IM WORLD CHAMPS REPORT 2012

Pre Race Build Up 

I am sitting down to write this report a very happy man. This by far has being my most difficult season to date! More so on the mental side of things than physical. Having secured my Kona slot in Canada it was always going to be a very difficult task to arrive in Hawaii in peak form, I had 7 weeks to recover.. train.. and taper. Something which I never had to do before. I was certain about one thing though, I was not going to arrive in Kona with the ( if i don't race well i have an excuse)  get out clause! I took 1 week of after Canada then straight back into training.

I had no idea how my body would react, but was surprised at how I adapted back into training, swimming came back as did biking almost straight away.. running was different! My pace was the same, but my HR did not want to play ball at all.. A pure sign of fatigue! But the prize of racing on the big island was enough to keep me motivated. In my last week of training before leaving things were improving, but just not up to my standard. It was not bothering me at all.. I had got my prize and I was content with that.

I arrived on the big island Oct 1st giving me plenty of time to get used to the huge time difference and the heat. I nearly had a tear in my eye stepping of that plane, because of what I had to go through to get there. Its well known about my Frankfurt escapade.. I was down at such a low low place then! But here i was standing on the runway in Kona. And if you want to know what my exact thoughts were there and then here it is!

( F**k you, you did not defeat me)

I was really surprised at how quickly at how my body clock adjusted, I was sleeping great! Maybe this was down to the fact i placed no pressure on myself, I had no great expectations and was going with the flow. It was great to be getting up in the mornings and heading to the pier for a swim.. It really is a magical place to swim! The rest of the Irish crew arrived day by day.. Myself and Martin teamed up for some swimming and things were looking good, we done some long race pace work and data was showing we were swimming @ 1hr to 1.02 pace. Things were looking good! Everything except my running was good.. my HR would just not come down! As the race was getting closer more and more athletes were strutting there stuff on Alii. I just love the way everyone seemed to be running flat out.. all the time and not even breathing hard:) posers paradise or what!!

With this being my 3rd time here i felt no intimidation, and just got on with what ever training i had to do. Race day was coming fast and it was time for the parade of nations. Our team shirts looked the biz and i for one was extremely proud to wear it! Marching up Alii with a Tri color flying high and people from every nation giving the Irish nation special treatment is a dream!

Next up was the most important race of my life! The underpants run!! Liam said he was going to kick my ass and I just could not let that happen! We took of in our secret super fast jocks.. myself and Liam were shoulder to shoulder running at a blistering 10min/m pace! Martin was trying to catch us, but the pace was to high! Unfortunately we both blew up with Annette and Sarah out sprinting us to the line!!

Myself and Liam now have a pre race ritual were we check our bikes in together.. We got this done early on Fri morning, then it was back to the condo to try and relax, at this stage I had no nerves at all! Ash cooked a lovely dinner and then of to bed at 8... Ash was asleep in 2min then I realised I had a race to do... Que the nerves!!! I did get sleep just not a very restful one!

RACE MORNING

Up at 3.30am and I was having difficulty getting the porridge down, a cup of coffee some toast with nuttella and of I went to T1. First is body marking then into transition to get set up for the day ahead. I met Liam, Martin and Ivan we wished each other good luck.. then it was SHOWTIME!!

THE SWIM








Dig me beach is so so small and trying to get 2000 pumped up athletes on to it is a mission in itself.. I made my way onto it with 10min to go, I spoke to Rob for a second then made my way into the water. I was very aware of how badly I placed myself last year so swam out keeping much further to the left.. Hoping this would avoid the absolute mayhem that I had to endure in 2011. A few moment treading the water then all I heard was Mike Reilly shouting GO GO GO!! ( the canon failed to fire) So of I went with my great plan of avoiding all the boxing.. Yeah right! It sort of reminded me of a Monday night in Ridleys nighclub after Man Utd V Liverpool... Fecking free for all!! I just put up with it and relaxed.. All I wanted to do was swim quicker than my abysmal 1.16 last year. There seemed to be a large swell and I ended up swimming in a group that drifted of course twice.. How far we swam would not become apparent until today when I looked at my swim data.. My total distance swam was 4.3k.. WTF!!
On the final leg back to shore things settled a bit, and I was delighted to see 1.10 on the clock when I stood up! Overall I am happy with my swim, just a bit ticked of a swam almost 500m more than I needed!

