We are now
well and truly back from our holidays over the Xmas period and it seems like ages since I competed in an event.
Well today I got back into it in no small way, I was completing in the City Of Pert OD triathlon. A 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run was to be my first event of the 2010 year.
I had been trying to get back to full training since the break away as my fitness did slide a little during our holiday, I did do some work but nowhere near as much as usual. So in the last week or so I had try to jamb in a higher work rate training program, coupled with a new diet. I was happy enough with my preparation however would have like some longer swims and rides before the race.
![Chardae holds dads bike during registration]()
Chardae holds dads bike during registration
![Passing the bike check heading to transition]()
Passing the bike check heading to transition
Anyway at 5:20am the alarms started ringing to tell us it was time to go. The family all came out to support me (it is great to have a cheer squad and photographer). Arriving at the registration at 6am I started the usual procedure, register (get chip and number - 332 today), get marked up (number written on arm and leg), prepare transition area (get bike & helmet check and then prepare your transition spot).
I spent a fair amount of time getting the transition ready and talking with my fellow competitors and a number of members of the North Coast Tri Club (my club). I just kept staring at my gear and double, triple checking I had everything. I had plentyl of time before the start at 8:23 so headed out and slowly made our way down to the start area.
![Listening to the race briefing]()
Listening to the race briefing
![Ready to go]()
Ready to go
Today they made us swim from the jetty to the start line. Swimming this far up the Swan River around the city is usually a fairly horrible experience as the water tastes bad, is almost black and is generally not that pleasant. Today was to be no exception and in fact was the worst water I have ever swam in.
![Getting into the water at the jetty]()
Getting into the water at the jetty
![The start of the 1.5km swim leg]()
The start of the 1.5km swim leg
Being in the 40-44 category we usually find that we are the last to start - I have no idea why this (we certainly are not the slowest in the field - today we had the fastest bike rider of the event in our category). Anyway out into the murk for a gentle swim to the start line just to get the black oily bad tasting water on ourselves. So at the allotted time we started the 1.5km swim. After about 1.2kms I started to feel very ill and uncomfortable in the water. This is not usual for me as I am usually strong and happy in the swim. I was feeling decidedly ill and had to put my head up and breath, I swam on hoping I would be out of the water soon. Within 100m I was up again and this time had a vomit attack - nice I also cut my foot on something in the water. The swim was not going
well now I had lost a bit of time. I had thought of bailing out right then and there however I was only a couple of hundred metres from the end of the swim. Head down and back into it wishing and hoping it would be over soon.
![Out of the swim and into transition]()
Out of the swim and into transition
![Now I was happy on the bike]()
Now I was happy on the bike
Finally I made it to the ramp and was able to leave that horrible tasting, smelly oil, vomit filled water behind and concentrate on the race again. I headed into transition and heard the cheers of my support crew telling to to get going as it was obvious I was not in my usual position after the swim. I had a descent transition and grabbed to bike and headed out.
![Moving along Riverside Drive]()
Moving along Riverside Drive
![Last lap on the 40km bike leg]()
Last lap on the 40km bike leg
Ah I love the bike legs. It did however take a fair amount of fluid and time to get the river out of my mouth and mind. After about the first 5km I was into it and travelling at around 44km/hr with the wind and around 37km/hr into the stiff easterly.
The 40km bike leg seemed to be over quickly in around 1 hour however as I have not done much high speed mid distance race level riding I was pleased to be making it to the end of the bike and I might even go as far to say I was looking forward to the run. No that cannot be right, how could I look forward to the run? I think it may be just that it is closer to the end.
![Quick splash down before the run]()
Quick splash down before the run
![On the run]()
On the run
So I jumped off the bike and made my way to transition. Off with the bike shoes and helmet and on with the running shoes and hat. I had threw some water over myself and down the throat and headed out for the 10km run to the end.
I felt good on the run today, not fast just good and the distance seemed to just fall away. Before I knew it I was on the last lap and started to lift towards the end.
![Running]()
Running
![Crossing the line]()
Crossing the line
After 2 hours 27 minutes and 29 seconds I crossed the line to the cheers of my support crew (family) and a few members of the tri club.
The Results
Swim 00:30:56 (Cat Pos: 20)
T1 00:01:40 (Cat Pos: 13)
Cycle 01:03:09 (Cat Pos: 4)
T2 00:01:14 (Cat Pos: 14)
Run 00:50:228 (Cat Pos: 23)
Total: 2:27:29 (Cat Pos: 11/36)