Boulder - Catchup & Race Report

Boulder - Catchup & Race Report

Well this is the reason iv been out of blogging action...

Lesson: 

Dont leave your bike near your computer!

(The bike is ok though)

FIRST OF ALL 
I would like to give a shout out to Timmy Berkel! Iv been honoured to spend a lot of time training with the karate kid himself lately. If you have not been following him, Tim pulled out another awesome race at Challenge Copenhagen the other weekend to claim back 2 back Titles which now makes him a
3x Iron Distance Champion.
Well Done Buddy!

Also a big thanks to my Coach Tim Reed for putting in the countless hours to get me where I need to be. If your looking for a change in coaching and want to get the best value I definitely recommend to contact Tim from Transition Fitness.


Race Report

So for the some that have an idea on how this race ended up playing out you know this Race Report is well worth the read for a laugh or two.. So enjoy on my stupidness haha!

My Way Or The Tri Way Sprint 

I was up bright n early waiting for Reedy & Monica to collect me on their way through to head off for the long 1.5hr road trip to the Aurora Res. After getting down the road and realising Reedy's phone had run out of internet and therefore maps not working for directions we had to wing it with a few stops to the gas stations on the way. We eventually stumbled across the reservoir with hearing an announcement of 20mins until race start. With a few equipment difficulties Reedy told me to go get myself sorted and focus on the race. So off I went to the registration table only to have more difficulties with my name not being on the sheets however received the confirmation email and in telling them that they quickly grabbed my details, gave me my timing chip and sent me off into transition to get ready for the race.

As i walked in to rack my bike the race officials gave me a heads up it was 9mins to race start. Trying not 2 panic I layed out all my gear got my number marked and did a quick check over. At this time I thought i still had about 4-5mins. I had a quick look for Reedy and could not see him in sight so I started to walk down to the start. 

As I got to about 60metres away the gun went off and I was left sprinting my bum off to get in the water and not lose the front pack by to much to keep me in the race. I hit the water about 10seconds behind the field and by the turn of the first can I had worked my way through to almost the front pack. At this point I had doubts in my head of what was going on with not seeing Reedy or Monica pre race but thought mate your racing it doesnt matter "Win this bloody race". By the last bouy turning to head back in to land I had managed to swim through the front chase pack and put myself in second overall with the leader about 20metres ahead. My mind was now focused and it was all about having a good bike. I got into transition feeling awesome after a good swim and before I knew it was on the bike and into the lead within the first kilometre. It was a awesome little undulating course that was a bit short with a total of 17km and I averaged 39.9 km/ph. At this point I was stoked with my ride coming into T2 in first overall my best race so far to date... The legs were feeling fresh and after putting in some good running weeks I was confident I could finish it strong and hold on to first. the start of the run looped around the back of transition to where the swim start was and back alongside transition. I had a quick glimpse and noticed 2nd place was only just racking their bike which gave me approx a 2min or so lead. The legs were out to play and I was running at a decent pace with comfort with the thought of saving a little extra for the 2.5km home stretch. As I got to the 2.5km mark the lovely volunteer pointer he folder and said excellent work keep running whilst pointing down the road. A little confused with not seeing the course maps I was sure that was the turn around yet still in the zone kept pushing the pace thinking the course would loop me back around to the finish. Well sure enough after running another 2.5km I had reached no finish line but an empty aid station saying "olympic turn around".... 

this would have been great if I was bloody doing the olympic race but no I was doing the sprint. There for the stupid lady back at the turn around had sent me 2.5km off course in which resulting in losing my first time overall winning chance. I decided to run back to the official sprint turn around and give the lady a bit of my thoughts. After a few friendly words were exchanged and an apology was put on the table and I hitch hiked back to transition with a friendly park ranger to in which the race director also was waiting to give an apology.

"BUT WAIT IT GETS BETTER"

In the back ground I see Reedy and Monica finishing a jog with him calling me over in which it all hit me....

THIS WAS NOT THE MY WAY OR THE TRI WAY RACE....

