Well, that's it then right!?
Two weeks out from Ironman Melbourne and over this past weekend we've completed our final long training sessions. Saturday was a 6 hour ride (of the stationary trainer in my garage) followed by a 10km run-off-the-bike, then Sunday we carpooled to the race venue in Frankston for a long open water swim and a long run along the IM course. Next week is taper week meaning no more weekend long ride or run so I guess that means we're done now - right?
This was kinda the feeling I had leading into the weekend, rising from bed at 2am in order to complete my ride/run sessions early and still be available to the family for the rest of the day. It was difficult, but it was just one more time.
Running along the race course on Sunday was again going to be tough, but it was also the last time (until race day!). Due to a required bathroom stop between the swim and run I missed the group I was supposed to start with, in fact, whilst trying to organise myself I watched the next group leave as well. As I finally did start to run, the only guys remaining in the Frankston carpark were those who were carpooling back to do a shorter run, them and the Tri Alliance support van. The whole point to the staggered starts were to ensure everyone running today could meet the van at the scheduled stops en-route and minimize the gaps that would naturally occur between the fast guys and those of us - um, not so quick. The last time I had done this run I had also been the last to leave but, since my running has improved markedly, I had been able to catch up and finish in the middle of the group. Naturally I figured I would just have to work a little harder this time but it would still work out. Besides, last time I hadn't carried any hydration, using only only van and the various water fountains along the trail - today, I had my new race belt with two water bottles loaded with concentrated electrolyte solutions. No problem.
The problems began when I arrived at the first drink stop and still hadn't even seen another runner yet. Not wanting to hold up the support van from those ahead who would need it I ran through without stopping. Some time later, as I approached the next drink stop I was still the tail end of the group by some distance so again I waived off the van, this time, as I ran past I called out to not wait up for me, I had the hydration I needed.
By now I was finally seeing other guys ahead and was slowly catching up but it was taking a lot longer than I had expected. 17km in fact before I was in the group, almost exactly half of my long run had been catch up and we were just about to enter the rolling hills of the course. I had been holding a good pace and feeling comfortable. This was how I'd run this track two weeks earlier, but this time, as we got to the hills the effort I'd put in early came back to claim its price.
The final third of the run was completed at a pace almost a minute slower per km than the first half. Come race day, there will be a further eight km to cover...
Before that run yesterday, I've been travelling beautifully, completing all of my training and build, including an awesome result at the Sufferfest last week. The last long run turned has just delivered one final lesson - don't get cocky!
Just when you think you're done, BOOM, wake up call.
Luckily this discovery came when it did, instead of during the race. It's given me a chance to revise my plan off attack as now I know that I need to leave reserves to cover the third 10km section of the run, start slowly, get through the hills and then, depending upon what's left in the tank, upon up for the final stretch home.
Two weeks out from Ironman Melbourne and over this past weekend we've completed our final long training sessions. Saturday was a 6 hour ride (of the stationary trainer in my garage) followed by a 10km run-off-the-bike, then Sunday we carpooled to the race venue in Frankston for a long open water swim and a long run along the IM course. Next week is taper week meaning no more weekend long ride or run so I guess that means we're done now - right?
This was kinda the feeling I had leading into the weekend, rising from bed at 2am in order to complete my ride/run sessions early and still be available to the family for the rest of the day. It was difficult, but it was just one more time.
 |
| The signage is appearing around town |
The problems began when I arrived at the first drink stop and still hadn't even seen another runner yet. Not wanting to hold up the support van from those ahead who would need it I ran through without stopping. Some time later, as I approached the next drink stop I was still the tail end of the group by some distance so again I waived off the van, this time, as I ran past I called out to not wait up for me, I had the hydration I needed.
By now I was finally seeing other guys ahead and was slowly catching up but it was taking a lot longer than I had expected. 17km in fact before I was in the group, almost exactly half of my long run had been catch up and we were just about to enter the rolling hills of the course. I had been holding a good pace and feeling comfortable. This was how I'd run this track two weeks earlier, but this time, as we got to the hills the effort I'd put in early came back to claim its price.
The final third of the run was completed at a pace almost a minute slower per km than the first half. Come race day, there will be a further eight km to cover...
Before that run yesterday, I've been travelling beautifully, completing all of my training and build, including an awesome result at the Sufferfest last week. The last long run turned has just delivered one final lesson - don't get cocky!
Just when you think you're done, BOOM, wake up call.
Luckily this discovery came when it did, instead of during the race. It's given me a chance to revise my plan off attack as now I know that I need to leave reserves to cover the third 10km section of the run, start slowly, get through the hills and then, depending upon what's left in the tank, upon up for the final stretch home.
 |
| Finish long run at BBQ with no energy to eat anything... |
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