It's the end of 'Mo'vember

There hasn't been a lot going on in the life of Iain this month. Training has been almost none existant and it's now hard to believe that tomorrow will be a full month since IM Florida.
This weekend we travelled up country to see the folks and meet up for our pre-christmas meal with aunts, uncles, cousins etc etc.
I took advantage of the time up there to take the pup out for an off road run at one of my favourite haunts. Jeez it hurt.
I used to rule this place, hitting all the hills real hard and smacking anybody who dared to come training there with me. Training in Devon has made me soft though. Although the general area is much hillier the local runs are pancake flat, especially the ones I can do and let the dog run free. Sure I can still run, but show me a hill and I'm in trouble. I used to run over there for 90mins and finish by sprinting up 'Jacobs Ladder', it was the sting in the tail that any training partners used to hate and I used to love. Yesterday I hit 'Jacobs Ladder' twice and on the first attempt I had to stop and walk halfway through - disgraceful!
Anyway, back to the meal. It's a fairly big old gathering and as it's been going on for a fair few years the relatives have witnessed many a Florida haircut, so me turning up with a multi coloured barnet isn't a strange sight, but how's about me turning up with a good old Mo?
I'm a lazy toerag and quite often find myself walking around with far too much facial hair which I then get the shears on and dispose of all in one hit, the thaught of leaving some has never appeared, but it is Movember after all, so here it is. For one time only. Iain with a Mo (and a stupid face of course).

Hmmmmm, turns out that for some odd reason Shell quite likes it and now wants me to keep it for next weeks big Aquathlon, where my out of shape backside is no doubt going to get well and truly kicked by some kids. We'll see ;)

Mega Iron Lunatics ;-)

When you're 70 years old and you've just completed a Quintuple Ironman then you're allowed to wear socks with your sandals OK!!!!!

Congratulations to Arthur and the other Finishers.

Good Luck to all those Deca Ironman racers who are a mere 200hrs into their race.

You're all freaking MAD!!!!

Click here to see the official pics.

Go get em Suraya - I rarely finish 20miles looking this happy, never mind the extra 100.

The Pic Game

Ok, so I popped over to see what was happening in the blog of Flatman and spotted the Photo Game. I appear to be a day behind but thought what the hell I'll have a look see. The idea is that you pick the 4th photo out of the 4th folder on your computer and then explain.

Interesting idea, so here's mine:



So to an explanation then.

It's from when we raced IM Florida in 2005. It's one of the twin sprogs belonging to my sprog sister - no I don't know which one. We thought he looked cute (or was it daft) in his new hat so we took a pic.

No prizes for guessing where in Panama City we were at the time ;-)

On another note, today was my first planned training session since IMFl. I've had 3 weeks off other than a couple of small runs. I kicked off by taking the pup out for a nice steady 10 miler, at least my legs felt it was steady, my heart rate was telling me I was running at 5k pace. I also picked up a niggle during IMFl and after 5miles of todays run I decided that it was still there. Now, 5hrs after the run has finished I KNOW it's still there - grrrrrrr!!!! I'll soon kick it into touch.

I've set up a training team for Ironman Florida 2009. If you're reading this and you're racing next November then pop over, have a look and join in. It's all free and will hopefully become a good place to compare your training with others.

Nutcases of Tri

Ever thought that Ironman just wasn't quite long enough? Nope, me neither.

But just in case you have............



The DecaMan is currenly ongoing in Mexico - website linky

There's even a BLOG

1st swimmer out of the water in 13:17.

Lunatics :o:o:o

Thanks

I know it's getting a bit late to STILL be going on about IM Florida, this is the last post I promise. I realised that after all my spouting on I hadn't thanked any of the people who helped me along the way and made the journey and training a bit easier. No doubt I'll still forget about (and upset) someone along the way, with the sieve like head I've got then it's bound to happen.

So in no particular order......

Thanks to Mom, Dad, Sis, David and the Sprogs for helping me along the way, nagging me to death (that's mostly Mom) and for babysitting/putting up with/spoiling rotten their Rosie while we were away.

