Day 7, Week 12 - RACE DAY!

Sleep: 6-7 hours at best

***RACE DAY***

Woke up feeling excited and ready to go. Got some food on board including some nutri-grain, coffee, peanut butter toast + chia seeds, vit C, Vit B, guarana, Magnesium tablets (usual cocktail). Still very much dark as we drive into the transition area. Checked the bike, pumped the tyres - all good. Quick visit to the toilet and then start getting the wettie on. Walked down to the swim start as some daylight starts to appear. Final good lucks and goodbyes before entering the water - this is it! I am excited but fairly calm - its gonna be a big day.
Rabs gets everyone ready a bit early and someone in the crowd fires off an airhorn. The pros start swimming, Rabs calls them back but they are not stopping. The starting canon is fired and we are away!
The start of the swim is fairly rough and congested. I am only stroking quite slowly and remain relaxed. The crowd of swimmers starts to thin out as we round the first buoy. Feeling good and holding back a lot as planned.
I get a quick look at my watch as we complete Lap 1 - about 31mins - about perfect. Settle into the second lap. By now I am swimming in mostly clear water. The tides are helpful and conditions couldn't be better. Remain very relaxed through out the whole swim - decide I better put in a few hard strokes toward the end. Pop out of the water at a touch over 61mins - again right on schedule. Take my time getting the wettie off and heading into transition. T1 is hectic. Bodies everywhere and struggling to find some space to get organised. Volunteers have their hands up ready to help. I find a clear patch and go to work on transforming from a swimmer to a cyclist. Only problem is when my timing chip comes off - luckily the helpful volunteer see's this and we avoid a potentially disastrous situation.
Next up, one of my favourite parts of the whole day - heading out on the bike while you're still wet, heart is pumping, you couldn't feel more alive! Jump on the bike and head out for Lap 1.
Not sure where Bunky is and keep an eye out on the way out. Perfect conditions for Lap 1. All goes quite quickly. Get out to the turnaround and find Bunky isn't that far ahead. The pace is good, ahead of what I had planned. Get up Matthew Flinders Drive comfortably and head back into town - best part of the course, the 6-7K of rolling hills back into Port. The crowds are building and Bunky and I are having a ball getting cheers from supporters. One of the best feelings of the day! Through town to complete Lap 1. Head out for Part 2 again through fantastic crowds. Careful to keep the fuel and fluid up as needed. I end up a bit ahead of Bunky before losing him. Turned out he got a flat which sucked. Lap 2 rolls by pretty well. Pace has slowed but still feeling good and remain ahead of schedule. Coming back in to town the wind is starting to pick up. I have a new experience during the ride - I need a wee and manage to relieve myself while riding - takes some effort but am glad not to have to stop. Wasn't the last time this happened - I think I went about 5-6 times during the ride all up. A bit strange and hasn't happened on any of my long rides in training. Possibly overhydrated...?
Lap 3 starts well. Feeling good. Can feel the wind has picked up now. Make the most of it while its at my back heading out but not looking forward to the return journey. Pace still good first half of Lap 3 but second half becomes a battle. Struggling to maintain 27km/hr on the way home (pushing 33-34km/hr earlier). Careful not to hammer myself too much before the run and stick the head down and ride it out. Get up MFD for the third time keeping down on the aero bars - manage it OK. Legs getting heavier now and feeling just slight twinges of muscle spasm in my inside thighs + quads, especially when out of the saddle, which I try and avoid.
Roll into town feeling not too bad. Ends up a slower than planned bike leg by only a few minutes which is good going with that wind.
Getting off the bike and trying to run into T2 was a sensation I have never felt before. My feet and legs have gone to jelly, I can't feel my feet as they are almost completely numb. I hobble awkwardly as I pick up my run bag. Another volunteer is on hand to help. I make a request for my sunnies to be cleaned - such luxury never experienced during training! Again I take my time to make sure I've got everything. Even stop to do a few quick stretches. I visit the toilet as my tummy is feeling a little unsettled. Get some sunscreen slapped on, grab a drink and head out for final part of the day.
This is another highlight of the day - now through the swim and the ride and its down to the run which is what I do best (usually). I head out onto the run course with a beaming smile which has been on my face for most of the day so far. Again, cautious of pushing too hard, I try and settle into an even rhythm. I only manage a few mouthfuls of the warm Gu Brew Recovery drink I picked up. The tummy situation is not improving and I start to keep an eye out for a portaloo. I get through the first drinks station but am busting by the time I get out to Settlement Point. I can feel a mixed-up soup of gatorade, water, gels, powerbars, chomps, banana all sloshing around. Possibly I have taken too much on board or what is in there isn't being digested properly. This run-toilet-run cycle continues for most of the first lap. I am annoyed it is happening as my legs feel OK and I feel pretty good otherwise. I keep taking gels and sips of gatorade, each getting less and less appertising by the minute. One problem I'm having is my left foot is numb and its not improving. I stop and loosen my laces at one point to try and fix it but no good. Its not until after yet another toilet stop well into the 2nd lap that it goes away.
I have a problem figuring out my pace, as my watch is reading the overall time and the lap times I have been keeping. I struggle to see many KM markers so I am going 45-60mins sometimes without getting a marker to see how I'm doing. Not that it makes for good reading anyway with all these toilet stops.
I keep re-evaluating where I am and likely finishing times based on how long to go and what sort of shape I'm in. These estimates gradually blow out further and further as the run progresses.
A good feeling to get the first yellow scrunchie meaning 1 lap is down. Lap 2 goes by and although I am still having toilet stops I find some better rhythm and start passing a few people. I am feeling good about things and optimistic of an OK run time. Getting that 2nd orange scrunchie is another of the day's highlights.

