“I can’t think of anything I would like to do less on my birthday !” said the catering manager, when I tactfully broached the subject of being my handler for the Ultra Challenge.  Having primed her with a very nice Marlborough Chardonnay this was not the response I was looking for.  It took several more glasses before she stopped suggesting various other friends/work mates or vague acquaintances that she felt may be better qualified (read more interested) in undertaking this most critical role, and wandered off to bed muttering about payback, geriatric 40 something year olds suffering mid life crises and a holiday to Paris (for one) without the Children.

Personally I blame Simon Jeggo.  It was his suggestion as we gasped for breath at the end of the lane for swimmers that don’t float, that it was great fun and the only way to do it was to go solo.  No problem !  Somewhat naively I recognized Simon’s considerable experience in these matters.  “I’ll be in to that”.  Extroverts get their energy from those around them, and like to verbalise ideas as part of the thinking process.  They are renown for speaking first and thinking later.  Apparently I’m extroverted !

Well it was going to be post Arafura, I’ll be fit and it won’t be hot and I like paddling and Mt biking is fun and and before I knew it Daryl had the training program knocked out, so that was that.

The training slowly intensified with some welcome additions to the schedule, kayaking and mountain biking.  So the big blue pregnant whale that had been hiding under the house since the wet season was dragged out and laps paddling around the lake commenced.  Despite the slightly concerning comments from other ex KUC competitors along the line of “your not doing the paddle in that are you” I pushed on providing a bow wave sufficiently big enough for my fellow trainers to surf off and carve up, Mitch Farrely eat your heart out.

The Mountain Bike proved a little more challenging.  Being a dedicated follower of fashion, and recognizing the national contraction of financial expenditure I was reluctant to bite the bullet and purchase a new Mtn bike.  Having pushed the boundaries of a Hybrid pretending to be a time trial bike the logical response was to reinvent the mighty steed as a Mtn bike.  After all its only a matter of adding some fat tyres and letting most of the air out isn’t it ?

Well no, apparently not. 

Now my mate Dr Phill being one of those well educated sort of blokes who spent considerable hours reading impressive books at Uni while the likes of I was investigating the effects of gravity and inclined pint glasses would give you an in depth scientific description of the frictional advantages of suspension forks, disc brakes on uneven inclined terrain.  I, on the other hand, can tell you that Hybrids make crap mtn bikes.  Unfortunately it took 2 experiments where gravity overcame speed and mass resulting in friction, sudden energy dissipation and finally fluid loss, to realize this.  Cycling home with blood pouring off various extremities nonchalantly trying to look like I was on my way to a fancy dress ghoul party gave me time to reflect that there just may be a better way.

Peta Jeggo came riding out of the mist to the rescue on her Cannondale you beaut fandango machine with a very generous offer of sponsorship for the big event.  Up goes the seat post, a new set of heavy duty tubes, some tyre snot, a quick service of the hydraulic brakes and we were off.  Despite the initial concern that someone had pinched one of the forks the lefty proved to be quite a beast, overcoming all brushes with gravity mentioned earlier.

Now somewhere about here I’m supposed to put some detail about training tips.  Well the highlight was the mini KUC that Daryl ran whilst the Arafura marathoners were doing their thing.  The half distance session identified all the limitations of the kit and body alike.  The resurrected surfing wet suit that somehow managed to increase my swim time by 20 minutes, the heavy displacement kayak that gave fellow competitors comfort in the fact that they had invested wisely in their sleek light weight craft and the realization that a camelback would allow you to paddle in a straight line and replenish fluid at the same time as opposed to my roundabout technique as my boat spun 360 every time I took a drink from a water bottle.

