IronMan Taupo 2015

INSPIRATION

The Oxford Dictionary definition of INSPIRATION is:

"The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative"

Well, it's the Monday after IronMan 2015.  What a weekend.  If the purpose of was going to Taupo was to be inspired then I think I can say expectations were exceeded.    It was an awesome weekend.  I loved it.

I err on the side of the understatement. This is one of my life long habits.  I was reminded of that at this at the weekend.  This includes my descriptions of things and also of myself at times.  So if I say "pretty good" that does mean I think it is really good.  I still think its good to have gradients in descriptors.  So something can be fair, good, very good, excellent, extremely excellent, awesome - and above awesome, "Man that was off the scale"!  Everything is not always awesome, but the more you I get the best of out of life I guess the shift becomes it is easier to focus on the awesome things than the less awesome things.

I've always thought IronMan was something you watched on TV.  A bunch of professional atheletes and a thousand or so amateuars that push themselves to extreme, crazy people doing crazy fitness regimes.  I never thought I'd watch an IronMan live, enjoy it and be inspired by it.  But I was INSPIRED. I like the phrase Rawiri uses "ordinary people doing extroadinary things".

First #Whanaujourney Road Trip

Nathan Martin - Athelete, competing his 6th Ironman event in Taupo was the perfect opportunity to have the first #Whanaujourney road trip.  Not all the training whanau could make it.  But for those of us that could, I am sure it was a weekend we will all remember.

The Ironman 2015 journey started at the botton of Ngaruanga Gorge (that remains on the bucket list of roads to ride).  Initially it was Rawiri, Nadine, Vicki, Michelle, Lisa, and Michelle and me.  We were joined by Steven and Tia and then headed up Bulls via Paekakariki where we met Fiona and Murray.   Alicia and her husband, and Julie and her two boys, and Rebecca also made the trip up.

Lisa had organised accommodation for us in Taupo, and it was a perfect base for us. 

It was a long day - in the eyes of a specatator.  About 7am until after midnight.  It was pretty special to watch the start line, to the swim leg, see Nathan (the primary reason for being in Taupo) run down into the lake.  Then I saw Michelle M, who I used to work with run in to the lake.  That was pretty special to.  I've known Michelle has been working her way up through events over the last couple of years, including IronMaroi.  And that's how she's become an Iron Man on Saturday.  I haven't kept in contact with Michelle, but I have followed and been inspired by her journey. So seeing her achieve her first Ironman event was awesome.

In my eyes, there was a look in the competitors eyes as they filled the concourse to go into the lake.   A whole mix of things, amped, focused, driven, andrenalin.

Reporoa

After watching the start of the bike leg, we headed up to Reporoa.  This meant for the specatators, a bit of a rest as we waited for the competitors to come through.  It was awesome seeing Nathan ride round, and followed shortly by Troy.  Troy as I mentioned in my last post saved my life  - at least in terms of being able to navigate the Wellington wharf on my first road ride.  I've never really spoken to him, because I'm always out of breath - but I know I have fully appreciated the way he supported me when I am at the last of the run or cycle pack.  So it meant a lot to me that for once I could call out his name and support him.  I didn't realise it was his first Ironman.  He was already an Ironman in my eyes.

 

 

 



 This is one of Nathan's favourite shots - I love it too.  A man at work, loving his work.

 

I love it when it rains

Actually I do love it when it rains. Rain doesn't really bother me.  This is not why I am not wearing the All Black ponchos that Alicia had the wisdom to bring.  No, I am not wearing it because I left mine in the car.  I did this twice, until #poseforrose suggested it was going to be a long night and perhaps it might be a good idea if I went and got my poncho.  She was right.

 

 

Below is Nathan and the #whanaujoruney crew shortly after Nathan's completion of Ironman

 

 

 

....and an action shot running....

 

  

Your almost there - if you don't run into the tree (an old Japanese saying)

 

At the  suggestion of Nathan, we went and watched the last people home.  These are my people.  I know how it is to be the Tail End Charlie.   It was pretty special to be able to do this.  We went to a couple of random spots and under the leadership of Rawiri just yelled and supported these people like they were at Run Group "You've got this", "You are a Iron Man".  It was just so special to be able to do that, and even though I know its so important and means so much,  being the other person who is yelling support touched me in an unexpected way.  There was though a moment of pure comic when Rawiri was sort of standing by a tree in the dark waiting for the next person, and then he moved forward started yelling support, and we jumped out of the car and then next minute, the Japanese competitor who was so excited and thankful to have people cheering for him almost ran into the tree.   I did think there was the potential for people to be in the zone and possibly hallucinating, and our support might need to be moderated and take that into consideration.  I will though always smile when I think of that moment.