This changes dramatically soon after passing the 30K marker. The stretch out to Settlement Point is hot, no trees and sheltered from the wind. Running is now losing its fun as it becomes harder to keep a decent sort of pace going. Finally I reach the turnaround, and use the blue portaloo once again. I didn't pick up my special needs drinks as I couldn't face drinking something that has been left out in the sun all day in a plastic bag. I turn to flat cola and get a good kick out of it, well it is much more palatable anyway. It takes a lot of self-encouragement to get going again and I reach my lowest point of the day heading back along the Settlement Point stretch, knowing I am almost there but at the current slow pace and all-over body ache, it feels like the finish is a long, long way away. I am desperate to get back into town and see my cheer squad to get some sort of a physical and mental boost. It is that thought that pushes me to along. I am now fighting, unsuccessfully, the battle to not walk. Even on the stretches between the aid stations I am now occasionally using walking as my means of transport. I am comforted to pass Tony Abbott heading out the other way with 1 or 2 less scrunchies that what I have (couldn't say for sure). I give him a mumbled word of acknowledgement/encouragement which draws a similar vague verbal acknowledgement back towards me.

Coming back in I pass a fellow runner who is lying flat on her back under a tree,with a volunteer helping out, and looking increasingly concerned. Things are starting to get a bit ugly.
I finally make it back to civilisation. A young girl at the drinks station offers 'cola or ice'. I could kiss her as that is just the combination I'm looking for. Another girl hands me a giant chunk of ice which I use to melt over my legs and neck, quite proud of myself for thinking to try that as it feels good. I dream of a giant ice bath to jump into to provide more relief.
I catch up with my support team and stop for hugs/kisses/handshakes any sort of contact to help get me going for the final 7-8K. Running hasn't got any easier but the crowds in the next section certainly seem to carry you along a bit. Seeing people running the opposite direction with the coveted yellow and orange scrunchie combo  gives me hope that this thing will finish soon. I cheer them on to their finish and am struck by how incredibly well most of them seem to be running. I can't understand how they are doing it and in my current state of shuffle/walk/jog, I struggle to see how I could be running like that anytime soon. One last toilet stop at the town beach aid station - I think I must have tried every single portaloo on the course. The small rise up from Town Beach feels like a steep climb now, I reluctantly walk it. But get cheers going up from another pocket of loyal fans. I start running again until the next hill, up from Oxley Park - which feels like a mountain now. I walk/jog up it. Joking with other competitors that is like the Madison Cycle Race where team-mates sling each other along the track. I pass Bunky heading the other way, still with another lap to do. We appreciate the giant sign 'Born 2 Run'. I comment that it should be corrected to say 'Born to Run/Walk'. Make it to the top of the hill and the turnaround. Thanking the volunteers for their great work along the way. Both thankful for their efforts and glad that I won't be seeing them again! The body is still trying to convince me that walking is the sensible option. I'm keen to make the most of the downhill so fight this urge and splutter into a jog. I walk once more heading up a small rise and then with 2-3K to go I find a strong pull takes over me and I am able to find some semblance of running legs. Suddenly with only minutes reamining of what has been a day-long ordeal, it doesn't feel as hard. The crowd is awesome. They are pumped for you to be finishing soon, but equally pumped for the guy that doesn't have a scrunchie yet and looks like he might be out here for a good part of the night. The footpath along the caravan park is full of chalk writing. Every second message appears to be for David. I run with a few Davids. It seems like every 2nd person is a David. I form a deep bond with my 2-scrunchie brethren who are also feeling the pull to the finish. It is smiles all round. With a little over 1K to go I am overcome with emotion as to what is about to be completed. The legs are ticking over, I have a few little cramps trying to bite but am almost floating. A big group of Maitland Tri Club members give me a big shout - they have been a massive help all day. The $55 I spent on the MTC Top has been worth every cent.
I round the last few corners and start to gear up for the chute. My favourite volunteer is standing at the head of the chute inviting the 2-scrunchie wearer to come on down. I high 5 him passionately and even give him a pat on the arse for his troubles. This is it. The emotion of it all hits me. Tears start welling up. I hear the cheers of my sister Ali and Dad on the side of the chute. I stop to kiss and hug them. Then continue down the runway for the final handful of metres before giving it the hands up to the sky salute as crossing the finish line. Rabs is on the mic I think, I don't remember many details. I see Gab and the support crew waiting at the fence. I am spent. I am speechless. Simply amazing.