Into T1 and all was good.. I got badly burned last year and decided I would completely cover up for the bike.. I choose to wear the new compressport tri top.. It was really hard to get on, and I knew I was taking a long time, on with the zoot arm coolers and i was good to go.. I have not looked at my T1 time but I am sure it was very slow.. better slow than burnt I say!

THE BIKE

I noticed before the swim that the flags were blowing a lot more than normal.. I knew it was going to be a windy day in the saddle, And I was proved right! There is a out and back section around the town to do before you hit the famous Queen K.. Its always crowded and full of people trying to win the race even before they get to Palani. I can never figure this out! Once onto the QK I just focused on finding a good pace and trying to conserve something for the run.. I was not looking at any data just using the force! And as usual i spent a lot of time passing people. About 20 or so mile out and I noticed the wind was really blowing a gale.. I had to be extra careful to keep a wide birth whilst passing as the gusts were blowing people toward the centre line.. My manta before this race was just to smile.. No matter how hard it got.. Just smile! And that I did, the wider I smiled, the easier it was to cut through the wind! The more it blew the more I smiled. If it was this windy out on course how bad would it be on the way up to hawi? Traditionally the most windy part of the course.. It was not that bad at all, And this is were I noticed all those hero's who pushed to hard in the 1st section dying a slow death.. I just kept smiling:) At the turn round we got a class tailwind, I spun out and had to be content to free wheel at 35/40 mph My max speed was 52.3mph:) I was not looking forward to the final stretch from home as I knew it was head wind all the way... I just kept passing huge groups all trying to shelter each other from Madame Pele's fury! I have never seen the penalty tents so full! I decide not to take the easy way out and just hold a steady pace. It was bloody hot into the bargain.. I went through nine bottles of fluid, 6 of my own mix and 3 i grabbed on course! I can tell you I was never as glad to see Kailua in the distance, it was by far the toughest conditions I have raced in! But coming in of the bike I felt hot.. but good! Looking today at my bike data i was 25watts down on my Canada average.. Maybe this was down the careful pacing and/or I still had fatigue in my legs from 7 weeks previous! I don't know, but I have no complaints at all!

T2 I had to get the bloody top of and my fusion one on, a helper came over and placed an ice cold wet towel on my shoulders when I was getting changed... HEAVEN!! I stood for maybe 30sec to let my temp come down.. I know I was losing time but like I said earlier I was not to bothered about losing some time in transitions.. slapped on the sun screen then it was out to do what I was really fearing most about this race THE RUN!

This run for me would turn out to be the most important IM run I have done to date. As I said earlier my running is the only aspect of my training that I felt that did not come back to what I wanted post Canada.. And in Canada I underestimated the run course and had to walk for small bits.. This did not please me as these days my running is my strength!

I did not for one second think I would run the 3.02 I ran last year.. My only goal was simply run the whole run.. And hope and pray that Canada would not come back and bite me in the ass!
The first mile went smooth..to smooth! I ran it in 6.30 and I thought i was going easy.. I reigned the horses in the slowed my pace.. I just race at a pace that was comfortable, I had a real fear of having to walk later in the race.. Ivan passed me at break neck pace around 4 mile in..I was running @ 6.55 pace and he passed me as if I was standing still.. A short time later I met Martin coming the other way..high 5s were exchanged and on I went.. The first 10 mile or so is on Alii, then its out on to the QK were if you have any demons or doubts this is were they will get you. I got to mile 13 and was feeling good.. I thought of increasing the pace, but decided that i would stick to plan and just run the run..Mike was running with me for a short while and that was good to take both our minds of the fact we were slowly cooking ourselves to death.. When ever I was running down into the Energy lab I met Martin Again.. He was looking real strong and i knew i would never catch him.. I was tempted to shout to him I AM GONA CATCH YA.. I thought better of it in case i exploded! There would be no re run of our battle last years race.. I can be nothing but happy for Martin.. Proof that hard work and dedication 9 times out of 10 will get you proper reward.. Good on ya buddy:) But its still 2/1 to me... and I cant wait for round 4!! Coming out of the lab I noticed Liam, a slight nod and it was back to the task at hand.. With 6 mile to go I was growing in confidence, knowing now there would be no walking today! I got into a bit of a battle with a Spanish dude with 4 mile to go, he simply did not like me running in front of him... And the fact that his coach was biking directly beside him was pissing me of a bit. With 2 mile to go I increased the pace to 6min/m on the last mile i was running sub 6.. At this stage I was simply over the moon, not for the fact that I would run sub 3.15 but the fact that I was not defeated and ran it all! I turned the final corner and headed for home.. That finishing chute which displays every nations flag.. I was in full sprint.. not to beat any one but just because i was running on air.. all the pain was gone.. no more tiredness! no more doubts.. And then there it was! The Tri Color flying proud among all those big nations... I took it of Ash and crossed the finish line shouting YOU WONT BEAT ME... and that the truth!
The catchers must of said.. great we have a mental one here!! I didn't care.