I had just spent my last hour busting my balls to get lead off course to in the end find out we rocked up to the wrong race. Which is why they didnt have my name at registration and I never seen reedy at the start...
None the less it was a pretty silent car ride home until we all started pissing ourselves laughing!

Good Times..!

Training

Training has been awesome with a few solid weeks. My body has finally adapted to the altitude and training is starting to feel good. Every week the training hours have been slightly increased. I am very happy with my progress with last week being a cycling focused week, I managed to bank 17.5hrs on the bike! I think thats the most iv sat in the saddle in one week to date which included the toughest 6hr ride of my life with an approx total of 2600meters of climbing and headwinds in every possible spot. The legs also got in 6hrs of running and 5.5hrs in the pool.
So come sunday I was very happy to call it a week and acknowledge I had a achieved the goals I set to hit and rewarded myself with a few beers, nachos and enchiladas :)

Some photo's from the 6hr ride of hell...

As for the other weeks heres some photo's to catch you up

Nice decent from Estes Park to Lyons

Old School Winery

It even had a fishing Pond.. Was very tempted mid ride to cast a line :)

Friday Recovery Ride - Lunch at Oscar Blues Brewery in Lyons

At the top of Super James Climb - its all nice normal road til here...

Nice sunrise on the way to an open water swim at the Res


Upcoming Races

Hyvee 5150 U.S Champs - Sept 4th

I had qualified and was scheduled to race Hyvee 5150 U.S champs for september 4th. However I have decided on a financial basis its best not to go.
Instead I am looking for a local sprint or olympic race to replace it to still get a good hit out.

Branson 70.3 - Sept 18th 

This is my priority 1 race that takes place in only 3weeks. I am looking for a good result here to see how all the training in boulder has increased my race fitness. I am told the Course is very tough and is somewhat similar to the bike profile of the ITU Long Dist Worlds that I will be competing in 6 weeks after. Last years pro winner winner posted a finish time of 04:02:00 which tells its a tough day. My goal is to finish between 04:30:00 and 04:35:00. After analysing all past races my run has always been under performed. With having more bike fitness now I hope to be able to come off the bike with fresher legs to be able to run within 6% of my normal running fitness. I think a sub 01:30:00 half marathon would be a good achievement for the day with the course offering a challenging day. If I can come away with achieving those goals I know I have had a good day and can take that confidence into my last 6 weeks of preperation for Long Distance Worlds

ITU Long Distance World Champs

November 5th

I'll leave the chat on this one for a bit closer to the event however its the number 1 priority race of my season and its what I have been working hard for and the whole reason of my trip to boulder.

Thanks Again To My Awesome Sponsors

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Boulder - Week 3

Boulder Week 3

Bringing A Bit Of Boulder To You :)

A short video of my decent down from Jamestown 

Monday, my second favourite day of the week... why? its a Recovery day :)
After a solid weekend monday's are the days to put the feet up and let the body adapt to the past 2 days of solid training. But it doesnt mean I have a day off... Theres still an easy swim, 1.5hr ride and a core/gym session. I'v learned the quicker and earlier you get them done the more time you have to spend the arvo relaxing and watching DVD's :)
Another good thing about the states is you can rent dvd's for $1.... yes i said $1
Lets just say the dvd rental machine is going to get a good workout by myself on this visit :)

Tuesday, and so the fun begins for the week!
It was up early for an open water swim at the boulder reservoir for a few 1km laps. The res is pretty good but its pretty much like a brown swamp to swim in. I would compare it to the swan river minus the jelly fish really. All in all you still get a good session in and still get the open water feel even though were in the middle of no where with no beaches in sight but plenty of mountains :). Which in saying that it was time to gear up the bike and roll up the mountains for a 3.5 hr ride with a few heavy gear strength efforts. I can definitely say I am enjoying every ride and getting stronger for every minute I am spending in the saddle here. After riding with Reedy a bit we have worked on my position to get the glutes firing more as they should be the biggest driving muscle instead of my quads which is probably the reason my run has suffered a lot in most races. Needless to say my ass has been on fire ever since and getting on the foam roller has no fun part in it at all. To finish the day the runners were on and I enjoyed a cruisy 45min run up to wonderland lake. After a big day in the bank the bed was looking pretty good and I hit it pretty hard with the lights out and snoring my head off in no time.

