gels only and felt great, so I am very chuft! Thanks Jeff for explaining it all on the phone to me. Its quite involved getting it ready, and tastes like rice wheels...nice break from all the sweet stuff we ususally eat on the bike. It made the gels all rather exciting as well! Anyway, its good to not have to be stressed about getting the right amount of Carbs into your system, this stuff seems to have all the right levels of nutrients needed to get through the ride. I think I will test it on one of my long runs as well this coming week, because fuel on the run is just as, if not more important....Rollo was saying thats where the race starts, on the run, and 20km odd in, its carnage! Bodies all over the place.....man, there was carnage at huski last weekend, although, I must say, half way through the run, it was 36 degrees!

So, onto Huski, I did write a report last week, but never got round to finishing it, so let me give you (if you dont mind) a very brief report. Huskisson is an awesome race. Its 2km swim, 83km ride, 20km run.
Swim - I was in the front pack pretty much from the start, found the feet of some bloke who was swimming at a good pace but not threshold for me and stayed there, conserving myself. I did not see the point in pushing hard to move right to the front. Nice and easy! I was 8th in my age group!
Bike - After cooking myself in Port during the Hlaf Iron Man, I was determined not to over do it this time. I thought I would hold my Heart Rate in the 140's and conserve myself for the run, there was no way I was going to walk or not enjoy it. So, off I went, pretty much held 35km/r for the 83km, and the HR averaged 147! I was very happy with that. Rollo afterwards thought I could have gone a bit harder, so that was good for the confidence. The new bike was great to. Time : 2.21
Run - Jeez I was loving to be running! I came off the bike, feeling pretty strong, and wanting to run again to Heart Rate. This time, keeping the HR under 160, and not worrying about the pace. Well, I went through the 1st km in 4.21 and thought I had better back it off a little, but I was so comfortable. I went through 10km in 43mins odd, feeling super. I was going well with the fluid intake, no cramps and no fatigue. Then, at about 12km, I got a cramp in my gut, boy, it was sore. I was pretty much doubled over whilst running at over 6min a km, I strgulled to the last turn around, and walked whilst trying to stretch the cramp out and drinking cola for the 1st time. Of all the times for someone to see me, Vlad comes flying round the corner, yells at me to run, so throw the cola back, and being running...gingerly, and just as it had started, no warning or signal, the cramp stopped and I was able to run again for the last 4.5km. Must have been something in the cola, but man that was pain...next time I wont wait so long to get some in me! I finished the run in 95mins....and to be honest, dissapointed with that. I was hoping for a sub 90mins. But, it was a good run, very very hot, and physically I was good, just that cramp hurt me.
So, all done in 4.25, which for only my 2nd long course triathlon, I must be happy with. I reckon I could shave 20mins off that time next year, more strenght on the bike, and more conditioning on the run, and I will do it....I have already told rollo that this is the target for the next one!

The past week has been pretty good as far as training goes. I had a brick session on wednesday which was pretty hard, but a lot of fun! Yesterdays ride was great, very hot again, but I did 160km in 5hrs so thats good hit out for the Iron Man ride. The run today was a good one, I went out wanting to hold a good solid pace, and ended up running 25km! I felt I could have gone on as well, which was good.

So, as the title says, 4 weeks to go. In exactly 4 weeks time, i will hopefully be preparing myself for a few well earned beers whilst cheering people home. Thats one of the great things about the race, every finisher, every person who gets over that line is celebrated and celebrates their own achievement, and its deserved! Its going to be a tough long day out there, but jeez I am pumped and ready to go!!