I got dunked in ice cold water.. pure heaven! I finished bang on 9.44 this was way better than what I expected! It was all over, I had done it.. going from the back of an ambulance in Frankfurt to crossing the finishing line in Kona aint to shabby at all.. This is why this race was my best ever in terms of performance. simple as that! Standing in the Athletes area post race with all of the Irish squad was special.. swapping war stories and watching Liam consume chocolate milk and donuts to beat the band! I don't know if it was the effects of the race, or the fact he finally got his finger out and asked Annette to marry him at the finish line! A BIG CONGRATS TO YOU BOTH!

POST RACE THOUGHTS AND PLANS

Well that's number 11 done and dusted... None of these races would have being possible without the support and love of my wife Ash! Thank you Babe x

I swore to myself, and actually really convinced myself after Canada if I got Hawaii I would take a break from IM.. Simply because I was so mentally tested after Frankfurt! And I believed that after Kona I would be so sick of it all I would need the break! Well exactly what I thought would be the straw that broke the camels back ( Kona this year) has had the completely opposite effect. I am Recharged fully! I have hunger and desire like i have never had... I don't know what the next race is... But there WILL be a race! I have finally learnt I am a lot tougher than I realised!

Finally a huge congrats to all Irish Athletes who raced in Kona... In comparison to other nations there we were small in number... sort of like Jack Russell's in a dog fight! Small... But with a mighty bite!! What about the wiley old fox.. Alan Ryan!! 3rd in the world.. I have nothing but admiration for this man.. Congrats to the Irish 1st timers out there, Sharon,Rob, and Mike, Kate. Jesus what a baptism of fire you guys got!

Until the next time.... Aloha!

IRONMAN FRANKFURT 2012

I have no idea on were to start with this race report for once, as most of you know I raced IM frankfurt at the weekend. And for the first time in my tri life I have a DNF after my name.

Even now looking at the letters DNF is making me wince!

This year Frankfurt was my A race, my planned ticket to Kona. Things leading up to the race went really well, my training was in my opinion perfect. After my very poor swim in Kona last year I worked hard on my swim, i improved my power output on the bike and was even running faster... way faster!

So as you can imagine i was in a really positive frame of mind, my thoughts were not only on getting to Kona, but winning my AG as well. I certainly believed I would place top 3. I had no reason not to think other wise.

I arrived in Frankfurt on the Wednesday pre race, all niggles had gone and i was feeling good.

The only thing concerning me was the weather, the forcast was for rain race day, I was hoping that was wrong, I think us Irish athletes have to train year round in bad weather, its not to much to ask for a little sun come race day.

RACE DAY

I arrived at the swim start in plenty of time, I was lucky enough to be selected to go off at 6.45am with the pro and top age groupers. All week i was itching to get going and now was my time, I didnt expect to break any swim records, i just wanted to swim to near enough my potential. I decided to start far left in direct line with the buoys as i tend to drift right whilst swimming. This was a gamble as i watched the 2011 swim start on U tube and this is were the boxing was. I didnt care, I can box as good as anyone.

The starter gun fired and I was of. A little shoving and pushing but nothing bad at all. After the first 200-300m everything settled and I was amazed I was swimming in a straight line:)
All the time when swimming I could see the dark clouds looming. All I am thinking was, please please please..no rain! So swim over and up that bloody sandy bank, which was harder than the swim itself!

