We’re just over two weeks out from the race that is for many, a culmination of a season’s worth of training and racing. For some, it is an annual ritual. For others, like my good mate Stuart Charman (@stucharman), it is a venture into the unknown – an introduction to the Ironman experience.

I say “experience”, because taking part in an Ironman event doesn’t lie in just what happens on race day. As you know, there are months of preparation that lie beforehand, and as race day draws closer, the little things get magnified and as an athlete you naturally question and scrutinise every single little thing you do.

If I can give you one piece of advice – trust your own experience and have faith that you have what it takes to achieve your goal.

This post is basically a collection of useful links and videos that you may find helpful in the lead up to Port Macquarie.

• 3 Weeks till Ironman Australia, make them count – 5 easy ways to get your body in race ready shape between now and May 1st.

A few of my posts relating specifically to Port Macquarie:

• Ironman University – Two Weeks Out… – a few of my tips to get your prepared.
• The Curse of the Ironman PB - ok, this post didn’t lead to the result I hoped, but it might help you!
• 6 Ways To Help Save Triathlon – just a few things you can do whilst in Port Mac to help keep the locals smiling!
• My Top 5 Ironman Triathlon Mistakes – read these and avoid learning the hard way.

Here are four videos from Mitch Anderson and the crew at FirstOffTheBike.com (keep in mind the course has changed in some parts this year, although much of it will be the same or similar):

This little video provides a short introduction to a small section of the course.Whilst it doesn’t show much, I find any vision I can get of a course before arriving in the town helps visualise what it will be like.

If you only look at one video, make it this last one. Thanks to TriSpecific and Urban Ninja for bringing it to my attention! If it doesn’t make you want to get out there and give it your best, I suggest you quietly pop your race gear back in its box and go put your feet up. Everyone else, get out there and race!!!

I hope you find some of this information helpful. Success in Ironman is about hard work, specific training and intelligent racing. Get to it!

I bet you’re like me and you love visiting new areas to compete in a race. You arrive in the town, settle into your accommodation, go for a ride, trot out on the course for a run, have a swim and wander around town a bit. A few days out from the race, it seems everyone else is doing the same thing. We’re all having a great time! That is, except for the locals.

Sure, we fill up the accommodation, keep the restaurants busy and the baristas don’t know what has hit them! But how about locals who don’t feel an immediate positive effect from having 1,500 athletes plus their family and friends plonk themselves down in “their” town?

The recent announcement of the Ironman Australia course changes at Port Macquarie brought about what is a regular issue with big races held in regional towns. The effective “shutting down” of the roads and town centre for a weekend stir a response that is part frustration, part anger. Understandably, we as athletes are part to blame. I reckon the event organisers shoulder a good part of it too. Check out this article from the Port Macquarie News and read some of the comments – you’ll get the idea.

Continue Reading “6 Ways To Help Save Triathlon” »

It’s been just over a week since I raced Ironman Australia. During that time, I’ve had an abundance of moments to feel sorry for myself. You see, things went pear shaped, just like I described in The Curse of the Ironman PB!

I should have seen it coming. It was whilst riding one of the steepish rollers past Flynn’s Beach just before the 60km mark that a guy stepped out from the side of the road and yelled “you’re sweatin’ like a pig mate!” that hinted things weren’t quite right. Upon reaching the crest of the climb, I looked down and noticed I was absolutely drenched. At the time there was no need to panic and I focused on maintaining my fluid intake. In hindsight, the damage was already done.

To complicate things further, my dehydrated state was making it difficult to digest anything sweet. Gels had to be forced down with the effort akin to a child eating their most hated vegetable at the dinner table. It’s a painful, drawn out affair!

Through 120km I could feel my muscles tightening slightly. The jaggedness of the roads made climbing hills a refreshing retreat, thanks to the easing of pressure it provides to tired arms and hands. The descents became agonizingly tiring.
Continue Reading “When the Pear Hits the Fan” »

Finishing an Ironman is hard. Going faster next time is even harder! But it shouldn’t be.

Heading into your first IM, there are so many unknowns. How will I feel on the run? Will I be able to hydrate enough? Will I even finish!?! You listen to all the advice, proceed with caution and hopefully come away with a finishers medal.

Next year rolls around. You’ve got an IM under your belt. You’ve trained better than last time. Been there, done that.

Race day arrives and you feel the nerves – everyone does. The cannon goes off and you begin the journey. This time however, somewhere along the way it goes a little pear shaped. Maybe it was a neglected piece of equipment. A niggling injury. A missed aid station. You dropped the ball – and that champion mindset suddenly meets the Ironman gods, who put you sharply back in your place. You’re reminded that this game isn’t easy, and everyone earns their finish medal – fast or slow.

Continue Reading “The Curse of the Ironman PB” »

I know there are plenty of triathletes out there who are either preparing for their first Ironman ever at Port Macquarie, or who contemplate doing one in the future, so I’m going to try and write a few posts in the lead up to the race targeted at you guys.

We’ve got just under two weeks to go now until the big day. Right now you’re probably tapering, backing off the training and beginning to (hopefully) feel great!

There is one thing to remember about each and every time you prepare to race an Ironman:

Throughout life, it’s likely you’re only going to have a handful of days where you are at such a peak level of fitness. Savour and enjoy the feeling!

Between now and the race, inspect all of your race day equipment. Get your bike serviced. Check your wetsuit zipper. Check the laces on your shoes. Go over everything now to eliminate stress later.

Whilst you might be reaching peak fitness right now, your immune system is open to attack. Eat well. I don’t mean massive servings, I mean aim for maximum nutritional value from your meals. Wash your hands properly. Dry off completely after swimming.

Continue Reading “Ironman University – Two weeks out…” »