Training Log Archive: devil

Bilbys lake george, decent sized bunch at the start which split, but enough of us left to make good ride. A bit of wind but much cooler than during the week.

Norman, somehow the fast medium got tacked onto fast, so was just hanging on for an hour, made it to the end and managed a few turns too

Dickson pool swim, one unrealistic swimmer in the fast lane tonight and he wasn't even moving over to let everyone else pass :-S

Golf course smash fest, a lot of people got dropped.

Bilbys warmup, Guy still can't stop talking

Ints were 1200(200), I did 4, the first 3 with lance until he did his traditional increase in pace on the last one. Legs heavy, but surprised to see them under 4 min/km

still a hot evening so not really a cool down

Husky long course - john harding style getting up time of 5am to get to transition for tyre pumping and general arranging of stuff then race briefing. The officials had clearly found the cld spot in the ocean to get the 0.1 degree below the wetsuit temperature - which was goos as I need all the swimming help I can get. I picked a strategic spot on the start line near the front and side and got away without too much trouble and was at the back of the pack for a bit. The first buoy was seemingly miles away, and hard to pick out compared to the stand up paddle boarders, so I was just following the pack in front. After what seemed like an age got to the first turn, then tried to pick out the next buoy, was a bit quicker getting to it. It got a bit easier going round the second lap and into the shore, had a good sighting in the exit and was looking forward to getting back on land which sped things up a bit more. Transition was not bad considering I hadn't practised it, and even managed not stuffing up with getting into the shoes on the bike. Then it was overtaking time as I was way back in my wave. The road surface was shocking in places which didn't help but got into aero position and kept working steadily. A few people on proper TT bikes would pass, but I'd get them back on the uphill bits. On the second lap it felt like my saddle was coming loose, I was wondering about stopping to tighten it, but decided to keep going as it wasn't getting worse. Think I dropped a bit of speed thinking about it, but then got it back towards the end of the lap. Into the last lap and there were suddenly a load of fresh riders from the later starts, was yo-yoing with another guy on a giant roadie which made for another good lap. Managed to get out of the shoes before transition, another plus, then onto the run. I had this kind of idea that I'd be running 4 min /km which I almost was for the first few km, but dropped to something that felt sustainable. There were drinks every 2km so just kept grabbing water and endure and just having a sip. My guts were not great after 3 gels on the bike so I didn't touch the one in my pocket. I felt pretty good at the end of the first lap and then decided to try and keep the same pace to the last turn then try and pick it up from there. Maybe picked it up a bit after the last turn and had a mouthful of coke at the drinks. Finished in just over 4h30 which I was happy with and got me 8th in my age group and 90th overall, think this will be a one-off appearance though, unless I start going swimming 3x a week, buy a TT bike and shave my legs!

C • well done! 2