T1 no probs onto the bike and off i went. As per normal I was doing all the passing. Normally my swim lets me down and most of the fast bikers in my AG have a good head start on me, so i spend my day chasing. Once the far side of the city one guy passed me so i went with him, we seemed pretty equal in power, heading up the first climb still picking of people a little drizzle started, which turned into a fully fledged monsson. The wind picked up to and the scene was set for a really horrible bike ride. I was in a group now or 5-6 I noticed how we had not passed anyone in a while, so by my reckoning we were pretty much well up the field. All was going to plan in my mind, despite the storm! Then my worst nightmare... Bang went my front wheel. I cant print my exact words, but you can guess what they were! My hands were numb with cold which made it very difficult to get the tub of. All the time I can see Kona going down the drain. Eventually I got it fixed, back on the road shivering with the cold. I put in real good effort, as my legs were still feeling strong. 1 lap of the bike done and this is were the beginning of the end started to unfold. I started to head up were my special needs would be. Everyone who knows me I am pretty much obsessive in my prep for pretty much everything I do. My race nutrition is as you can imagine one of the most important parts of racing IM. So there is no long story about this, someone made a mistake and there was nothing there for me.

A few more expletives, but there was no other way but forward. In IM no matter how many times you race it always throws a curve ball, After a few seconds I gathered my thoughts and went to plan B. I picked up the race supplied drink, its just horrible and was making me sick. All the time I am still pushing hard to make up for the punture. I was really pleased that mid way on the 2nd lap, firstly it stopped raining, but more importantly I had caught and passed 3 of my orignal group.

I was back in the game! But with not having my own nutrition I could feel the effects, I was not feeling bad, but if this had of being a training ride I would have being stopping at a shop!

I now was relying on the fact I had extra gels and high 5 mix in my T2 bag, I got of the bike side by side with one of my original buddys!! Happy days I was thinking... I caught 4 out of the group:)

So onto what is my strong point, the run.  I started to take on board gels earlier than planned as I knew  I was fairly well down on calories. But something was just not right. I was getting that red bull feeling, the one I normally get just before I explode. In my mind the whole time now was just keep running, I will get through this. I can remember mile 3 beeping on my watch, after that its all a blur. The next thing there is someone slapping my face telling me to stay awake.. another person shining bright lights in my eyes. I can tell you lying in the back of an ambulence watching the race continue was pretty upsetting... GOOD BYE KONA!

They took me to hospital for about 3hrs give me 2-3 IVs, done a load of tests and that was that.

What was really the nail in the coffin was the front door of the hospital was on the run course... F**k me! Here I was still in my race gear heading back towards the athletes area... right past the finish line. I could not  even bare to look at it!

I showered ate some food and said.. Thats me done with IM! which still may be the case.

The only chink of light to my day was the fact my wife was still on course, racing her first IM in the toughest of conditions.. It cheered me up to see her smiling her way round the run.. It gave me huge pleasure and pride to see her running up that chute, I even forgot my own woes for a while. So congrats to her, and all the Irish first timers out there. You guys really did earn that medal!
So whats nexts for me?? Apart from my wife I am lucky to have 3-4 really good friends, all of whom I sought advice from, each of them came back with the same answer, almost identical advice in fact... I thank them greatly for that, you know who you are!

Physically i am in ok shape, mentally I cant stand the thought of standing on another start line, not for a while at least.

But sure lets see what the future holds!

I read a poem today... maybe I should heed it!

Success is not achieved by winning all the time. Real success comes when we rise after we fall. Some mountains are higher than others. Some roads steeper than the next. There are hardships and setbacks but you cannot let them stop you. Even on the steepest road you must not turn back.

Pre IM Canada race report

I just thought before I put together my race report for IM Canada I would jot down a few notes on what has being going on post Frankfurt, and why I decided to go again and race another IM this year.

Firstly Frankfurt is done and dusted, consigned to history.

On my return from Frankfurt I had zero intention of racing another IM this year, simply because I did not think I was mentally up for it. I received tons of txts and e mail telling me chin up and all that. I sought counsel from 3 good friends, each didnt know I asked the other the same question, but you wouldnt believe how similar the reply e mails were.

So there I had what I needed, 3 different people, from different parts of the world telling me I was good enough.

It still was not enough for me, my main goal in Frankfurt was Kona.. simple as that!
now the difference was I did not care about Kona ( may be a wee white one there)

I needed to get my head round just doing a race for me..only me!

