Intermission

So as this is written I am now on my honeymoon.

A great break from everything and a great opportunity to enjoy the world with my new wife Natalie. My best friend and my greatest support in everything I do and wish to achieve.

I will miss two races while we are away, however will be back for the last race of the series.

After that will be some planning around the next few months as things will be getting a little more intense and serious.

I will be heading to Shepparton in November to introduce myself to the world of Ironman in the half Ironman event.
A lot of work to be done in the next few months however I am exited and looking forward to the challenge.

So now I must go, but I will leave a photo of my wedding present to myself. I am very happy man indeed.

pathtoironman :)

Back on Track

The next race on the calendar was Race 3 back at Elwood. This day presented much better conditions the Race 2 and would be the perfect day for a race.

My highlight for the day was the swim. This was the race were I finally felt at complete ease in the water. With the elements and obstacles I had finally found a peace and connection with the water. I felt I could swim all day and felt relaxed and comfortable. I wasn't anticipating the end, rather appreciating the beauty of open water swimming. I was coming along and more of a complete triathlete.

For the second race in a row I pulled a nice steady bike leg but a touch slower than the last. The conditions were better on the roads with less wind but didn't quite have the legs to push through.

I came into the run and repeated the same course as the previous race in Elwood. I was looking forward to finish and would eventually lose time on the previous race result but was happy to coast along relaxed and content that I had that achievement in the water.

Next up was the Olympic distance race in Sandringham.

However it was time to put my love on hold for my other love, Nat. With only a few weeks left until the wedding it was time to get everything organised and put the last final efforts into creating a beautiful day. 

Until next time...

~keep chasing your dreams

pathtoironman :)

The Washing Machine

The second race of the Gatorade series took us to Elwood. A few days prior I was keenly watching the weather as there was reports of bad weather on the horizon. Friday afternoon reports confirmed this and event organisers cancelled the swim leg and changed it to a run.

Unfortunately somebody believed it a good idea to reinstate the run on Saturday afternoon despite the forecast not really changing. This left many people that had already arrived in town, without their swim gear and causing lots of frustration and anger. 

Come race morning it was terrible. We arrived and it was clear the wrong decision had been made. There was a briefing and event organisers gave the option of swimming, or waiting at the swim exit until your wave had finished and stating at the run. My wave started 47 minutes after the elite race so I watched and evaluated. What followed was not encouraging.

I stood there with Nat as we watched boat load after boat load of swimmers being pulled from the water. They actually had to bring in a third rescue craft. It was unfortunate to watch and made my decision rather easy. As shameful as it was, I opted to avoid the conditions and would commence my race from the run.

I was excited at the idea of being a little fresher going into T1 and having a good crack at the bike and run. This bike leg would eventually be a lot kinder than the previous race. Kinder to the degree of nearly 30 minutes. 

I came into the last leg fresh and made good ground passing others. With around 2 km to go I steadied and sat on the heels of another competitor. He paced for a while and then I pushed for a little. You could definitely feel mutual respect was there as we urged each other along nearing the finish. We came to a point in the course and the marshals told us were 300 m from the finish. The pace picked up as we looked for a little more to finish off. We both put the foot down and put on a good show as we sprinted the last few hundred metres. 

This is the reason I love the sport. The respect, emotions and connections you give the sport and each other make every pain from training and race, worth it.

pathtoironman :)

Bridging the Gap

Hope it has been a great start to the year for everybody.

I am a little bit behind with the posting but will post a few to bring everybody up to speed with everything.

First up for the season was the Gatorade series race 1 at St Kilda.

I was not expecting great results going into this. I wanted to ease into the series and get a feel for it in the first race. It was a great day and perfect conditions for the beginning of the series.

To make the day even better it was birthday.

The race started well and I sat nicely in the swim taking it easy. Sitting back off the heels of most and casually going about my business still getting comfortable to ocean swimming.

Coming into transition I felt good and was ready to put in a steady bike leg. 
That was where it started to unravel. A little into the 20 km course the bike began to feel a little unsteady on the handling. I had never previously had issues, even on training rides.
 Before long I was just about going backwards as my back tyre deflated. I pulled over and frantically pumped up the tyre, in the moment a very difficult thing to do. What felt like half hour and hour was probably only a short period of time. When I thought everything was ok I set back off. 
Then around 2 km down the road I was ignorant to the fact I had left the pump attached to the tyre and in one smooth pedal stroke I caught the pump and snapped it clean off at the valve. 
Again pulling over, I assessed. Another flat and a broken pump. A kind spectator ran over to help me but with no working pumps around he could offer no support.
 I decided to push on for a bit more. Being halfway in to the ride I did not want to give up. I had to stop once more to see if I could do anything but i was left to finish the ride with a flat. A very painful ride feeling every bump on the road. Thankfully I made it to T2 and was onto the run.

I could only laugh inside and not get too bothered. Afterall it was my birthday and I was about to finish my first full triathlon, record breaking or not. 

I crossed the line and bathed in the beautiful atmosphere that I have now come to love. To cap off a great day and birthday, I was able to get a snap with Erin Densham and Brendan Sexton.

pathtoironman :)