While I stand on a crowded train full of screaming kids enthusiastically telling the shittest stories, stalled in the rail yards waiting for a free platform, I watch people on the practice courts at the Tennis Centre and wonder what the most painful part of their job is.
I don't recognise these people- maybe they are hitting partners, maybe players, but at this time of the year anyone playing on those courts does it for a living. Get paid to play tennis...
What's their biggest stress? Media? Travel? Injuries?
Grass does look green sometimes.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, 11 January 2013
Friday, 23 November 2012
Shepp 70.3
It's safe to say I wasn't expecting anything special from my race at Shepparton over the weekend. I actually didn't know I was racing it until recently; it sold out fairly quickly and I must have put myself on a waiting list and then forgot about it. When offered a start I took it with the intention of trialling a 'more composed and disciplined' pacing strategy. I race to go hammershit- composed and disciplined has no place for me in a race. But here's how it unfolded...
My aim was to head out on an easy swim, easy ride and hard, fast run. As is the trend for me in Kialla Lakes, my swim was an embarrassment I can only assume that when swimming blindfolded (as the lake is so dirty you may as well be) I am unable to properly asses my speed. Well, that's the excuse I'm using. I expected a slower swim of 33 minutes, not 35 something. My 1st transition felt like it took forever because I felt like I was in juniors again- head spinning, ensuring I don't lean over too far and black out! Although the race in my head didn't start until the run, so I took my time.
Doing the maths when I got on the bike I knew my swim was terrible- I actually thought it was closer to the 38 minutes so I did my best to ignore that and get on with the task at hand: riding very slowly. Well, sort of. I wanted to keep the bike moving as fast as possible while keeping my heart rate below 140bpm. Luckily the Shepp bike course is very flat and straight. It's perfect for a time trial with no need to spike in power or heart rate. I was able to hold a touch over 30km/hr while keeping HR low so I was on track for a 3 hour ride but that was the only easy part.
Mentally, this was tough. The bike is my weapon. Always has been. Hopefully always will be. I love riding fast and it was really difficult watching so many people pass me on the bike. It actually became boring. This should have been a 2:40-2:50 ride but I got off in just under 2:58.
On the upside, all the frustration from the bike left me ready to roar on the run. My nutrition had been immaculate- I had nothing else to do on the bike... My heart rate was low, my legs were relatively fresh, I wanted to hammer it. I decided to let the first few kms play out however they will. I just ran with no thought, no data and certainly no analysis. 2kms in I realised I was running around 4:14/km- a touch too fast for this early. So I backed off to just below 4:30/km sat on another guy's heels and made sure I kept eating. If things kept going this well I could up the pace again around the 17km mark. The guy who was pacing me had a great technique and was slowly increasing the pace as he was 1 lap ahead of me. I was feeling good and loving it. Even though I'd have to do the last lap without him, this guy was helping me immensely. I had the flow I'm always looking for. But the strap from my timing chip was rubbing on my ankle. I went all zen and willed the pain away. I wasn't going let this stop me. I had the whole Buddhist Vihara behind me as I ignored the pain but when the strap stopped bouncing because it was stuck under my skin I had to stop to loosen it. I was desperately hoping my pace maker would stop at an aid station for a second so I could fix the strap but he was on a mission and as I removed the velcro from my raw Achilles I watched my 1:35 run off into the distance. I had to run my own pace.
There were a few people I know racing and after my pedestrian bike pace they were all in front of me so thanks to the out and back section of the run I could put a pace on them and start to pick them off. The frustration of holding back in the swim and ride allowed me to really focus on the run and not back off/ pussy out on the run like I might have otherwise done. In the end I managed to keep a relatively consistent pace throughout the run and clocked 1:39 something.
I'm happy with having a consistent pace across all three legs; it was a well paced race. But it wasn't a race. If that was an ironman it might be a different story but I've tried racing ironman and I can't do it. That's a day of survival for me, not a race. 70.3 is a race and I want to be going hard throughout. I probably lost 4 mins in the lake, at least 10 mins on the bike, and made up maybe 4 - 10 mins on the run. Timing wise, that's not worth it. Mentally, for me, the lack of speed on the bike is certainly not worth it. So I'm glad I tested that pacing strategy at Shepp but it's not for me. I can recover fairly quickly so I want to leave it all out on the bike, then try to regroup in transition and hang on for dear life in the run. That is a race.
Thanks very much to Shepparton Tri club for one of the best organised races I've ever done and, despite the poor standards at present, a fairly good Goodies Bag, including free race photos from SuperSport Images.