Thanks to Rich Brady for gently pushing me in the right direction and attempting to sort my previously rediculous nutrition strategy. It needs more work, but it was a massive improvement.

Thanks to the good folks at NA Sports for making me significantly poorer when I left Florida than I was when I arrived.

Thanks to the boys and girls of North Devon Tri who came out training with me and suffered at the hands of my monsterous speed (not very often) and my forked tongue (more often).

Thanks to Maria for my weekly massges and to Sue for my haircut (yep, it's all her fault).

Thanks to the 6-7000 volunteers who were out there cheering us on all the way round the course.

Thanks to all the folks back here who sat up until far too late in the night hoping to see me complete a jubilant finish only to see some miserable bastard crossing the line and promptly disappearing. Next year I promise to carry the flag over AND smile (honest!).

Thanks to the blog folks and Buckeye folks who came over to say Hi to the idiot with green hair rather than giving him a wide berth. I'll even thank Moonpie for verbally abusing me at around 12miles into the race, how I could have done with that 4 miles later when I was walking. He'd have even been able to keep up with me then.

I suppose I should also thank Shelly for putting up with all my crap over the last 12months. Saying that though, as she's making me go back again next year she deserves all the crap that she gets. Thanks. I think.

If you've got the hump with me now because I've forgotten you then I'm sorry but as it probably means you're going to know me quite well then you should obviously expect no less than to be forgotten. Suck it up and get on with your life!!!

Now. Who's up for some training? I need to start again soon, I've an Ironman to train for.

More Florida reports.

For those of you that like a read and would like a more humourous Florida Blog post I give you.....

TriFAThlete - thanks to RichieC for this little link :)

and

Michele's guest write up - thanks to Tim for this little link.

Here we go again!!!!

This message is generated as confirmation of your recent registration on Active.com. You have been successfully registered for the following:

Registration:
2009 Ford Ironman Florida
Purchase Date:
11/10/08
Team:
Iain David Hindes
Category:
On-Site Registrants
Event Date:
11/07/09
Name:
Iain Hindes

Nearly over :(

It's my last full day in the sun of PCB today before we head of back to the dark and cold of Deepest Devon.

There's always a good reason to hang around when this place gets quite though. Every year over the week following the Ironman a load of crazies roll into town with some sweeeeeet trick old motors.

I'm not big on what's what in the world of old American motors, but I love em. We went out for some food last night and the camera was in the car so I took some piccies of those that were around. Some of the pics are a bit duff because it was dark and Shelly thought I was a real saddo walking around carparks with my camera.

Oh yeah - 365 days from today, in EXACTLY 1 years time I'll be going through the whole Ironman Florida Experience again. Must be time to start training I guess!!




There was some big old bike rally out and about yesterday too.

Some lessons for me to learn in the next 12months

1 – Swim – FFS learn to sight bouys!!!!!!

2 – T1 – Over an Ironman it’s worth spending a bit of time Transition sorting things that will cost lots of time later. How long would it have taken for me to make sure my feet were free of sand before I put socks on? Walking later because my feet were red raw cost me much longer. How long would it have taken to apply some sunblock on my shoulders and legs? I’ve no idea if this would have saved me time, but it might have saved me the 4 days of pain I’ve had since.

3 – Bike – You can spend what you like on fancy gear and it won’t make up for strength. A new bike/aero helmet combo still led to my slowest ever Florida bike split (I still wanted a P3C though). Also learn how to ride how to ride hard on the bike (become a good cyclist). If needs be get your ass in the gym and strengthen those quads. There is no reason at all why I can’t go under 5hrs on that bike course. If I race a Sprint Tri I’m comfortably inside the top 5% on the bike, I can’t be happy with only making the top 20% of an Ironman bike. PS – How the hell do the Pros get all their calories into one bottle? None of their bikes were loaded up with half the bottles that mine was.

4 – T2 – Again, unless you’re at the front of the pack then time really isn’t of the essence. On a long day comfort could actually save you more time than speed. Take the sunblock offers and vas up, it’s worth it.

