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
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
