Tinman Race Report

Got to transition nice and early and set up my bits and pieces. My friend from work was also doing the race and he was setting up opposite. It was good to chat to someone leading up to the start. Saw Kieren Doe (future Kona Ironman World Champion ... hopefully) setting up and then spending the next 40 mins warming up on a bike trainer. That's him below during the run. He finished just as I started the run

Just look at the size of them legs.

I was on the beach when they did the race brief and I couldn't hear the directions but I thought I knew the course so didn't worry too much. Wrong decision! haha

The water was quite warm and calm. Very different to last year. The start was a bit of a washing machine affair but I soon found some space and just tried to relax. I wasn't as freaked out about the swim this year.

Here I am on the first leg of the swim (37th from left)

First lap was just over 15 mins. We had to get out, run around a marker and then back in for the second lap. I managed to find some feet at the start of the second lap and I followed them until the turnaround. This is where I went wrong and headed for the wrong buoy. It wasn't that far off the actual one but I think it cost me a bit of time. I'll listen to the race brief better next time. Second lap was 17 mins so bit slower but not bad for a 32 min overall. Target was to go Sub30 but you can't win'm all.

Can you see the way I've coordinated the top with the hat?

I actually ran out of the swim and into transition. I had enough energy but I just felt sick from the seawater I had swallowed. I must learn to keep my mouth shut.

I have to keep my home made prescription goggles on until I find my bike

I looked out for Jo and the kids but I couldn't see them anywhere. They said that when the photo above was taken they were right next to me and screaming their heads off but I just ran past. I think I was saying a prayer to the p@nct%re fairy at this point.

T1 went well. 3:26 was a big improvement on last year. Need to do similar in January.

Finally saw Jo and the kids when I set out on my bike.

Wasting time waving to the crowd when I should be hammering the bike

My sicky feeling went after about 10mins and I launched into my 3 sips of gel and 3 gulps of Nuun every 20mins. It was OK for the 40K but I think I might need something solid for the 90K of the Half Ironman.

Saw Kathy on the bike and had a quick chat. Is riding side by side still drafting? There were some big groups on the ride. Jo said that they were getting 'told off' over the PA system but that didn't seem to stop them. I practiced being 7m behind the rider in front and actually went past some people.

Out of the saddle, working hard ... I don't remember that bit

I'm sure the ride was a bit short cos I finished it in just under 1:15 which works out at 32km/hr. Way too fast for me! My speedo said Av 30.2km/hr. Hopefully though it is my speedo that is wrong! :)

T2 went OK (2 mins 27) until I started to run out the bike exit. Had to turn back and go out the right way. Nothing like making these races just a little bit harder than they need to be.

Not sure about the body language on this next picture. Looks like I'm gonna smash Laura in the face for taking my picture. Think it was probably relief at getting through the bike without one of those P things.

Just give me the film or I'll smash your face in

I felt really good at the start of the run but had made the decision that I would definitely stick to a 6:1 run:walk combo. I owed it to my calf to do this. I basically ran past people for 6 mins, walked for a min to let them go past me and then ran to go past them again. Hopefully I didn't p!$$ them off too much. The run:walk worked well for me and I felt good all the way round. Not so good that I thought I could go around again (like I'll have to do in Jan) but good enough to know that I would finish. It was only as I came off the Mount that I was confident I could go Sub3. The run in from there is about a K and I had a short walk halfway along so that I could finish strong. Obviously I wanted to look good for the kids :)

The kids usually run in with me to the finish but that's becasue I'm normally finishing with no-one around as the organisers are packing up ...but this time it was a bit crowded so I said best not to when Adam asked. I think they ran along the other side of the barrier.

My mate from work who had done the race was at the finish. He'd beat me by a few minutes. Another mate from work was there as well with his 'flash' camera (I am very jealous of it) ... hopefully he'll have some good photos. Find out tomorrow.

My final time was 2:49:54 :) Very pleased with that! :)

Celebrating at the finish with my bottle of Nuun.

I had seen Kathy on the run near the turnaround so I knew she was only a few mins behind. We watched for her at the finish and saw her come in Sub3 :) Well done Kathy ... good luck for Rotorua in 2 weeks and Taupo in March :)

We treated the kids to 'brunch' afterwards in a cafe near the Mount. Bl@@dy expensive ... but worth it .... although I'm not sure my order of the cooked 'Big Breakfast' was the best choice.

Can't wait till January's Half Ironman. I have some work to do though. I'm thinking of drinking a few cups of salt water before each bike ride to simulate coming out of the swim ... or just learn to breath air not sea water.