 

The roll down

 

One of things I learnt about IronMan is post the event on the Sunday morning there is a "rolldown".  That means the top competetiors in each age group qualify for entry to Hawaii Ironman - home of the Ironman.

 

There were a couple that came in late.  As in at least 20 minutes.  The woman asked if the category her partner had been called out.  For a moment she gave out a huge sigh of relief as she thought they were in time.  Then as she heard the official presenter roll on to the next category, she realised she had misheard.  Her partner had missed the official call out. 

"What can I do?  I need to see someone about this" she said.

"You can't do anything now" her said firmly.

"I have to do something" she repeated.

"You can't do anything now" he repeated like an Iceman rather than an Ironman.   "It's too late".

 

His eyes fixated on the stage in an ice cold glare.  There was more tension in that moment than any episode of  Shortland St or the "Days of our Lives" (showing my age, but I think they were American). At that point she left her seat, as if she had just been given the news of someone who had died. He remained seated.  He was/is an Ironman.  He knows about timeframes and cut off times, and rules.  And that if you don't have the discipline to meet the rules then you don't claim the prize.

 

In contrast to this the couple who missed the prize, there was an older man standing next to me.  He seemed like he knew the people and the place.  I could pick up a real sense of contentment as he watched all the competitors collect their entry into Hawai Ironman.  When his age category came, about 4 or 5 people rolled out and weren't there.  This meant he was eligible for Hawiai Ironman.    There was a look on his face that said he couldn't believe it.  The look on his wife's face was even happier.   It was pure joy and happiness.  I felt happy for them even though I wasn't going to Hawaai.  I was later to learn that this guy has entered and completed something like the last 30 events.  Wow. When you take a moment to think what it must have been like 30 years ago.  Imagine competing with a basic bike, no bottled water, basic clothing gear, and no supplements or water bottles.  That man deserves to go to Hawaii!

 

The best highlight of the roll down was the 82 year old Japanese competitor who will be competing in Hawaii.  There was a standing ovation for this man.  It bought a tear to my eye.  82 years old and he is completing Ironman events.  He deserves to go to Hawaii.

 

Nathan didn't make the rolldown.  I am sure though one day he will compete at Hawaii.  He is probably in one of the most competitive age group categories.

 

Those are just a few glimpses of what was in fact an AWESOME weekend.  Probably the most mental and visual stimulation I've had for some time.

 

There were probably a few minor tweaks we can make as a group for when we travel together (like planning our meals ahead - at least for a couple of meals), but this type of stuff we will figure out as we go.

 

The road trip home was pretty cool - as Rawiri started to compose what I think will the #whanaujourney waiata.  Perfect end to an AWESOME weekend.

 

 

 



King Cobra, and the missing towel

Last night was the first night of the March intake of "run group".  There were some new faces and some old familiar faces.  This was makes run group quite cool.  I'm not sure what number run group I am up to now.  Just that I've been going since July 2014.

Time Trials are my nemesis.  Last night that was the case too.  Last night was 28.52 for 3km.  I think that was nearly 2 minutes slower than my last time trial.  I was sort of OK with it though, because for all other time trials I have had the Sunday as a rest day, whereas this time trial, I had completed the 45km bike road the day before.  I'd still like to set a goal of 24 minutes for the end of this 6 week period.  That would 3 x1km @ 8 minutes.  I'm aiming for that.  The main time trial for me that counts though is the Triability on 21 March. 

Today I went to go for a swim at Carterton pool but it was all locked up.  I was really disappointed because its an outdoor pool and I thought it would be great to practice in.   So, instead I drove up to Masterton.

It's fair to say the Masterton pool like the Tranzmetro trains is run by people that have their own rules.  Nice enough staff, but they don't really actively supervise the pool.    At least today I had a lane to myself.

I did 2500m according to my new Garmain watch that is now on New Zealand time, but about 1km was acquajogging because my goggles fog up.  Hoping to get some new ones tomorrow.

