Thought I'd throw up a race report while it was still fresh in my memory.
Thursday morning I woke up, thinking I was heading to Port Mac solo, driving from Syd to the race. By 10am I was heading up with the old man! It was a great surprise and certainly took some weight of my shoulders. We both headed for the red eye Thurs night and after a couple of hours sleep we were in Sydney 6am, jumped in the i30 and took the 5ish hour drive up.
We got there no problems and Friday/Saturday was spent catching up with Tim and Nic, having a look at the course and carb loading up.
Race morning:
I had a great sleep, which is rare, but certainly welcomed. I had my usual, Banana (x2) SiS bar and electrolytes for brekky while setting up transition. I also threw down my fav, a caffeinated SiS gel about 15 before the swim start.
Swim:
I made sure I was one of the first into the water so I could get a spot on the front row for the deep water start. This worked well and I was on the front line. There was the usual creeping forward with the 10 second count down and with about 3 to go everyone was pretty much off, I had a good laugh.
My position seemed to pay off and I was off to a great start within the first few 100. I then copped the absolute beating of a lifetime!! I was punched 3-4 times in the head, dunked and just generally wailed upon for about 50 meters. Not sure why but hey that's all a part of the swim, I dealt with it an swum on. I felt I had one of the best swims of my racing 'career', and although I faded slightly I came out with a massive PB 26.30.
T1:
I had a solid run into transition and as usual had a great one and was on the bike quickly. I was 2nd out of transition
Bike:
Not sure what happened here. Any one near me will know that I have been working a lot on my bike (and swim) lately and had been having some really promising signs (re progression). Unfortunately it really didn't show at Port Mac. I had a really terrible ride. I got on the bike feeling ok, and really took it easy on the first few hills (i.e. not go stupid and blow up), but I just couldn't get going and got progressively worse through out the ride.
I was really fighting some demons on that ride, but I managed to work through it. I was just so disappointed with the ride in general. There was nothing I could do but keep plugging away and try and reduce the deficit as much as possible.
T2:
I came into T2 pretty bloody disappointed, and really angry. I wanted to destroy this run and I knew it was going to hurt. I threw on the runners and set off. Dad let me know I was 5th in, so it wasn't a complete disaster.
Run:
I ran out of transition and with a quick wave to Dad I was off, on 3.45's on the flat. Then my bloody garmin froze. "you know what I don't even care", i thought too my self, I wasn't even interested in pace, I just needed to run hard.
Within 2k I pasted 5th for 4th, it was a great boost. I felt strong and was sucking down my SiS caffeine gels, they were giving me wings. About 7k in I was feeling really good running up and down the pretty reasonable hills there, and I ran into 3rd.
I knew I wasn't going to run into 1st (as Todd was schooling us all) but I thought I had a chance to make 2nd. I finished the first 10.5k and went about hunting 2nd. With 5k to go I passed 2nd. I had a bit of a laugh actually, as as I passed him I heard "awww F*CK!!", sorry mate I thought but I wasn't there for a haircut.
My On shoes were really helping me, really reducing that shock on those downhills, I loved them. I knew I was comfortably in 2nd but I didn't slow the pace at all, I really wanted to work hard. Finally I got to within a k to go and the long run down the finish shoot.
I was fricken exhausted when I crossed the line and had to have a little sit down, the commentator enjoyed it, the med people didn't haha. I was certain I was 2nd however Dad was certain I was 4th, and I was pretty bloody happy when I confirmed the 2nd.
Post Race:
For me this might not have been the hardest race but it certainly was the most emotional. From a big high in the swim, to massive lows and demons on the bike, I was really really battling out there, but I was really glad that used that emotion in the run. I was pretty emotional when I got over the line, but I think that's something pretty common with competitive endurance racers, its hard not to get emotional when you put all that work in.
From here I took a number of things. My swim is a lot better, but still needs work, especially to finish strong. My ride....well. I need to figure this out quick smart but I am looking forward to figuring this puzzle and and improving as an athlete. My run, I love running :)
Afterwards we had a few to many brewskies at pressos, but I think we all deserved it, thanks dad, tim, nic, todd and others for a great arvo/night.
Thanks also to my training mates. My family and Dad thanks so much for all the help, appreciated more than imaginable. Sean, you have a positive effect on me more than you know mate. And Paige the most understanding and supportive person in the entire world.
Also thank you to my supporters my coach Brian and Transition Wear, On Shoes and SiS nutrition, not only getting my nutrition over there for me, but shouting a drink or two sun night - thanks Matt, legend mate!!
From here, a week off. Then back into it. Can't wait, to improve my self as an athlete and person
Cheers
(P.s. pics soonsies)