As D Day rapidly approached with increasing concern from Mr MLC a work trip to Katherine provided the opportunity to check out the 17 km paddle course.  A workmate was dispatched to Galloping Jacks (the transition point from paddle to road ride), after a quick calculation of paddle time, and emergency search and rescue procedures discussed.  Now it’s a good 1hr 45 min paddle for a fit paddler in a decent boat.  Recalculating distance and time as the sunset disappeared over the horizon it appeared that my quick calculation had a decimal point in the wrong place.  With each bend of the river my stroke became faster as evening descended into pitch black night, with no moon and few stars.  River navigation became a little challenging.  Passing my forth croc trap I recalled that early evening is the favourite feeding time for teeth with tails.  As the second rendezvous time came and went, Galloping Jacks apparently no nearer and mobile signal strength waning, sense finally overcame valor and I beached the whale, crawled up the bank and rang the very relieved support crew.

Despite being a totally still night I couldn’t hear the car horn to determine how far I still had to go, so support crew drove to the next river entry point upstream and tooted again.  Eventually with the aid of a barking dog we triangulated my position leaving me to set off for a nocturnal training run in search of frenzied canine.  After running in to 2 barb wired fences, a stone wall, and the local farmers tip we were finally reunited.  All thanks to our position fixing fido, who needs GPS?.

A couple of weeks later the river was attempted again, this time in one of the Katherine Kayak clubs TK1’s on lend.  This time starting well before dark, a wobbly start and the realization that a spray skirt was a must all went well till the final rapid where the swift TK1 did an impressive impression of a submarine. 

With a week to go and the Mtn bike training at Lee Point going well, combined with the X country run circuit being voted quite a hit, preparations got a further boost with sponsor number 2.  Craig Garland couldn’t stand the sight of me paddling the whale anymore kindly offering me his Spirit kayak. 

Accommodation arranged, the ute packed, a last minute purchase of food supplements worthy of a lunar expedition and we were off to Katherine, reluctant handler, kids and all.

The intention was to run the x country and ride the Mtn Bike course on the Friday, but all the excitement got the better of me and the run was taken for granted.  This proved to be a mistake as it turned out.

On the big day, after 4.30 porridge and good lucks from comatose kiddies, I assembled at the launching ramp for loading into the Katherine tourist boat feeling surprisingly composed.  Simon Jeggo soon changed that, his obvious nervousness rapidly becoming infectious.  Disembarking after what seemed a ridiculously long voyage (are we really going to swim that far !) and with Daryl’s instructions of looking out the stern to memorise the route and determine the short cuts, totally ignored.  3,2,1 and we are off.  Bumping into a few rocks here and there, and with visions of a wildlife documentary where the slowest of the herd of wilderbeast are picked off by the marauding crocs, I splashed my way into the gorge.

Being a slow starter I had soon fallen off the pack and seldom saw another competitor for the next hour.  Watching the sun come up over the steep cliffs, swimming in the cold dark fresh water with only the odd kayak pushing you back on course was really quite surreal.  The tourist boats chugged past Nikons doing overtime, complimentary coffee and croissants seemingly incongruous.  Despite the newly acquired wetsuit the water temperature became numbing as I concentrated on a high and steady arm stroke.  Convinced the yellow buoy indicating the swim’s end had sunk and that I was half way to Daly River I finally spotted the look out shelter on the cliff, transition 1 came into view.  A sleep deprived handler peeled wetsuit and slopped sunscreen as the kids helpfully offered verbal support.  “Blighmy Dad you look terrible, all the others came past hours ago”.

The X country run being a supposed stronger leg, I took it steady and enjoyed the views trotting around the boundary fence tracks of Maud Creek station, picking up my previously stashed water bottle on the way as Tilly steamed past, a man on a mission.  Enjoying the views proved to be a mistake.  With Rachel (eventual female overall winner) for company and fooled into complacency by her navigational confidence having done the race before; we soon ran out of marker tape at the river some 1.5 kms off course.  A 7 minute u turn, back to the tape and into increasingly soft sand followed.  The well worn track became challenging, with trees to jump over and crawl under, small boulder outcrops to monkey up and finally a few competitors to pass.