The best thing about Masterton pool is it has a good spa, that is great for the jets on sore legs.  But it was a bit creepy in the spa today because first there were two old men (that just seemed a bit on the side of two creepy old men, rather than just two old men), and then two King Cobra men, and then a heavily tattooed guy that looked like he had done prison time.  How do I know they were King Cobra - well the King Cobra tattooed in large font on their backs gave it away.   How do I know the guy had done prison time?  Well, there is a look, and I know that look.   It was actually harmless being in the Spa with these guys, but I just didn't feel comfortable.

As for the missing towel - someone stole my towel! And I actually think I saw the person who stole it using it! That was weird.  Fortunately it wasn't one of best towels, and it wasn't my car keys or eftpos card.  I try and think, well if they needed to steal my towel, maybe they needed it more than me.  Annoying though because there are no security lockers at Masterton pool, and the attendants aren't really in attendance.   Next time, I'll just need to put my towel in the cubbyholes that aren't lockable, and mental note: Ill be taking old towels!

March 1 - First road ride

 

 

 

Today was my first road  ride.  I was panicking I wasn't going to get up in time.  I did.  But I spent about 15 minutes phaffing about securing Ruby to my car.  I'm not used to using the transport thing.

 

I arrived at Cycle Science to learn the ride was going to be into Wellington - Lyall Bay to be precise.  I was sort of pleased because it meant I didn't have to contemplate Wallaceville hill.  I was pleased until the first traffic lights at Melling.  It was here my first separation from the riding bunch occurred. I missed the lights and boom, that meant I was alone on the Hutt motorway.

 

Nathan (the man with red helmet in the above picture - although he is of course much more than a man with a red helmet!) waited up for me.  This was to be a reoccurring theme for the day.

 

As we got to Thorndon and just pass Iride but before the Wellington Railway Station, the thought crossed my mind that I had $15.00 in my bike pocket, and that would be more than enough to get me back to Waterloo Interchange.  I don't know where that thought came from.  I wasn't actually physically tired, but I felt like I had to think all the time - about my cleats, about the lights, my cleats, lights.  I was seriously contemplating it, but then I told myself I had to get a grip - or equivalent because in no way would that be acceptable!

 

I missed the lights again near the Rydges, but Troy (who is an awesome genuine Ironman, in the way he provides leadership and support) was waiting for me on the wharf.  This is Troy below running with me on one of the early run group runs - my first attempt at 3km I think.

 

 

 

Troy navigated me through my first Sri Lankan dance party, the Wellington waterfront on Sunday market day and Test match cricket day, and past the crazy man that was a cyclists nightmare.  It was a huge help.  If he hadn't been there at that point and time I probably would've despaired with the crowds, but he made it possible to do the drive through.

 

The next part of the ride was to Maranui Café.  Great, I thought, "coffee", and at Maranui!  But no, that was just the half way mark.  We turned around and rode home.

 

Uneventful until the Chaffers Park New World, where I almost had a panic attack in the middle of the road, so decided to go via Te Papa.  This worked, but some older lady did tell me off as I was shaking on my cleats that is was a pedestrian area.  I shook in my cleats, literally, but then cycled on to the petrol station near the railway station, where fortunately I was reunited with the bunch.

 

Rawiri gave me a banana, and I realised, I had been remiss in taking any "fuel".  I'm not sure why because I usually do.

 

Vicky, Fiona, and Michelle helped me ride home on the motorway.  Vicky suggested we go via Hutt motorway, and that seemed like a brilliant suggestion to me.

 

I actually found the ride quite stressful, so couldn't post up on Facebook that I loved it.  But now that I am home, I'm really glad that was the first ride.  The important thing is it took me out of my comfort riding zone with all the lights and Wellington traffic.  I'm used to riding on basically traffic free roads, and not having to think about cleats and lights.

 

I feel like I've done a real road ride now!   I realise there's nothing like time in the saddle to get the confidence.

 

I had thought the cycle leg was going to be my strength - I'm now thinking it better be swimming - possibly it will be swimming, because I have reasonable upper body strength.  But what I was reminded of today was that whether its running, cycling, or swimming - the only way to get better and faster is to do the miles.

 

I'll be back, because I'm not going to be deterred by a few traffic lights!