I asked myself one simple question.. Why do I race and love IM, and one thing just kept popping into my mind.. It was not the glory of crossing the finish line, nor the constant hours and hours of training which I love.

In frankfurt the one thing I missed most was in the athletes area post race, when you look at a guy/girl who you have no idea  is in the eye...and without even speaking a word, you have a respect!! It did not matter what time either had done... you both were equal! Hobbling into the showers, still not a word, only the look of respect. Sitting round looking at all the men and women limping in pain, and knowing, yeah i am one of them!!! And thats all I wanted back.. THE LOOK! simple as that.

So here I was after what was a big let down, to figuring why I have raced And kept coming back for more all these years. Every cloud eh!!

So from that moment it was forward, no looking back! Full gas IM canada:)

IRONMAN CANADA RACE REPORT

I arrived in Canada the Sunday before race day, I stayed in Vancouver then drove up to Penticton on the monday morning. I am happy I made this choice as I was driving in daylight, and the journey up was stunning! It took us 5 hrs and it passed in a flash, although the conversation was at a premium, as Ash was peeled to the window of the car. She said she was looking to see if she could spot any bears! We arrived in Penticton and the weather was glorious. I unpacked and went for a run on very heavy legs.. I was not to bothered about this because of all the traveling.

During the week I was pretty relaxed, coming to Canada I told no one and I think this took a bit of pressure of me. I just put my head down and got stuck into the light bits of training I had to do. One thing that supprised me though was the aggression of drivers towards cyclists. I was on my own and riding on the hard shoulder, the amount of near misses was scary. Apart from that the locals were really friendly and even more excited about the race than most of the athletes.

Going into this race I had one mission only, to cross the finish line! and if I got Kona after that.. Great! Like I said in my pre race report all I was looking for was the LOOK!

Race Morning.. I got up at 3.15am and got sun screened on, across the road to dennys which did serve quite a healthy menu, which was to my surprise! The normal routine followed.. Porridge, bagel with peanut butter and jam coffee..banana!

Off to T1.. Canada is a race were you get body marked, The race had plenty of helpers and I didnt have to que for long at all. A short walk and into transition.. it was quite chilly but that would change as the day went on.

The Swim..

It is a really wide start and I thought this would be a good thing and maybe not much of a bash fest.. I positioned myself right in the middle were I was told the faster swimmers would be... Bang and off we went! With in 30 secs I got kicked in both eyes giving me frogs eye:( I didn’t stress at all, it just left sighting a bit more difficult. I could never seem to break free of the washing machine effect.. there was no real boxing more shoving and pushing. I cramped in my left calf and at the same time my right shin.. that was a first! Still I remained calm, cramping was not going to stop me finishing, so I was fine with that.

swim over and I looked up to see 1.05 by the time I ran through the mat 1.06. I was a bit disappointed but it was not the end of the world! And thankfully after the race I learned everyone swam slower than expected. T1 was great.. it was my 1st time in a race were was wetsuit strippers.. jesus they can get the suits off quickly.

The Bike..

I had driven the course during the week, and I was really excited to get going! Its simply the most stunning bike course I have ever done! It was pretty flat and fast for the first 15/20 mile then the first of the proper climbs.. This was the only one I didn’t cover on my race recce. It was just enough of a climb that if you went up it all guns blazing that would be your legs gone for the day. I have recently got a quarq power meter on my bike, and although I train on power on my computrainer I seldom go by numbers on race day.. Use the force i was once told and that’s normally what i do. But the bike was quite hilly and I knew if I didn’t put a power cap on I would pay for it later. I decided 300w was good with a cap of 320 only on the hills. And I can tell you when i got to Richter pass I was bloody happy I did.... I can tell you driving a hill does not neceserley give you a good judgement on the length and steepness of a climb. From I mounted the bike until the base of Richter I had not being passed once.. then all the heros came by! Oh look at me!! I can climb fast.. I am Contordor I can only imagine what they were thinking passing me. All i know is they were not in too good of shape by the time I passed them all again mid way through what was a damm tough slog.. enjoyable! But tough. After a very very fast decent came what are knowing locally as the 7 bitches. and they are just that! not really that steep but boy could they zap your legs. Next up was the out and back, were I got a chance to see exactly were I was in the race, and to my supprise I was doing pretty well. This filled me full of confidence, and also with seeing Ash a few times out there all was good!