Transition 2 and onto the Mtn Bike.  “ We thought you got lost dad”.  Into more familiar country, a river crossing, some careful balance required and a few get offs in the soft sand.  The route becoming faster as we dropped down to the weir, a shaky wave to the camera man and over the river again.  Steadily picking off other riders as the day began to get hot, complacency getting the better of me as another rider and I bounced off each other ironically on the widest part of the course. 

90 minutes later and transition 3, quite a crowd.  Transition organization seemingly going a little astray with multi team members loitering all over the place not helping the cause.  “That’s better dad, you were really quick on that leg, you’ve caught up heaps”.  Down goes the Gatorade, panadol and fluid replacement powder, I’m beginning to feel like a junkie in a chemist shop.

The road run proved to be the most challenging leg for me.  Only 10kms and usually my strength, a groin strain bringing me almost to a standstill on the occasional uphill sections.  Roadside assistance from the super crew for water bottle replacement and a sponge on the head, never felt so good.  The time was slow but only just gave the support team time to prepare for transition 4 as I trotted down to the river at the low level.  A quick swim to cool off, getting really quite hot now, on with the camelback and off we go.  The first few strokes remind you how much you use your arms when running but so good to be sitting down and resting those legs.

The gu’s soon kick in and the cadence lifts, skirting the shallows and passing various poor sods in a motley range of craft, some looking like they were designed for theme parks rather than serious adventures.  Craig’s generosity paying off big time as I attempt to keep up with a serious paddler with a really good stroke action.  17kms, 90 mins and no detours later its through the small rapids at Galloping Jacks past the crowds eagerly anticipating some entertaining capsizes.  “I’ve got the boat Dad, go go go !”  Legs reluctant to obey the jogging commands as I trek up the bank to the road for transition 5.

I was very fortunate to set off on the road ride with another competitor only doing that leg.  Pacing myself against him and relieved by the lack of any breeze we cranked up to 34kms/hr tucked in and went for it.  Dr Phill breezed past on the return leg of the loop looking like he was on an afternoon cruise defying his long day with broken ribs incurred on the Mtn Bike course the week before.  Phil finished a very creditable 2^nd in 7 hrs 02 mins, assisted with a spectacular array of pain killers (all legal im sure, but good job there is no dope testing!).  Trying really hard not to look like I was drafting in what seemed an unnecessarily non drafting race, I hit the wall with 8kms to go and blew up.  35kms became 25km/hr with no control over the dry retching, the legs ignoring the pump pump pump commands.

A rescue staminade from another support crew, you saved me Rosie, and the last few kms ticked over without incident.  Relieved to get over the railway line without having to stop unlike riders 5 minutes later, and down to the finish line gasping like the proverbial gold fish that’s taken a leap of faith out of the fishbowl.  7 hrs 32 minutes, 100 kms and never again !  Well maybe not till next year anyway.

So some lessons for others !

• Preparation of transition kits is critical, organization being the key.
• Individual competitors who have not done the event before will benefit from driving the course with handler to discuss/view transitions.
• Doing the Mtn bike and x country run before the event will save you at least 7 minutes !
• The critical legs are the Mtn Bike and Paddling legs.  Few paddlers I saw had reasonable paddling technique.
• Have your own kayak and Mtn Bike.  It pays off.  Katherine Kayak club does have boats for rent but expect to loose 10 mins to bail out leaks, take submarine driving training in advance.
• Your handler is critical, they don’t have to be athletes but they do have to be well organized and understand what you need and when.
• 10-12 Gu’s seemed about right.
• A conservative first and second leg paid off for me.

And most importantly, make sure its not your handler's birthday !

To any thinking of doing the KUC next year. 

I thoroughly enjoyed it, with Daryl’s excellent support it went better than expected, and the paddling and Mtn bike riding makes a nice change to our usual training regimes.  The event is not over organized and has a really nice friendly atmosphere.  It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it might be but the swim did seem a bloody long way.