My aim was to head out on an easy swim, easy ride and hard, fast run. As is the trend for me in Kialla Lakes, my swim was an embarrassment I can only assume that when swimming blindfolded (as the lake is so dirty you may as well be) I am unable to properly asses my speed. Well, that's the excuse I'm using. I expected a slower swim of 33 minutes, not 35 something. My 1st transition felt like it took forever because I felt like I was in juniors again- head spinning, ensuring I don't lean over too far and black out! Although the race in my head didn't start until the run, so I took my time.
Doing the maths when I got on the bike I knew my swim was terrible- I actually thought it was closer to the 38 minutes so I did my best to ignore that and get on with the task at hand: riding very slowly. Well, sort of. I wanted to keep the bike moving as fast as possible while keeping my heart rate below 140bpm. Luckily the Shepp bike course is very flat and straight. It's perfect for a time trial with no need to spike in power or heart rate. I was able to hold a touch over 30km/hr while keeping HR low so I was on track for a 3 hour ride but that was the only easy part.
(Really should get a bike fit...)
Mentally, this was tough. The bike is my weapon. Always has been. Hopefully always will be. I love riding fast and it was really difficult watching so many people pass me on the bike. It actually became boring. This should have been a 2:40-2:50 ride but I got off in just under 2:58.
On the upside, all the frustration from the bike left me ready to roar on the run. My nutrition had been immaculate- I had nothing else to do on the bike... My heart rate was low, my legs were relatively fresh, I wanted to hammer it. I decided to let the first few kms play out however they will. I just ran with no thought, no data and certainly no analysis. 2kms in I realised I was running around 4:14/km- a touch too fast for this early. So I backed off to just below 4:30/km sat on another guy's heels and made sure I kept eating. If things kept going this well I could up the pace again around the 17km mark. The guy who was pacing me had a great technique and was slowly increasing the pace as he was 1 lap ahead of me. I was feeling good and loving it. Even though I'd have to do the last lap without him, this guy was helping me immensely. I had the flow I'm always looking for. But the strap from my timing chip was rubbing on my ankle. I went all zen and willed the pain away. I wasn't going let this stop me. I had the whole Buddhist Vihara behind me as I ignored the pain but when the strap stopped bouncing because it was stuck under my skin I had to stop to loosen it. I was desperately hoping my pace maker would stop at an aid station for a second so I could fix the strap but he was on a mission and as I removed the velcro from my raw Achilles I watched my 1:35 run off into the distance. I had to run my own pace.
There were a few people I know racing and after my pedestrian bike pace they were all in front of me so thanks to the out and back section of the run I could put a pace on them and start to pick them off. The frustration of holding back in the swim and ride allowed me to really focus on the run and not back off/ pussy out on the run like I might have otherwise done. In the end I managed to keep a relatively consistent pace throughout the run and clocked 1:39 something.
(Funny how technique goes out the window when tired...)
Thanks very much to Shepparton Tri club for one of the best organised races I've ever done and, despite the poor standards at present, a fairly good Goodies Bag, including free race photos from SuperSport Images.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Storm Surfers 3D
On Friday I saw the premiere of the new Ross Clarke Jones movie. I might be a bit biased because I've always loved RCJ but that was incredible.
I guess it was as expected. Red Bull Media House do their usual 'throw a heap of money at it and make an awesome vid' but I was surprised about two things. Firstly, it was all in Australia. I guess that leaves it open for a sequel and then a Home Alone style repeat but Australia is not renowned for having many big wave spots.
Secondly, I found the story to focus more on Tommy Carroll losing his confidence. He has always talked a big game but in this movie he talked up why he wasn't charging as hard as he could. Turning 50 and having kids was his story but this discussion went on for too long. It seemed as though the majority of the movie was spent justifying why Tommy wasn't surfing. Boring. You could pick anyone but about 30 guys off the street anywhere around the world and they could tell you why they are not going to surf that 60ft wave. I bought my ticket to see the guys who DID surf the wave. Bring back Tony Ray, I say.
Regardless, the movie was incredible and made even better in 3D. I actually think that even those who are not into surfing would enjoy it, too. The idea of chasing something that ridiculous will draw people in but the character of Ross Clarke Jones makes the film.
I guess it was as expected. Red Bull Media House do their usual 'throw a heap of money at it and make an awesome vid' but I was surprised about two things. Firstly, it was all in Australia. I guess that leaves it open for a sequel and then a Home Alone style repeat but Australia is not renowned for having many big wave spots.
