Arpit's Ironman Race Brief

So here you go guys, the race brief for the IM, I will keep it short because – it was largely free on un-wanted drama and secondly I don’t want to bore you to death.

Prologue:
On Tuesday week before I went for a 10k run. Right from the first step I could feel sharp pain in my right bum. I ignored it for a while as I thought it would go away with heaps of stretching but it didn’t and I eventually ended up in the massage camp the evening before the race. The physio thr said that it was really bad and he wouldn’t do much as he doesn’t want to aggravate it. He did whatever and made it almost worse. Then I went to a (hot) chiropractor who did lots of manipulation on my back and I left very very hopeful to run the marathon the next day.

I slept fairly well. In fact I was very calm by my standards the day before and prior to the start. I guess training does that to you. I was confident and not scared of the distance. Just nervous

The swim:

We entered the water and I was at the back with the slow swimmers. Immediately my heart rate monitor stuffed up and I was left with no signal from the HRM. I went in the “Screw it” mode and stopped worrying about it.
After some confusion with the starting gun, we took off and it was a bit of a chaos at the start. Nothing too dramatic though. I swam over/around few people at the start but around 300m in we were well separated to concentrate on our own thing. I was drifting a bit far from the buoys and at one point could stand up on the shore as well. But I quickly went back again and tried to move more and more towards the buoys. It was messy around the turn around buoys but again nothing too bad. At the final stretch towards the end I swam quite well near the buoys.

I was ecstatic with 1:18. I thought I will be close to 1:25 but honestly I was thrilled with this time. I quickly made out to get on the bike

The Bike:

Once out on the bike – the Speedo won’t work. I was very annoyed – cost me a bit of time and wouldn’t start. I decided to go ahead without worrying about it but eventually got off and set it up right. The first 30k was a breeze. After the first turnaround, my back was killing me (Chiro!!!) and I was more out of the aero position. I think I still managed around 30k/hr for first 60k. But by this my head was not right at all. I was also thinking of quitting and it is too hard etc. Naturally that’s when the spoke broke.

The noise from the spoke brought me back to senses. I lost my cadence sensor as well and couldn’t figure out how to fix the spoke. The Shimano guy helped me and twisted the spoke around another one, and off I went again. The next 60k was slow and the sun was getting hotter and hotter with winds picking up as well.

On the third lap – things started to turn downhill. I started to cramp in my adductor muscles of both legs. That’s when I noticed the amount of salt on my tri suit. I tried stretching on the bike but the cramps would return. I stopped and stretched when they grew really bad and eventually completed the bike in 6:54 something.

The Run:
Off the bike – I had a quick transition until I realized I have forgotten my race belt and number and I had to go back which cost me heaps of time. I started off well I the run and the first flat section was easy and faster. I passed the finisher chute and ran half of the hills. I stopped mid way through the hills to conserve the energy but it was probably the biggest mistake of the day. I started to run/walk/run the hill which cost me heaps of time. I was also walking the aid station which was probably not a good idea as well.

I avoided all gels as I tend to get acidity from them. I relied on rockmelons and vegemite (!!!) to keep me going along with water and Gatorade for the first 2 laps. In the second lap my head was drifting again and I could not focus. I don’t remember much of second lap except that it was slow and seemed never ending. Only at the start of third lap when I started having cola I could focus back again. Caffeine did the job, but the cramps returned. I was stopping to ease the calf cramps which were taking out huge chunks of time. Third lap was particularly slow and 13hours were gone without much of a fight from me. I don’t feel too good about it now as I should have pushed myself more but I took conservative approach to make sure that I finish the race.

I blasted the finishing chute, running the last 2 k solidly (which further made me feel sick that I didn’t pushed hard enough on the run). I was shouting on my own so couldn’t hear a thing from the announcer. The finish chute is a blur as well as I don’t remember seeing anyone finishing around me but the photos tell otherwise. I was pretty exhausted and was quickly taken to the tents for massage etc.

The cheering squad:

The boys were FANTASTIC. Out there for so long, its amazing how much you look forward to see someone you know from the crowd for a brief 2 sec boost and how far it can take you. On the third lap of the bike I was pretty much done for the day, but the boys brought me back in the race. During the run, Clem or Luke will run with me for a while or Carl would just let me know that the aid station is just round the corner to take the mind off the exhaustion. Paul, Umar Stevie, Scott were brilliant in pep talks. It is pretty fair to say that without the huge support I would have probably finished in a lot longer time if finished at all.

Just a bit of advice:

If you want to learn something please:

Learn to PEE on the bike- it’s a lot harder than you think and the disgust factor is not easy to get around.
Learn to PEE while running – cost me good 10 mins as I went FOUR times to the loo.


Moment of the Week:

Meeting Craig Alexander in person and shaking his hand.

Moment of the day:

There is a little hill on the bike which they call the heart break hill. Nothing big or too steep, it is just not something you look forward to at 55k, 115k or 175k into the bike. On the last lap of the bike, both my legs were cramping bad. After I stopped and stretched to get over the hills, the cramps came back just before the big hill and they were real bad this time around. I decided not to stop and decided not to walk the hill either. I went for it with all I had (and with a lot of “come on”) and before I knew I was at the top. That’s when I knew that I will be an Ironman by the end of the day.



I’ve failed miserably in keeping it short – please bear with me.