See you next year !

Big Simon in the Blue Whale

Wednesday 4 February 2009   

Seems everyone was on different flights and different travel days but all arrived in Brisbane safely and put the gear together before checking out the course.  Reports back to base were that though the course looked great, the bike leg probably wasn't going to be as fast as was thought.

Wave starts were spread over some hours with Michelle getting the starter's nod for a 6.30am- er right through to Micko a couple of hours later.

The swim course was pretty rough in the squally conditions.  Some reports said that the buoys were rescued from their drift out to sea and dragged back in mid race so perhaps some swam more than others.

Grant could be heard to yell "this is fun" while on the bike leg, a tight and technical trip which involved multiple laps and lots of roundabouts.  There were gory reports of a competitor running
into a spectator who stepped onto the road, with the resulting carnage requiring the turn cones to be moved in mid race while that was sorted.

Alex & Elliott and Loz (recovering from tonsil removal so not yelling, even a little bit) took the opportunity to catch up with the Darwin crew.

All up a normal, exciting, challenging event with the results showing that Craig, Grant, Mick and Michelle all earn selection points towards Gold Coast Worlds and that they can mix it well in their respective age groups.

Tuesday 2nd December 2008 - Race Report

After arriving in Adelaide town on Friday afternoon and running into Loz at the airport, it was time to check out the wonderful 1970s apartment Craig was raving about... what a classic, but very close to transition. The local news show 7 sharks jumping out of the water a few beaches up so that was very comforting when Craig strolled down to the beach on Saturday morning for a swim. The wind was blowing hard and the temperature was freezing, even the locals were cold and here are two Darwin boys walking around in shorts, gees! Anyway survived the swim, and then rode the course a little later that morning, before registration and race briefing in the late afternoon. Loz ended up crashing for the night was her accommodation was about 20minutes away.
 
Race day and the conditions were completely different from yesterday. The wind was still blowing hard but from a different direction and yes it was still freezing. So the swim course was changed to rectangle course in the shallows.The 18-29 year males started first, then 30-44 year males, so Craig and I in the same wave. One massive long line across the beach and then we were off over a small sand bar then away. Got a good start but nearing the first can, the tide was ripping and most people just cut the can. Lots of banging and crashing in the ocean swell. I turned off the pace about the half way point thinking I was in a good pack, but after rounding the 2nd last can the pack started swimming inshore, as there was a surf lifesaver on a board sitting up that looked like the boy, so eventually the can was sighted and we had to swim all the way back to the can into that massive tide that was flowing. So lost a bit of time there and once on dry land it was a solid run to transition. As I was running into transition I noticed Craig two people in front of me, who also got stuck in that pack.
 
Onto the 4 lap bike course and there were people everywhere and a very strong head wind on the way out. The course was tight technical in areas, especially when riding in a pack of up to 30 or 40 people. Lost Craig on the 1st lap, the 2nd and 3rd laps I was riding with the lead group from the wave before and the draft busters not really doing anything. The 4th lap was a reduced group but just about impossible to get away from anyone, at times riding at 48km/hr + and holding that speed for long sections. Survived the bike from the wind and any crashes, then it was into transition for the coastal run. Good fast transition and was off on the 3 lap run course.
 
Ran out with a fellow guys who took off like freight trains, I just thinking on myself and getting into my run and my the 1st turn I had passed them all and running at a good pace. Once at the turn around it was hard slog back into the head wind to transition and with a slight up hill this was hardest part of the run. Was feeling strong but for some reason back off a little on the 2nd lap before snapping out of that and started my final surge at the beginning of the last lap. It was great to hear some support out there from Rudy and Kia and as I blasted up the final hill towards the finish I remember thinking to myself I wish this race was longer. Crossed the finished line grab a quick drink then straight to the change tent to put some warm clothes on and watch the rest of the race, as there was a good race developing with the girls, Amanda, Loz and Monica. Results later state that I finished 10th in the 30-34 yrs in a time of 2:00.43, with the winner of my age group 1:56, so I can only wonder about the 'what if' I swam the right way! Still happy with the result and time and ready for Phuket in 7 days! Other results from Darwin Craig 2hr 10min &  17th, Anthony Beven 30 seconds behind Craig, Amanda 2hr 31min & 5th, Loz 2hr 34min & 17th and Monica 2hr 43min & 4th. So great times and results all round in the cool conditions.
 
