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.