Secondly, I found the story to focus more on Tommy Carroll losing his confidence. He has always talked a big game but in this movie he talked up why he wasn't charging as hard as he could. Turning 50 and having kids was his story but this discussion went on for too long. It seemed as though the majority of the movie was spent justifying why Tommy wasn't surfing. Boring. You could pick anyone but about 30 guys off the street anywhere around the world and they could tell you why they are not going to surf that 60ft wave. I bought my ticket to see the guys who DID surf the wave. Bring back Tony Ray, I say.
Regardless, the movie was incredible and made even better in 3D. I actually think that even those who are not into surfing would enjoy it, too. The idea of chasing something that ridiculous will draw people in but the character of Ross Clarke Jones makes the film.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Molokai to Oahu
Two guys I have heaps of respect for doing a race I will do one day:
It'd be alright having Makuakai Rothman on your support team too!
It'd be alright having Makuakai Rothman on your support team too!
Friday, 24 August 2012
Don't Steal From Me
My early celebration of Notting Hill Carnival, given it's only Friday 8.30am in London, has been abruptly halted with the news that Lance Armstrong will not challenge USADAs ruling that, ummm... What is their ruling? I've not heard any formal charges they are laying down, and once again I question who they are.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency is not a Government Authority but is predominantly tax-payer funded and seems to have some sort of oversight of Olympic, Paralympic and Pan-American sport. What we do without knee-jerk reactions from U.S. Congress?
Something I must highlight is that I will never speculate on whether Lance Armstrong took performance enhancing drugs. I wasn't there so I don't know. Neither were you so don't make it up. And if you were there I want to know what you have to gain from spilling your guts. Professional cycling was rife with drugs during the 90's and early 2000's; maybe it still is. If Lance Armstrong won 7 Tours while on drugs: cool- level playing field, maybe? If Lance Armstrong won 7 tours clean, against incredible riders who later admitted doping: there's hope to kids that it can be done clean.
Jonathan Vaughters rode professionally from 1994 until 2003 and later admitted to doping. Last week he wrote a brilliant opinion piece in the New York Times suggesting that all drug cheats were looking for was a level playing field. It was not necessarily to get ahead but to get along side. Riccado Ricco aside, maybe...
Whether the amount of drug cheats uncovered in cycling are a result of a drug riddled sport or a governing body serious about testing, I personally find Lance Armstrong an inspiration. His sharp wit, unnerving charm, and imposing presence are the traits that give me something to aspire to. I'm not afraid of anyone. My daily job requires dealing with the angriest, most short tempered, small dick/massive wallet traders in the world. But if I had to challenge Lance Armstrong I'd wanna have my story straight before I stepped up. And I like that. Whether you view it as redemption, glory seeking or anything else, the things he has done for Cancer research and exposure are admirable.
Now I don't know much about charity (despite my girlfriend being the national manager for brand and communications for a great charity in Make-A-Wish!) so I'm not sure if corporate sponsors would go cold on Armstrong after this ruling or what sort of flow on effects that 'kid that nobody likes' in USADA will have but I'm gonna tell you what shits me to no end...
Lance Armstrong retired from professional cycling years ago and was in the process of making overly-comfortable triathletes shiver in their onesies. Armstrong had not hidden the fact that he wanted to race the Hawaii Ironman either as an age grouper or a pro. As time went on it turned out that his times were too good for age group. So he started racing half ironman races as a pro. And he brought it. It wasn't as though he was dominating in the ride enough to make up for a poor swim and poor run. He was busting out credible times for all 3 disciplines- to the degree that he won 1, maybe 2 for memory, 70.3 races in the pro category. If I were a pro triathlete I would ensure I was not beaten by a new comer, especially someone who brought so much media coverage to the sport. But at the end of the day these were half ironman races. Hawaii is a different sport. Armstrong's first Ironman was supposed to be Nice, France in July this year but when your mates at USADA announced their witch-hunt WTC was obliged to ban him from racing so we'll never know.
WTC's reasons for banning him stem from rules put in place previously and actually enacted last year so this is another argument all together. Also, I don't think he would have been a feature at Kona but I don't necessarily take inspiration from winners. Lance Armstrong is a man who works hard at doing things other people say he can't do. He has the added attraction of pulling them off so Kona was always going to be an incredible spectacle. Instead, the incredible feats of human endeavour have been quashed by an 'authorative' body acting outside its poorly defined boundaries.