Post race celebrates lasted for a while and typically the NT featured well.
 
 
Thursday 4th December 2008

Well I've been in Adelaide for a week now at it's still freezing. Completed some light training during the week and the body is feeling good after the race and ready to go again! The legs are more sore from walking around all the shops and malls in the city with Loz. Flying out tomorrow for crazy Thailand, luckily flying direct from Sydney to Phuket, so looking forward to some warmth and catching up with the Phuket racers. Time for another race, bring it on! Next report after the race. Micko

The flight over to Singapore went quickly and we were greeted with rain.  No problems encountered transferring to the hotel although we did score the grumpy shuttle driver who just doesn’t have triathlete rapport happening despite the OSIM practise run he had had a few weeks earlier.   

The days leading up to the race were all centred around getting in to registration, shopping, eating, race briefs, shopping, eating, catching up with friends, shopping, eating, carbo loading parties and of course the obligatory early bike check in & working out the course as well as a few training sessions to sharpen us up for the real deal & more shopping and eating.

As our hotel was located so close to transition it was an easy task to stroll down on race morning, go through body marking and then to set up our gear before the sun came up.

Got in to Singapore on time, with no hastles thanks to Jetstar.  Raining on arrival. Headed in the direction of the hotel shuttle bus and got to be up close with two of our Olympic team (Courtney Atkinson & Emma Moffatt).  No problems with check in, room good.

Next day  I collect race packs for all.  T shirts, water bottle, drinks etc included.  We do some exploring, bike set up, and eating ! 

Head out to race site and have a ride on the course as well as a swim followed by the best chicken rice ever ! By next day everyone has arrived. Race packs handed over & everyone is good to go.

Race morning is quite leisurely due to the later start of the age group waves.  We arrive at transition in time to see the pros emerge from the water.  Transition is huge and the ramp over the road to get you from the beach side & over the road to transition looks even steeper on race day.  I'm thinking if I don't have a heart attack getting up it,  I'll be able to sit down and slippery dip down the other side. 

Finally get sorted & over to the swim start.  Do a bit of housekeeping and fish some rubbish out of the water, it catches on & a few helping hands do the same.  In the first wave so get marshalled in first & then it's Go !  The current is taking us away from the ropes so its a struggle to get to the first buoy, tough to get to the next & I get tangled in the buoy anchor, then going back into shore the current is strong enough to push me half under the ropes & I swim a sideways style to the beach.  750m down & now its a beach run to the 2 lap of the swim.  Supercoach lets me know I'm in third (great news) as I re enter the water.  I think I'm motoring well until Michelle swims past (she laps the whole field).  Swim finished, up the beach .. through the showers... into the footwash.. run, run, run, up the ramp... phew made it, across the top and down the other side - no dramas.

Through transition and out onto the bike.  Pretty lonely out there until I see a couple of the others including Michelle who is flying.  Courtesy of being in first wave & a good swim I get to do lap 1 solo, a few more around for lap 2 and then lap 3 gets pretty hair raising.  On the triple S bends just after the merging lane,  Lisa and I back up behind a competitor whose bike skills were not great, he is in the centre, all over the shop so we yell "keep left, keep left".  He finally gets the message but reaches for his water bottle & is riding one handed on the last S.  You guessed it, he plows straight into the barriers, ouch!  This race is a good example of why we have the keep left & no blocking rules.  Lisa gets away from me after that and I follow her into transition. Its a long, long way from the dismount line back to my rack and then back up the ramp and over the road to go out onto the run.