5 – Run – Practice running off those long bike rides all the time. 5k won’t do it either, running 5k is far to easy. Make sure those practice runs off the bike are at Ironman pace, it’s ok popping out and cruising 6-8miles at 6:30 pace but that’s no good if you’re only aiming to run 8:00pace.

Extras

Tim - When we last saw you 2009 was the furthest from my mind. It's great to have a supportive girlfriend but sometimes Shell is a bit to supportive and she likes her holidays in Florida. It's all her fault!!!! As for 60 more IM with 1min improvements!!!!! I'd rather have 1 more with an improvement like yours.

Rich - You've got a coach (roflmao). I hope that's just Kit you're talking about. The aero helmet was actually the least of my worries. We were off the bike before the temperature got too hot. It's only really there because it was on offer and cheaper than a normal helmet (it should also now have club colours (or hair colours) - picking it up later).
Maybe we'll pop in and let Rosie tear your garden up when we've picked her up from Wolves on the way home :-)

I'll try again

Ah heck, my will to write out a looooong race report has gone sine I managed to mess it all up yesterday, so here’s a brief summary instead. People who’ve known me for years will probably hear the drawn out version many many times and those that only known me from here will probably have read many far more interesting reports by now.

So. Onto the bike.
The plan was to ride at 125-130bpm.
For the first 50miles I felt lethargic and struggled to hit 120bpm.
At 30miles I decided I’d attempt to pee whilst on the bike.
At 70miles I gave up trying and stopped to pee off the bike.
Some bloke called Norbert was a dirty drafting cheat, there were many out there so it’s probably unfair to just name one but he was the one I kept passing when he was alone only to see him come back past again sucking a wheel.
At 80miles I suddenly started to feel strong so rode the last 30miles at 130bpm. This was the fastest part of the course anyway so that made it feel even better.
New Tri specific bike, new aero helmet = slowest Florida bike split ever. 2mins slower than in 2004, 12mins slower than in 2005. Both when I was riding my TREK 5200 road bike. Hmmmmmm!

The run
Mile 1 spent holding back while many people flew past. Even backing off it only took 7:02.
Miles 2,3, 4 and 5 much better paced. Walked through 2 feed stations and stopped for a pee. 5miles done in just under 40mins.
Mile 6 took over 10mins after stopping to get a stone from my shoe. Couldn’t get shoe back on due to cramps. Damn annoying.
Miles 7-12 was a struggle. Running at over 9:00 pace with HR in mid 130’s. Heat getting to me now and sand in shoes & socks off the beach means it feels as though I’m running on sandpaper. Walk most aid stations eating almost anything.
Mile 13 saw the mad Moonpie fella who ran alongside cheering me on. It was a most welcome distraction. Stopped to chat with Shell and get rid of my awful fuelbelt. Took shoe off again. Cramped again! Clock said 8:30:00 as I turned. Hoped that was the Elite time and it meant 8:20:00 for me.
Mile 14 was better.
Mile 15 the wheels fell off.
Mile 16-20 I just walked, walked and walked. I was burning up in the afternoon sun. My feet felt as though they were red raw and my stomach was in knots. Enough is enough. Received massive encouragement from many other athletes who should have been focusing on their own race.
Mile 20 – decision time!!!! I was on the last leg of the run and I was in danger of putting in my worst IM ever (except the DNF in 2005). I grabbed a couple of sponges from the aid station, sat down on a fence and removed my shoes and socks. I shook the sand from my shoes, shook out my socks and thoroughly washed my feet. At least if I had to walk I could feel a little more comfortable. Back on went the shoes and socks and I headed back towards home, running!
My feet felt better immediately, then after only half a mile I had to stop at the side of the road again. This time I had no control over anything as I proceeded to throw up most of the last hours food. Bad times? Nope, my stomach now felt fine again.
Miles 21 to the Finish Line – I ran and I ran well (9:26, 7:11, 7:03, 7:09, 7:09, 7:02). I skipped all the aid stations and simply put my head down. It was congested out there now with many people walking and jogging along the narrower sections and at time sit was quite tricky to make the small gaps as my pace was so different to everybody elses. Many people who’d given me encouragement when I was suffering gave me new shouts as I went past them in full flow. It had taken 134miles, but suddenly I felt real good.
The Finish Line came all to quickly in the end. I felt as though I’d another 4-5miles of good running in my legs, but after heading for my worst finish ever I ended up dipping under my pb in 10:55. I wasn’t happy and probably had the most miserable finish picture of the day though, but it was over. There would be NO MORE!!!!!