Wednesday morning I enjoyed and awesome sleep in until about 8am then I packed the bag and headed down to the outdoor pools at scott carpenter which is about an 8min cruisy ride from the house. I was lucky enough to meet Gregg bennett the week prior at the swim squad and he told me of a good running path that takes you all the way along the boulder creek that starts right next to the pools. I had an hour on the program so I thought it would be a great idea to hit it up prior to the swim session. The path/trail was awesome, I managed to get my 1hour easy run in and still didnt get anywhere close to the end of it. Its a mix between path and trail that runs right through the middle of the town. I havn't ever experienced an awesome run like this thats smack in the middle of the town that makes you feel in the middle of the bush. Definitely a new run course to put on the list every week.
So after the run it was time to finally jump in the pool for a swim session. The body felt good and then started to struggle pretty quickly about mid way through the set. Jane the BAM swim coach had decided it was going to be a not so fun set packed with speed efforts.  I cant express how glad I was when I heard the magic words of "Alrighty ur done guys".
 I was completely smashed!!! Just getting out of the pool and walking to my towel and gear gear was a complete mission. After I struggled out of the swim centre I found myself losing my mind because I was so smashed and found the nearest food place and ordered like a king.
Chipotle.... :) the biggest burrito's your eyes have seen! these things are awesome and the first one only lasted about 2mins and got downed with about a gallon of coke for the sugar hit.
I was all smiles after leaving that joint and headed home for a afternoon nap... the favourite part of each day! All refreshed and ready to go the runners were back on and I was in for a surprise with Reedy and a crack session.. i'd had no idea what was involved but I knew either way it was going to hurt... Just my luck he decided to change it to a more cruisy session and we hit the trail for an hour. Id have to wait until next wednesday to find out what the crack session was...

Thursday and the fun keeps going for one last day!
Up early and back down to the res for a few kms in the wettie. After lap 2 the gauntlet had got me! for those tri dogs u all no what im talking about haha... the wettie was off and I was running haha
Later that day the bike kit was on and I was heading back up the mountains for a few jamestown reps before heading back to the flats and bumping into Reedy on the highway. All up I got 4hrs in and was ready to call it a day.

Friday, my second favourite day of the week! Yep another recover day :)
A bit more relaxed than a monday which brings a smile having more time for more dvd's / sleep or a casual stroll down town during the day. After an easy swim set in the morning I met up with a few of the lads for a coffee in town and then later on in the arvo we caught back up to catch a glimpse of the new Captain America movie in 3D.

Saturday, back to the start of a 2day flogging :)

After dragging my sorry sleepy ass out of bed it was time to put the game face on for the number #1 session of the week...

A 4hr ride and 40min tempo run brick session
I don't think there is ever more to say than it hurt and I was glad when it was over :)

Sunday, Double Run / Swim day
Before coming to boulder I started a running block which was the start of double runs for me. At first I didnt like the idea of putting the runners on twice as one was a struggle enough to mentally get out the door at times, but now I really look forward to these sessions. The first for the day is a slow 90min, pre breaky run to get the endurance fat burning gear kicking in on a flat trail. Iv learned its pretty hard to find a flat run course here if I start from straight out the front door as I spend the first 20mins on a small incline and then I hit the flat-ish trails with a nice decline on the way home. The running trails like I have already explained here are awesome and you can always take a different route every time starting from the same place as they all generally link up.
Just after lunch and I found myself jumping into the lovely cold indoor 25m pool at the North Boulder Rec Centre for an easy few kms and then followed by the awesome spa mentioned previously.
Last Session of the day and the runners are back on for a 40min Tempo build run starting up the lovely incline to wonderland lake and then hammering it back down home before finishing with a 5min easy cool down. Another double run completed and a smile still on the face because it was dinner and bed time!



Free time at Flat Irons Mall during the week with the lads

Next Weekend - Week 4

RACE:
My Way Or The Tri Way - Sprint Distance



BIG THANKS TO 

For sending me my nutrition for the next few months to keep me fuelled up with training and racing!

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