Hello, hello ... the legs are working just fine - a pleasant surprise. Michelle passes on the other side with her very own leader's escort and looks to be in control.  Go Michelle!  It gets a bit warm and the aid stations are a welcome sight.  Then on the way back on lap 1 I get to the sponge station ... oh bliss, icy cold sponges are then followed by mist fans.  (Can we get some at home).  Reach the run turnaround just short of the finish line and head out again.  Still running well.  I see a few familiar faces out on the run.  Have a walk through a couple of aid stations, rejoice at reaching the sponge bins again and then suddenly its all over.  Awesome when you cross the line and feel great. 

Congratulate Michelle, Amanda & Lisa then I get a massage (wonderful), have a couple of drinks and realise they don't do fruit so the post race watermelon crave remains just that.  Then the others start coming in, depending on their wave.  We get to see Micko and Dave go out on their run and then the heavens open and it absolutely buckets down. The announcers and the music keep things going and finally we are all in and all stoked to be finished.

Presentations happen eventually and our group is well represented. Three firsts, one second and a third.  I'm rapt to have had a good all round race and particularly happy with my un.  Hunger then wins out and we head over for a chicken rice and to rehydrate with some Tiger beer. 

It was a bit of a hectic time getting sorted to travel over to Bali but the minute we hopped on the plane, I found myself relaxing. Our airport transfers were part of our race package & as we emerged from customs our guide and driver were there waiting.  First hiccup (expected) "oh you have two boxes"; some scratching of heads and a quick look at the vehicle.  Solution, seat down - bikes on angle and leave guide behind.  Off to the hotel, couldn't check in immediately (full, and it was only 8.30am) so we lounged around for awhile & got bikes unpacked beside the pool.

Off to Athlete Reception at Four Seasons that evening and catch up there with organisers & get the run down on some course changes.  Good food, good drinks & the relaxed mood is set.

Slow start next morning, late lunch and then we head down to race site for registration, race brief and carbo dinner.  Back to our hotel and  do a quick check of gear prior to heading to bed. 

Up early, eat, then ride down to race site about 3.5km away.  We pass the local market (in full swing) safely and arrive in plenty of time for setting up on the quaint bamboo bike racks.  Down on the beach, we debate whether or not those swim buoys shouldn't be coming in rather than going out more.

Then it's start time & off we go.  With the swell and as competitors have the same coloured caps as the buoys, it's a hard task trying to sight the first buoy.  Finally reached, then head for the next. Felt like I had been swimming forever before reaching it, turned and hopefully headed for the shore which was also difficult to spot in the swell.  Finally have a handful of sand, stand up and check my watch ... I've either had the worst swim in history or it was 2km or more (later proved to be 2.2km).  

Timing chips were on our wrists, so swipe then jump into the tub of water to get the sand off, grab the bike and head out with another swipe of the wrist on the way out. 

Wow, the bike course ! It had everything this year including lots of traffic, some very sharp, steep sections, some loose paving and some near misses.  Played an exciting game of dodgem cars & dodgem trucks as well as the expected dodgem people & bikes. All good things finally come to an end and its more wrist swiping to get in and out of transition.

The run !  Mmmm, very hot. Promised electorlyte drink and gels didn't appear anywhere that I could see.  After the longer than expected swim and tough bike I was hanging for both but had to survive on water.  Love running through the village and high 5ing the kids who are just great.  Probably a gu and a half short on the day and got caught on the run.  Didn't have anything left when I finished so had to be happy with result.

Love this race. 

Getting to the airport can be a hurdle with two bike boxes but Mr Bell came to the rescue and dropped us off in good time (thanks PB).  No hastles getting everything booked through to Honolulu.  Flight down went well.  We opted for sitting around with the feet up - Daryl had the ipod working overtime and I got a pile of "real" newspapers - for the day in Sydney while we waited for the flight out.   