Five attempts at Ironman. 5 attempts at finishing between 9:30 & 10:00. 5 miserable failures to hit the targets. SURELY THERE WILL BE NO MORE!!!! SURELY I’VE LEARNT MY LESSON NOW!!!!

Ermmmmmm, I’ll guess I’ll be seeing you all at IMFl 2009 then. Oh Hell!!!

Jeez, if this is the short version. You’re all so lucky that I lost the long version.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh

I've just spent 2 hours finishing off a race report that made the race seem short only to stupidly press the wrong button and lose the lot.

What an a-hole.

Now I'm really mad!!!!!!!!!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Post Mortem

Well, it all went wrong – again!!!
Once again I look as miserable as sin crossing the finish line.
Once again I have to suffer the barrage of sympathy, abuse and mickey taking that befits a 5 time Ironman screw up.
Damn I need to learn how to ride a bike!!!

So to the day itself.
By the time we woke up people would already have been milling about Transition, we’re lazy like that. I planned to get there around 6am which would give me 30mins to get my stuff sorted and get out of there. With special needs bags dropped off, run nutrition sorted, bike nutrition sorted I gave the bike a once over. The tyres were a bit soft so I joined the queue for the track pumps, Front tyre inflated fine to around 100psi, the back tyre though? Nothing was doing. We tried several times but nothing was putting air into the thing. I wandered off to find someone with a pokey stick type thing that I could shove down my valve extenders to free the valve up by kicking some air out. With transition about to close I found one and set about my valve only to discover that it seems the reason I could get no air in was because the valve has closed. Ah screw, I’d just have to ride with a back tyre that only has around 60psi in it. It’ll be fine, the roads are smooth, the pressure will rise as the temperature climbs, I could get a puncture but I could get one anyway. There was a last minute sprint across transition to my bike when I realised I’d still got my glasses on but other than that all was well.

The Swim.
My new wetsuit slipped effortlessly onto my body saving the 20mins of early morning struggle that I normally have and I made my way down the beach to join the hoards at the start line. There’s plenty of room at the front so I positioned myself slightly to the right and smack on the surf line. Soon the hooter went off we were away and I was getting the crap beaten out of me. Normally, being a half decent swimmer it doesn’t take me long to break free of the fists, fine some clear(ish) water and settle into my rhythm. Not today though! For most of the first lap I was constantly having my feet clawed at, crashing into people and getting kicked. People were of course getting the same treatment back, except for the kicking of course, my legs just drag behind me like some limp lettuce. We exited lap one in 27mins and then waded back out into the sea across a sandbank for what seemed like ages, it really worked the legs too. Lap2 I guess took around 28mins (I haven’t scruitinized the results yet), it would partly have been longer due to the dreadful wade out to sea and partly because on this lap I did find clear water which means of course that with my fantastic navigation skills I swam a little bit further than most people (even with my prescription goggles). I left the water, ran up the beach, through the shower, had my wetsuit stripped and on to T1 screaming my number in the hope that my bag would be ready for me to grab, it wasn’t, but it wasn’t long coming. There were still a lot of bags for the helpers to sort through after 55mins.

T1 was a little bit farcical, mostly because I was fannying around with my Garmin which I’d still got set on run mode (doh!). I tipped my bag out, switched my watch on, threw on my socks, shoes, helmet etc and ran out to where the helpers were having a little trouble getting my bike from the very tight racking. I was soon on my way though and I saw the race clock click to 1:00:00 just before I crossed the timing mat. Not quite as fast as I’d hoped, but that was mostly down to my messing about.

Bike next time!!!!!

;-p

Oh yeah, I got burnt too.

Race Report

I screwed it up AGAIN!!!!!