Day 6, Week 12

Sleep: 9 hours (good sleep)

Training - 1 session - easy ride (7K, 20mins) + quick splash on the swim course

Raceday Eve - getting pretty pumped now. Sorted some more stuff out in the morning before heading into town for a quick swim followed by the Race Briefing.
Back home again to finish sorting the gear bags and bikes. Rode back into town to check the bags/bike in then home to relax some more. Big meal of pasta for dinner. Great to have Dad down as well.
Pretty early to bed ~8:30pm to get some sleep before a very early start. Struggled to get to sleep initially as too excited. Finally managed to drop off and get some sleep...

Day 5, Week 12

Sleep: 9 hours

Training: 1 session - Easy Run (3K, 15mins)

Woke up and took the dog for a quick run. Legs feeling good now. Getting ready for raceday to come.
Drove up to Port to pick up my sis and niece who had travelled from Darwin to support - awesome to have them here.
Checked in to our friends place - Bunky is also doing IM. Good to be able to get ready together and make sure we don't forget anything. Went into the Expo to register and soak up the atmospere. People and bikes everywhere. Pretty good setup. Once registered, headed home to relax and get a few things ready.
Carb party for dinner - good gee-up. Bring it on...!

Day 4, Week 12

Sleep: 8 hours

Training: 1 session - Easy Run 4.5K (20mins)

Packed everything up for Port this morning. Starting to get excited. Lots to remember to pack, but managed to get it all in.
Had to head out to do a clinic before getting back home quickly.
Headed up the road to our usual stopover at Harrington. Snuck out for a quick run to stretch the legs when we got there. Feeling good. Pasta for dinner and ready for a good sleep.

Day 3, Week 12

Sleep: 9 hours

Training: 0 sessions - Rest Day

Again a fairly quiet day catching up on work and jobs. Booked in for a massage in the morning. Was just what I needed. Probably should have had it more regularly through-out training. Felt great after. Drove out to Singleton in the afternoon to look at some houses. Still resting the legs up and wearing Skins constantly but they are coming good.

Day 2, Week 12

MY BIRTHDAY!!!

Sleep: 9 hours

Training: Easy Ride (14K, 30mins)

Would have to say this is the highest level of fitness I have had on my birthday, ever! Sadly, didn't have the day off work. Had to head to Sydney for a quick session and then turn around drive back. Got out for a ride on the new birthday wheels in the arvo - feeling great. Legs improving but still tight.

Out for birthday dinner at Carrington Place - great food, held off on a birthday drink though. Plan to make up for it after IM.

All up a great relaxing birthday.

Day 1, Week 12

Sleep: 8 hours

Training: 0 sessions - Rest Day

Fairly uneventful day spent up in the Valley working for most of it. Legs feeling sore after the weekend Tri. Probably not what you want in the taper week. Hoping the Skins, stretching and dencorub will go to work to loosen things up.

Day 7, Week 11

Sleep: 7 hours

Training: 2 sessions - Olympic Distance Tri and Team swim (500m)

Up in the dark to head down for the Sparke Helmore OD Tri. Felt good in the swim (no wetsuits) and enjoyed the ride while taking it cautiously on the bends. Felt good heading out on the run and pushed it coming home to post a sub 2hr13 overall OD debut. Pumped with the result but may have been guilty of going a bit too hard for a 'training' session.

Backed up for a team swim (wetsuits allowed this time). Felt much harder as it was a sprint but glad to have done it. Ended up winning the mixed corporate teams category.

Relaxed in the afternoon and tried to rest the legs up. Really enjoyed the OD Tri and keen to give another one a crack sometime.

Weekly Summary: 10 sessions - 4 swims (7.5K), 4 rides (148K), 2 runs (20K); Total time: 9hrs20; Total Mileage: 192K

Day 6, Week 11

Sleep: 7 hours

Training: 2 sessions - Ride 60K and ride 9K (2hrs17 and 20mins)

Out for a ride early heading towards Morpeth. Was going along nicely when I heard a strange noise come from the bike. Stopped to see what had happened only to find a busted spoke on the back wheel. Immediately thanked my good fortune for this happening now and not during the race tomorrow or worse still, on the roads of Port Mac. Summed up the situation and ended up snapping the broken spoke off and riding back to Newy with a wobbly but functioning wheel.
Called in at the bike shop - Two Wheel Industries to discuss my options. Started leaning towards getting a new set of wheels. Got talked in to a pair of shiny new Mavic Ksyrium Equipes - an early birthday present.

So the run off the bike idea was scrapped. But I did get out late in the day for a short ride to test the new wheels and man are they awesome. Didn't realise how much smoother and easier new wheels could make the ride feel. Loving them already and looking forward to giving them a spin at the Tri in the morning.