All went smoothly until we were herded into the last staging area for boarding and then ... you guessed it, they announced delays, then another, then another.  Of course, that lead to us missing our connecting flight to Kona but eventually got all that sorted and we finally arrived on The Big Island !

Ali was there to meet us and get us around to the hire car area & being able to follow her back to our accommodation made it soooo easy. Thanks Ali. Then food shopping and settling in to our great accommodation.  Awesome bed. Huge bathrooms.

Daryl got our bikes together and we all headed out onto the highway next morning. Michelle and I decided two or three kms in that we wanted to go home, it was too hard, too hilly, the drop offs on the side of the road were huge, the wind was scary, being on the wrong side of the road was scary, and all the while knowing we were on the IM bike course made it positively daunting.  Supercoach just let us rabbit on for awhile.

A leisurely swim with the turtles at Hapuna Beach later that day made all the difference to our frame of mind.  Then a drive over the bike course made us realise just what we were in for. Oops, reality sets in. We are here to compete in 70.3 and IM competitors do double this.

We did bike check in fairly early and it was so windy they were having trouble keeping the carpet in place so there were random rocks around in an attempt to secure the area.  The bike racks were the type where you back your rear wheel in.  Not a lot of confidence in them with the winds so strong (sure enough, brakes were rubbing next morning - again Supercoach to the rescue).

Then it was race morning.  Up early. Head out. Big crowd there already but plenty of time to go. The water is choppy, the wind up.  Talk about amongst some that if you aren't up for it, may be better not to start. Twenty loo stops. Excitment mounts.  Numbered.  Timing chip checked.  Then down on to the beach.

Deep water start.  The guys on surf boards are trying to herd us back behind the buoys.  There's Ali out front (find out later she collides with a board). Takes forever to play the national anthems then its go. go, go.

Hapuna Beach a completely different place with choppy seas and lots of spray. It's a tough swim but finally make it back in.  Then up the hill to T1, grab the bike and cross my fingers that I get my feet in early on the small bit of flat before its up, up and up to the highway.  Pass Beryl.

Then its concentrate, concentrate, concentrate through the head winds, cross winds and the occassional tail wind, keep to the right, pass on the left. Hawi can't be too much further.  See Macca heading back miles ahead.  Hawi bike turnaround must be soon.  Then I see Ali and yell out.  Hawi must be soon. A cross wind jumps me to the edge. Where's Hawi?  Then Michelle goes past on opposite side.  Hawi must be near. Up and up. Hawi where are you?  Then finally I'm on my way back. Get passed by someone in my age group, pass her later then get passed again by same competitor.  Then its a left turn and the stretch Ali had warned us about.  Tough, surely my tyres are both flat! Slowly drag up to the turn to head back to Moana Lani.  Pass Hapuna Beach turnoff, so know it's almost over.

Not to many bikes in my area of the racks.  Oh, oh do need a pit stop.  Gotta love strategically placed porta loos.

The run.  Up down, round and round. Grass, sand, cement, tar, rocks, grass, cement - unbelievable. Still haven't spotted Daryl all day. On this course not a lot of chance to spot anyone.  Pass competitor who overtook me on the bike, we exchange encouragement knowing the run still has a long, long way to go.  Gosh I hate miles.  Why can't they do it in kilometres so I know where I am. Then Beryl passes me on the run.  That wakes me up and I put in a bit of an effort and get ahead again.  Then I hit the long, long, long, long final few miles.  Finally see Daryl for the first time all day and know this is the toughest bit of the course. Walk (again) at a drink stop and Beryl runs past.  Pass her again.  Then about another k and she passes me again.  End of that little game.