I titled this blog 'Don't Steal From Me' because it was the song I was listening to when I read that Lance Armstrong had given up fighting. Ironically relentlessness is a quality I attribute to him so I don't think this is the end of great things. In the meantime, listen to more Barrington Levy and celebrate Notting Hill Carnival this weekend!
If you want to see great things, watch my favourite Lance Armstrong moment of recent years:
If you want to see more great things, get into some Notting Hill Carnival!!
The United States Anti-Doping Agency is not a Government Authority but is predominantly tax-payer funded and seems to have some sort of oversight of Olympic, Paralympic and Pan-American sport. What we do without knee-jerk reactions from U.S. Congress?
Something I must highlight is that I will never speculate on whether Lance Armstrong took performance enhancing drugs. I wasn't there so I don't know. Neither were you so don't make it up. And if you were there I want to know what you have to gain from spilling your guts. Professional cycling was rife with drugs during the 90's and early 2000's; maybe it still is. If Lance Armstrong won 7 Tours while on drugs: cool- level playing field, maybe? If Lance Armstrong won 7 tours clean, against incredible riders who later admitted doping: there's hope to kids that it can be done clean.
Jonathan Vaughters rode professionally from 1994 until 2003 and later admitted to doping. Last week he wrote a brilliant opinion piece in the New York Times suggesting that all drug cheats were looking for was a level playing field. It was not necessarily to get ahead but to get along side. Riccado Ricco aside, maybe...
Whether the amount of drug cheats uncovered in cycling are a result of a drug riddled sport or a governing body serious about testing, I personally find Lance Armstrong an inspiration. His sharp wit, unnerving charm, and imposing presence are the traits that give me something to aspire to. I'm not afraid of anyone. My daily job requires dealing with the angriest, most short tempered, small dick/massive wallet traders in the world. But if I had to challenge Lance Armstrong I'd wanna have my story straight before I stepped up. And I like that. Whether you view it as redemption, glory seeking or anything else, the things he has done for Cancer research and exposure are admirable.
Now I don't know much about charity (despite my girlfriend being the national manager for brand and communications for a great charity in Make-A-Wish!) so I'm not sure if corporate sponsors would go cold on Armstrong after this ruling or what sort of flow on effects that 'kid that nobody likes' in USADA will have but I'm gonna tell you what shits me to no end...
Lance Armstrong retired from professional cycling years ago and was in the process of making overly-comfortable triathletes shiver in their onesies. Armstrong had not hidden the fact that he wanted to race the Hawaii Ironman either as an age grouper or a pro. As time went on it turned out that his times were too good for age group. So he started racing half ironman races as a pro. And he brought it. It wasn't as though he was dominating in the ride enough to make up for a poor swim and poor run. He was busting out credible times for all 3 disciplines- to the degree that he won 1, maybe 2 for memory, 70.3 races in the pro category. If I were a pro triathlete I would ensure I was not beaten by a new comer, especially someone who brought so much media coverage to the sport. But at the end of the day these were half ironman races. Hawaii is a different sport. Armstrong's first Ironman was supposed to be Nice, France in July this year but when your mates at USADA announced their witch-hunt WTC was obliged to ban him from racing so we'll never know.
WTC's reasons for banning him stem from rules put in place previously and actually enacted last year so this is another argument all together. Also, I don't think he would have been a feature at Kona but I don't necessarily take inspiration from winners. Lance Armstrong is a man who works hard at doing things other people say he can't do. He has the added attraction of pulling them off so Kona was always going to be an incredible spectacle. Instead, the incredible feats of human endeavour have been quashed by an 'authorative' body acting outside its poorly defined boundaries.
I titled this blog 'Don't Steal From Me' because it was the song I was listening to when I read that Lance Armstrong had given up fighting. Ironically relentlessness is a quality I attribute to him so I don't think this is the end of great things. In the meantime, listen to more Barrington Levy and celebrate Notting Hill Carnival this weekend!
If you want to see great things, watch my favourite Lance Armstrong moment of recent years:
If you want to see more great things, get into some Notting Hill Carnival!!
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
La La Land
As I sit here with a mild touch of post-event blues and a major case of mega sore feet I realise that I was completely in my own world on the run in Sunday's race because I had no idea there were photographers out there. I could describe the course because I was looking at where to put my feet in the soft sand and how to take corners without upsetting my already fragile momentum! But for the first time in nearly 50 triathlons I've done the photos came out fairly well.
I'm not entirely sure that justifies the $30 per shot price tag though...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)