Next up was the final climb of the day before the lovely 20k decent back into town. The climb up to the twin lakes was a lot longer and steeper than when i drove it, it was bloody long and hard, by the time i got to the top my little legs just had enough climbing for one day.. I can tell you I was glad I placed a power cap on myself! there was a good decent to recover, but the final 15k or so was into a headwind which meant I still had to keep pushing right to the end. The crowds back in town were just fantastic! Enough to lift even the most flailing of spirits! I was feeling good..real good! I could see getting of the bike that the pros were about 2 mile into their run, and they had a 15 min start on me. So all was good for the run.

The Run..

T2 was good.. The first mile just felt too easy! I was looking at my watch and it was telling me I was running at 6.20 pace, I thought my watch was wonky until I hit the 1 mile marker... I was running at 6.20 pace! The breaks went on and I slowed right down. I knew there were some hills on the run and adjusted my pace to suit. My plan was to run at 7 min/m until the turn round then up the pace.. And then came the first climb.. 2nd 3rd 4th 5th and maybe the 6th.. by that stage i quit counting! I was feeling good, but with all the going up and down my quads were on fire.. The little man was out! Walk..just walk a little!! Its nice!! And this is all before mile 10! At mile 12 I was running shoulder to shoulder with a guy who had done the race 5 times.. we were chatting away and running down another hill.. and we kept going down and down! I said to him “please tell me we don’t have to run back up that” YUP was his answer.. F**k me I thought! We turned at half way.. And the only way was up! after that climb my legs were shot to pieces. And then it was just a battle for survival. My pace slowed as did everyone elses and it was just a case of making it to every mile marker, for the first time in an IM run I was properly suffering! But loving it! I walked through a couple of aid stations, and at about mile 20/21 I was about to explode.. Then came my Angel in disguise. A swiss guy shouted at me to run with him, and i did.

I don’t know if it was just having company or the fact I was back running in town and the crowds were amazing. But I was getting stronger. It was then a guy passed me in my AG and for the first time the whole day I thought of Kona. I can remember thinking” I don’t know were I am in the field, but he is not beating me today” I caught and passed him pretty quick, but the change in pace was too much for my swiss buddy. I did slow for him but he was shouting GO GO GO.. and I did! From mile 25 until 25.5 I felt great.. I had the finish line in sight and my legs were just shouting to me to stop.. I couldn’t believe I was considering walking and the end was only a few hundred meters away.. I was just Bolox**

I crossed the finish line and waited for my new swiss buddy! We hugged I thanked him, he thanked me.. And thats the last I seen of him. Its very doubtful if he will be reading this.. but THANKYOU again!

As normal Ash was there.. And as usual she was more excited than me! She was along with my good friend Xavier with his wife Sandra who drove all the way from Whistler to see me race.. Thank you my good friend!

So after all the hugs and kisses.. I sat down on my own.... looked around, and there it was.. What I had come for! THE LOOK:) And I was one happy dude.

And as an added bonus it turned out I had done enough to get myself back to the BIG ISLAND:)

Now I get to do it all again in 7 weeks... I really don’t know how my body will cope with doing 2 IM in 7 weeks! But one thing I can promise is that.. I am not going there for a holiday.. certain people take note of that:)

Ok.. by now your saying shut up Owen! And I will

I just want to thank those 3 people for those kind, and encouraging e mails when I was in a dark spot. You know who you are! THANKYOU

To my little wife Ash.. Jesus she has to listen to some c**p from me.. thank you babe xx

Until the next time...ALOHA:

Abu Dhabi International Triathlon

Saturday 3rd March

Abu Dhabi Long Distance 

• 3km Swim - 2 laps
• 200km Bike
• 20km Run - 2 lap

Race Report:


I had originally intended to do this race last year, but after a over indulgent Christmas i decided i would not have not of being in any shape to complete the distance, as it turns out i was in not bad shape, and could have raced it. So with that in mind i signed up to race this year.


My main reason for competing in this race was really just for a bit of early season fun, i didnt worry much about the distance that had to be covered and seen it as a good chance to kick me into some type of race shape a bit earlier than in previous years, my main race is IM Germany and all my training and racing will be geared to getting me onto the start line on 8th July in tip top shape.