Finally through the finish line. Wow, what a feeling.  I've just raced on some of the IM course.  It was tough.  My knee held up.  Ali, Michelle and Daryl all there to greet me.  They look fantastic & have all gone exceptionally well. Hold the drinks, were do I go for my finishers medal?  Once the turtle is safely round my neck, then its drink time.  Pretzels on offer are refused.  Where's the fruit?  They do post race refreshments better in Darwin.

Shower, change and back for the presentation function.  Good food.  Catch up with people we know. Then its presentation time.  Daryl 3rd, Michelle 2nd, me 2nd, Ali 4th Pro .... great for our table. Umeke bowls x 3.  Then its Ironman slot time.  They go from oldest back. Daryl misses out by one place, he wouldn't have taken but is disappointed he didn't get the chance to knock it back!  F55-59 announced, but wait they just said Beryl has a slot already from IM South Africa. Omigosh, that means it rolls down to me !!! Can't describe the feeling of a dream coming true so unexpectedly!  It's true ... I've got the piece of paper.  We are coming back in October.  Michelle also gets a slot but predictably knocks it back.  Her plans don't include an IM just yet.

We are almost last to get our bikes from T2.  Thanks all round. Then tired but estatic its time to head for bed. 

Supercoach brings us back to reality with some recovery work over the next couple of days.  Pull up well.  We enjoy some R & R and then back to Honolulu for a few days before heading for home. 

Now I've got "THE" Ironman to train for.  Here we go, here we go !

Had to head down to Lake A fairly early as had all the registration, trophies etc to take down.  On the way there noticed the signs out so knew volunteers were already beavering away, Dave and Simon prominent among them.

Pretty dark first up, at least I had remembered a torch this time.  Racked, sorted rego, chit chat, pit stop, quite calm really.  Great to see such a good crowd turn up for the longer distance and also the teams thing happening.

The course is announced, so know it's going to be a fairly long and lonely day especially on the run. We get underway a little late so almost a relief to hear "Go" shouted.  OK - first mental note is to crack a new pair of goggles, had to stop 3-4 times to empty out and that's such a time waster (but when you have been putting off getting new goggles for as long as me have no one to blame but self.

Happy with swim, happy with transition, happy with how I feel on the ride. Amazed when Bertram whizzed past on lap two, man has that guy taken off lately.   Unhappy with getting caught at red lights a couple of times, and the air was a little blue when that happened especially the second time.  Also had to play dodge the glass in a number of places.  Learned later that Bin had punctured, so disappointing for her.  Didn't have to worry about the draft busters - no one around. T2 goes well, shoes & hat on and out, no problems.

Then it's on to that run.  Down I go towards the Surf Club.  Michelle is already on her way back and passes with a big smile and is running well.  I overtake Bertram early but am thinking that won't happen again next time. Nikki's looking great as always. Rosie is also running well, and then near the turnaround I see that  Lisa and Jodie are putting in.  The hill coming back seemed so easy courtesy of Friday mornings.  Pass a couple of people, check where my opposition is, congratulate the leading guys as they go past (though didn't see first couple so wasn't sure who won until the end).  With 70.3 in mind, I walk through drink stations and then suddenly find myself out around the gun turret before I know it.   I can see Lisa up ahead but she seems to have picked up, Jodie is following as is my competition.  Here we go, here we go ... knuckle down time.

Then suddenly the finish line is there. All done. Feel great, no problems, good time so chalk that one up as a good day out.  Congratulate Lisa on holding me out (beware the sick triathlete), Lesley and I have again enjoyed our little rivalry.  Then it's a quick drink, sort results and category winners for presentation.

Next it's Team Singapore announcement time: Craig, Micko, Michelle, Robyn, Lisa & Peta are announced and by Monday a slot has rolled down to - woo who - it's Supercoach - how good is that!

Rob is already going, now we just have to work on Simon and Pete and anyone else vaguely interested in trying the unique Asian style of triathlon.  Anyone interested???

 2008 Swarzi Extreme 

Swarzi Extreme (3/4 May 08) reports from our intrepid international competitor Nic