Regards
Arpit Srivastava

Monday afternoon TT

Hi all once again. Most of you would already know or heard about the TT held on a Monday from the bottom of Creek street to the highway and back. Well if you haven't been try to get along, it's a great ride and one that will certainly take your breath away literally. Tomorrow there is added insentive with a brick session thrown in for good measure! Bring your shoes. How could you refuse?
If you are new turn up at 5pm and wait to see someone else turn up and your handicap will be worked out. 5:15pm first rider is away. Each week the handicap is refined to hopefully deliver everyone back around the same time.
On a positive note I have worked out the Zuuer is human and does suffer like us. I saw glimpses of a knackered Zuuer on Saturday so it is possible that he can be beaten. Just how we can get him tired without us being destroyed in the process is something I haven't worked out yet......

Waether looks promising for tomorrow!

Time to put away the indoor trainers and dodgy excuses (thats me) and get back out on the road. Looks like we might get a bit of decent weather for a change.

TT Terror in the dark

It appeared to be a normal dam ride morning with hint of excitement as the TT twins pulled in to the servo. There was only six starters this morning. Ben was there early sucking down a gel, Ryan shortly followed, we were joined by a new face Wayne (welcome Wayne). The TT twins the G and Zuuer pulled in together with Kevin in their wind. We had a quick meet and greet and hung around for the no shows (it appears they were the smart ones on this occasion). Ryan with the flash lights was to lead the pack out into the dark, sitting on a comfortable 33kph. Zuuer was quick to jump on the front as we reached the big round about with the pace instantly picking up to a heart wrenching 44kph with no signs of backing off. The pack held together at this blistering pace to the nursery through a light misty fog and fear was in all our minds! The pack broke ranks and slowed as we headed to the rail crossing giving us all some time to have a drink and suck in the big air. No sooner over the rail lines and the G without warning decided that enough is enough and put pedal to the metal and took of like a man possessed, this required some quick thinking for the rest of the pack to chase and hang onto his wheel. Ryan headed the chase followed closely by the Zuuer and the rest fell into line. The gap was closed and the G held a solid pace of around 35kph. The G pealed of after a stint on the front to fall back into the pack leaving Ryan on the front to maintain the pace to the base of the hills. Ryan who is no mountain climber dropped pace as he hit the first hill and was passed by the pack and proceeded to be dropped, the pace now lead by Zuuer sped away around the 40kph mark with Ryan trying to catch the pack to no avail. The hill climb was in our sites and it ended up being a 2 horse race with Zuuer’s pace splitting the pack to pieces leaving the only other contender the G. These 2 guys battled their way up the king of the mountain challenge and ended up calling it a draw after they both had no more to give! The rest of the pack slowly made their way to the top but only 3 made the turn around point. Zuuer, the G and Ryan made their way back picking up Kevin. Wayne had lost his cycle computer and turned around to try and find it. Ryan being brave put on a sprint from the top of the mountain reaching speeds of 68kph trying to get an early jump on the TT twins, it was not to be so, he was like a rabbit to the greyhounds and found no advantage from this silly stunt. Ryan quickly found The TT twins on his wheel with Kevin hanging on. The TT twins were not happy with the pace that Ryan had settled into at 38kph so they passed him on the middle hill and added interest to the pace. Kevin decided that he wasn’t up for being flogged any longer and dropped off. Ryan also found himself in trouble with the TT twins riding off on him. Ryan worked hard to close the gap to hang onto the G’s wheel at 48kph, of course being lead by Zuuer. 500m from the sprint challenge Ryan pulled out from the back and took off lifting the pace to 53kph hoping to drag the TT twins out, but once again to no avail. The G quickly took charge and passed Ryan, but not to be out done Zuuer came around the outside of The G to take the win! The 3 of us headed back to the big round about picking up Wayne along the way. We were being lead by Zuuer at a mighty solid pace of 38kph. Ryan took the lead in his usual fashion from the round about to put in the last big pull averaging around 42kph before being passed near the industrial estate by Zuuer. The pack held together back to the servo for final farewells.

Rain, hail or shine

It looks wet tomorrow boys, hope so, becasue if no one else turns up, I'm going to win!

KOM finish line

There has been some controversy over the current position of the line so a final decision has been made as to where it will be. As per the picture it is the second line that you come across just before the Caravan Park entrance. You won't miss it as it is a pedestrian crossing sort of arrangement that crosses the road. Just remember it isn't the first one you come across, its the second one! Everyone is to then roll into the area near the shop at the Caravan park and wait for the rest. Remember you must ride to the Caravan park to be eligible for the sprint.

Real Men's Dam Ride

The lads are getting soft, only 3 of the real men turned up this Wednesday Zuuer (Dr of pain) Woodrow, Oppy and G. A few drama’s to start with the Zuuer’s machine, it obviously doesn’t like the hammering its getting. The bike was squealing like a girl. Once resolved we were off.

Headed out at a steady pace, that is G and Oppy. Zuuer was doing his normal hammer session. Decided against the KOM this week, went down the boat ramp to the lake for a bit of site seeing, lake a bit higher, not as impressive as expected.

Turned around and headed back for the sprint G and Zuuer cranked it up for the sprint title, Zuuer lead up the final rise with the G on his wheel, G tried to pass for the final sprint only to find the tank was empty and couldn’t find any extra speed. Zuuer winning by half a bike length, just to fast.

The gentle bike ride back turned into a hammer session with again Zuuer leaving us in his dust. He is a force to be reckoned with!!

Some discussion between the lads as to the legitimacy of the sprint win, rule apparently states that you must ride up the second hill to be eligible for the title. Will there be a protest?? May come down to the strategist’s final decision??

All in all a good ride, a bit of wind but no rain. The she men who were too tired to ride can hand in their man badges!! Disgraceful