So of to Abu Dhabi i went, i dont have a lot of big miles either biking or running in my legs, so i had no great expectations. I arrived on the monday pre race in order to get used to the heat, and for my body to adjust to different seeping patterns. the first thing that was strange was putting on a wetsuit in Feb, myself and BMC were up nice and early and got some practice in. It was great to be in open water so early!


The options to ride the bike on the open road are pretty limited, thats if you value your life at all.. They are just mental drivers, my 1st practice ride was on a turbo in my bedroom.. As one famous triathlete would say.."Suboptimal" however we did manage to find a route that was close by, all be it was round a building site, but was safe.


The hotel was the official race hotel and things started to get busy by wednesday, i didnt look at the pro start list before i went, i was amazed how many world class both male and female atheletes were there to compete.


As race day approached i have to admit a little bit of nerves did creep in, i exact thoughts were, " Why the F**k did i sign up for the long course" but i was eager to find out how i would fair with not being really race fit.


Race morning came and i just wanted to get on with it, not helped by a 30 delay to the start time!


I went over to wish BMC good luck with his race, who in my opinion has balls of steel to go toe to toe with the most talented field of pros outside Kona, i am sure his race report will be up soon, but i tip my hat to you sir!


After the pros started myself and Liam made or way to the swim start, we had our now customary hug, then bang the gun went.. for a change there was not much boxing, i was feeling good in the water, and the swim was pretty uneventful, 2 laps 3k Done!


Into T2 and the 1st thing i done was empty my run bag, which went every were, i had to run round the tent picking everything up, if i had not have i would pay for it when it came to the run leg, yeah it cost me a few min, but in the grand scale of things, it made no difference to how the race panned out.


Onto the bike, and the enormity of the task ahead hit me, 200k on a bike is hard when you are in tip top shape, never mind at the beginning of March, but i was up for the challenge, before the race my plan was to take the 1st 40k to the F1 track steady, i would rather go that bit slower at the start than have to limp home after going out to hard, it was hot and the wind was picking up all the time, i had my 1080 on the front,and by the time of the 2nd and 3rd lap when i was having to put all my body weight on the front of the bike just to stay on the road, It was a great buzz getting to bike round the F1 track, it was bloody windy in there though.. each time after the race track it was a bloody hard slog back into the city, there was a pretty fierce headwind now, but i was feeling good, all the time i was just trying to maintain a steady pace, apart from the track it was a pretty none eventful ride, having a 5 lane high way to race on was cool. coming in of the bike i was feeling pretty good, which suprised me. Unlike in IM were you can have your own special needs out on the bike course there was not that chance here, i hope they change that next year.. i was worried with the fact i was not getting my normal IM nutrition in that i would simply bonk on the run.


Into T2 which was smooth for a change, what i was aware of was the 2 assholes who had being sitting on my wheel, for most of the 2nd and 3rd lap.. i was thinking if think they will just run past me now they are in for a buck... i had a run plan, which was to go through the 1st mile round 6.40/45 then just settle into it.. but thou shall not pass was in my mind and i just ran away from them going at 6.10 pace a pace which was not due to kick in until mile 6 or so.. but it done the job and asshole 1 and 2 were walking now:) i settled into a pace i knew i could hold, i was happy my HR was staying in upper z2 my legs were good and at the end i was very happy with my run, considering i missed 2 month running at the start of the season, due to injury.. it has give me a good boost of confidence i can hit my target time in Germany.


Overall i was pretty pleased to have came 3rd in my AG, and 11th overall AG. It has given me a great deal of confidence for times ahead, a lot of hard work to be done between now and my main race, something i am relishing.. I had intended to put a post up regarding what my main plans and goals are for this season, i thought i'd better do this first when its fresh in my head, in my next post i will explain how i intend to use this blog and go into some more details of future plans. But as Bugs Bunny would say" Thats all for now folks"


Owen

Next main event - Frankfurter Sparkasse IRONMAN European Championship

My next main event will be the 2012 Ironman in Germany.

• 2,4 miles swim in Waldsee Langen
• 112 mile bike in the surrounding of Frankfurt
• 26.2 mile run on the banks of Main River

Finishing  on the famous Römerberg.

For more details about the event click this Link

Iron Man 2012

Welcome to my new Blog.